Assessment of Physico-chemical Properties of Tada Shonga Irrigation Scheme Soil

This research was conducted to analyze the soil physico-chemical properties of Shonga Irrigation Scheme to ascertain its suitability for rice production. The study was carried out in the dry season of 2019. Disturbed soil samples were collected from the 0–15 and 15–30 cm soil layers in five identified areas in the irrigation scheme. The samples were sent to the Soil laboratory of the Lower Niger River Basin for physical and chemical analysis. Most of the soils were strongly acidic to moderately acidic with pH values ranging between 4.8 and 5.7. The organic carbon and organic matter ranged from 0.13 to 0.19% and 0.03 and 0.32%, respectively which implies low fertility. Calcium values ranged between 2.1 and 3.75 cmol/kg, with the low values related to the soil pH status. Magnesium values averaged 2.48 and 1.95 cmol/kg in the top and lower soil layers, respectively. Exchangeable Acidity (EA) values ranged between 0.20 and 3.40 cmol/kg in the surface horizon and between 0.2 and 5.4 cmol/kg in the sub-surface horizons. Available phosphorus had an average of 40.05 and 23.14 ppm in the surface and sub surface soil layers, respectively. Analysis of variance techniques was used for significant differences within chemical properties. For all tests, a threshold of P=.05 was used to define statistical significance. Soil pH and available phosphorus were within the recommended land suitability requirement for rice cultivation. Organic carbon, organic matter, calcium and magnesium were not within the recommended range for rice production. Organic carbon and organic matter can be supplied through the incorporation of organic manure.