This study was done in Morogoro and Mbeya regions of Tanzania to classify and characterize their respective soils. Representative pedons (SUARAT-P1 and UYOLE-P1) were dug and described using FAO guidelines clarifying morphological features, physico-chemical properties and genesis. The representative pedons were geo-referenced using Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. A total of nine (9) genetic soil horizons were identified from both sites and samples from each horizon collected for physical and chemical analyses. Soils from both sites were very deep and topsoil moist colors ranged from hue of 7.5YR to 10YR with chroma of less than 3 in SUARAT-P1 and UYOLE-P1 pedons. Soil structure ranged from strong fine crumbs in topsoils to medium coarse sub-angular blocks in subsoils of SUARAT-P1 while UYOLE-P1 had weak fine sub-angular blocks in topsoils and subsoils. The SUARAT-P1 had sandy clay (SC) texture in topsoil and clay texture in subsoil while UYOLE-P1 had sandy loam (SL) in topsoil and sand clay loam (SCL) in subsoil. Soil reaction were slightly acid to very strongly acid in SUARAT-P1 (pH 6.54 - 4.46) whereas UYOLE-P1 were slightly acid to neutral in subsoil horizons (pH 6.35 – 7.32). Organic carbon ranged from very low to low (0.12- 0.95%) in SUARAT-P1 and from very low to medium (0.47 – 1.5%) in UYOLE-P1. Nitrogen levels were very low to low (0.05 - 0.12%) in both sites whereas available P ranged from low (0.30 mg kg-1) to medium (8.55 mg kg-1) in both pedons. CEC of SUARAT-P1 was medium ranging from 12.4 to 23.2 cmol(c) kg-1, whereas UYOLE-P1 was medium to high (15 – 34 cmol(c) kg-1). In SUARAT-P1, topsoil BS was high (> 50%) and low (< 50%) in the subsoil while UYOLE-P1 registered high BS throughout its profile depth. As diagnostic horizons for soil classification, the SUARAT-P1 had an ochric epipedon overlying a kandic horizon and classified according to USDA Soil Taxonomy as Typic Kandiustults, while UYOLE-P1 had an ochric epipedon over a cambic horizon and was named as Andic Dystrudepts corresponding respectively to Haplic Lixisols and Eutric Andic Cambisols in the WRB for Soil Resources. The results have indicated that, studied soils are less fertile with possible reconstitution through land and crop managements which include but not limited to no-tilling or conservation tillage, manuring and proper fertilizer application; residue retention, possible fallowing, liming for potential buffering of soil pH especially at SUARAT-P1 and crop rotation and intercropping with leguminous crops.
| Published in | International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (Volume 6, Issue 2) |
| DOI | 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210602.17 |
| Page(s) | 79-92 |
| Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Pedological Characterization, Soil Morphological Characteristics, Physico-chemical Properties, Soil Classification, Tanzania
| [1] | Lufega, S. M. and Msanya, B. M. (2017). Pedological characterization and soil classification of selected soil units of Morogoro District, Tanzania. International Journal of Plant and Soil Science. 16 (1): 1-12. |
| [2] | Msanya, B. M., Otsuka, H., Araki, S. and Fujitake, N. (2007). Characterization of volcanic ash soils in southwestern Tanzania: Morphology, physicochemical properties, and classification. African Study Monographs. 34: 39-55. |
| [3] | Kalala, A. M., Msanya, B. M., Nyambilila, A. and Semoka, J. M. R. (2017). Pedological characterization of some typical alluvial soils of Kilombero District, Tanzania. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1-11. |
| [4] | Juilleret, J., Dondeyne, S., Vancampenhout, K., Deckers, J. and Hissler, C. (2016). Mind the gap: A classification system for integrating the subsolum into soil surveys. Geoderma, vol. 264, pp. 332–339. |
| [5] | Moustakas, N. K. and Georgoulias, F. (2005). Soils developed on volcanic materials in the island of Thera, Greece, Geoderma, vol. 129, pp. 125-138. |
| [6] | Tenga, J. J., Msanya, B. M., Semoka, J. M., Semu, E. and Mwango, S. B. (2018). Pedological Characterization and Classification of Some Typical Soils in Three Agro-Ecological Settings of South-Eastern Tanzania’’, International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 692-702. |
