Abstract
Variation in soil characteristics is usually a reflection of the difference in materials from which the soil was formed. This study sought to investigate the characteristics of soils formed on different parent materials with a view to classifying them. This study was carried out in selected soils derived from three major types of parent materials in central Cross River State, South Eastern Nigeria. A total of six (6) pedons were excavated, two (2) pedons in each of the identified parent materials. The parent materials were Sandstone-shale-siltstone intercalations. Basement complex and Basalt. The study indicated that soils derived from sandstone-shale-siltstone materials are characterized by ochric sandy loam and loamy sand epipedons with moderate medium sub-angular blocky structures. These soils are also light coloured with dominant hues of 7.5YR with hard to slightly hard and hard to very hard dry consistence at the surface and sub-soil respectively. Soils of basement complex are characterized by the possession of loamy sand epipedons with weak medium crumb and sub-angular blocky structures having predominantly dull yellowish brown and bright yellowish brown colours at the surface and sub-soils. The dry consistences of the surface soils are slightly hard while the sub-soils are hard to very hard. The Morphology of basaltic soils is characterized by sandy loam to clayed texture with strong medium to moderate medium sub-angular block structures. These soils are deep in effective depth and dark reddish brown in colour. Its dry consistence is usually hard to very hard to very hard. Soils of sandstone – shale-siltstone and basement complex origin are classified as Topic Tropustalfs while those of basalt origin are classified Topic Tropustults. Proper fertilization and irrigation programmes based on their inherent characteristics will make these soils more productive and enhance their potentials for sustainable agricultural use Keywords: Parent materials, Soil Morphology and sustainability Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 14 (3) 2008: pp. 271-278
Highlights
Spatial variability and changes in many soil properties including morphological characteristics are common in the various regional soils of the world. Akamigbo and Asadu (1983) observed that parent material has very significant influence on the overlying soil when the soil is formed in –situ from the parent material
The objectives of this study were to identify the morphological characteristics of soils of Central Cross River State, Nigeria and classify them in order to highlight their inherent potentials for increased productivity
Soil derived from different parent materials are distinct in a number of morphological characteristics such as colour, texture, structure, consistence, nature of pores and chemical characteristics such as Ph, content of organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable cation, cation exchange capacity and base saturation
Summary
Spatial variability and changes in many soil properties including morphological characteristics are common in the various regional soils of the world. Akamigbo and Asadu (1983) observed that parent material has very significant influence on the overlying soil when the soil is formed in –situ from the parent material. Spatial variability and changes in many soil properties including morphological characteristics are common in the various regional soils of the world. Akamigbo and Asadu (1983) observed that parent material has very significant influence on the overlying soil when the soil is formed in –situ from the parent material. Common variability in the appearance of profiles dug close to one another is usually a reflection of the differences in materials from which the soil was formed (Resell, 1973). Different parent materials exhibit different coloration as well as their weathered products Ekwueme et al, (1995) noted that most outcrops of schists are brownish in colour due to the effect of intense tropical weathering whereas fresh outcrops occurring in stream and river channels are greenish in colour. Soils derived from these materials exhibit these colorations
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