Effect of Different Soil Geological Formations (Parent Materials) on Land Suitability for Maize (Zea Mays) Production in Niger State, Nigeria

Daniel Mathew, Lawal Baba Abubakar, Mohammed Tetengi, Ibrahim Philip Audu, Shema Andrew Monday, Aliyu Emmannuel John, Uyokei Uba and Lemibe Prince Chisom
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Daniel Mathew: National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria Research Outreach Department, Nigeria
Lawal Baba Abubakar: Federal University Technology, Department of soil science and land management, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria
Mohammed Tetengi: Federal University Technology, Department of soil science and land management, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria
Ibrahim Philip Audu: National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria Research Outreach Department, Nigeria
Shema Andrew Monday: National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria Research Outreach Department, Nigeria
Aliyu Emmannuel John: National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria Research Outreach Department, Nigeria
Uyokei Uba: National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria Research Outreach Department, Nigeria
Lemibe Prince Chisom: National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria Research Outreach Department, Nigeria

Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Studies, 2025, issue 3, 56-65

Abstract: This study evaluated the suitability of some soils developed under two geological formations (that is, basement complex rocks and the sedimentary rocks) in Niger State, for maize (Zea mays) production. Four sites two each under the formations were selected for the study. Gidan Mangoro (GDM) and Mutun Daya (MTD) represented the basement complex while Enagi (ENG) and Ndayako (NDY) represented the sedimentary rocks. In each site, a mini profile pit (1m x 1m x 1m) was dug, described and sampled according to FAO guidelines. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory following the standard analytical procedures. Square root method was used in the suitability evaluation of the soils. The results showed that, the texture of GDM, was loamy sand at topmost horizon (Ap), underlain by sandy clay loam at Bt horizon over sandy loam texture at Btv horizon. The texture of MTD was sandy loam at topmost horizon (Ap), underlain by sandy clay loam at Btv1 and Btv2 horizons. ENG, and NYK were sandy loam all through. The current (actual) status of the sites revealed temporally not suitable (N1) with indices of 21, 20, 22 and 17 for GDM, MTD, ENG and NYK respectively due to soil fertility and nutrient retention limitations. After correcting the limitations, the sites showed potentials for the production of maize with indices of 31 (S3), 28 (S3), 47 (S2) and 43 (S2) for GDM, MTD, ENG and NYK respectively. The soils under the sedimentary rock formation showed more potential for maize production. Key Words: Parent materials; basement complex and sedimentary rocks, Land suitability evaluation, maize production.

Keywords: parent materials; basement complex and sedimentary rocks; land suitability evaluation; maize production (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ddj:ejards:y:2025:i:3:p:56-65

DOI: 10.35219/jards.2025.3.07

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