SOIL CLASSIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF DIAGNOSTIC (B) HORIZON OF SOME SOILS IN TEACHING AND RESEARCH FARM OF THE POLYTECHNIC BALI, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was conducted to characterized and identify soils of Teaching and research farm of the Polytechnic Bali, based on Diagnostic B horizon which are essential in the study of soil. Reconnaissance field survey using transect walk was done on the 50 hectares of land in the study area were geo-reference with the aid of GPS, (3) profile pit were excavated. Soil samples were collected for laboratory analysis from various horizon identified. The results obtained shows that soil textural classes consisted of Loam. Sandy loam, Loamy sand, and Sandy clay loam, Soil pH values were strongly acidic pH 4.9 (HCl) to slightly acidic pH 6.3 (H2O), the Exchangeable Cations Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium were medium to high ranging from 3.85 cmol/kg to 0.21 cmol/kg for Ca and K while Mg was high 1.84 cmol/kg. Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) were medium to high ranging from 15.38 cmol/kg to 19.64 cmol/kg, the percentage base saturation 59.59 % to 51.6% of the soil is fertile. The available phosphorus is medium ranging from 7 mg/kg to 14 mg/kg, level of organic carbon were medium to high ranging from 0.5% to 0.7 % and the total Nitrogen was rated low 0.12 % to 0.13 %. The soils are classified in the order of Ultisols, sub–order of Udalfs with Udic moisture regime, great group and sub – great group of Hapludalfs and Typic Hapludalfs respectively by the USDA Classification System and according to WRB, the soil is classified as Euric Cambisols, Calcic Luxisols and Argic Lixisols for having Cambic and Argic Horizon.