Abstract
Soils formed from Ebonyi formation in south eastern Nigeria were mapped and classified for effective management and sustainable land use. The soil mapping was executed by combination of conventional method, soil landscape relationship and spatial analyses in GIS environ using digital terrain model to produce the soil map of Ikwo Local Government in Ebonyi State at a scale of 1:50,000. The soils were characterized and classified for effective soil management based on results of analyses of soils sampled from profile pits. The results show four mapping units based on the geology which comprises mainly sandstone, silt stone, shale and river alluvium parent materials. The major soils mapped include Typic Udifluvent, Aquertic Udifluvent, Typic dystrudept and Ultic Udifluvent. The morphology shows influence of low Ca:Mg ratio and high clay content in the subsoil (>30%) consequent ponding and hydromorphic soils. Soil quality is low to moderate based on pH and of between 4.14 to 5.19 which decreased down the profile. This also explains decrease of base saturation in some pedons. (16.84 and 98.17%). The acidic and anaerobic condition of some of the profiles must have aided the Fe/Mn movement to form Fe/Mn nodules at the base of some of the profiles. Bi genetic processes was involved in the lowlands including cummulization and gleization with formation of alluvium at the upper horizons with little stratification of the underlain parent materials due to combination of ecto/endo saturation. Other processes include Ferruginisation at break of slope and in situ formation of soils with high clay and silt content in areas with geohydrology setting of marine sedimentation of marl. The combination of poorly bedded shales, siltstones and limestone highly influenced formation of multifaceted terrain with rolling to undulating uplands and flood plains at the lowlands.
Highlights
The soils formed from Asu river group formation called Ebonyi formation in lower Benue through are very unique in properties
Five mapping units were identified based on the geology and hydrology which comprises mainly sandstone, shale and river alluvium parent materials and other environmental factors that influences soil development
Ameka mapping unit are floodplains which dominate the central and northern zone with parent material varying from alluvium, shale, silt stone, breccia and conglomerate
Summary
The soils formed from Asu river group formation called Ebonyi formation in lower Benue through are very unique in properties. The formation is dominated by combination of breccia, shale, silt stone, marl with manganeferous sandstone toward the cross river flood plain. These unique combinations differentiate the soils from any other formation in Nigeria. Information about the detailed distribution, characteristics and classification of the soils are lacking in spite of various geological information available about the area (Ofoegbu and Amajor, 1987). This has resulted to misappropriation of land to different uses which are detrimental to profitable and sustainable production. The uniqueness of the area calls for appropriate land use management based on inventory of soils in the area for good crop production
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