Influence Of Parent Materials On The Characteristics, Taxonomy And Management Of Soils Of Egbeada And Amakohia, Owerri North L.G.A. Imo State:- Iheanyichukwu, Gospel. C

ABSTRACT ix The study investigated the influence of parent materials on the characteristics and management of soils in Egbeada and Amakohia in Owerri North L.G.A, Imo State. Coastal plain sand and alluvial deposits were the two dominant parent materials in the study area. Two pedons per parent material were dug to impermeable depths, studied and sampled for morphological, physical and chemical analysis. The data obtained were statistically analysed, using simple arithmetic means and ranges. The means were tested using t-test to determine statistically different means for the two parent materials. The results obtained indicated that soils of coastal plain sands had a moist colour of dark brown (7.5YR3/2) to dark yellowish brown (10 YR3/4) surface soils over reddish brown (5YR5/4) to yellowish red (5YR4/6) sub soils. Soil derived from Alluvium were characterized by strong brown (7.5YR4/6) and dark grey (7.5YR4/6) top soils over reddish grey (5YR5/1) to reddish yellow (7.5YR4/6) sub soils. The soils derived from coastal plain sand, had sandy, loamy sands epipedons over SCL to sandy clay endopedons. On the other hand, the soils of alluvium had loamy epipedons to clay loam over sandy clay endopedons. The soils of coastal plain sand (CPS) were acidic (pH4.4-5.2) in reaction while soils of alluvial deposits (ALD) were moderately acid (pH5.1-5.8) in reactions. The soils in the study area indicated significant differences in means for pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, exchangeable cations, CEC, base saturation, percentage sand and clay between soils of coastal plain sand and alluvial deposits. The soils derived from alluvial deposits in the study are had much higher natural fertility than their coastal plain acid sands counterpart. The productivity of soils of coastal plain sands can be enhanced through liming, manuring and fertilization with NPK 15.15:15 while the soils of alluvial deposits can be managed through right choice of crops and efficient water control mechanisms and drainage. The soils of coastal plain sand were classified as Arenic Hapludults (USDA) and Arenic Acrisols (FAO/UNESCO), while those of alluvial deposit were classified Histic Humaquepts (USDA) and Humic Cambisols ( FAO/UNESCO)