JAFE Vol.  10(1): 1-13, 2023

Effects of Flooding on Physicochemical Properties of Hydromorphic Soils of Bayelsa, South-South, Nigeria

ALAMA, Sunday Ifeakachukwu, UWABOR, Chukwuma S., OSSAI, Chukwunalu Okolie, EGBUCHUA, Collins, ONYIBE, Christopher Emeka, AKPOROBI Sunday Oba,

OKONJO, O. Emmanuel, EMMANUEL, Precious, and UMUKORO, Prosper

The research was carried out to assess the effects of flooding on the physicochemical properties of hydromorphic soils. Soil ped was delineated along topographic positions using a detailed soil survey (rigid grid method), described based on their genetic horizon in the field for their morphological characteristics, and analyzed in the laboratory for physicochemical properties. The soils were moderately deep to poorly drained with soil colour (wet) varying from brownish-black (5YR2/1) at the top horizon and light grey (5YR8/1) to light yellowish brown (5YR6/8) mottles in the subsoils. The structure ranged from medium sub-angular blocky structure (mosbk) to moderate sub-angular blocky (msbk) structure. Particle size distributions were sand (38-56%), silt (16-35%), and clay (14-45%). Bulk density (1.25-1.50gcm^-3) and OM (0.40-1.87%) were low and moderate. The pH ranged from 4.83-5.20 (very strongly to strongly acidic). Total N generally ranged from 0.17-0.81gkg^-1 (medium to very high). The phosphorus (P) values ranged from 0.19-1.76mgkg^-1 (very low), and Na values from 0.18-0.28cmlkg^-1 (low). CEC values were 6.67-7.53cmlkg^-1 (low) while BS ranged from 56.04-71.23% (moderate to high). Data analyzed showed variability across locations and was in the range of low (5.33%) to moderate (35%) for physical properties, and low (4.94%) to high (91.80%) for chemical properties. The soils generally are classified as Afisols and correlated as Gleysols. The soil characteristics are a reflection of the long-term flooding effect, and utilization for crop production; appropriate soil management and fertilizer application are vital to improving fertility and productivity.

Keywords:

Flooding, hydromorphic, classification, characteristics

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