ABSTRACT

The characterization and classification of soils of rubber plantation of MOUAU western farm was carried out in area of about 2 hectares to identify the major soils of the area and to classify the identified soils using the USDA Soil Classification System and to correlate with the FAQ/UNESCO Soil Map of the World Legend. Three representative soil units were developed within the Colluvium over sand stone and Coastal Plain Sands. Laboratory analysis included particle size distribution, piE, organic carbon, total nitrogen, exchangeable acidity, available phosphorus, exchangeable cations, cation cxc hange capacity and base saturation. The data showed the that the colour of soils varied from very dark grcyish-brown, vety dark grey. and dark -brown at the surface horizons to yellowish brown at the subsoils. The p1-I value ranged from strongly acidic to moderately acidic, organic carbon value ranged from very high to high at the surface horizons and low at the sub soils. Total nitrogen ranged from very high to moderate at the surface hoizons and low at tile sub soils. Available phosphorus raiiged from very low to low * ,exchangcable acidity values ranged from high to low, exchangeable cations were low and cation exchange capacity were low. The percentage base saturation ranged from high to moderate. The texture of the soil varied from sandy loam at the surface and sandy clay loam- clay loam- clay at the sub soils. The soils of the three representative soil units were classified according to the USDA Soil Taxonomy and correlated approximately with tile FAQ/UNESCO Soil Map of the World Legend.OKOL-1 was identified as an inceptisol. it was further classified as Aeric Epiaquept (USDA) and Gleyic Cambisol (FAQ! UNESCO) while soil units 2 and 3 (OKOL-2. OKOL-3) were classified as an Ultisol. They were further classified as Typic Tropudult (USDA) and Haplic Acrisol (FAQ! UNESCO).