Effect of Different Soil Geological Formations (Parent Materials) on Land Suitability for Maize (Zea Mays) Production in Niger State, Nigeria

This study evaluated the suitability of some soils developed under two geological formations (that is, basement complex rocks and the sedimentary rocks) in Niger State, for maize (Zea mays) production. Four sites two each under the formations were selected for the study. Gidan Mangoro (GDM) and Mutun Daya (MTD) represented the basement complex while Enagi (ENG) and Ndayako (NDY) represented the sedimentary rocks. In each site, a mini profile pit (1m x 1m x 1m) was dug, described and sampled according to FAO guidelines. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory following the standard analytical procedures. Square root method was used in the suitability evaluation of the soils. The results showed that, the texture of GDM, was loamy sand at topmost horizon (Ap), underlain by sandy clay loam at Bt horizon over sandy loam texture at Btv horizon. The texture of MTD was sandy loam at topmost horizon (Ap), underlain by sandy clay loam at Btv1 and Btv2 horizons. ENG, and NYK were sandy loam all through. The current (actual) status of the sites revealed temporally not suitable (N1) with indices of 21, 20, 22 and 17 for GDM, MTD, ENG and NYK respectively due to soil fertility and nutrient retention limitations. After correcting the limitations, the sites showed potentials for the production of maize with indices of 31 (S3), 28 (S3), 47 (S2) and 43 (S2) for GDM, MTD, ENG and NYK respectively. The soils under the sedimentary rock formation showed more potential for maize production. Key Words: Parent materials; basement complex and sedimentary rocks, Land suitability evaluation, maize production.