Agricultural Potential of Soils Derived from Coastal Plain Sand for Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Cultivation in Ikwuano Local Government Area, South Eastern Nigeria.

Abstract

The current food requirements of a rapidly increasing population demand that marginal lands such as the coastal plain sands which have been left under-utilized, be brought under intensive agricultural land use to ensure food security. Thus, this study was carried out to characterize and evaluate the agricultural potentials of the coastal plain sands soils of Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria for sustainable food production. Four farming communities were used as study sites. Results from the study showed that the soils were predominantly coarse in texture with moderately acid (pH 5.4 –5.6) top soil over strongly acid (pH 4.0 – 5.0) subsoil. The soils were moderate in the following surface soil fertility parameters: organic carbon content (1.00 - 1.40%), total nitrogen (0.15 – 0.21%), cation exchange capacity (11.25 - 13.62 cmol kg-1), exchangeable K (0.30 - 0.55 cmol kg-1), available phosphorus (10.60 - 15.43 mg kg-1) and base saturation (41 - 49%). The results of land suitability evaluation revealed that the land is currently marginally suitable (S3) for oil palm. Major crop production constraints identified were soil physical characteristics (texture) and fertility (basic cations). Management techniques such as application of organic fertilizers to enhance nutrient holding capacity of the soils and supply the deficient basic cations will raise the productivity of the soils. Regular soil testing for proper fertilizer application is also recommended.