Soil Quality Index Modeling for Sustainable Agriculture in Niger Delta: A Statistical Approach

Soil Quality is a critical component of Sustainable Agriculture, and its assessment is essential for environmental sustainability.This study aimed to develop a soil quality index (SQI) model for the Niger Delta region in Nigeria, using statistical techniques to integrate physical, chemical, and biological soil properties with environmental factors.The study generated an SQI model that includes sand, silt, clay, pH, organic matter, calcium, magnesium, and base saturation as significant parameters.The model showed a strong correlation between the selected soil properties and soil quality, with an R-Squared value of 0.85 and a low error rate (RMSE = 0.21).The SQI model classified soil quality into good, moderate, and poor categories, providing a clear framework for soil management and conservation.The study demonstrates the effectiveness of a data-driven approach to soil quality mapping and highlights the importance of considering multiple soil properties in assessing soil quality.The findings have implications for soil management and conservation efforts in the Niger Delta region and the approach can be replicated in other regions to generate location-specific soil quality models.