| [7] | Shelukindo, H. B., Msanya, B. M., Semu, E., Mwango, S. B., Singh, B. R., and Munishi, P. (2014). Characterization of some typical soils of the miombo woodland ecosystem of Kitonga forest reserve, Iringa, Tanzania: Physico-chemical properties and classification. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, vol. 4, pp. 224-234. |
| [8] | Msanya, B. M., Munishi, J. A., Amuri, N., Semu, E., Mhoro, L. and Malley, Z. (2016). Morphology, genesis, physico-chemical properties, classification and potential of soils derived from volcanic parent materials in selected Districts of Mbeya Region, Tanzania, International Journal of Plant and Soil Science, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 1-19. |
| [9] | Abitew, M. and Kebebew, S. (2016). Soil Fertility Status of Some Soil Orders and NuMaSS Fertilizer Recommendation at Bench-Maji Zone, South West, Ethiopia. Canadian Journal of Agriculture and Crops, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 70-82. |
| [10] | National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). (2017). Annual Agricultural Sample Survey (AASS) 2016-2017’’ https://www.nbs.go.tz/index.php/en/census-surveys/agriculture-statistics/57-2016-17-annual-agriculture-sample-survey-crop-and-livestock-final-report, pp. 181. |
| [11] | Soil Survey Staff. (2014). “Keys to Soil Taxonomy’’, United States Department of Agriculture, 12th ed., Natural Resource Conservation Service, Washington, DC. |
| [12] | IUSS Working Group WRB. (2015). World Reference Base for Soil Resources 2014, update 2015. International Soil Classification System for Naming Soils and Creating Legends for Soil Maps. World Soil Resources Reports No. 106. FAO, Rome. |
| [13] | Ojoyi, M. M., Antwi-Agyei P., Mutanga O., Odindi J. and Abdel-Rahman E. M. (2015). An analysis of ecosystem vulnerability and management interventions in the Morogoro region landscapes, Tanzania. Tropical Conservation Science, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 662-680. |
| [14] | National Bureau of statistics (NBS). (2018). Tanzania in figures. https://www.nbs.go.tz/index.php/en/tanzania-in-figures/422-tanzania-in-figures-2018, pp. 112, 2019. |
| [15] | FAO, (2006). Guidelines for Soil Description. 4th Edn. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. pp. 110. |
| [16] | Munsell Color Company. (1992). Munsell Soil Color Charts. Baltimore, Maryland. Lincoln, NE. |
| [17] | Okalebo, J. R., Gathua, K. W. and Woomer, P. L. (2002) Laboratory methods of soil and plant analysis: A working manual’’ second edition. Sacred Africa, Nairobi, pp. 128. |
| [18] | Nelson, D. W. and Sommers, L. E. (1982). Total organic carbon. In: L. A. Page, R. H. Miller, and D. R. Keeney (Eds.) Methods of soil analysis, Part 2 (2nd Ed.) Agronomy Monograph No. 9. American Society of Agronomy and Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI. pp. 539-579. |
| [19] | Bremner, J. R and Yeomans, J. C. (1998). Laboratory techniques. In: J. R Wilson (Ed) Advance in nitrogen cycling in agriculture ecosystem C. A. B Int. Willing, England. |
| [20] | Moberg, J. (2001). Soil and Plant Analysis Manual. (Revised Edition). The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University Chemistry Department, Copenhagen, Denmark. Pp. 133. |
| [21] | Bray, R. H., Kurtz, L. T. (1945). Determination of total, organic, and available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Science, vol. 59, pp. 39-45. |
| [22] | Olsen, S. R. and Sommers, L. E. (1982). Phosphorus. In A. L. Page, et al (Eds.), Methods of Soil Analysis, 2nd ed. Part 2. Madison, WI: Agronomy No. 9. American Society of Agronomy, pp. 403-430. |
| [23] | Watanabe F. S. and Olsen, S. R. (1965). Test of an ascorbic acid method for determining phosphorus in Central Illinois, Midwest Friends of the Pleistocene 26th Field Conf., Campaign, IL, Illinois Geological Survey Guidebook 13, pp. 129-134. |
| [24] | National Soil Service (NSS). (1990). Laboratory procedures for routine analysis. 3rd edition, Agricultural Research Institute, Mlingano Tanga, Tanzania. pp. 212. |
