Irrigation Water were sampled from some major rivers in the mid-section of Benue Trough for two consecutive years, 2011 and 2012 and analysed for some metals contents and physicochemical properties. The results showed that irrigation water were slightly (pH 6.5) to moderately (pH 5.5) acidic and good for irrigation with minimal or no liming. Very low pH delays nutrients uptake by plants and therefore plant metabolism. Levels of total soluble salts, Mg
An experiment was carried out to determine the soil fertility status and productivity of rice on flood plain soils at different locations in Wukari LGA of Taraba State in the southern guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of five locations (Gidan-Idi, Gindin-Dorowa, Tsokundi, Rafin-Kada and Nwuko) that was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The field was cleared, ploughed and harrowed, and marked into plots of 5 m x 5 m with an alley of 1 m between replications and 0.5 m between plots. Rice seeds (faro 44 (sipi 6920233)) were sown by dibbling at 25 cm×20 cm intra row. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied (at 3 to 4 weeks after planting as urea at the rate of 120 kgN ha-1) by top dressing method. Phosphorus fertilizer was also applied at 5 to 8 weeks after planting in split doses at the rate of 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 as single super phosphate and Potassium oxide fertilizer was applied 10 to 12 weeks after planting at 40 kg K2O ha-1 by top dressing method. Soil and plant data were collected and analyzed using standard procedures. The results were subjected to analysis of variance and means separated using F-LSD test. Significant (P≤0.05) differences in plant height and grain yield were observed during 2016 and 2017. Rafin-Kada recorded the highest grain yield of 8.36 tons/ha while Nwuko recorded lowest grain yield of 7.43 tons/ha in 2016. Gidan-Idi recorded the highest grain yield of 8.33 tons/ha while Gindin-Dorowa recorded lowest grain yield of 7.41 tons/ha in 2017.
A study on quantifying the productivity of Wukari flood plain soils using Neill’s Productivity Index (PI), Modified Neill’s Productivity Index (PIm) and Riquier Productivity Index (RI) was carried out. The applicability and validity of the productivity index models were determined using rice as a test crop. Result showed significant relationships with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.7158, 0.7204 and 0.8778 found between grain yield of rice (Y) and PI, PIm and RI values respectively. The highest and the lowest grain yield of rice to a reasonable extent correspond to the higher and the lower productivity index values, respectively. Higher productivity indices explained higher mean grain yield of rice. The productivity indices values decreased with the decrease in grain yield. The grain yield of grain followed productivity index predictions and are hereby recommended as tools of soil productivity assessment in the study area.
state was detail surveyed to characterize, classify and assess the suitability of the soils for sustainable rice production. Critical land and soil requirements for rice production were related with data obtained from both field and laboratory studies. The results showed that the soils had sandy loam to clay textures; weak fine crumb to strong coarse subangular blocky structure and friable to very firm consistency. All pedons except 1 had redoximorphic properties. Soil reaction ranged from slightly (6.0) to moderately acid (5.0), organic carbon (0.18-.55%). Total nitrogen and phosphorus were inadequate with low exchangeable cations and micro-nutrients. Pedon 1 was classified as Lithic Ustropept (Plinthic Cambisol (Eutric, Rhodic)) while 11 and 111 were keyed into Typic Plinthudalfs (Eutric, Plinthosols (Clayic, Greyic)). Land characteristics (mean annual rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, topography, coarse fragments and base saturation) were not major limitations for rice production however, there was no highly (S1) or moderately suitable (S2) land for rice cultivation. Productivity index (IPc) ranged between 3.10 and 10.08, and were thus currently not suitable for both upland and lowland rice cultivation by assessments of the two models. Linear model of in pedon 1 for lowland rice, showed the soils were currently not suitable for rice cultivation but pedons 11 (29.25) and 111 (37.05) were marginally suitable for lowland rice cultivation. The square root model index of productivity had IPp of 21.77 in pedon 1, 26.12 in 11 and 28.37 in pedon 111. Thus, pedon 1 was currently not suitable; pedons 11 and 111 were marginally suitable for upland rice. Pedon 1 IPp (11.91) was currently not suitable whereas pedons 11 (36.79) and pedon 111 IPp (31.820) were marginally suitable for lowland rice cultivation. The soils' major limitations were the low levels of macro and micronutrients. Management techniques including continuous organic matter incorporation and mineral fertilizers application to the land will adjust the soils structure and boast their fertility level.
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