Evaluation of Soils for Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Production: A Case Study of Siwes Farms of University of Agriculture Makurdi
Journal Title: International Journal of Plant & Soil Science - Year 2017, Vol 15, Issue 3
Abstract
The soils of the University of Agriculture Makurdi Teaching and Research Farm were surveyed, with the view to evaluating their morphological, physical and chemical properties for cowpea production. Makurdi is in a strategic position in the agricultural map of Nigeria, producing a wide range of both annual and perennial crops such as yam, maize, rice, sorghum, groundnut, soybean, cowpea, citrus, mangoes, and a variety of vegetables. One of the factors responsible for this wide range of crops is the favourable climate. The study showed that the soils of the area had formed under climatic environment presently characterized by an annual rainfall of about 1330.20 mm and a mean annual temperature of about 27.80°C. The soils of the upper slope were classified as Typic Paleustalfs, while those of the middle and lower slopes were classified as Typic Haplustalfs and Typic Kandiaqualfs respectively, using soil taxonomy. The soils were well drained to poorly drained. The clay content ranged from 7.20 to 29.30%, increasing with depth. Organic carbon was low (0.47%) in the upland and relatively high (0.86%) in the low land. The soils had an irregular base saturation in all the Units. These soils are capable of moderately supporting cowpea production. The soils were moderately suitable for cowpea production.
Authors and Affiliations
E. A. Igomu, S. Idoga
The Influence of Soil Surface Conditions and Rainfall Intensity on Runoff Generation Potential in Semiarid Botswana
The study analyzed an investigation of soil surface conditions and their runoff generation potential by means of field experiment and model predictions. The field experiment was carried out during the period January 2012...
Rhizosphere and Rhizoplane Mycoflora of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) from Saudi Arabia
This is the first comparative study of the rhizosphere and rhizoplane mycoflora of Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) from three different regions of Saudi Arabia. Samples of roots and rhizosphere soil from the date palm...
Soil Characterization and Classification of the Koutango Watershed in the Semi-Arid Southern Peanut Basin of Senegal
The study was conducted to determine the potential of soil units composing the watershed for agriculture. The methodological approach was based on a soil profile description and sampling of soil units in different depths...
Growth Response Relationship of Maize under Different Nutrients Substrates on Volcanic Soils in the Western Flank of Mt. Cameroon
The substitution of costly inorganic fertilizers with readily available organic inputs will be of great relief to subsistent farmers. The study evaluated the response of maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrid (F1) to varied fertiliz...
Evaluation of Seed Quality in Naturally Aged Seed Lots of Coriander
Three seed lots of fifteen genotypes of coriander were subjected to study the effect of natural ageing on different seed quality parameters. Results revealed that all the genotypes showed the germination percentage above...