ABSTRACT
A study was conducted in Anwai-Asaba area, Delta State, Nigeria aimed at assess the different chemical forms of Phosphorus. Phosphorus is one of the most limiting nutrient elements in the soil after nitrogen. Both field and laboratory studies were carried out. The field work involved profile, characterization delineation and auger soil sampling. Chemical analysis of soil samples was carried out to determine its physico-chemical properties, and including organic and inorganic forms of Phosphorus using appropriate procedures. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics and relationship between soil Phosphorus fractions and some soil physico-chemical properties established using simple correlation coefficient. Results of the study showed that the texture of the soils ranged from sandyloam and loamysand at the top soil surface to predominantly sandyclayloam in the lower pedogentic horizons. The initial chemical properties showed that the soils were strongly to moderately acid with a mean pH of 5.45. The organic carbon, total N, available Phosphorus, exchangeable bases and CEC were low depicting the inherent low fertility status of the pedons. The active Phosphorus forms were low with mean values of 6.24mgkg-1 for Fe-P, 5.46mgkg-1 for AL-P and 3.68mgkg-1 for Ca-P. The organic-P and Total-P were also low with mean values 6.68mgkg-1 and 21.32mgkg-1 Positive correlation existed between Fe2O3 and Al-P (0.668**) and available P (0.614**). Organic and Total Phosphorus also, correlated significantly with organic carbon (0.625** and 0.674**) indicating that Phosphorus in soil is mostly contained in organic forms. |
KEYWORDS: |
Characterization, distribution, chemical forms, Phosphorus, Oxisols, humid region. |
