Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the soils of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Southern Nigeria for the cultivation of okra and fluted pumpkin. Eight mapping units were identified and one profile pit each was dug in each of the mapping. The soil profiles were examined and described horizons by horizon and soil samples were collected from each of the identifiable pedological horizon. The result shows that four soil orders majorly Inceptisols/Cambisols, Entisols/Arenosols, Ultisols/Acrisols, and Alfisols/Lixisols, were identified in the study area. The result of the suitability class scores using the non para metric method for the eight pedons evaluated showed that the soils were marginally suitable (S3) for both okra and fluted pumpkin cultivation due to limitation in climate (rainfall) and fertility (low CEC) and soil physical characteristic (depth to water table) in both pedon 4 and 5. Thus, the soils of Khana Local Government LGA can be profitably put into okra and fluted pumpkin cultivation under proper fertility management system and time of planting.