| [25] | Thomas, G. W. (1988). Exchangeable cations. In: A. I Page (Ed). Methods of soil analysis, part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties 2nd edition. |
| [26] | Chapman, H. D. (1965). Cation Exchange Capacity, In: Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 1, 1st edition, Agronomy Monograph no. 6, (Edited by C. A. Black), American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin, vol. 9, pp. 891- 901. |
| [27] | Anderson, J. M., and Ingram, J. S. (1993). A handbook of methods. CAB International, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, pp. 221. |
| [28] | Baize, D. (1993). Soil science analysis. A guide to correct use. John Wiley and Sons Ltd. West Sussex. pp. 192. |
| [29] | Lowery, B. and Morrison, J. E. (2002). Soil penetrometers and penetrability. In: Methods of Soil Analysis Part 4, Physical Methods (Eds JH Dane, GC Topp) Soil Science Society of America: Madison, WI, USA, pp. 363–388. |
| [30] | Hazelton, P. and Murphy, B. “Interpreting soil test results: What do all the numbers mean?’’, CSIRO publishing, 2016 |
| [31] | Massawe, I. H., Msanya B. M. and Rwehumbiza, F. B. (2017). Pedological characterization and fertility evaluation of paddy soils of Mvumi village, Kilosa district, Tanzania, International Journal of Current Research in Biosciences and Plant Biology. vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 49-60. |
| [32] | Neswati, R., Lopulisa, C. and Basir, A. (2019). Characteristics and Classification of Soil Formed from Banda Recent Volcanic Ash on Various Topographic Positions. In IOP Conference Series. Earth and Environmental Science. vol. 280, no. 1, p. 012017, IOP Publishing. |
| [33] | Peverill, K. I., Sparrow, L. A. and Reuter, D. J. (Eds.). (1999). Soil analysis: an interpretation manual. CSIRO publishing: Melbourne. |
| [34] | Brady, N. C. and Weil, R. R. (2008). The Nature and Properties of Soils. 12th edition. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA. pp. 881. |
| [35] | Mukungurutse, C. S., Nyapwere, N., Manyanga, A. M. and Mhaka, L. (2018). Pedological characterization and classification of typical soils of Lupane District, Zimbabwe. International Journal of Plant and Soil Science. vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 1-12. |
| [36] | Shehu, B. M., Jibrin J. M. and Samndi A. M. (2015). Fertility Status of Selected Soils in the Sudan Savanna Biome of Northern Nigeria. International Journal of Soil Science. vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 74-83. |
| [37] | Costantini, E. A., Angelone, M. and Damiani, D. (2002). Physical, geochemical and mineralogical indicators of aging in Quaternary soils of Central Italy. In: 17th World Congress of Soil Science, Transactions: International Union of Soil Sciences. vol. 599, pp. 1-9. |
| [38] | Ribeiro, L. (1976). Introducao ao estudo da mineralogia dos solos de Ibitiara, BA, in Ana´is do de´cimo quinto congresso Sociedade Brasileiro de Cieˆncia do solo’’. ociedade Brasileira de Ciencia do Solo, Campinas, SP, Brazil, pp. 423–427. |
| [39] | Sharu, M. B., Yakubu, M., Noma, S. S. and Tsafe, A. I. (2013). Characterization and classification of soils on agricultural landscapein Dingyadi District, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences. vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 137-147. |
| [40] | Landon, J. R. (2014). Booker Tropical Soil Manual: A Handbook for Soil Survey and Agricultural Land Evaluation in the Tropics and Subtropics. In: 2000 Symposium: Sugarcane: Research towards Efficient and Sustainable Production, Routledge, London, pp. 237-240. |
| [41] | Arshad, M. A, Lowery, B, Grossman, B. (1996). Physical tests for monitoring soil quality. In Methods for Assessing Soil Quality; Doran, J. W., Jones, A. J., Eds, Soil Science Society of America: Madison, WI, USA. |
| [42] | Scrimgeour, C. (2008). Soil Sampling and Methods of Analysis. Edited by MR Carter and EG Gregorich. Boca Raton, Fl, USA: CRC Press (2008), pp. 1224, £ 85.00. ISBN-13: 978-0-8593-3586-0. Experimental agriculture. vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 437-437. |
