Authors:
Kyat, M. M., Idoga, S., Abagyeh, S. O. I and Ugese, F. ,Nigeria |
Abstract:
This study was carried out to characterize and determine the suitability of selected soils of
Kwande for rainfed rice production. The study area was Adagi, Ikyurav-ya Council Ward,
Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State (05º35' and 05º47' N and longitudes and 07º55'
and 07º39' E). The soils were characterized, classified and mapped out according to their
morphological, physical and chemical properties. They were also mapped according to their
topographic positions in relation to the level of soil moisture. Six varieties of rice (Faro 62, Faro
61, Faro 57, Faro 44, OM2386 and a local {Gborogidi}) were tested across three topographic
positions. Field trials were carried out on three slope levels (middle, lower and toe) with the view
to compare the performance among six varieties of rice and to ascertain the best variety for each
of the slope levels. The study revealed that the soils were deep (107 – 167 cm), somewhat poorly
drained, having 40.80 % to 76.80 % of sand, 08.00 % to 29.00 % of silt and 12.20 % to 40.92 %
of clay. Unit I soils occupied the middle slope and were well drained while the other units were
somewhat poorly drained as a result of their topographical positions and their texture and
structure (moderate to strong sub-angular blocky). The soils in the study area were structurally
strong coarse subangular blocky to strong fine subangular blocky in most of the horizons. The
soils were rated as strongly acid to slightly alkaline in reaction ranging from 4.5 – 7.5. The soils
had low organic carbon (0.17 to 2.51 gkg-1), very low total nitrogen (0.03 – 0.11 gkg-1), very
low available P (2.31 to 5.90 mgkg-1), low to medium exchangeable bases (2.50 – 3.20 cmolkg1), low CEC (5.80 to 8.10 cmolkg-1) and high to very high base saturation (78.77 to 91.60 %).
Based on these properties, the major soils of the three topographic positions namely; middle
slope (unit I), profile 1 was classified as Typic Plinthustalf/Plinthic Lixisols (Arenic) while
profile 2 was classified as Aquic Haplustept/Haplic Cambisol (Greyic); unit II profiles 3 and 5
were classified as Aquic Eutrudept/ Endogleyic Cambisol (Greyic) while profile 4 was qualified
as Fluventic Haplustept/Haplic Cambisol (Greyic). The soil unit III was classified as Aquic
Eutrudept/Endogleyic Cambisol (Greyic)). Soils of Unit I were well drained with low-water
holding capacity and were strongly acid and being rated as marginally suitable (S3) while soil
units II and III were rated as highly suitable (S1) for rainfed rice production as a result of their
high-water holding capacity, low lying and tolerable soil reaction (high pH). Six (6) rice varieties
were used as test crop. The rice yield results showed a positive correlation between the suitability
classes and the actual yield. From the experiment, the rice yielded far better in the lower and toe
slopes in soil Units II and III and were rated highly suitable (S1)than soil Unit I which was rated
as marginally suitable (S3). The yields of soil unit II were statistically higher (5.39 t/ha) while
the middle slope (unit I) was significantly lower (2.66 t/ha). Among the varieties, the yields were ... |
