Characteristics and suitability evaluation of the “White Soils” of Etung Local Government Area for oil palm and plantain production

A semi detailed soil survey of the “white” soils of Etung LGA, Cross River State was carried out to characterize and assess the suitability of the soils for oil palm and plantain production using the linear and square root parametric models. The delineated mapping units classified as Kandiudalfs were deep (>100 cm in depth), well drained with loamy sand to sandy loam surface horizons overlying sandy clay loam to sandy clay subsurface horizons. The soils were extremely acid to strongly acid in reaction (pH 3.55 – 4.65), low effective cation exchange capacity (1.19 - 3.94 cmol kg-1), moderate to high base saturation (30.97 – 97.32%), low to moderate exchangeable sodium percent (5.83 – 29.43%), moderate bulk density (1.22- 1.70 g cm-3) and low to high saturated hydraulic conductivity (0.12 – 88.42 cm h-1). The index of current productivity (IPc) ranged from 7.33 to 15.53 by linear model and ranged from 13.42 to 19.70 by square root model. The IPc values suggested that the soils were not currently suitable for the production of the two crops. The index of potential suitability (IPp) by linear model ranged from 29.32 to 62.10 and 38.29 to 65.46 by the square root model. Two pedons, CRET-1 and CRET-4 were potentially marginally suitable (S3) while pedons CRET-2 and CRET-3 were potentially moderately suitable (S2) for oil palm production. Application of appropriate quantity of organic manure or organo-mineral fertilizers is suggested for improving the current productivity status of the soils to its potential capacity.Keywords: Oil Palm, plantain, Linear and Square Parametric model

Performance of deposit money banks and liquidity management in Nigeria

This study examined the performance of selected quoted deposit banks of Nigeria and liquidity management. Secondary data used was extracted from the financial statements of 15 money deposit banks out of population of 17 deposit money banks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for 2012–2017 (six years). The descriptive research design was used. The data collected was analyzed using ordinary least square method (OLS). Liquidity management was measured using capital ratio (CTR), current ratio (CR) and cash ratio (CSR), while performance was measured using return on assets (ROA). Based on the results of the study, liquidity management proxied by capital ratio, current ratio and cash ratio and performance of the firm proxied by return on assets are positively related. The result shows that liquidity management is an essential factor in business operations and consequently leads to business profitability. Hence proper liquidity management helps solve the agency theory problem of agency costs that arise when control of companies is separated from the ownership, whereby managers are able to employ the firm’s resources for personal gains instead of maximizing the value of the firm or the shareholders’ wealth. The value of the firm and the shareholders’ wealth can be maximized through the firm’s profitability via effective and efficient liquidity management

Soil mineralogical and nutrient characteristics of forest islands and surrounding ecosystem types in West Africa suggest anthropogenic soil improvement

Published online: 12 May 2023Aims Ecosystem changes in the mesic savannas of West Africa are resulting in the formation of patches of ‘forest islands’ around local communities in an otherwise open savanna landscape. There have been conflicting reports on the origin of these forest islands with a very limited understanding of their biogeochemistry. This study evaluated the soil mineralogical and chemical characteristics of forest islands and their surrounding ecosystems comprising croplands and open savannas in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria to provide information on the processes leading to the formation of forest islands. Methods Soil mineralogy was determined using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) while the soil nutrients were analysed with ICP-OES and the other soil chemical properties were determined using standard conventional methodologies. Results Overall, we found that quartz, kaolinite with significant quantities of 2:1 silicate minerals dominated the soil matrix irrespective of land use type. The minerals identified in most of the locations were independent of land use type. This suggests that the forest island formation is not directly related to soil mineralogy. Forest islands showed differences in soil nutrient contents, being richer in exchangeable potassium and dibasic cations than their surrounding savannas and agricultural fields. This superior fertility status of the soils could contribute to the luxuriant growth of the vegetation leading to the development of forest island. The soil nutrient characteristics of the ecosystem types reflect the land use practices with the forest island having higher nutrient and organic carbon contents. Conclusions The study provided insight into how human-originated soil nutrient enhancement has induced forest island establishment in open savanna landscapes