Land Evaluation of Balanga Irrigation Scheme, Balanga Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria

Abstract

The productivity of Balanga Irrigation Scheme in Gombe State, Nigeria, is
declining, necessitating a land evaluation to determine the causes and improve
sustainable crop production. Soils samples were collected at 0 - 30 cm depths in a
grid of 1km interval from the slope positions (upper, middle, and lower slope) and
analysed for physiochemical properties using standard laboratory procedures. The
results showed upper and middle slopes positions were clayey while lower slope
was clay loam. The soil pH ranged (7.7 – 8.7) was slightly alkaline to strongly
alkaline. Soil organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (TN) values were rated low
for all slope positions (< 10 g/kg and < 1.5 g/kg). Soil available phosphorous (Avail.
P.) was low to moderate for the slope positions. All the slope classes were rated high
in exchangeable bases but low in soil exchangeable acidity. The highly variable
properties were OC, Avail. P, and K while the least variable was pH and BS. Spatial
interpolation result shows higher fertility area dominated the irrigation scheme with
48% (2689.9 ha) followed by medium fertility with 42% (2331.4 ha) and the low
fertility area with 11% (593.8 ha). Based on the fertility capability classification
(FCC), middle slope offers the best conditions for arable agriculture followed by
lower and upper slope position. The limiting factors for crop production are gleying,
excessive wetness, and the general low OC, Avail. P. and TN. The need for
application of organic manure and construction of drainages based on site
requirements for sustainability.