Characterization of Soils of Ogbese River Floodplain in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Soils of Ogbese river floodplain in Southwestern Nigeria were characterized and assessed with a view to identifying their agronomic potentials for crop production. The soils were generally acidic and the pH values decreased with soil depth and along the reach. Exchangeable bases were generally low (Ca2+ = 0.074 to 0.2 cmol/kg; Mg2+ = 0.018 to 0.067 cmol/kg; K+ = 0.017 to 0.067 cmol/kg and Na+ = 0.001 to 0.013 cmol/kg). Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and available P contents were moderately high (0.47 to 3.11%, 0.03 to 0.28% and 27.49 to 49.01 mg/kg respectively) at the soil surface, the values decreased with soil depth and increased down the reach. Extractable micronutrients were medium to high in the soils, their values increased with decreasing pH and increasing organic matter content. Low nutrient reserve, high leaching potential, soil erosion and poor drainage were identified as agronomic limitations in the soils of the area. Management practices such as planting of cover crops and the use of organic residues such as charred rice husk which is abundant in the area are highly recommended as solution to the soil constraints. Poorly drained soils of the study area were classified as Aeric Endoaquepts (Jago series), imperfectly well-drained soils as Typic Plinthustalf (Gambari series) and the well-drained soils as Typic Paleustalf (Oba series).