Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Abstract:
A detailed soil survey and characterization of Vertisols of Numan in Adamawa state have been carried out to provide a soil-based information in order to boost sugar cane production and also to serve as a yard stick to the immediate community in the area. First a reconnaissance survey was conducted at the study area using the topographic maps and other vital information from the personnel of Savannah Sugar Company. A total area of about 5,000 ha covering both fallow and cultivated Vertisols was taken for the research. A baseline was cut and transects perpendicular to the baseline were cut to cover the entire survey area. A rapid rigid grid technique was employed for the research and observations were made at 500m interval. The soils were generally dark gray to dark grayish brown in colour with a general clayey texture and stong prismatic structure. Five soil mapping units were identified in the study area and these were: CalcicChromusterts (SVM 1); Entic Haphlusterts (SVM 2); Eutric Chromusterts (SVM 3); Natric Chromusterts (SVM 4) and Typic Pelluderts (SVM 5).SVM= Savannah Vertisols mapping unit. The outcome of this research has definitely provided an information base to scholars and interested readers on Vertisols.

Keywords: cultivated vertisols, fallow vertisols, mapping units, chromustersts, usterts, classification.

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