Assessment of Soil Quality Conditions for the Cultivation of Upland Rice in Bwari Area Council, Abuja Nigeria

Abstract

1 2., 3 & 4 Department of Geography and Natural Resource Management University of Uyo Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Phones: 1+234802-303-3114, 2+234803-781-0411; 4+234803-104-9807 Email: 1meansa1@yahoo.com; 2uwemituen@gmail.com; 4udyudofia07@gmail.com ABSTRACT This study examined the suitability of the soil chemical properties in selected communities of Bwari Area Council, FCT, Nigeria for the cultivation of upland rice. The communities which include Igu, Gyeyidna, Kuchiko, Piawe, Dutse, Jikoko, Shere, Piko, Ushafa and Jigo, were selected as non-contiguous pair from five geographical wards (Igu, kuduru, Dutse, Shere and Ushafa) in the Area Council. They were purposively selected using the criteria of 500 metres and above elevation (upland condition) and agricultural preponderance. The soil samples were collected from farmland in each of the communities using systematic sampling techniques, which involved measuring out a 100 by 100 metres quadrat and dividing it into sixteen equal grid squares with a dimension of 25 by 25 metres. Soil samples were taken at the mid points of each grid square at a depth of 0 – 30cm. The sixteen soil samples for each quadrat were uniformly mixed into one bulk composite sample for each community. The soil results were compared with the standard land quality requirements for upland rice cultivation for Southern Guinea Savanna. To the first study objective, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were assessed. Results show that there was no significant difference between the soil quality of the study area and standard soil quality requirements for the cultivation of upland rice. Based on these, it was concluded that the chemical soil properties of the sampled communities in Bwari Area Council will support the cultivation of upland rice, even though there are spatial variation in the soil chemical properties of the study area. Some strategic recommendation were made such as: the need to reduce the soil pH of the study area from its fairly alkaline state to moderately acidic level suitable for upland rice cultivation in Bwari Area Council. Keywords: Soil, Quality, Condition, Upland, Rice, Cultivation, Bwari Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria Aims Research Journal Reference Format: 1Ansa, Iniubong E. 2Ituen, Uwem J., 3Igomah, Maxwell M. & 4Udofia, Uduak-Obong O. (2023): Additive Manufacturing: A Paradigm Shift For Industrialization In Africa . Advances in Multidisciplinary and Scientific Research. Vol. 9. No. 2, Pp 1–16. www.isteams.net/aimsjournal. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/V9N2P1