SUITABILITY EVALUATION OF SOILS OF EPOLU RIVER, ESA OKE, OSUN STATE, FOR RICE PRODUCTION

Abstract

The study evaluated the suitability of soils of Epolu River, Esa-Oke, Osun State for rice production.
Three soil profile pits were dug along the toposequence namely: upper basin, mid basin, lower basin,
and described following the FAO/UNESCO guideline for soil profile description. Soil samples were
collected from 9 identified genetic horizons of the profile pits and were subjected to routine physical
and chemical analyses. Land characteristics recognized on the field were combined with those
determined in the laboratory to provide the land qualities in the study area. The land qualities
obtained were matched with rice requirements to obtain the soil suitability classes. Results indicated
that the soils were not deep, light reddish gray to brownish gray, varying from sandy clay loam to
3
3
clay. The bulk density ranged from 0.49 g/cm to 0.86 g/cm . The soils were acidic with pH ranging
from 3.99 to 5.79. Soil organic matter varied from low to high, ranging from 0.2 to 3.22%. The
available P varies from low to medium and ranged from 3.10 to 9.40 mg/kg. The high base saturation
of greater than 50 % by NH OAc places all pedons in order Alfisols (USDA Soil Taxonomy) pedons
4
1 and 2 correlate as Luvisols while pedon 3 correlate as Fluvisols (FAO/ UNESCO).

Keywords: Pedon, Land quality, Alfisols, Fluvisols