Soil suitability evaluation for dry season vegetable production in the lowlands of Moba Lga, Ekiti state, Nigeria

Author: 
Aruleba, J.O., Ayodele O.J. and Ajayi, A.S

Agricultural land should be used according to its capacity for optimum production at this time when precision farming is gaining wide acceptance. The ensuing land evaluation will involve assessment of the constraints in relation to suitability classes and the available options to mitigate them to attain the potentials. The soils of five locations in Moba LGA, Ekiti State Nigeria were characterized and evaluated for suitability to produceokro, tomato, celosia, leafamaranth and jute mallow. The soils were Alfisols on nearly flat to flat land with agro-ecological features adequate for the vegetables but with soil constraints of shallow top soil, coarse texture and poor structure which rate Pedons 1,2 and 3 as marginally suitable (S3) for all the vegetables, Pedon 4 marginally suitable (S3) for okra, celosia, leaf amaranth and moderately suitable (S2) fortomato, celosia and amaranthus production. The low basic cation content and CEC are the most critical soil fertility limitations which rateall the pedons as not suitable but potentially marginally suitable. Mulching and manuring to maintain soil organic matter at high levels and improve the CEC will make the soils moderately suitable. The split application of appropriate N, P and K fertilizers and complementary manure are recommendations for attaining potential suitability rating in the site.

Paper No: 
4416