CHARACTERIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF SOILS DERIVED FROM SHALE IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA FOR SUSTAINABLE CASSAVA PRODUCTION

Abstract

Cassava is of considerable importance to sub – Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria. It is an important source of carbohydrate and energy. It is of economic importance to Nigerians. Therefore, a Pedological study was conducted in soils of Ishiagu Ebonyi State South East Nigeria to characterize and assess their potentials for sustainable cassava production thereby gives management options for yield increase. A total of 500 ha of land was surveyed using the rigid grid format. Three mapping units were delineated based on similarities and differences observed in the morphological properties from the augered points and profile pits were dug in the identified mapping units. The Pits were sampled according to genetic horizons and taken to laboratory for analyses. From the analytical results the characteristics of the soils ranged as follows: soil texture, Sandy clay loam to Clay, pH, 4.6 to 5.2 Organic C, 0.19 to 2.68 %, total N, 0.01 to 0.34 %, available P, 1.40 to 5.43 mg kg_1 CEC, 6.19 to 13.70 cmol (+) kg_1 Base saturation, 20.60 to 50.70 % and available Fe, 12.00 to 52.80 mg kg_1. For the soils to sustain cassava production, the fertility of the soils needs to be improved upon.