Properties and classification of soils of Kajimaram oasis of northeast Nigeria

Abstract

Soils of Kajimaram oasis, northeast Nigeria 10 30’ and 12 00’E, and 13 00’ and 13 30’N were studied to understand their genesis, properties, classification and management. The soil morphological, physical and chemical properties were examined. These soils occupy the lower slope portion of the landscape where radial flow of ground-water converges and discharges. The soils have high organic carbon content throughout the profiles and mollic epipedons. The soil texture consists of largely peat, clayey-loam, clay and occassionally, silty-clay over fine sandy-loam. The most striking feature of the particle size distribution is the high silt content. Generally, the exchangeable bases of the soils are relatively high and the pH of aged samples is extremely low. According to the US soil taxonomy, the soils in Kajimaram oasis are classified as Fine loamy, Isothermic, Terric Sulfisaprists; Fine loamy, Isothermic, Sulfic Hydraquents; Clayey, Isothermic, Haplic Sulfaquents; and Clayey, Isothermic, Typic Calciaquolls.