Hydraulic Properties of Soils of Akani Esuk Orok in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

The study highlights the hydraulic properties of Akani Esuk Orok in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Twenty soil samples were collected from Akani Esuk in Calabar on a grid measuring 6 m × 6 m at a distance of 2 m apart to determine the hydraulic conductivity and to assess its influence on the bulk density, particle density, total porosity, and texture. The mean value of hydraulic conductivity was 14.91 cm‧h–1, bulk density1.3 g‧cm–3, particle density 2.5 g‧cm–3, total porosity 47.6%, sand content 80.1%, silt content 8.4%, and clay content 11.5%. The texture of the experimental plot was loamy sand. The mean values of pH were 5.4; effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) was 63.9 cmol‧kg–1.These values, which are rated medium for the soils, are probably responsible for the luxuriant growth of several crops cultivated in the area. The mean base saturation of the soils was 58.3%. The potassium level of the study area was low, a mean value of 0.11 2 mg‧kg–1. Though the soils were strongly acidic in reaction and the fertility status was considered low, medium, and high taking under consideration values of organic carbon, total nitrogen, ECEC and base saturation. Hence, the fertility should be maintained by planting Calopogonium municoides, Centrosema pubescens and adoption of appropriate cultural practices.