AVAILABLE ZINC, COPPER, IRON AND MANGANESE STATUS OF THE BASEMENT COMPLEX ROCK-DERIVED ULTISOLS IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

To ascertain the current status of available zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) in the basement complex-derived Ultisols, 30 composite 0-30cm soil samples were collected from Galambi District of Bauchi Local Government Area as a case study of the cultivated upland soils in Bauchi State. While available Fe (12.40-45.10 mgkg-1) and Mn (7.89-12.00 mgkg-1) status in the soils were rated high, Zn (0.81-1.34 mgkg-1) was rated medium. Available Cu ranged from 0.05 to 1.13 mgkg-1 with 50% of the samples each in low and medium fertility categories. With a CV of 92.26%, Cu content was observed to be the most variable in the soils. Correlation analysis indicated significant (P<0.05) negative relationship between organic C and available Zn (r = -0.614) or Mn (r = -0.581). Copper application may be advantageous in areas where its fertility is low (<0.2mgkg-1).


Nigerian Journal of Soil Science Vol.4 2003: 35-40