Clement J. Jahknwa, Helen H Ra
Abstract
This study assessed the heterogeneity of pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC1:2) and Exchangeable Sodium Potential (ESP) of Vertisols of a 0.5hectares farmland in Kerau village located in Guyuk Area of Adamawa state, Nigeria. The objective was to examine the soil salinity status and variability at the study site. The grid sampling technique was used to collect 50 soil samples at each of 0-15cm and 15-30cm depths of the study site. Accordingly, descriptive statistics were used to examine the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Semivariogram analysis was used to assess the spatial variation of soil properties while ordinary kriging interpolation technique was used to map the spatial distribution of soil properties. The findings showed that vertisols of the study area are alkaline in nature evident by the high pH values recorded. They however exhibited very low EC and ESP values indicating the absence of salinity or sodicity problems in the soil of the study area. The study recommends periodic assessment of soil salinity parameter in the study area in order to avoid its effects on crops.