ABSTRACT
The
Coastal Plain Sands of Abia State spans from Umuahia North to Ugwunagbo Local
Government Area, hence it was studied adopting the free soil survey approach.
Data were obtained from the field and laboratory analyses. Three Mapping units
were delineated and six pedons were sunk as designated; COPED I (Pedon 1 and
Pedon 2), COPED II (Pedon 4 and Pedon 5) and COPED III (Pedon 3 and Pedon 6).
Physicochemical characterization of the pedons was studied to classify the
soils and determine the best possible land use and management of the soils.
Following the USDA Soil Taxonomy, the pedons were classified as Rhodic
Paleudult (Pedon 1), Grossarenic Paleudult (Pedon 3) Typic Paleudult (Pedon 2,
4. 5, and 6) and they all correlated with Haplic Acrisol in (WRB). The soils
were generally deep (> 100 cm) with soil textures dominated by sandy loam
and loamy sand at the soil surface, and sandy clay loam at the sub surface.
Generally the soils were acidic with pH ranges of (4.8 - 5.5) in CODEP I, (4.0
- 5.1) in CODEP II, (4.0 - 4.8) in CODEP III. Effective Cation Exchange
Capacity were observed to be low with ranges of (5.37 - 7.70 cmol/kg) in CODEP
I, (0.49 - 6.39 cmol/kg) in CODEP II, (2.92 - 5.64 cmol/kg) in CODEP III. Base
saturation were found to be low to moderate with ranges of (29.0 - 42.2 %) in
CODEP I, (23.8 - 59.7 %) in CODEP II, (29.0 - 57.4 %) in CODEP III. Bulk
Density showed ranges from (1200 - 1720 kg/m3) in CODEP I, (1320 - 1760 kg/m3)
in CODEP II, (1210 - 1750 kg/m3) in CODEP III. Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity
ranged was (1.57 - 87.2 cm/hr) in CODEP I, (22.3 - 121 cm/hr) in CODEP II,
(1210 - 1750 cm/hr) in CODEP III. The pedons were evaluated for mung bean
production and suitability using the Riquier’s productivity index and Khiddir
Index of Productivity approach. From the two suitability classification
methods, based on mapping units, the suitability classification method of
Riquier’s productivity index revealed that; COPED 1 and COPED II were
currently, marginally suitable S3 and potentially, moderately suitable S2,
COPED III were currently, not suitable N and potentially, marginally suitable
S3. While the suitability classification method of Khiddir Index productivity
revealed that COPED 1, COPED II, COPED III were currently, not suitable N and
potentially, marginally suitable S3. From comparisons, it was concluded that
the obtained indices by the Riquier index presented higher and better land
suitability ratings more than the Khiddir method. Correlation analysis exposed
a positive correlation between the two methods. Fertility Capability
Classification (FCC) of the three mapping units (COPED I, COPED II and COPED
III) were classified as ‘SLkmh’ with potassium deficiency (k), low organic
carbon saturation (m) and acidity (h) as the estimated limitations. Principal
Component Analysis reduced the factors and processed the highly correlated
pedogenic variables; the soil organic matter, sand texture, moisture contents,
pH and nutrient contents were revealed as the principal limiting factors in
this study.
OKECHUKWU, O (2023). Land suitability of Soils of Coastal Plain Sands in Abia State for Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) Production:- Okechukwu, Tochukwu V.. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Oct 12, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/land-suitability-of-soils-of-coastal-plain-sands-in-abia-state-for-mung-bean-vigna-radiata-production-okechukwu-tochukwu-v-7-2
OKECHUKWU, OKECHUKWU. "Land suitability of Soils of Coastal Plain Sands in Abia State for Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) Production:- Okechukwu, Tochukwu V." Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 07 Dec. 2023, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/land-suitability-of-soils-of-coastal-plain-sands-in-abia-state-for-mung-bean-vigna-radiata-production-okechukwu-tochukwu-v-7-2. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.
OKECHUKWU, OKECHUKWU. "Land suitability of Soils of Coastal Plain Sands in Abia State for Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) Production:- Okechukwu, Tochukwu V.". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 07 Dec. 2023. Web. 12 Oct. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/land-suitability-of-soils-of-coastal-plain-sands-in-abia-state-for-mung-bean-vigna-radiata-production-okechukwu-tochukwu-v-7-2 >.
OKECHUKWU, OKECHUKWU. "Land suitability of Soils of Coastal Plain Sands in Abia State for Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) Production:- Okechukwu, Tochukwu V." Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2023). Accessed 12 Oct. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/land-suitability-of-soils-of-coastal-plain-sands-in-abia-state-for-mung-bean-vigna-radiata-production-okechukwu-tochukwu-v-7-2