MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOILS DEVELOPED ON BASALTIC PARENT MATERIAL IN JOS SOUTH, PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

The study investigated the morphological, physical and chemical characteristics of granite-derived soils in Kuru in order to unveil the soil productivity potential of the area and to characterize the soils. Detailed soil survey was carried out and rigid grid method was employed for the survey. Three mapping units were delineated as Mu 1, Mu 2 and Mu 3 and a representative soil profile pit was sunk in each mapping unit and studied. Morphological properties were determined from insitu examination of the soil profiles. Soil samples are collected according to the pedogenetic horizons and analyzed for physical and chemical characteristics. Results showed that the soils of Mu 1 and Mu 2 were shallow, coarse textured with weak and crumb structure and had colour variation as pink and reddish yellow. However, Mu 3 was also shallow; strong, fine and angular blocky and had gray colour. High bulk density was observed in all the mapping units. pH values of Mu 1, Mu 2 and Mu 3 had means of 5.7, 5.6 and 5.6 respectively, indicating strong acidity. Low to very low values of total nitrogen, available phosphorus, cation exchange cation exchange capacity and exchangeable bases were observed in Mu 1 and Mu 2. However, the values of these parameters were moderate to high in Mu 3. Mu 1, Mu 2 and Mu 3 were Characterized and classified as Lithic Plintustults, Dystric Paleustults and Eutric Aquatults respectively. The soils are constrained by acidity, poor soil characteristics and /or quality, and low fertility status, which can be checked through management strategies such as minimum or zero tillage, alley cropping and use of organic fertilizers, among others.