ABSTRACT

Three soil profile pits which represent three soil units ONM-0 1, ONM-02 and ONM-03 developed on sand stones and coastal plain sands transition of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Western farm in South Eastern Nigeria were studied. The study was carried out on about 10,000m2of land to characterize and classify the soil as well as evaluate the land. Soil samples collected from each identifiable horizon were analyzed for particle size distribution, soil pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, exchangeable acidity, available phosphorus, exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity and micronutrient, bulk density and saturated hydraulic conductivity of all the soil units. The classification was done using the (USDA) soil taxonomy with approximate correlation of (FAQ) soil map of the world legend. The soils were well drained with sandy loam to sandy clay loam surface over clay loam to gravelly clay and clay sub soils. The soils were very strongly acidic to strongly acidic (pH 5.00-5.40) and have low base saturation (30-40%). Organic carbon contents were lowmoderately low (0.95-1.34%). Nitrogen contents were low to moderately low (0.01-0.11%). Available phosphorus is low to moderate (4.50-8.68 mgkg'), while cation exchange capacity values are very low- moderate (5.0-15.0 cmolkg'). Exchange cations are very low to low (1.20-3.4 lcmolkg ') for Ca, low-moderate (0.80-1,70 cmo1kg') for Mg, for K very low to moderate (0.14-0.23 cmo1kg') and very low to moderate (0.70-0.31 cmolkg'). The bulk density values ranges from (0.55- 14g/ cm3) the saturated hydraulic conductivity values range from (0.55-45.36 ksat). Available micronutrients are adequate (1.90-7.20 mgkg') for Zn, adequate (1.69-3.40 mgkg 1) for Mn, marginal to adequate (2.10-7. l0mgkg 1) for Fe and marginal to adequate (0.56-1 .20mgkg') for Cu. Based on their characteristics the soils were classified as Typic Hapludult (USDA) soil taxonomy correlated approximately as Haplic Acrisol (FAQ).