Analytical overview of agricultural conditions in Nigeria

Nigeria is a tropical country with a population of over 135 million. Over 70% of the population are engaged in agriculture as their primary source of income and despite low investment by the previous governments, it still contributes over 39% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The large land mass, good soil and climatic conditions favour the growth of various crops during the year and the rearing of many animals. Food shortage is a major challenge to the present government apart from political disputes, disturbances in oil producing states in the Niger delta and poor funding of many other sectors particularly agriculture and education. Agricultural (including extension) policies over the years have been elaborate and attractive in most cases but they are only so on papers in the shelves in the government offices. Prospects for improvement and sustainable agricultural productivity exist because of the country’s endowment in natural resources especially abundant uncultivated arable lands, favourable climate and soils that are improvable as well as large human labour. These resources if well integrated can help boost agricultural production in the country. The present status demands adequate and prompt attention by all three tiers of government in the country viz: Local, State and Federal governments.Key words: Agriculture, natural resources, food shortage, government policie

A comparative study of the soils of the upper coal measure residua under cropped-grass-forest land continuum in eastern Nigeria

No Abstract Available E. Afr. Agric. For. J Vol.68(4) 2003: 205-21

Soil Characteristics Around Lake Opi In Eastern Nigeria And Land Use Recommendations

In most developing countries including Nigeria basic data on soils and landscape features for proper land use planning are often lacking or scanty. In this study, variations in the properties of soils as well as landscape features around Lake Opi in eastern Nigeria were assessed. The objectives were to characterize the soils, ascertain any effects of the lake on the soils and make recommendations for the sustainable use of the soils and the lake itself. The soils around the lake (@500-m radius) were sampled at 10-m intervals at approximately three concentric transects around the lake for preliminary information on consistence, texture and colour using auger samples. Based on the information obtained, 5 representative profiles were dug, 3 at @7 m from the lake and 2 at @ 200 m from the lake. The profiles were fully described and samples were collected from the pedogenic horizons for the determination of the relative proportions of particle sizes, pH, soil organic matter (SOM), total N, exchangeable bases and acidity, cation exchange capacity and available P. Comparatively the major differences in the soils that were attributed to the influence of the lake were the thickness of Ap, E/AB, and Bt/BC horizons as well as the contents of clay, SOM, available P, total exchangeable bases and effective cation exchange capacity in these horizons. All, except the thickness of Ap horizon, were relatively higher in the soils 200 m from the lake than in soils proximate to the lakeshore when comparing the mean values obtained from the Ap horizons. Thus, based on the fertility indices in the A horizon, the soils 200 m from the lake were more fertile than those closer to the lake. Again the soils 200 m from the lake appeared to be less variable (lower coefficients of variation) in soil physicochemical properties than those closer to the lake. Thus, the soils 200 m from the lake were generally more developed and were classified as Haplustalfs (Lixisols) using the Soil Taxonomy and FAO/UNESCO systems. Those proximate to the lake were classified as Haplustept (Alisol) and Ustorthent/Ustifluvent (Fluvisols). Based on the soil characteristics and landscape features, an integrated agricultural production system involving vegetable, poultry and fish farming were recommended for the area. Agro-Science Vol.2(1) 2001: 76-8

The effects of continuous cropping and fallowing on the chemical properties of an Ultisol in Nsukka, Nigeria

In this study, soil chemical properties were determined in a cleared forestland continuously grown to cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), maize (Zea mays) and their combination for seven years and from then was fallowed for ten years. Soil samples were also collected from the adjacent cleared uncultivated but fallowed plots as well as the original forestland and analyzed. The objective was to compare nutrient recovery capacity as related to land use history under natural fallow. The study showed that the solely cassava plots were able to recover more available P, exchangeable Mg, CEC and had the highest pH value during the fallow period. Plots grown to sole pigeon pea were able to recover more organic matter, exchangeable K, exchangeable Na and exchangeable acidity than other plots. The control plot had the highest total N, while, the M + P plots recovered more exchangeable Ca. Compared to the year the forest was cleared, OM, CEC, exchangeable Ca, Mg, and Na were able to recover to about their original values, while, total N, exchangeable K and available P could not. Thus, soil nutrient recovery through natural fallow is related to previous cropping history but a period of ten years may be enough for some of the nutrients to recover their original levels.Key words: cropping system, fallowing, nutrient recovery, ultiso

