Spatial Distribution and Assessment of Selected Physiochemical Parameters of Soils Using GIS Techniques in Bunkure Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

In recent years thematic mapping has undergone a drastic change due to advances in technology, as the result of this different aspects of field of study begin to emerge while others has been transformed. Soil mapping is an example of these aspects. Soil information is one of the areas that needed a robust data for study. The application of GIS in soil analysis transformed the conventional approach, being simpler and accurate in terms of analysis and the production of different maps in theme and layers for soil information. This paper analyzed the distribution of soil physicochemical parameters in Bunkure. Data were collected using GPS (Garmin 76csx model). Grid sampling technique were adopted, 51 soil samples were collected from the depth of 30 cm. Standard laboratory analysis were used for analysis, selected parameters for the purpose of this study (pH, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, OM, OC (organic matter) and EC). The data were transformed into GIS environment using Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation model in the Arc GIS 10.1 version. The result shows that the spatial distribution of pH ranges from 2.90 – 9.66, while Mg has moderate values of 0.04-0.93 ppm. The area is generally considered to have low OC, Na, Ca, and OM with < 2, 0.01-0.23, 1.05-9.12ppm, and 0.02-1.6% respectively. While values within the medium range are N, CEC and K with 0.02-0.96%, 2.09-7.75meq/100 g and 0.01 1.00 (cmol/kg), while EC with 0.05-50.92. The study concludes that the area is low in fertility and there is evidence of salinity development in the western parts of the study area which is the irrigated site. The study therefore recommends for proper management during fertilizer application and the need for data storage of soil information at regular interval which will help the policy makers in planning for sustainable agriculture.