Evaluation of Fertility Status of Soils under Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) in Akamkpa and Odukpani Local Government Areas of Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the fertility status of soils under Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) in Akamkpa and Odukpani Local Government Areas of Cross River State. Composite soil samples were collected at the depth of 0-15 cm under Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) using soil auger from fourteen (14) locations. The soil samples were analysed for some physico-chemical properties using standard procedures. Results obtained showed that the soils were predominantly sandy loam in both Akamkpa and Odukpani with a significant difference in the soil pH which was very strongly acid (mean pH in water =5.0). Organic carbon was high (26.00–41.00 g/kg) in Akamkpa and Odukpani (24.00 – 41.00 g/kg). Total nitrogen was medium (2.4–4.9 g/kg) in Akamkpa and low to medium (0.19 – 0.33%) in Odukpani. Available phosphorus was generally low (1.8-2.9 mg/kg) and (1.88 – 6.63 mg/kg) in both areas. Exchangeable calcium was low to medium (3.6-7.4 cmol/kg) in Akamkpa and medium to high (5.6-14.8 cmol/kg) in Odukpani. Magnesium contents were low (0.8-6.7 cmol/kg) and high (0.4 – 12.4 cmol/kg) in both areas. While exchangeable potassium (0.08 – 0.13 cmol/kg) and (0.09 – 0.13 cmol/kg) with sodium contents (0.06 – 0.08 cmol/kg) and (0.06 – 0.10 cmol/kg) were low. Exchangeable acidity of hydrogen (0.1 – 3.7 cmol/kg) was high in Akamkpa and low to medium (0.08-2.32 cmol/kg) in Odukpani and that of Aluminum contents (0.3 – 4.0 cmol/kg) and (0.0 – 4.0 cmol/kg) were generally low. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) was low (4.5 – 11.4 cmol/kg) in Akamkpa and low to medium (7.2 – 24.01 cmol/kg) in Odukpani and those of Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC) was low to medium (9.2 – 15.9 cmol/kg) in Akamkpa but low and high (7.8 – 24.41 cmol/kg) in Odukpani. The Base Saturation was medium to high (37 – 96%) in Akamkpa and high (60.9 – 98.4%) in Odukpani. The studies revealed that soils under Bamboo had high organic matter content. This could be attributed to the bamboo leaf fall which enhances the increase of organic matter content.