International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), India Online ISSN: 2319-7064 Volume 2 Issue 9, September 2013 www.ijsr.net Variability of Some Soil Physicochemical Properties on Lithosequence in Funtua, North - Western Nigeria L. M. Maniyunda 1 , B. A. Raji 2 , M. G. Gwari 3 1 Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Engineering, Kaduna Polytechnic, P.M. B. 2021 Kaduna, Nigeria 2 Vice Chancellor’s Office, Fountain University Osogbo, Oshun State, Nigeria 3 Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Engineering, Kaduna Polytechnic, P.M. B. 2021 Kaduna, Nigeria Abstract: Variability of some physicochemical properties on Lithosequence in Funtua, Northwestern, Nigeria were studied to determine the extent of variation in physical and chemical properties within and between soils developed on basement complexes, loess over basement complexes and loess parent materials. Variability was more pronounced in chemical than in physical properties. Particle density (CV = 0.23%) and exchangeable sodium percentage (CV = 2.23) were the least variable physicochemical properties. Physicochemical properties with highest variability are Si/C ratio (CV =88.29%) and AP (CV = 149%). Less variability (CV ≤ 15%) irrespective of soils were recorded in particle density, bulk density and pH, and therefore required similar management for all the soils. Silt, AWHC, CEC, CEC clay and base saturation were consistently moderately variable (CV: >15 ≤ 35%). Silt/clay ratio, K, OC, TN, AP and AS were consistently highly variable CV > 35%). Large proportion of properties of the soils were highly variable in all the soils with 10 (42%) of physicochemical properties of soils on BC, 9 (38%) on LBC and 13 (54%) on LS. The highly variable status was attributed to difference in land use types, management and cultural practices occurring within the study area. Properties significantly influenced by Lithosequence include available water holding capacity, magnesium, potassium, CEC and TEA. They were significantly highest in soils on loess and contributed to variation in pattern of nutrient and exchangeable bases retention. Keywords: Variability, lithosequence, physicochemical properties, coefficient of variability. 1. Introduction Soil as a natural body is inherently heterogeneous because of the many factors that contribute to soil formation and the complex interactions of those factors. Thus soils are varied on a macro-scale on landscape and on a micro-scale in farmer’s field. Variation in soil properties has been found to significantly influence soil management and crop production [1]. Variability of soil properties may be attributed to several sources. Apart from inherent soil differences, variation in soil properties are due to soil forming factors (climate, parent materials, organisms, relief and time) and differences in weathering rates [2], [3]. Man has contributed to soil variability through various forms of land use, fertilizer application and different management practices [4], [5], [1]. Variation in soils from appropriate sampling methods can be described by simple statistical procedures such as range, mean, standard deviation, kurtosis and coefficient of variability (CV). In the use of CV, soil properties with CV of ≤15% are considered less variable, 15 – 35% moderately variable and >35% highly variable [6 – 8], [3]. The extent of soil heterogeneity estimated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to indicate differences within and between field plots [3]. The results indicates significant difference in mean values of N, P, K and OM between field plots studied, and emphasized urgent need for soil testing for fertilizer recommendation to ensure balanced nutrient application. Semivariogram is an essential component of kriging in geostatistics which have been in use to examine soil spartial variability [8 – 10]. The system is effective in bringing out spartial variability patterns but requires collection of large number of soil samples across landscape at close intervals. Thus, the procedure for soil sampling and laboratory analysis are time consuming and costly. The use of semivariograms has contributed to understanding of many aspects of soil variability, genesis, proper land use and site specific farm management [2], [11], [12]. Despite several studies on soil variability in other parts of the world, in Nigeria information is more in Southwest and Forest regions. There is scanty information on soil variation in Northwestern Nigeria [7] and none related to influence of Lithosequence (difference in parent materials). Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine variation in physical and chemical properties within and between soils developed on basement complex rocks, loess over basement complexes and loess deposit. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1 Study Area The study area is located between latitude 11 o 33 1 07.4” to 11 o 33 1 54.2” N and longitude 07 o 14 1 08.6” to 07 o 14 1 16.8” E. on Northwest of Funtua town in Katsina State, Nigeria. The area is underlain by undifferentiated basement complex and overlying it is aeolian material referred to as Loess deposit [13]. The land forms include a series of plains with scattered inselbergs [14]. Funtua is situated in northern guinea savanna region. The area has mean annual rainfall of about 1051mm and last from May to October [15], [16]. The mean monthly Paper ID: 04091303 174