Properties, classification and agricultural potentials of lateritic soils of Minna in sub-humid agroecological zone, Nigeria

Two pedons located on the Experimental Farms of the Federal University of Technology (EF) and Maizube Farms (MF) all around Minna were studied. The result indicated that the pedons had surface texture of sandy loam and sandy clay loam respectively overlaying fine textured subsoil. In the same order, the sand content ranged from 529 to 794 g kg-1 and 417 to 597 g kg-1 and decreased with soil depth. Silt ranged from 55 to 105 g kg-1 and 104 to 154 g kg-1 and was irregularly distributed within the profiles. Clay ranged from 116 to 386 g kg-1 and 269 to 449 g kg-1 and unlike sand, it increased down the profiles. Both pedons were imperfectly drained and had plinthites in their subsurface. The pH ranged from 5.5 to 6.5 and 6.0 to 7.2. Organic C and TN were rated high in EF with values of 16.76 g kg-1 and 0.37 g kg-1 and medium in MF with values of 10.68 g kg-1 and 0.17 g kg-1 respectively. Also, available P was 11 and 8 mg kg-1 and was rated medium in both soils. The average ECEC values were 5.75 cmol kg-1 and 12.45 cmol kg-1. The pedons were classified at subgroup level as Typic Plinthustalfs in USDA taxonomy which correlates as WRBIUSS’s Haplic Plinthosols (Eutric). The two sites are suitable for the cultivation of most crops but will require, especially for arable crops, drainage to enhance aeration within the root zone of the crops