PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NASARAWA STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE SOIL LAFIA, NIGERIA.

¹O. A Jonah, and ^2. D. A Bako

ABSTRACT

In this study, the physico-chemical properties of soil of Nasarawa State College of Agriculture, Lafia were determined using physico-chemical methods of analysis. Parameters determined are soluble salts(12.1±0.02 – 14.1±0.01%); Soil air (16–28%); organic matter(1.4±0.00 -3.8±0.01%); availability water capacity(9.0 – 18.1%) and PH (6.36-7.58%). Other parameters included saturation percentage(30±0.00- 35.6±0.01%); moisture percentage(0.33±0.02-0.52±0.01%) percentage loss in ignition           (1.10±0.01- 1.42±0.01%) and texture(sand, 50.1±0.20 – 71.2±0.20; silt, 17.4±0.02-26.4±0.03 and clay, 13.8±0.03 – 22.2±0.01%). Phosphorus, Nitrogen and exchangeable cations were also determined. Results indicate low values for all parameters determined compared with earlier workers and FAO specification.

Keywords: Soil, Physicochemical, Characterization.