Variability Of Some Soil Properties Along Toposequence On A Basaltic Parent Material Of Vom Plateau State Nigeria

Topography influences the distribution of soil physico-chemical properties. This study assessed soil properties variation resulting from topographic aspect on basaltic parent material at Vom Jos Plateau State in the Southern Guinea zone of Nigeria in order to understand the general soil behaviour degree of development nutrients availability and its response to management activites. The result revealed variations in soil properties among the landscape segments which were probably due to the toposequence characteristics in soils. The samples were collected at depth of 0-15cm and 15-30cm parceled labeled and taken to laboratory for analysis of the selected for analysis. Clay silt and gravel contents were moderately variable CV22.9 15.42 and 32.55 respectively while sand showed less variability CV8.47. Organic carbon showed high variability CV38.08 while soil pH in H2O and CaCl2 showed less spatial variability with CV4.91 26 6.45 respectively. Available phosphorus has high variability CV37.59. Magnesium K and Ca showed high spatial variability CV42.60 35.85 26 35.84 respectively while Na and exchange acidity were moderately variable CV24.39 26 24.27 respectively. However no regular pattern was observed in the distribution of the studied parameters. Therefore further studies might be required to fully understand and clarify the influence of aspect topography and vegetation types on soil properties for site-specific soil resource management practices in the study area.