ABSTRACT
The study was conducted in three Pleo-pleistocene soil formations in Delta State, Nigeria in order to assess the contents and profile distribution of Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) micro nutrients. Aerial photo interpretation and field work were carried out and three profile pits dug to represent the soil units. Soil samples were collected from each of the pedogenetic horizons for the estimation of particle size distribution, soil pH and organic matter content. Total and extractable Zn and Cu micro nutrients were extracted with 0.005 M DTPA; 0.1.M CaCl2 and 0.1M TEA (pH 7.3) and determined with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics and correlation analysis was performed to show statistical relationship between some soil physical properties, total and extractable Zn and Cu micro nutrients. Results of the study showed remarkable physical variability between locations and within soil horizons as the textures ranged from loamy sand, sandy clay, loam and dominantly clay in the inland valley and mangrove swamp soils. The soil units were generally acid with a mean pH range of 4.53 to 5.70. Organic matter content was low (< 20 gkg-1) in the coastal plain sand and inland valley, and moderate (>20 gkg-1) in the mangrove swamp soil. Simple correlation analysis showed that total clay significantly correlated with Zn (0.735***) and Cu (0.654***) at 5% level of probability. There was also positive and significant correlation between soil organic matter and Zn (0.765***) and soil organic matter and Cu (0.845***) at 5% level of probability. The results of the study clearly indicated that soil pH, total sand and organic matter has significant influences on the content and profile distribution of the micro nutrients investigated. |
