Land evaluation, characterization and
classification of soil for the proposed oil palm plantation in
Ekpri Ibami, Akamkpa Local Government Area, Nigeria
was conducted on 50 ha of land using a combination of
both conventional and digital survey methods. The objective
of the research was to characterize, classify and evaluate
the land for the proposed oil palm production. Three soil
mapping units were identified (EKP I, EKP II and EKP III)
and representative profile pits were dug in each mapping
unit. Samples were collected from each pedogenic horizon.
Soils morphological, physical and chemical properties were
determined using appropriate methods. Results revealed
that soils of all of the mapping are characterized by dark
greyish brown colour with thin topsoil while yellowish red
to strong brown mottles were observed at the subsoil. The
soils are coarsed-textured with high sand, low silt, and clay
fractions. The soils were strong to moderately acidic (4.8 to
5.3). The soils also have low inherent of natural fertility
with low organic carbon content, total nitrogen, and
moderately available phosphorus. Low effective cation
exchange capacity and high base saturation which may
have occurred in available forms in solutions in spite of the
low cation reserves in the soil. The individual mapping
units were classified as Arenic Eutrudept, Typic Hapludult
and Aquic Paleudults for EKP I, EKP II and EKP III
respectively. The land was then evaluated and classified
based on its suitability for oil palm production.
Parametrically, mapping units EKP I and EKP II were
marginally suitable and EKP III not suitable for the
proposed oil palm production. Non-parametrically, EKPI is
moderately suitable, EKP II is marginally suitable and EKP
III is not suitable, for growing oil palm. The prevailing
limitations on the Ekpri Ibami landscape for oil palm
production include fertility, wetness, and topography and
soil physical properties. Fertility factor happened to be the
most limiting factor in all the mapping units. And thus can
be ameliorated through the application of organic manures,
NPK fertilizer and liming to improve the nutrient status of
the soil.
Keywords— Land evaluation, characterization,
classification, sustainable agriculture
John, K. & Akpan-Idiok, A (2019). Land evaluation, characterization and classification of soil for the proposed oil palm plantation in Ekpri Ibami, Akamkpa Local Government Area, Nigeria. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/6-ijeab-apr-2019-11-landevaluation
John, Kingsley, and Ackley Akpan-Idiok "Land evaluation, characterization and classification of soil for the proposed oil palm plantation in Ekpri Ibami, Akamkpa Local Government Area, Nigeria" Afribary. Afribary, 12 May. 2019, https://afribary.com/works/6-ijeab-apr-2019-11-landevaluation. Accessed 07 Sep. 2024.
John, Kingsley, and Ackley Akpan-Idiok . "Land evaluation, characterization and classification of soil for the proposed oil palm plantation in Ekpri Ibami, Akamkpa Local Government Area, Nigeria". Afribary, Afribary, 12 May. 2019. Web. 07 Sep. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/6-ijeab-apr-2019-11-landevaluation >.
John, Kingsley and Akpan-Idiok, Ackley . "Land evaluation, characterization and classification of soil for the proposed oil palm plantation in Ekpri Ibami, Akamkpa Local Government Area, Nigeria" Afribary (2019). Accessed September 07, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/6-ijeab-apr-2019-11-landevaluation