Performance of seven crop combinations in two soils of different land-use history in eastern Nigeria

Crop yields obtained from crop mixtures grown in a newly cleared virgin forestland were compared with those from a previously cultivated farmland to assess the crops' performance between the two sites with­out additional soil amendments. Generally a greater number of soil physicochemical properties were considered agronomically better in the forest than in the previously cultivated land. These soil properties may constitute the driving force for significantly (p£0.05) higher crop yields in the forestland and include: macroporosity, bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, coarse sand content, pH, soil organic matter, total N, exchangeable acidity and Fe as well as base saturation. In both years, the high­est cassava root yields were obtained from either cassava + maize + pigeon pea or cassava + maize intercrops (not from sole cassava plots) even though the only significant (p£0.05) difference obtained was between cassava + maize + pigeon pea and all four crops combined, and at the cultivated farm­land (UNN farm) only. This suggests that it is even disadvantageous to grow cassava as a sole crop in the area. Cassava root yield reduction in 1999 relative to 1998 was higher (70%) in the UNN farm than in the forestland (40%). There was no significant difference due to crop combination on yam tuber yield in both locations in 1998. However, in 1999 sole yam plots gave significantly higher yields than cassava + yam + maize +pigeon pea plots. Increase in tuber yields was obtained in 1999 over 1998 in both locations but it was smaller

The Effects of Four Ratios of Organic to Inorganic Manures on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Maize Yield

This work was carried out to assess the potential effects of combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the physicochemical properties of an ultisol and maize yield. The experiment was carried out first in the greenhouse and then evaluated in the field. In the greenhouse seven treatments namely 0.4t/ha N.P.K, 10t/ha pig dung, 0.2t/ha N.P.K +5t/ha pig dung, 0.25t/ha N.P.K + 2.5t/ha pig dung, 0.30t/ha N.P.K +1.25t/ha pig dung, 0.35t/ha N.P.K +0.65t/ha pig dung, control were evaluated using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) replicated four times. The inorganic fertilizer used was NPK 15:15:15 while the organic manure was pig dung. The results indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) in plant height, leaf area and dry matter as well as in most of the soil physicochemical properties (P < 0.05). At the end of the greenhouse experiment, the best combined ratios of organic and inorganic fertilizers with the uncombined ones were used for field evaluation.there for the field evaluation these five treatments namely, N.P.K at 0.4t/ha, pig dung at 10t/ha, 0.25t/ha N.P.K + 2.5t/ha pig dung, 0.30t/ha N.P.K +1.25t/ha pig dung and control were involved using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. The results also indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) in the plant height, leaf area, dry matter, maize cob, grain yield and weight of the chaff with pig dung only (10t/ha) being the most superior in all the agronomic properties evaluated followed by one of the combined ratios of organic and inorganic fertilizer (0.25t/ha N.P.K + 2.5t/ha pig dung). From the study the use of only organic manure showed outstanding effects, but 0.25t/ha N.P.K + 2.5t/ha pig dung combination was a comparable alternative.Keyword: Organic manure , compound fertilizer (NPK), soil physicochemical properties, maize yield

Evaluation of physico-chemical properties of soils under selected agricultural land utilization types

No Abstract. Agro-Science Vol. 3(1) 2002: 27-3

Evaluation of cassava-based systems for adaptation to climatic variations in eastern Nigeria

Three cassava-based systems viz: solely cassava (SC), cassava + pigeon pea (C + P) and Cassava + pigeon pea + maize were evaluated for five years using cassava root, shoot yields and their ratio as the index of adaptation to climatic variations. The study was carried out in two locations, one within the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) farm near the Meteorological station and the other about one km off the Campus and in a newly cleared forestland. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times in each location. Three climatic elements (rainfall, temperature and relative humidity) were obtained from the Meteorological station each year. The yields were significantly (p≤0.05) affected by location, year, and the cropping systems. Out of the three climatic variables the relative humidity accounted for about 60% variation in root yield and 56% in shoot yield. Their ratio was not significantly influenced. The highest average root yield (15 t ha-1) came from C + P + M plots at forestland location and the least (2.2 t ha-1) from C + P plots at the UNN location. Thus, C + P + M mixture was considered the most adapted to the area.Keywords: Cassava, climate, cropping systems, Eastern Nigeri