ASSESSMENT OF MICRONUTRIENTSTATUS OF SOME SELECTED SOILS AT DABAGI FARM, CENTRE FOR AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL RESEARCH, USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY, SOKOTO, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT A study was carried out to assess the micronutrient status of soils of Dabagi Farm, Center for Agricultural and Pastoral Research, UsmanuDanfodiyo, Sokoto. Three representative plots were selected (Plot A, B and C) and 5 soil samples each were collected from these plots at the topsoil and subsoil respectively to give a number of 10 samples per plot and a total number of 30 soil samples which were prepared and taken for laboratory analysis. Result of the analysis showed that soils of the study area was strongly acidic having a mean value of 5.1. The particle size distribution varied from sandy loam to clay, and the textural class “clay loam” was the most dominant. The organic carbon content of soils at the study area was generally low (<10g/kg), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) was generally low (<6.0cmol/kg). Result of the micronutrients analyzed showed that copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) content had a mean value of 2.23, 68.67,10.41 and 2.26 mg/kgrespectively. All the values were higher than the critical values of 0.2, 4.0, 5.0 and 0.8 mg/kg for Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn respectively. The result of analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the mean values for Cu and Fe at the different plots were statistically indifferent (P≤ 0.05) while those for Mn and Zn were significantly different. The results of correlation analysis revealed that Fe, Mn, and Zn negatively correlated with sand content while Cu showed a negative correlation. Fe, Mn, and Zn also had positive correlation with clay content but Cu showed otherwise. The result also showed that pH correlated positively with Fe, Mn and Zn but negatively with Cu. All the available micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) positively correlated with organic matter. This findings will provide the necessary information needed to ensure a more economic and judicious utilization of the soil resources which ultimately improves soil fertility and increases crop productivity.