Characterization and classification of rice-growing soils on Imo clay shale residua in Eastern Nigeria and current suitability for rice production: I. Omasi-Agu and Omor agrarian communities

The soils on Imo clay shale residua at Omasi-Agu and Omor areas in Anambra State, Nigeria were sampled order to characterize classify evaluate their current suitability for rice production following standard scientific procedures. generally belong loamy textural classes or finer, especially the subsoil layers. morphological physical properties of showed that poorly drained favouring high water retentivity due low hydraulic conductivity slow permeability. All these soil conditions support good performance. Though contained levels exchangeable bases, acidity was equally leading base saturation < 35% but > 35%. Thus, were, respectively, classified as Typic Kandiaquults (Soil Taxonomy) correlated with Gleyic Cambisols World Reference Base Soil Resources (WRBSR) Kandiaqualfs (WRBSR). Even though appeared be more fertile than soils, both have similar constraints production, is, insufficiency nutrients (f) possibility erosion by flooding (e) limited (< 25%). Therefore, is class 2 fertility (S2fe). For sustainable supplementary addition P2O5 from triple superphosphate some minor levelling bunding are required control areas.