An Evaluation of Soil Development in Relation to Topography Over Sandstone Parent Material
2024
Ayodele Owonubi | Yahqub Mustapha
Soil is a valuable resource for agricultural productivity. The objective of this study was to assess the development of soils over sandstone in the Southern Guinea Savanna area of Nigeria. The study area was stratified with respect to slope posi tion, after which representative soil profiles were dug in each slope position. The soil survey manual was used as a guide for the determination of soil morphological properties. Afterward, soil samples were obtained from genetic horizons. Physicochemical soil properties were determined using standard procedures. Results of the study indicate that parent material had a profound influence on soil characteristics, resulting in the development of 2 major soil types: Entisols and Inceptisols. Dominant factors influencing the development of these soils are parent material, topography, and climate. Soil depths are shallow on summit to backslope positions with deep soils occurring on footslope to toeslope positions. Soils are coarse textured, have high hydraulic conductivity in the surface soils and low water-holding capacity. In addition, soils have low fertility but have high potentials for productivity if the fertility of the soil can be improved upon.
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