Abstract
The soils of Atani floodplain in Anambra State of Nigeria contribute significantly to the food production of the State, hence the need to understand their behavior in order to enhance their management and productivity. Profile pits were sited along three physiographic units viz: levee crest, levee slope and flood basin. Soil samples were collected from the profile horizons and subjected to standard laboratory procedures. Characterization of the soils was based on their morphological, physical and chemical properties. Soil classification was carried out using the USDA Soil Taxonomy and correlated with FAO/IUSS World Reference Base. Its agricultural potential was assessed using the fertility capability classification. The soils were deep. Topsoil colour was dominantly blackish black (10YR 3/2). Mottles were pervasive; an indication of impeded drainage conditions. The soils were predominantly fine textured. Soil pH values ranged from 4.8 to 6.2. Exchangeable Calcium was low to moderate (2.6-8.2 cmol kg−1); Magnesium was moderate to high (1.6-6.8 cmol kg−1); Sodium was high to very high (1.0-2.5 cmol kg−1), while potassium was high (1.2-4.2 cmol kg−1). Cation exchange capacity values ranged from 11.6 to 42.6 cmol kg−1. Total nitrogen was very low to low (0.14-1.12 g kg−1), while organic carbon was low to moderate (0.4-15.2 g kg−1). Available phosphorus was very low to high ranging from 0.93 to 31.71 mg kg−1 while base saturation ranged from 64 to 93%. The soils were classified as Typic Fluvaquents (Typic Fluvisols), Fluvaquentic Endoaquepts (Endostagnic Cambisols) and Fluventic Endoaquepts (Endostagnic Cambisols) according to the USDA and FAO/IUSS. The fertility capability evaluation of the soils revealed that the pedons were Lgn in classification due to limitations in drainage.
 Key words: alluvium, cambic horizon, Inceptisols, lithologic discontinuity
Highlights
The slow pace of agricultural growth and development in Nigeria has been attributed to lack of adequate resource information (Fagbami, 1986; Medugu, 2006)
Along with the reduced iron content associated with repeated wetting and drying, nature of parent material and organic matter contents contribute to the colour of the soils
Total sand dominated the levee while silts and clay dominated the lower slopes except at the flood basin surfaces where erosion hazard caused by runoff leads to the loss of clay and increased sandiness
Summary
The slow pace of agricultural growth and development in Nigeria has been attributed to lack of adequate resource information (Fagbami, 1986; Medugu, 2006). A sound resource judgment is a prerequisite for adequate land use planning. The deposition pattern is influenced by fine–scale topographic variation and distance from the river channel which results in large differences in patterns of silt and clay distribution (Stoeckel and Miller-Goodman, 2001; Ajiboye et al, 2012). The complex natures of alluvial soils have given rise to large variations in properties over short distances; a major determinant of soil productivity (Udo et al, 2006, Dengiz, 2010). The diverse characteristics of depositional lowlands perhaps had triggered the interest of scientists to embark on studies related to toposequence (Lima et al, 2002; Umeugochukwu, 2009; Layzell and Eppes, 2012)
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