Evaluation of Soils and Climatic Conditions Supporting Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Production in College of Agronomy Research Farms of Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi Benue State, Nigeria

Makurdi is in a strategic position in the agricultural map of Nigeria, producing a wide range of both annual and perennial crops such as yam, maize, rice, sorghum, soybean, cowpea, citrus, mangoes, and a variety of vegetables. One of the factors responsible for this wide range of crops is the favorable climate. This study was aimed at evaluating the suitability of the soils for the production of groundnut and to have a detailed soil database for effective land use planning. Soil requirements for groundnut were obtained from past research works and compared with data collected from the survey. The study showed that the soils of the area had formed under climatic environment presently characterized by an annual rainfall of about 1330.20 mm and a mean annual temperature of about 27.80 0C. The soils were well drained to poorly drained. The clay content ranged from 7.20 to 29.30 %, increasing with depth. Organic carbon was low (0.64 %) in the upland, but relatively high when compared with the low (0.62 %) value in the low land. The suitability assessment results showed that although, certain quantities or characteristics such as mean annual temperature, relative humidity and base saturation were optimum for groundnut cultivation, there was however, no highly suitable (S1) land for groundnut cultivation in the area. All the soils were classified into moderately suitable (S2f) subclass due to their low nutrient levels. COATRF I and II units of the area were moderately suitable (S2tf) due to topography and low soil fertility. COATRF III was limited by its imperfect drainage to marginally suitable subclass (S3wf) for groundnut production. To improve on the level of productivity of the soils for optimal groundnut production, management techniques such as continuous organic matter incorporation and mineral fertilizer application, and efficient use of mineral fertilizers with low levels of chemical inputs with adaption of appropriate irrigation techniques would make dry season farming sustainable.