Properties and Classification of Soils of Magajin Gari District, Gummi Local Government Area, Zamfara State, North-West Nigeria

Abstract

A semi-detailed survey was conducted across 50 hectares of land in Magajin Gari District, Gummi Local Government, Zamfara State, Nigeria, using a conventional rigid grid procedure. The purpose of the survey was to gather soil data for arable crop production. Four soil units were identified, namely Kawara, Gawan Gulbi, Gidan Bita I, and Gidan Bita II. In each soil unit, four profile pits were dug and described, and soil samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory. The results of the analysis showed that the soil textures ranged from clay loam to clay and sandy loam to sandy clay. The total porosity values were relatively high, ranging from 38% to 40%. However, the total nitrogen and organic matter contents were low, with values ranging from 0.06 to 0.20g/kg and 8.0 to 8.6g/kg, respectively. The pH of the soils ranged from 5.64 to 6.55, indicating slightly acidic to neutral conditions. Available phosphorus was found to be low, with values ranging from 0.47 to 0.49mg/kg. The bulk density values ranged from 1.53 to 1.58Mg/m3 , while the base saturation, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, and exchangeable sodium percentage varied within the ranges of 14.0% to 16.6%, 11.9 to 14.3cmol/kg, 0.45 to 0.56dS/m, and 6.0% to 27.8%, respectively. These results indicate that the soils are non-saline. Based on the USDA Soil Taxonomy System, the soils in Kawara were classified as Vertisols, Gawan Gulbi as Alfisols, and the soils of Gidan Bita I and Gidan Bita II as Inceptisols.