Genesis, classification, and management requirements of soils formed in windblown material in the Guinea Savanna area of Nigeria
2005
Amusan, A.A. | Olayinka, A. | Oyedele, D.J.
Eight pedons representing the major soils found within the Guinea Savanna region of northern Nigeria were studied with respect to their important morphological, physical, chemical, and other characteristics, and their suitability for sustainable agricultural production was evaluated. The most important soil characteristics observed for separating the soils into mapping units include presence or absence of petroferric contact, effective soil depth especially to hardpan layer, gravel and subsoil clay content. Dominant pedogenic processes, which influence the rate of soil development in the area, include plinthization, clay eluviation-illuviation, iron (Fe)-oxyhydroxide release (lateral movement and enrichment), eolian deposition, and leaching. According to the USDA system of classification, the soils (MU-EDA) in the summit to upper slope are classified as Lithic Haplustepts, those (MU-EDB) at the midslope are Typic Haplustepts, the MU-EDC (lower slope soils) as Dystric Haplustepts, and the MU-EDD (soils at the valley floors) as Oxyaquic Haplustepts. In the FAO/UNESCO system, a typical toposequence in the area consists of Dystric Cambisols (CMd) petroferric phase (MU-EDA and EDB), Dystric Cambisols (MU-EDC), and Gleyic Cambisols (CMg) for the MU-EDD mapping unit. The land capability and fertility capability classes of the soils were also established. The MU-EDA, EDB, EDC, and EDD soil units were grouped into land capability class IVes, IIIes, IIs, and Vw and fertility capability class L"Rdk (6-8%), Ldehk (3-5%), Ldh, and Lgehk, respectively.
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