An assessment of physical and chemical properties status, degradation rate, and vulnerability potentials of soils of Makurdi area of Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the fertility status of soil physical and chemical properties and the degradation rate and vulnerability potentials of soils of the Makurdi area of Benue State, Nigeria, and suggest appropriate management practices. A total of eighteen (18) composite soil samples from 015 cm were collected at three (3) different locations (Agan, Adaka, and Experimental Farm of Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi) within the Makurdi area of Benue State and studied. The sustainability of the soils in the study sites was assessed concerning the cumulative rating index (CRI) of the degradation rating (SDR) and soil vulnerability potentials (SVP). The rating scheme for soil degradation (SDR) and soil vulnerability potential (SVP) and guidelines for interpretation of soil physical and chemical properties were used in the study. Based on the results, the soils of the study sites are loamy sand texture, slightly acidic, medium to high amount of organic carbon content, medium Nitrogen, and low phosphorus. The exchangeable bases of the soils were in the order Ca>Mg>K>Na on the exchange complex. The soils of the study sites could be categorized as having medium Ca2+, low Mg2+, medium Na and high K. The soil properties showed slight variation in their SDR and SVP. Both the SDR and SVP can be sustained with additional organic inputs. Application of additional inputs for enhanced sustainability of the soils is hereby, recommended.