Soil Evaluation for Cacao (Theobroma cacao), Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) and Cashew (Anacodium occidentalis) in Ika North East and Ika South Local Government Areas, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study to evaluate the suitability of soil for cocoa, oil palm and cashew was conducted in Ika North East and Ika South Local Government Areas, Delta State, Nigeria. Eight communities were purposefully selected for the study. Forty auger soil samples were randomly collected across each community at 0 – 20 cm and 21 – 40 cm depth respectively. The collected soil samples were bulked into two composite samples. All the collected soil samples were air dried and subjected to laboratory analysis using appropriate laboratory techniques. All data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis for variability across communities. The result obtained revealed that the soils are sandyclayloam within the depth of 21 – 40 cm and sandy loam within 0 -20 cm depth with low variation in sand and silt across the communities and moderate variation in clay across the communities. The pH ranges between 4.98 and 6.6, organic carbon ranges from 0.54 to 1.62%, organic matter ranges from 0.94 to 2.82%. Effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) ranges from 8.08 to 15.13 cmolkg^-1. The Base Saturation ranges between 27.18 and 55.46%, Low variations were obtained across communities in soil pH and ECEC while high variations across communities were recorded or obtained from organic carbon, organic matter, and Base Saturation. The aggregate suitability scores revealed the soils are highly suitable potentially for the cultivation of cocoa, oil palm and cashew.  However, currently, the soils are moderately and marginally suitable for oil palm and cocoa respectively but not suitable for cashew cultivation. Good management practices that will enrich the soils with adequate essential elements are recommended.