Description and Characterization of Some Alfisols under Two Different Land-Use (Groundnut and Maize) Patterns in Chanchaga, Minna, Niger State

Abstract

Characterization of soils under two different types of land-use options - groundnut (GNL) and maize (ML) was carried out. An overview of the study area was obtained through a free survey technique. One profile pit was sank in each land-use option and described following FAO guidelines and soil samples were collected from each identified genetic horizon for laboratory analyses. The result indicates that the soils under GNL were brownish and well drained; while soils under ML were very dark grayish brown and poorly drained. The soils under both land-use options generally have favorable pH, high base status, but low to medium fertility status. The soils under GNL are classified as Typic Haplustalfs/Haplic Luvisol; while the soils under ML are classified as Aquic Haplustalfs/ Anthraquic Luvisol.