SOIL CHARACTERIZATION AND LAND SUITABILITY EVALUATION OF ANUKA FARMLAND IN NSUKKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract
The land at Anuka, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State in Southeastern Nigeria,
under the sub-humid tropical climate was evaluated for maize (Zea mays), cassava (Manihot
esculenta), yam (Dioscorea spp.) and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) cultivation. Data were
obtained by field study and laboratory analyses. Six pedons were dug and described: two pedons
each for maize and oil palm fields, and one each for yam and cassava fields. These pedons were
dug to represent sampling units. Auger samples were also purposefully collected from the
sampling units at depths 0 - 20cm and 20 - 40cm. This was to investigate the nutrient spread in
the area. Soil samples from the pedogenetic horizons of the pedons were collected after profile
description, processed and analyzed. The pedons were designated P01 = cassava field, P02 and
P03 = maize fields, P04 = yam field, and P05 and P06 = oil palm fields. The textural classes of
the soils included sandy clay loam, sandy loam, sandy clay, loam, clay loam and clay, but the
dominant textural class is sandy clay loam. The overall results showed that the soils are acidic;
the phosphorus content is generally low; organic matter ranged from 0.42 - 4.31 %, decreasing
down the profile depth and is medium (>2.0 %) for epipedons. Exchangeable bases are generally
low: low exchangeable Ca (1), very low exchangeable Na (Total nitrogen content is moderately low to very low (0.042 % < N < 0.196 %). The soils met the