Abstract
A study was carried out in 2009 to assess some soil quality indicators. These indicators include the soil pH, organic matter (OM) content, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity (CEC), saturated hydraulic conductivity and base saturation. The areas included SIWES farm, University of Agriculture Makurdi, Obarike in Oju, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) outstation, Otobi, NYSC Farm, Guma, Adum in Obi Local Government Area and Odoba–Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area. The physical and chemical properties of these soils were evaluated in the laboratory and the results obtained were compared with their respective standard (Obi 2004). The textural composition of the soil ranged from loamy sand to sandy loam to clay loam. Saturated Hydraulic conductivity ranged from 0.31 to 0.74 cmh-1 corresponding to slowly and moderately permeable. The pH ranged from slightly to moderately acidic conditions in some locations and strongly acidic in the eroded parts. The organic matter was very low in all the study areas. Available phosphorus was low in all the locations. Total nitrogen was predominantly very low in most of the cultivated areas to low in the fallow soils. Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) also ranged from very low to low. It is recommended that soil conservation practice should be intensified in these areas. The practise should include the use of organic manure such as cow dung and poultry droppings for the fertilization of the fragile low fertility soils. There should also be a programme for monitoring the fertility status of the soil at least every five years from the time the soil is first cultivated.
Keywords:
assessment
indicators
quality
benue
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