PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF AGRICULTURAL SOIL SAMPLES FROM ISHIELU LGA OF EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Physicochemical properties of Agricultural soil samples from Ishielu LGA were determined using standard methods. Twenty-four soil samples were used for the analyses. The soil samples were collected at 0 – 20 cm and 40 cm at twelve locations. The result of the mechanical analysis showed that the soil samples were sandy-clay-loam for top and sub-soil. Chemical properties analysis showed mean values for exchangeable acidity (EA), effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) and base saturation (BS) of 0.76 mg/kg, 9.68 mg/kg and 91.82 % respectively for top-soil while values for sub-soil were 0.075 mg/kg, 8.78 mg/kg and 91.40 % respectively. The mineral analysis showed mean values (mg/kg) of Ca, Mg, K, Na, P and N at 5.80, 2.87, 0.18, 0.07, 53.42 and 0.09 for top-soil while values for sub-soil were 5.33, 2.40, 0.19, 0.11, 51.37 and 0.12 respectively. The heavy metals’ analyses showed that the mean values of all the heavy metal were below Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, 2015 values. This shows that the soil is safe for Agricultural use.