SPATIAL PATTERNS OF SOIL QUALITY (NUTRIENT PROPERTIES) OF OIL PALM PLANTATIONS IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

 ABSTRACT

This study analyzed the spatial patterns of soil quality (nutrient properties) of oil palm plantations in Edo state, Nigeria. The objectives of this study includes; (i) to determine the value of the physico-chemical properties of soil under each oil palm plantation, (ii) to examine the status of the physico-chemical properties of soil under each of the oil palm plantation, (iii) to examine the implications of soil quality under the different oil palm plantations. This study was carried out in three (3) different oil palm plantations located in Edo state. They include: Nigerian Institute for Oil palm Research (NIFOR) located in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Oil Palm Company (OPC farms) located in Igueben Local Government Area and Hartman farms located in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State. The data for this study was sourced and collected from primary (direct field observation) and secondary sources. This research engaged the methods of descriptive statistics. Data collected were statistically analyzed using tables, ranges and means. To determine the status of soils in the oil palm plantations, soil critical threshold values were utilized. The research reveals that soils under the different oil palm plantation were sandy loam and were deficient in the effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), calcium, manganese, organic carbon, and total nitrogen, medium status for magnesium while higher values were observed in iron, copper, zinc, sodium and potassium. The pH values were observed to range from 5.5 to 7.0. It also revealed surface soils (0-15cm) had higher values of most soil nutrients than subsurface soils (15-30cm). Management practices such as the application of fertilizers and mulching should be carried out. This will help to increase the low contents of the observed soil properties of the soils.