Physicochemical properties of selected soils formed on cretaceous sediments, shales and quaternary alluvium in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Physicochemical properties of some selected soils formed on three varied parent materials in Edo State, Nigeria, were evaluated for their physicochemical properties. Soil samples were collected from profile pits sunk on each parent material type. The collected soil samples were air-dried and analyzed for physicochemical properties and analyzed in the laboratory using standard methods. Results showed that the soils were low in plant nutrient elements, as revealed by their estimated levels of availability. Organic carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen were deficient in the soils. Soils formed on the three-parent materials were sufficient in Mg (1.11, 1.54, 0.88 cmol kg-1), Na (1.32, 1.39, 1.35 cmol kg-1) and K (0.20, 0.37, 0.28 cmol kg-1) while Ca was higher in soils formed on cretaceous sediment (3.08 cmol kg-1) and shale (5.22 cmol kg-1) than in quaternary alluvium (2.05 cmol kg-1). There was a significant positive correlation among the various soil properties of the different parent materials. In order to improve the productive capacity of these soils to obtain high crop yields; it is recommended that the soils be limed to increase pH levels to near neutral and optimum fertilization (organic and inorganic) for nitrogen, phosphorus and basic cations in the different parent materials.