A detailed soil survey employing conventional grid approach was carried out on Department of soil science farm Latitudes 7o47’4’’N and Longitudes 8o 37’20E’’ and Latitude 7o47’20’’N and Longitude 8o 37’28’’E behind the university clinic to Characterize and determine their suitability for ginger, pepper and maize cultivation. Climatic data were collected from NIMET station domiciled in Soil Science Department of the University. Three profile pits were dug and morphological described using FAO guidelines. Samples collected from genetic horizons were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. Soil surfaces WERE dark reddish grey (2. 5 YR4/3) to reddish brown (2. 5YR4/4) with reddish yellow (7. 5YR6/6) to red (10YR5/8) subsusurfaces; textures sandy loam, sandy clay loam to clay, structures weak fine crumbs to strong coarse sub angular blocky. Samples particles mean values ranged for sand, 66. 74% - 77. 02%, silt, 6. 78% to 9. 36% and clay, 16. 20% to 25. 2% respectively for pedons 1, 11 and 111. Slightly to moderately acidic (pH 6. 10-6. 79. ) soils with very low to low nutrient levels (to sustain crops cultivation) with means at OC (0. 25-0. 28%), OM (0. 43-0. 49%), TN (0. 022-0. 068%), Available P (5. 03-5. 82mgl-1), Ca (2. 63-2. 74), Mg (1. 85-2. 23), K (0. 20-0. 31), and Na (0. 16-0. 25cmolkg-1) ; CEC (7. 50-7. 89 cmolkg-1) with base saturation at 58. 38-87. 27%. The soils were classified as Alfisols (soil order), Ustalf (suborder), Rhodustalf (greatgroup) and Kanhaplic Rhodustalfs (subgroup). On aggregate pedon 1 is highly suitable (S1) to cultivate pepper. Pedon 11 suitability for ginger cultivation is lowered from very highly (S11) to highly suitable (S12cws). Pedon 111 is moderately suitable (S2cf) for maize production. Farm management practices such as organic matter and mineral fertilizer incorporation are recommended while bush burning should be discouraged to boast soil fertility. Plants or crops adaptability is recommended as remediation in case of temperatures limitation.
I et al. (Tue,) studied this question.