Abstract:
Soil provides vegetative life support and sustenance for all plants and animals therefore farmers need appropriate soil analysis with a view to determining soil properties and by extension use the outcome of such analysis to determine which crops to grow. POM distribution in soil profile of Ido Osi LGA of Ekiti State were examined. Ten pedons (1 m wide x 1 m long x 1.5 m deep) were dug in ten different locations of Ido-Osi LGA namely: Oke- Igi ayetoro (Pedon 1), Ofe farm Usi Ekiti (Pedon 2), Usi Iloro road (Pedon 3), Ilogbo Ekiti (Pedon 4), Ido Ekiti (Pedon 5) , Ifaki (Pedon 6). Ifisan (Pedon 7). Ora Ekiti (Pedon 8), Oke Igbo farm (Pedon 9) and Orin farm settlement (Pedon 10). The pedon locations were geo-referenced with Global Positioning System (GPS) and described on the field Soil samples from natural horizons were analyzed. Description of soil color was done using Munsell colour chart. Replicated samples taken from the natural horizons were air-dried and crushed to pass through 2 mm sieve utilizing those that are less than 2 mm for laboratory analysis. Particulate organic matter (POM) and associated carbon (particles less than 2 mm and greater than 0.053 mm) were estimated. The POM is the soil fraction which is less than 2mm but greater than 0.053mm. Samples were also analysed for physical and chemical constituents. Textural analysis was by hydrometer method. Soil pH was determined with ratio 1:2 in distilled water. Other parameter analysed includes organic carbon, total nitrogen. Replicated data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the differences in the means were separated with New Duncan Multiple Range Test (NDMRT) at P<0.05. The soils from the study area shows that POM pH ranges from 6.0 - 4.15 form, SOC ranges 0.35 – 1.63 % while total Nitrogen ranges from 0.17 - 1.29 % form pedon 1-10. Pedon 10 water level is very high at 70cm.Appropriate test and ridging across slopes especially, an area with high slope gradients is recommended. This would improve the soils for sustainable food production in the area.
