PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN SOME FARMING COMMUNITIES OF JIGAWA STATE

ABSTRACT

The savannah soils especially the ferrallitic and ferruginous types have peculiarities associated with soil color, texture, parent-rock formations that make them unique. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) was used to determine five essential elements (Cl, Fe, K, Mg, Mn) useful in plant nutrition and several others commonly found in association in the soil mineralogy of savannah region of Nigeria. Trace elements concentration determined from the three farming communities’ shows that the soils are acidic. But they are rich in essential elements such as Chlorine, iron, potassium, manganese and magnesium. The three farming communities lack calcium.

Key words: Savannah, Elements, Analysis, Farming, Activation