CHARACTERIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS IN UTE-OKPU FARMING DISTRICT, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

A study on the soils Ute-Opku farming district in Ika North East Local Government Area, Delta State was conducted to characterize and classify the soils of the area. Three profile pits were sited using free survey techniques and the pits were geo-referenced and dug. Soil samples were collected from designated horizons in each profile, prepared for laboratory analysis and the samples were analyzed laboratically using appropriate laboratory techniques. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis for variability among the soil properties. The soils are deep, well drained and have sandy clay loam texture at the surface horizon and clay texture at the subsurface horizon. The pH of the soil is strongly acidic. The organic carbon, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and base saturation are low. The fertility status of the soil is low.  Application of organic manure and balanced in organic fertilizer is recommended to boast the nutrient fertility status. The soils of the area possessed the features that qualified the soils to be classified as Ultisols, Ustults, Dystrustults, Typic Dystrustults, clayey over laid Sandy clay loam Typic Dystrustults and Okpu at order, suborder, great group, subgroup farming and series levels and correlated with Argic Alisols in World Research Base (WRB) system of classification.