SUITABILITY ASSESSMENT OF SOILS SUPPORTING MORINGA OLEIFERA PLANTATIONS IN SHEDA, ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Abstract: Moringa oleifera is considered one of the most useful trees being promoted across the world for its nutritional value. The study was conducted to assess the soils suitability in supporting the growth of moringa oleifera plant.  The farm land measures 196m long by 78.23m wide with an area of 15,333.8m2. A well homogenized sample soil was taken from 0-15cm depth at twenty-one different spots of approximately 6m apart. “The twenty-one soil†soil was subjected to standard pretreatment and methods of analysis. Results from the soil analysis showed that the pH 6.80±0.13 is within the neutral range, electrical conductivity of 196±69.15 µS/cm implying non saline soil, moisture content of 0.554±0.06 %, organic matter 0.77±0.50 %, cation exchange capacity was 6.13±0.70 meq/100g, total nitrogen 0.20±0.07 % were all considered low. The average concentration of some macro and micronutrient such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sulphur, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper were   64.849±10.194, 53.362±17.842, 0.230±0.064 cmol/kg, 16.167±7.594 kg/ha, 1.804±0.166, 20.635±2.200, 32.656±0.034, 1.676±0.356, and 1.205±0.129mg/kg respectively. The macronutrient concentrations in the soil were low while the micronutrients were high with copper been moderate.Keywords: Moringa oleifera, nutrition, fertility.