Assessment of Soil Nutrients along hree Catenae for Crop Suitability in Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed soil nutrients status along three catenae in Kachia Local Government of

Kaduna State, Nigeria. In line with the FAO requirement for soil nutrient quality and crop

growth, the study revealed poor Nutrient concentration across the soil horizon in the

respective Catenae. Samples of soil were collected using the stratified random sampling

Technique representing three slopes. Based on catenae differentiation (Crest ≥ 700m, Middle

slope 401m – 699m and Base slope ≤ 400). A total of 144 soil samples were obtained from

the three slopes based on randomised blocks along soil depth of 0 - 20cm and 20 – 50cm.

The three samples were analysed for available soil macronutriets (P, N, K, Na, Ca, Mg) and

micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Cu, SOM, pH, SOC, CEC, BS ).The result was analysed descriptively

using mean and standard deviation compared with the FAO limits. The soil nutrients across

the catenea revealed among others that nitrogen showed a high level of deficiency across the

catenea irrespective of soil depth. The value of sodium (1.1 ±0.04 cmol/kg) and magnesium

(2.84 mg/kg) in the subsoil horizon of the based slope catenae are deficient compared to the

FAO limit (1.5 and 5 cmol/kh). The values (F = 1.651; = DF = 2; P = 0.199>0.05), (F =

1.044; DF = 2; P = 0.357>0.05), K+ (F = 2.386; DF = 2; P = 0.100>0.05) and Mg 2+ (F =

2.024; DF = 2; P = 0.140>0.05) across the three catenae in the top horizon are not statistically

significant. In general, the middle slope and base slope catenae are considered the most

suitable zones in for crop cultivation considering the availability of soil macronutriets and

micronutrients at the topsoil horizon. Conclusively, the study area lacks adequate nitrogen

and potassium nutrients critical for plant growth. It was recommended that the application of

organic fertilizer to boost the soil nutrients is a prerequisite for improving the soil and

achieving Food security. Application of fertilizer with different ratio of macronutriets

(N:P:K) and micronutrients (Zn and Fe), as well as organic manures should be done for

different portions of the landscape regarding their rate of difficiency.