Profile Characteristics of Selected Rice - Producing Soils of Abia State in South - Eastern Nigeria.

Due to the increasing soil degradation of South-eastern Nigeria – with particular reference to the rice growing soils of the region, selected rice producing soils of Abia State were characterized with a view towards acquiring a holistic understanding of the soils and their fertility status. Random soil survey technique was used in field sampling. Four profile pits were dug in two different towns in Abia State. 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. Clay content of the soil ranged from 578.00 – 730.80 gkg-1and did not follow uniform trend in its distribution down the profile pit.The soil had low sand (89 – 232 gkg-1) and moderate silt contents. Bulk density values increased down the profile in all the pedons and were below the minimum bulk value at which root-restricting conditions will occur. The pH ranged from very strongly acidic (4.34) to moderately acidic (5.31). The soils had high organic matter (> 20 gkg- 1 ), moderate to high total nitrogen and high base saturation. Available phosphorus was acutely deficient in all the soils (< 4 mgkg-1) .Though low in available phosphorus contents, the soils can still produce increased and sustainable rice yield if the appropriate management practices are adopted, with particular reference to phosphate fertilizer applicatio