article · International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies
A physicochemical assessment of soil fertility was conducted on soil samples collected from the Mbagber and Mbazum council wards within the Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas of Benue State. Analysis showed that soils in both areas are dominated by sand, exceeding 74 per cent, followed by clay and silt. Measured physical characteristics included bulk density, soil porosity, and moisture content, alongside chemical markers such as pH, base saturation, organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. The measured parameters correspond to the United States Department of Agriculture soil standard ranges. However, low cation exchange capacity values were recorded across both locations. Consequently, the soil profile indicates a clear requirement for supplemental interventions, specifically including organic fertilisers, slow-release fertilisers, or balanced fertiliser blends, to support optimal agricultural yields in these areas.
Understanding local soil composition and nutrient profiles enables farmers and agricultural managers to make informed decisions about soil management. By identifying nutrient limitations such as low cation exchange capacity, agricultural stakeholders can select appropriate fertilisation strategies to improve land quality, ensure crop requirements are met, and optimise overall agricultural productivity.
The findings can guide fertiliser manufacturers, blenders, and agricultural extension services in tailoring organic, balanced, or slow-release fertiliser products specifically suited to the low cation exchange capacity soils of Logo and Ukum. As an observational soil characterisation study, the research represents early-stage baseline data that requires formulation and field-testing before practical, packaged soil amendment solutions can be deployed directly to local farming communities.
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Soil samples were collected from Mbagber and Mbazum council wards of Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas of Benue State. Physicochemical analysis was conducted to assess the soil fertility. The results indicate that the soil profile (sand, clay and silt) is 74.96 %, 13.75 % and 10.34 % for Logo and 74.13 %, 14.41 % and 9.44 % for Ukum. Bulk density, soil porosity, moisture content and organic carbon were found to be 1.54 gcm-3 and 1.35 gcm-3, 42.48 % and 49.54 %, 23.80 % and 20.73 %, 0.52 % respectively for both Logo and Ukum respectively. The results for pH, CEC, BS and total nitrogen were 6.25 and 6.29, 7.1 Cmolkg-1 and 6.95 Cmolkg-1, 86.08 % and 85.24 %, 6.09 Cmolkg-1 and 6.03 Cmolkg-1 and 0.19 % and 0.40 % for Logo and Ukum respectively. Phosphorus, potassium, and calcium values were found to be 2.71 ppm and 2.65 ppm, 2.94 Cmolkg-1 and 2.94 Cmolkg-1 for Logo and Ukum respectively. The study revealed that all the parameters are in agreement with set standards by United State Department of Agriculture soil standard range (USDA SSR) with low CEC value indicate that the soil requires fertilizer (organic fertilizers, slow released fertilizers, balanced fertilizers etc) application for maximum yield.
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DOI: 10.62225/2583049x.2025.5.6.5204
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