Characterization and Fertility Status of Wetland Soils in Abia State Agro - Ecological Zone of Southeastern Nigeria.

The realization of the potentials of paddy soils necessitates taking the inventory of their micronutrients status. The available micronutrients status of soils of two varying paddy lands (upland and lowland) were studied. A random soil survey technique was used in field sampling. Four representative soil profiles, two in each paddy soil type were dug. Soil samples were collected from the profiles according to their genetic horizons for laboratory analyses and their interpretations. The results showed that Clay dominated the particle fractions of the soil. Bulk density was below the minimum bulk value at which root-restricting conditions will occur. The pH ranged from very strongly acidic to moderately acidic. Available phosphorus was acutely deficient in both soils (< 3.0 mg kg -1 ). Iron (Fe) contents of the soils varied between 6.99 and 8.39 mg kg -1 in upland soils, 4.89 and 10.63 mg kg -1 in lowland soils. The mean values of manganese (Mn) varied between 5.50 and 10.00 mg kg -1 in upland soils, 5.00 and 8.90 in low land soils. Zinc (Zn) contents ranged between 1.69 and 1.88 mgkg -1 in upland soils, 1.69 and 3.99 mg kg -1 in lowland soils while copper contents had mean values of 0.11 and 0.19 mgkg -1 in upland, 0.15 and 0.19 mgkg -1 in lowland soils respectively. The distribution of the micronutrients did not follow any particular trend down the profile pits irrespective of the paddy soil types. The t-test analysis showed that Zn content in lowland soil was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the upland soil, while the reverse was the case in Mn contents of these soils. Fe and Cu did not differ significantly across the soils. The results of correlation analyses revealed that organic matter had significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation with Mn and Zn (r = 0.713*, r = 0.516*). Similarly, silt and total nitrogen had significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation with Mn and Zn (r = 0.685*, r = 0.554*, r = 706*, r = 502*), while negative and non-significant correlation was observed between these soil properties and Fe and C