Fertility Capability Classification of Soils Supporting Rice Production in Ebonyi State, Southeastern Nigeria

This research was carried out to characterized and classify fertility capability to enhance the productivity of rice in Ebonyi soils. Ebonyi state was grouped into three zones according to their agricultural zones namely; Ebonyi north, Ebonyi central and Ebonyi south, representing Abakaliki, Ikwo and Ivo locations, respectively. Major rice growing areas of the soils were located and two profile pits were sunk in each of the studied zones, from which soils were characterized, classified and fertility capability classification (FCC) developed. Soil classification was done using United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Taxonomy and correlated with World Reference Base for soil resources while Fertility capability classification (FCC) system, version 4 was used to classify the fertility capability of the studied soils. Results obtained classified Abakaliki 1 and Abakaliki 2 as Typic Fluvaquents (Ochric Fluvisols). Ikwo 1 was classified as Vertic Eutrudepts (Eutric Vertisols) while Ikwo 2 was classified as Typic Eutrudepts (Eutric Cambisols). Ivo 1 and Ivo 2 were both classified as Aquic Eutrudepts (Gleyic Leptosols). Fertility capability classification revealed that all studied soils had mostly loamy top soils and sub soils except Ikwo 1 with clayey top soil. Limitations encountered in the studied soils include; dryness (d), low ECEC (e), low nutrient capital reserve (k) and water logging/ anaerobic condition (gley). Thus; FCC classifications were Ldek for Abakaliki 1 and 2, Ckv for Ikwo 1, LCk for Ikwo 2 while Ivo 1 and Ivo 2 were Legk and Lgk, respectively. Information provided by this study will guide users in choosing the right practices for the classified soil.