Preliminary Investigation into the Suitability of Some Selected Soils in Lagos Farming Zones for Tigernut Production, Nigeria

Abstract

Cultivating crops on land that is not suitable for certain crop will face limited yield potential in spite of the use of improved inputs. However, there is inadequate data on soil nutrients and fertility status of these farming zones in Lagos state for a crop like tigernut. Its production has not been a common state. Therefore, this research focused on assessing the fertility status and suitability for tigernut production of these selected soils from three farming zones of Lagos state of Nigeria.

Thirty- six (36) composite soil samples were collected from three farming zones (twelve samples per zone; Badagry, Epe and Ikorodu) and were analyzed for chemical and physical properties. Eighteen soil samples were used for the screen-house experiment to assess the growth and yield of tigernut. All data collected were analyzed using ANOVA (α_0.05).

The laboratory and screen-house results revealed that the soils were suitable for 

tigernut production. Nuts yields observed under no fertilizer application treatments were 16.3±0.8, 20.5±2.0 and 13.1±2.2 g and 25.2 ±4.1, 41.4±7.3 and 35.7±3.0 g/pot under fertilizer application for Badagry, Epe and Ikorodu, respectively. Therefore, it is recommended that tigernut should be cultivated in these three farming zones of the state.