CHARACTERIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS FROM SELECTED AREAS IN BENUE STATE SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA

The soils of some selected areas in Benue state were characterized and classified in 2009 for the purpose of providing information necessary for good land use planning for sustainable Agriculture. Six profile pits were sunk and soil samples were collected for physical and chemical laboratory analysis. The textural composition of the soil ranged from loamy sand to sandy loam to clay loam. The pH ranged from slightly to moderately acidic in reaction in most parts of the areas. The organic matter was very low in all the study areas. Available phosphorus was low in all the locations. Total Nitrogen was predominantly very low to low. CEC also ranged from very low to low. The soils were classified as follows: SIWES Farm Typic ustochrepts, Obarike Oju, Vertic tropaquept and Otobi Typic Kandiaqualf. NYSC farm, Typic Kandiustalf; Adum-Ito, Typic Kandiustalf; and Otukpa, Oxic Ustropept. The soils of the study areas follow the class II of the land capability classification that is the soils are classified as moderate to good land with few physical and chemical limitations which can be improved to enhance crop production within study areas.