CHARACTERIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF HYDROMORPHIC SOILS AT MAKUSIDI IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was carried out to characterize and classify the hydromorphic soils at Makusidi in Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State. Two pedons were dug representing upper and lower slopes of the field which were designated as MKS1 and MKS2 respectively. The pedons were described following the FAO guidelines for soil description. Soil samples were collected from each identified natural horizon and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Results revealed that MKS1 had very dark grayish brown (10YR3/2) at the topmost horizon and a very dark gray (10YR 5/1) at the subsoil. MKS2 had light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) overlying grayish brown (10YR 5/2) at the subsurface. Sand content ranged from 580 to 740 g/kg in MKS1and 430 to 920 g/kg in MKS2 silt ranged from 30 - 160 g/kg in MKS1 and 10- 160 g/kg in MKS2. Clay ranged from 170 to 270 g/kg in MKS1 and 70 to 410 g/kg in MKS2. The two pedons were slightly acidic with low organic carbon and available phosphorus contents and total nitrogen was irregularly distributed from low to medium down the two profiles, but exchangeable Ca, Mg, K and Na were found to be high at both study sites. The soils were classified under the
USDA Soil Taxonomy as Typic Endoaqualfs (MKS1) and Arenic Epiaqualfs (MKS2) and correlated with WRB system as Stagnic Lixisols (Clayic) and Stagnic Lixisols (Arenic) respectively.