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Keywords:
Exchangeable cations Ca Mg K ratios clay migration particle size distribution Nigerian soils
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Profile distribution of clay, Ca, Mg and K in some soils of the Savanna region of Nigeria
Abstract
Clay content and ratios of exchangeable cations are highly dependent on characteristics of soil parent material and deferential effect of weathering/leaching. Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) contents of
soils are significantly correlated, and Mg content affects some soil physical characteristics and erodibility. The objective of this study was to establish a relationship between the distribution of clay, Mg, Ca, K and their ratios in some Nigerian soils. A total of 72 profile pits were prepared in 7 locations
distributed in Niger, Edo, Oyo, Ogun and Osun States in the savanna region of Nigeria. The soils (comprising 49 Alfisols, 16 Entisols, 4 Ultisols, 2 Vertisols and 1 Inceptisol) were formed on shale/limestone, sandstones or basement complex (coarse-grained granites, coarse grained granite
gneisses or amphibolites) materials. There was significant correlation among the textural separates (r2 >0.21 < 0.96; p < 0.05 < 0.01), Ca, Mg and K content (r2 > 0.29 < 0.91; p < 0.05 < 0.01) of the soils.
Correlation between clay and the ratios of exchangeable cations was significant in two locations (r2 >0.38 < 0.77; p < 0.05 < 0.01). Regression equation established that profile distribution of clay was highly
influenced by magnesium content (r2 > 0.73 < 1.00, p<0.05<0.01) of the soil and summarized for the entire locations as clay = 752.41 + 22.90(K) – 0.51(silt) – 0.76(sand) – 19.48(Ca/K) – 19.24(Mg/K) + 19.65((Ca+Mg)/K)), r2 = 0.83 and p<0.05. Mg content irrespective of the concentration of other exchangeable bases could be a strong factor in the profile distribution of clay, weathering/leaching, soil physical characteristics and stability of landscapes.
soils are significantly correlated, and Mg content affects some soil physical characteristics and erodibility. The objective of this study was to establish a relationship between the distribution of clay, Mg, Ca, K and their ratios in some Nigerian soils. A total of 72 profile pits were prepared in 7 locations
distributed in Niger, Edo, Oyo, Ogun and Osun States in the savanna region of Nigeria. The soils (comprising 49 Alfisols, 16 Entisols, 4 Ultisols, 2 Vertisols and 1 Inceptisol) were formed on shale/limestone, sandstones or basement complex (coarse-grained granites, coarse grained granite
gneisses or amphibolites) materials. There was significant correlation among the textural separates (r2 >0.21 < 0.96; p < 0.05 < 0.01), Ca, Mg and K content (r2 > 0.29 < 0.91; p < 0.05 < 0.01) of the soils.
Correlation between clay and the ratios of exchangeable cations was significant in two locations (r2 >0.38 < 0.77; p < 0.05 < 0.01). Regression equation established that profile distribution of clay was highly
influenced by magnesium content (r2 > 0.73 < 1.00, p<0.05<0.01) of the soil and summarized for the entire locations as clay = 752.41 + 22.90(K) – 0.51(silt) – 0.76(sand) – 19.48(Ca/K) – 19.24(Mg/K) + 19.65((Ca+Mg)/K)), r2 = 0.83 and p<0.05. Mg content irrespective of the concentration of other exchangeable bases could be a strong factor in the profile distribution of clay, weathering/leaching, soil physical characteristics and stability of landscapes.