| [43] | Msanya, B. M., Kimaro, D. N., Kileo, E. P., Kimbi, G. G. and Munisi, A. I. M. (2001). Land Resources Inventory and Suitability Assessment for the Production of the Major Crops in the Eastern Part of Morogoro Rural District, Tanzania. Soils and Land Resources of Morogoro Rural and Urban Districts, vol. 3. Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania. Pp. 69. |
| [44] | Ricardo. M. M. and Yost, R. (2006). A survey of soil fertility status of four agroecological zones of Mozambique. Soil science. vol. 171, no. 11, pp. 902-914. |
| [45] | Mtama, J. G., Burras, C. L. and Msanya, B. M. (2018). Pedotransfer functions for cation exchange capacity, available water holding capacity and soil organic carbon for representative soils of southern highland zone of Tanzania. International Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. vol. 2, no. 10, pp. 26-42. |
| [46] | Nicolardot, B., Recous, S. and Mary, B. (2001). Simulation of C and N mineralisation during crop residue decomposition: a simple dynamic model based on the C: N ratio of the residue. Plant and Soil. vol. 228, no. 1, pp. 83-103. |
| [47] | Mtama, J. G., Msanya, B. M. and Burras, C. L. (2018). Pedology at four representative sites of Southern Highland Zone of Tanzania. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry. vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 111-121. |
| [48] | Kebeney, S. J., Msanya, B. M., Ng’etich, W. K., Semoka, J. M. R., Serrem, C. K. (2015). Pedological characterization of some typical soils of Busia County, Western Kenya: Soil morphology, physico-chemical properties, classification and fertility trends. International Journal of Plant and Soil Science. vol. 4, pp. 29-44. |
| [49] | Msanya, B. M., Mwasyika, T. A., Amuri, N., Semu, E. and Mhoro, L. (2018). Pedological characterization of typical soils of Dodoma Capital City District, Tanzania: soil morphology, physico-chemical properties, classification and soil fertility trends. Annals of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 59-73. |
| [50] | Conklin, A. R. (2013). Introduction to soil chemistry: Analysis and instrumentation. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 376. |
| [51] | Ma, C. (1996). The ultra -structure of kaolin. Ph.D. thesis, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. |
| [52] | Ma, C., Richard, A. and Eggleton, A. (1999). Cation exchange capacity of kaolinite. Clays and Clay Mineral. vol. 47, pp. 174–180. |
| [53] | Miranda-Trevino, J. C. and Coles, C. A. (2003). Kaolinite properties, structure and influence of metal retention on pH. Applied Clay Science. vol. 23, pp. 133–139. |
| [54] | Macedo, J. and Bryant, R. B. (1987). Morphology, mineralogy, and genesis of a hydrosequence of Oxisols in Brazil. Soil Science Society of American Journal. vol. 51, pp. 690–698. |
| [55] | Laekemariam, F., Kibret, K., and Shiferaw, H. (2018). Potassium (K)-to-magnesium (Mg) ratio, its spatial variability and implications to potential Mg-induced K deficiency in Nitisols of Southern Ethiopia. Agriculture and Food Security. vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 1-10. |
| [56] | Hailu, H., Mamo, T., Keskinen, R., Karltun, E., Gebrekidan, H. and Bekele, T. (2015). Soil fertility status and wheat nutrient content in Vertisol cropping systems of central highlands of Ethiopia. Agriculture and Food Security. vol. 4, no. 1, 1-10. |
| [57] | Loide, V. (2004). About the effect of the contents and ratios of soil’s available calcium, potassium and magnesium in liming of acid soils. Agronomy research. vol. 2 no. 1, pp. 71-82. |
| [58] | Fageria, N. K., Baligar, V. C. and Clark, R. B. (2002). Micronutrients in crop production. Advances in agronomy. vol. 77, pp. 185-268. |
| [59] | Sillanpää, M. (1982). Micronutrients and the nutrient status of soils: a global study (Vol. 48). Food and Agriculture Organization. |
| [60] | Merumba, S. M., Msanya, B. M., Semu, E., Semoka. J. M. (2020). Pedological Characterization and Suitability Assessment for Cassava Production in Bukoba, Missenyi and Biharamulo Districts, Tanzania. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry. vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 144-166. |
