Properties Of Soils Used For Dry Season Vegetable Crop Production In South Eastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the properties of soils used for dry

season vegetable production in south eastern Nigeria. In this study, soil were

collected from farms on which vegetables were grown in the dry season at

different locations. Samples of growing vegetables were also, collected and

assessed for nutrient content. The soil Samples were analyzed to determine

the physical and chemical properties including pH, organic carbon,

phosphorus, particle size distribution and exchangeable acidity. Result

showed that the soils were acidic with average pH of 5.18 in water and

average pH of 4.87 in KCI. The major soil textures were sandy clay loam

and sandy loam. The mean exchangeable acidity was found to be

2.7cmo1e/kg, the mean phosphorus content was found to be 20.3mg/kg

In the plant analysis the magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus content was

determined. The average phosphorus concentration was found to be 0.78%.

The average magnesium and calcium concentration was found to be 0.79

and 0.78 respectively.In conclusion it was discovered that the soils were

acidic with low nutrient contents and need good soil management and

application of organic matter. The nutrient concentrations in the plants were

observed to be low.