Land evaluation, characterization and classification of soil for the proposed oil palm plantation in Ekpri Ibami, Akamkpa Local Government Area, Nigeria

Land evaluation, characterization and 

classification of soil for the proposed oil palm plantation in 

Ekpri Ibami, Akamkpa Local Government Area, Nigeria 

was conducted on 50 ha of land using a combination of 

both conventional and digital survey methods. The objective 

of the research was to characterize, classify and evaluate 

the land for the proposed oil palm production. Three soil 

mapping units were identified (EKP I, EKP II and EKP III) 

and representative profile pits were dug in each mapping 

unit. Samples were collected from each pedogenic horizon.

Soils morphological, physical and chemical properties were 

determined using appropriate methods. Results revealed 

that soils of all of the mapping are characterized by dark 

greyish brown colour with thin topsoil while yellowish red 

to strong brown mottles were observed at the subsoil. The 

soils are coarsed-textured with high sand, low silt, and clay 

fractions. The soils were strong to moderately acidic (4.8 to 

5.3). The soils also have low inherent of natural fertility 

with low organic carbon content, total nitrogen, and 

moderately available phosphorus. Low effective cation 

exchange capacity and high base saturation which may 

have occurred in available forms in solutions in spite of the 

low cation reserves in the soil. The individual mapping 

units were classified as Arenic Eutrudept, Typic Hapludult 

and Aquic Paleudults for EKP I, EKP II and EKP III 

respectively. The land was then evaluated and classified 

based on its suitability for oil palm production. 

Parametrically, mapping units EKP I and EKP II were 

marginally suitable and EKP III not suitable for the 

proposed oil palm production. Non-parametrically, EKPI is 

moderately suitable, EKP II is marginally suitable and EKP 

III is not suitable, for growing oil palm. The prevailing 

limitations on the Ekpri Ibami landscape for oil palm 

production include fertility, wetness, and topography and 

soil physical properties. Fertility factor happened to be the 

most limiting factor in all the mapping units. And thus can 

be ameliorated through the application of organic manures, 

NPK fertilizer and liming to improve the nutrient status of 

the soil.

Keywords— Land evaluation, characterization, 

classification, sustainable agriculture