| [61] | Gama-Castro, J. E., Solleiro-Rebolledo, E. and Vallejo-Gomez E. (2000). Weathered pumice influence on selected alluvial soil properties in west Nayarit, Mexico. Soil and Tillage Research, vol. 55, pp. 143-165. |
| [62] | Baba M, Hennie FW, Soehady E, Sanudin T. (2008). Geochemical characterization of volcanic soils from Tawau, Sabah. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia. vol. 54, pp. 33-36. |
| [63] | Ruxton, B. P. (1968). Measures of the degree of chemical weathering of rocks. The Journal of Geology. vol. 76, no. 5, pp. 518-527. |
| [64] | Uwingabire, S., Msanya, B. M., Mtakwa, P. W., Uwitonze, P. and Sirikare, S. N. (2016). Pedological characterization of soils developed on gneissic - Granites in the Congo Nile watershed divide and central plateau zones, Rwanda. International Journal of Current Research. vol. 8, no. 9, pp. 39489-39501. |
| [65] | Tan, K. H. and Troth P. S. (1982). Silica-sesquioxide ratios as aids in characterization of some temperate region and tropical soil clays. Soil Science Society of American Journal. vol. 46, pp. 1109-1114. |
APA Style
Said Hamadi Mohamed, Balthazar Michael Msanya, Hamisi Juma Tindwa, Ernest Semu. (2021). Pedological Characterization and Classification of Selected Soils of Morogoro and Mbeya Regions of Tanzania. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 6(2), 79-92. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210602.17
ACS Style
Said Hamadi Mohamed; Balthazar Michael Msanya; Hamisi Juma Tindwa; Ernest Semu. Pedological Characterization and Classification of Selected Soils of Morogoro and Mbeya Regions of Tanzania. Int. J. Nat. Resour. Ecol. Manag. 2021, 6(2), 79-92. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210602.17
AMA Style
Said Hamadi Mohamed, Balthazar Michael Msanya, Hamisi Juma Tindwa, Ernest Semu. Pedological Characterization and Classification of Selected Soils of Morogoro and Mbeya Regions of Tanzania. Int J Nat Resour Ecol Manag. 2021;6(2):79-92. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210602.17
Share This Article
Twitter
Linked In
Facebook
Copy
Download@article{10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210602.17,
author = {Said Hamadi Mohamed and Balthazar Michael Msanya and Hamisi Juma Tindwa and Ernest Semu},
title = {Pedological Characterization and Classification of Selected Soils of Morogoro and Mbeya Regions of Tanzania},
journal = {International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management},
volume = {6},
number = {2},
pages = {79-92},
doi = {10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210602.17},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210602.17},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnrem.20210602.17},
abstract = {This study was done in Morogoro and Mbeya regions of Tanzania to classify and characterize their respective soils. Representative pedons (SUARAT-P1 and UYOLE-P1) were dug and described using FAO guidelines clarifying morphological features, physico-chemical properties and genesis. The representative pedons were geo-referenced using Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. A total of nine (9) genetic soil horizons were identified from both sites and samples from each horizon collected for physical and chemical analyses. Soils from both sites were very deep and topsoil moist colors ranged from hue of 7.5YR to 10YR with chroma of less than 3 in SUARAT-P1 and UYOLE-P1 pedons. Soil structure ranged from strong fine crumbs in topsoils to medium coarse sub-angular blocks in subsoils of SUARAT-P1 while UYOLE-P1 had weak fine sub-angular blocks in topsoils and subsoils. The SUARAT-P1 had sandy clay (SC) texture in topsoil and clay texture in subsoil while UYOLE-P1 had sandy loam (SL) in topsoil and sand clay loam (SCL) in subsoil. Soil reaction were slightly acid to very strongly acid in SUARAT-P1 (pH 6.54 - 4.46) whereas UYOLE-P1 were slightly acid to neutral in subsoil horizons (pH 6.35 – 7.32). Organic carbon ranged from very low to low (0.12- 0.95%) in SUARAT-P1 and from very low to medium (0.47 – 1.5%) in UYOLE-P1. Nitrogen levels were very low to low (0.05 - 0.12%) in both