SUITABILITY EVALUATION OF SOILS OF ISHIAGU, EBONYI STATE, SOUTHEASTHERN NIGERIA FOR SUSTAINABLE UPLAND RICE PRODUCTION
I. N. ONYEKWERE *
National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
M. I. S. EZENWA
Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
U. V. UDEALOR
National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
O. N. EDEH
National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
O. P. OYIBA
National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
J. C. UDEMEZUE
National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Land suitability evaluation has been defined as the fitness of a given tract of land for a specified kind of use. Soils of Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State Nigeria, were evaluated for their suitability for upland rice production. Detailed soil survey of the area was conducted using the rigid grid format and three mapping units were identified. One profile pit was dug and studied in each mapping unit, soil samples from pedogenetic horizons were analytically examined for particle size distribution, pH, organic carbon, total Nitrogen, available phosphorous, exchangeable cations and cation exchange capacity. The implications of the analytical data are discussed. Suitability evaluation was done using the productivity index method, one mapping unit was moderately suitable and two mapping units were marginally suitable for upland rice production. Recommendations are given as to the options to be adopted in managing the soils and make them highly suitable for sustainable upland rice production.
Keywords: Suitability, evaluation, soils of Ishiagu, upland rice, production