Characterization and Classification of Soils Along a Toposequence in Ajata-Ibeku Abia State South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The study of the characterization and classification of soils along the toposequence in Ajata-Ibeku was carried out using transect and soil augering to identify eight soil units representing three physiographic positions of crest, mid slope and foot slope. The study aimed at characterizing and classifying the soil of Ajata-Ibeku, Umuahia southeast Nigeria. Soil profile pits were dug and samples collected based on degree of horizon differentiation. The study showed that the morphological and physio-chemical properties of the soil along the toposequence reveals that percentage of sand in all the horizons of the soil profile were high with clay particles increasing with depth. The soils were classified as Typic Hapludult (USDA) or Haplic Acrisol (FAO/UNESCO Legend) at the crest slope; Vertic Epiaquept, Vertic Hapludults and Aeric Epiaquept (USDA) or Gleyic Cambisol, Haplic Acrisol and Gleyic Cambisol (FAO/UNESCO Legend) at the middle slope and Vertic Epiaquept (USDA) or Gleyic Cambisol (FAO/UNESCO Legend) at the  valley bottom.