Land Suitability Evaluation of Soils of Bayelsa State for Oil Palm Production

Abstract

Selected soils of Bayelsa State were evaluated for oil palm production using FAO land suitability classification. Eight pedons were sunk on each the three geomorphic features found in Bayelsa State. A total of twenty-four pedon were investigated and soil samples were taken to the laboratory for routine analysis. The average of the results from each geomorphic unit was calculated. Results of the physicochemical properties of soil showed that soils of Mangrove Swamp Deposits (MSD) and Sombreiro Warri Deposit (SWD) were characterized by sandy texture while the texture of soils of Recent and Sub-recent Alluvial Deposits (RSA) were loamy sand. Soil pH ranged from strongly (3.9) to moderately (6.2) acidic. Organic matter reduces down the profile. Effective cation exchangeable capacity (E.C.E.C.) ranged from 3.34-7.28cmol/kg while base Saturation ranged from 33 – 48.6%. From the land suitability results, rainfall and temperature were highly suitable while relative humidity was moderately suitable for oil palm production. The texture was marginally suitable in RSA while it was not suitable in MSD and SWD. For soil fertility characteristics, the major limitation affecting oil palm production was the C.E.C. which placed these soils in suitability class N1 (Not Suitable). Organic matter was another serious constrain to oil palm cultivation in RSA.