THE CHARACTERIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF SOIL: A CASE STUDY OF SITE B UGBOWO CAMPUS UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

The characterization and classification of soils from site B University of Benin were investigation in this project work. The aim is to have a baseline information that will assist the University authority in decision making whether the land should be used for agriculture or/and other land uses. A small area of site B was identified as the study area and a soil profile pit was dug. Soil samples were collected from each horizon for laboratory analysis. The morphological, physical and physiochemical analysis were carried out with standard methods of soil analysis. The results show that sand (70.3 – 75.6%) is the dominant texture and clay is the least dominant (10 – 12.4%). The soils texture varied from sandy clay loamy at the top soil to sandy clay at the last horizon. The soils pH varied from strongly acid to moderate acid (pH 5.66 – 5.95). The organic carbon was low (0.40 – 0.54%). The exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, Na and K) was generally low (Ca, 2.61 – 4.13 cmol/kg; Mg, 0.25 – 0.42 cmol/kg; K, 0.04 – 0.18 cmol/kg; Na, 0.003 – 0.005 cmol/kg). The base saturation was high (64.5 – 77.2%). The available macronutrients (N, P and K) was generally very low (N, 0.40 – 0.84 mg/kg; P, 0.05 – 0.14 mg/kg; K, 0.86 – 2.18 mg/kg). The effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) was low (4.51 – 6.14 cmol/kg). The soils from the studied area in site B can be classified as classified as oxisols and the suborder is perox.