Rainfed rice productivity potentials of river Katsina ala floodplain soils of Agasha, Benue state, Nigeria

摘要

Rice is severely in short supply in Nigeria despite the vast occurrence of natural conditions for its successful cultivation. Attempts at large scale rice production even on river floodplain soils are largely unsuccessful due to poor soil management as a consequence of lack of soil information. The objectives of this study were to characterize, classify and assess the productivity potentials of some soils along River Katsina - Ala Floodplain for rainfed rice production. The area was soil surveyed at detailed level using the grid method. Four soil units were identified based on morphological characteristics. The soils were generally deep (120-190cm) and somewhat poorly to very poorly drained. They were fine textured with clay content ranging from 19% to 53%. Soil pH varied between 5.00 and 5.97; the percentage organic carbon content was low to moderate (1.20-2.99%) with corresponding low to moderate N and P; effective cation exchange capacity was also rated as low to moderate (3.60-8.29 cmol/kg) the percentage base saturation was high ranging from 56 to 79% while extractable Fe content was less than 5mg/kg. Soil units I and II were classified as Aeric Chromic Vertic Epiaqualfs/vertic Luvic Stagnosols; unit III soils were classified as Aeric Haplustepts/Gleyic Fluvisols and unit IV soils classified as Aeric Kandiaqualfs/ Gleyic Luvisols. In terms of suitability for Rainfed rice production soil units I, ll and lv were rated as moderately suitable (s2) while unit lll soils were rated as non suitable.