Characterization, Classification and Agricultural Potentials of Some Coastal Plain Sand Derived Soils in Lagos State

Detailed soil surveys were carried out on a total of 194.5 hectares of the land at Igbokuta and Ibomwon areas in Ikorodu and Epe local government areas of Lagos state. Grid survey method was employed, and mapping units were delineated based on soil morphological characteristics examined at an interval of 70m along transects that were laid 100m apart. The soils were classified according to local soil series, USDA soil taxonomy and World Reference Base (WRB) soil classification methods. The identified soils were evaluated using the Fertility Capability Classification (FCC). Six mapping units were identified in this study and were classified as Inceptisols and Ultisols. A total of about 77.68% of the soils were classified as Ultisols while about 22.32% of the soils were classified as Inceptisols. The land capability classification shows that most of the soils belong to class II, which has excellent potential for arable crop production but may require careful management as a result of some limitations. Fertility classification of the soils into various FCC units revealed that the soil strata type and subtypes are mainly loamy (L) to sandy (S). Only one of the soil types which was Pakoto series (Plinthic Kandiudult) with FCC unit LRkr++ was found to be non-arable due to severe limitations of rock outcrops and very high gravel contents. The soils generally require management practices such as application of organic manure, fertilizer and liming to mitigate the fertility limitations. Other management strategies such as drainage and flood control would improve the productivity of the areas prone to waterlogging for arable crop production.