Variability of Some Soil Physicochemical Properties on Lithosequence in Funtua, North - Western Nigeria

Variability of some physicochemical properties on Lithosequence in Funtua, Northwestern, Nigeria were studied to determine the extent of variation in physical and chemical properties within and between soils developed on basement complexes, loess over basement complexes and loess parent materials. Variability was more pronounced in chemical than in physical properties. Particle density (CV = 0.23%) and exchangeable sodium percentage (CV = 2.23) were the least variable physicochemical properties. Physicochemical properties with highest variability are Si/C ratio (CV =88.29%) and AP (CV = 149%). Less variability (CV ? 15%) irrespective of soils were recorded in particle density, bulk density and pH, and therefore required similar management for all the soils. Silt, AWHC, CEC, CEC clay and base saturation were consistently moderately variable (CV: >15 ? 35%). Silt/clay ratio, K, OC, TN, AP and AS were consistently highly variable CV > 35%). Large proportion of properties of the soils were highly variable in all the soils with 10 (42%) of physicochemical properties of soils on BC, 9 (38%) on LBC and 13 (54%) on LS. The highly variable status was attributed to difference in land use types, management and cultural practices occurring within the study area. Properties significantly influenced by Lithosequence include available water holding capacity, magnesium, potassium, CEC and TEA. They were significantly highest in soils on loess and contributed to variation in pattern of nutrient and exchangeable bases retention.