November 2015 Vol. 3 No.10

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Abah RC
Petja BM

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Original Research Article

Evaluation of organic carbon, available phosphorus, and available potassium as a measure of soil fertility

Roland Clement Abah^{1, 3*} and Brilliant Mareme Petja^2,3

¹National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Central Area, Abuja, Nigeria
²Water Research Commission (WRC), Rietfontein Pretoria, South Africa
³University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

*Correspondence Author’s Email: rolann04@yahoo.com

Accepted November 19, 2015

Abstract

This study evaluated organic carbon, available phosphorus, and available potassium as a measure of soil fertility in the Lower River Benue Basin. Soil samples were collected from farms under cultivation and analysed for physical, chemical, and micro-nutrient properties. Soil fertility status was derived using the soil reaction index, and nutrient index with respect to organic carbon, available phosphorus and available potassium, based on the specific rating chart. The soil irrigation quality was assessed by calculating the Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) and Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR). Based on the soil rating chart, most of the soils sampled had medium (30.6%) to high (55.6%) percentages of organic carbon. Only 13.9% of the samples had organic carbon percentages categorised as low. Most of the soils sampled had low amounts of phosphorus (50%) and low amounts of potassium (86.11%). A good percentage (36.11%) of the samples had high content of available phosphorus. The soil ESP and SAR results indicated fertile soils and good irrigation quality. The study has made useful recommendations for farmers and encourages agricultural extension workers to efficiently focus on educating farmers on appropriate crop varieties for cultivation; the best methods to enhance soil nutrients; and the importance of irrigation farming.

Keywords: Available Phosphorus, Available Potassium, Organic Carbon, Soil Fertility, Soil Micro-Nutrients, Soil Nutrients