LAND SUITABILITY EVALUATION FOR COCOYAM (Colocasia esculenta) CULTIVATION ON SOME SOILS IN IGUZAMA COMMUNITY IN EDO STATE

Abstract

This study was carried out at Iguzama Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State to evaluate some soils for cocoyam cultivation. Soil survey process was carried out by the rigid grid method at a detailed scale which produced two (2) mapping units in each site (sites A and B). Each mapping unit was represented by a pedon and each pedon was appropriately described and sampled. Soil samples were analyzed using Standard procedures. The result showed that texture ranged from sand to sandy clay loam, pH ranged from 4.8 - 6.3, available P. ranged from 1.30 - 44.47mgkg-1 . Result of the suitability evaluation revealed that Pedons 1A (1.65 ha) , 1B ( 6.4 ha) and 2B (5.69 ha ) were not suitable (N) for cocoyam cultivation on current basis because of severe limitations in soil physical characteristics (texture) - pedons 1A and 1B, and fertility characteristics - pedons 1B and 2B, while pedon 2A (2.64 ha) was marginally suitable (S3) for cocoyam cultivation due to major limitation in soil physical characteristic (top soil texture) and fertility (available p). On potential basis, pedons 1A and 1B were not suitable (N) for cocoyam cultivation due to severe limitation in soil physical characteristics (texture) while pedons 2A (2.64 ha) and 2B (5.69 ha) were marginally suitable (S3) because of major limitations in soil physical characteristics (soil texture) and topography (slope) - pedon 2B. However, with some degree of soil amelioration to improve the soil condition, areas represented by pedons 2A (2.64 ha) and 2B (5.69 ha) may be used for cocoyam cultivation, while the area represented by pedons 1A (1.65 ha) and1B (6.4 ha) are not suitable for cocoyam cultivation but could be used for any other agricultural production which the land would support best.