sites whereas available P ranged from low (0.30 mg kg-1) to medium (8.55 mg kg-1) in both pedons. CEC of SUARAT-P1 was medium ranging from 12.4 to 23.2 cmol(c) kg-1, whereas UYOLE-P1 was medium to high (15 – 34 cmol(c) kg-1). In SUARAT-P1, topsoil BS was high (> 50%) and low (ochric epipedon overlying a kandic horizon and classified according to USDA Soil Taxonomy as Typic Kandiustults, while UYOLE-P1 had an ochric epipedon over a cambic horizon and was named as Andic Dystrudepts corresponding respectively to Haplic Lixisols and Eutric Andic Cambisols in the WRB for Soil Resources. The results have indicated that, studied soils are less fertile with possible reconstitution through land and crop managements which include but not limited to no-tilling or conservation tillage, manuring and proper fertilizer application; residue retention, possible fallowing, liming for potential buffering of soil pH especially at SUARAT-P1 and crop rotation and intercropping with leguminous crops.},
year = {2021}
}
TY - JOUR T1 - Pedological Characterization and Classification of Selected Soils of Morogoro and Mbeya Regions of Tanzania AU - Said Hamadi Mohamed AU - Balthazar Michael Msanya AU - Hamisi Juma Tindwa AU - Ernest Semu Y1 - 2021/06/16 PY - 2021 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210602.17 DO - 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210602.17 T2 - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management JF - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management JO - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management SP - 79 EP - 92 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2575-3061 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210602.17 AB - This study was done in Morogoro and Mbeya regions of Tanzania to classify and characterize their respective soils. Representative pedons (SUARAT-P1 and UYOLE-P1) were dug and described using FAO guidelines clarifying morphological features, physico-chemical properties and genesis. The representative pedons were geo-referenced using Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. A total of nine (9) genetic soil horizons were identified from both sites and samples from each horizon collected for physical and chemical analyses. Soils from both sites were very deep and topsoil moist colors ranged from hue of 7.5YR to 10YR with chroma of less than 3 in SUARAT-P1 and UYOLE-P1 pedons. Soil structure ranged from strong fine crumbs in topsoils to medium coarse sub-angular blocks in subsoils of SUARAT-P1 while UYOLE-P1 had weak fine sub-angular blocks in topsoils and subsoils. The SUARAT-P1 had sandy clay (SC) texture in topsoil and clay texture in subsoil while UYOLE-P1 had sandy loam (SL) in topsoil and sand clay loam (SCL) in subsoil. Soil reaction were slightly acid to very strongly acid in SUARAT-P1 (pH 6.54 - 4.46) whereas UYOLE-P1 were slightly acid to neutral in subsoil horizons (pH 6.35 – 7.32). Organic carbon ranged from very low to low (0.12- 0.95%) in SUARAT-P1 and from very low to medium (0.47 – 1.5%) in UYOLE-P1. Nitrogen levels were very low to low (0.05 - 0.12%) in both sites whereas available P ranged from low (0.30 mg kg-1) to medium (8.55 mg kg-1) in both pedons. CEC of SUARAT-P1 was medium ranging from 12.4 to 23.2 cmol(c) kg-1, whereas UYOLE-P1 was medium to high (15 – 34 cmol(c) kg-1). In SUARAT-P1, topsoil BS was high (> 50%) and low (ochric epipedon overlying a kandic horizon and classified according to USDA Soil Taxonomy as Typic Kandiustults, while UYOLE-P1 had an ochric epipedon over a cambic horizon and was named as Andic Dystrudepts corresponding respectively to Haplic Lixisols and Eutric Andic Cambisols in the WRB for Soil Resources. The results have indicated that, studied soils are less fertile with possible reconstitution through land and crop managements which include but not limited to no-tilling or conservation tillage, manuring and proper fertilizer application; residue retention, possible fallowing, liming for potential buffering of soil pH especially at SUARAT-P1 and crop rotation and intercropping with leguminous crops. VL - 6 IS - 2 ER -
Information
Email: