ABSTRACT

The Physico-chemical evaluation of some selected soils of MOUAU western farm in south eastern Nigeria was carried out on a 2-3 hectares land area to determine the agricultural potential and to classify the soils developed in the area. Three representative soil units were developed within the Coastal Plain Sands —sandstone transition. The three soil units were studied in details, described and classified according to the guideline of the USDA soil classification system. Laboratory studies included, particle size distribution, pH, percentage organic content, total Nitrogen, available phosphorus, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, exchangeable acidity, and exchangeable cation analyses were made. The data showed that the colour of the soils varied from dark brown at the surface to greyish yellow at the sub soils. The pH values ranged from strongly acidic to moderately acidic. The percentage organic carbon ranged from very low to high. Available phosphorus ranged from low to moderate. The soil texture varied from sandy loam, sandy clay loam at the surface soil to clay at subsoil. The organic matter content ranged from low to high. Total nitrogen values ranged from low to moderately high at surface soil and low at subsoil, the exchangeable bases were low, the cation exchange capacity low the total exchange acidity values ranged from low to high. The percentage base saturation ranged from low to moderate. The soils of the three representative soil units were classified according to the USDA soil taxonomy and correlate approximately with the FAO/ UNESCO. Ezy-1 was identified as Ultisol. It was further classified as Typic Kandiudult (USDA) and Haplic Nitosol (FAO) while soil units 'Ezy' 2 and 3 were identified as Inceptisol and further classified as Aeric Epiaquept (USDA) / Gleyic Cambisol(FAO), and Typic Epiaquept (USDA) and Gleyic Cambisol (FAOI UNESCO), respectively. This physico- chemical evaluation and classification is important information which will be paramount to the success of many programmes for self sufficiency in food production in Umudike, land use planning and suitability for agricultural production and management practices will be obtained based on the physical and chemical properties of the soil.