Land Evaluation of an Agricultural Landscape in Dingyadi District, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

A semi-detailed survey was conducted to evaluate the soils of an agricultural landscape in Dingyadi area of Sokoto State. Three soil mapping units TLL1, TUP2 and TUP3 were identified on the basis of land forms and surface texture. USDA land capability classification, Fertility capability classification and land suitability classification were use for this purpose. The soils were grouped into various Land capability classes as class IVw, IIIse, and IIIes for TLL 1, TUP 2 and TUP3 respectively. In land fertility capability classification (FCC) soil units TLL 1, TUP 2 and TUP3 were classified as LSg, Lde and Sde respectively. The suitability of the soil was assessed for two major crops (Cowpea and pearl millet) grown in the area TUP2 and TUP3 are rated moderately suitable for cowpea and pearl millet (S2s) while TLL 1 was rated currently not suitable (N1Sw) for cowpea and pearl millet because of limitation of wetness. Management practices such as periodic monitoring of soil quality, adding organic manure and guided
inorganic fertilizer use have been recommended for improve productivity.

Keywords: Land, Suitability, Capability; Fertility, Classification, Evaluation