Abstract

A profile study of soils proximal to river Katsina-Ala at two locations along its bank was studied. River Katsina-Ala is an international (transboundary) water body in the northcentral state of Benue and areas of interest were Katsina-Ala and Buruku at 25 km apart. Three mapping units were identified and classified based on physiographic position along the toposequence and associated land-use types in the two study sites. Six profiles were described based on genetic horizons differentiation in-situ. Soil samples were taken for routine physical and chemical analysis for the twenty seven genetic horizons identified. Buruku soils had more horizon than katsina-Ala while more textural diversity was observed in Buruku though both locations had preponderance of sand (katsina-Ala 752.6 g/kg and Buruku 673.3 g/kg), indicative that soil on the lower course of the river tends to have more colluvial and alluvial material sediment. The colour matrix of dark yellowish brown, strong brown and reddish yellow are associated with minerals such as Goethite (FeOOH) and Haematite (Fe2O3) redoximorphic features associated with flooding/wetness resulted from alternating periods. Silt separates was generally higher than the values obtained for clay an indication for the presence of reserved weatherable minerals. The pH (H2O) was within the range that allow for nutrient availability. Fertility indicators (TN, %BS, C/N, Av.P, K) were rated moderate to high while micro-nutrients were rated low to moderate however Cu levels were rated very low (0.43 -1.72 mg/kg). The soil generally was classified in the order of ustalfs in the USDA soil taxonomy and corresponds to arenic luvisol (valley and midslope) and loamic luvisol (crest slope) in the WRB. The soils are capable of supporting profitable production of rice, sorghum, yam and sugarcane provided it is used appropriately.