International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume VI, Issue IX, September 2022|ISSN 2454-6186
Phosphorus Forms and Fixing Potentials of Mbaitoli Soils in Imo State, Nigeria
Igbozuruike Christopher Ifeanyi
Department of Soil Science and Environment, Imo State University, Owerri Nigeria
Abstract: The study was conducted in four different locations in Mbaitoli namely; Ifakala, Umunoha, Ogwa and Orodo in Imo State Nigeria to determine different forms and levels of phosphorus in the selected soils of the area. Fifteen composite samples were collected from the top soil (0-15cm) and sub soil (15-30cm). The fifteen composite soil samples were then bulked and a sample taken from each of the location giving a total of four representative samples. The representative soils were analyzed for physical and chemical properties. Total and Organic phosphorus were determined by standard laboratory procedure while inorganic phosphorus forms by fractionation. The macronutrients Nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K) were high low (0.220 % and 0.23mg/kg) and the pH is acidic (4.50). Available phosphorus ranged from 42.70 to 48.50 mg/kg with a mean of 46.25mg/kg while the organic phosphorus content ranged from 42.17 to 46.62mg/kg with a mean of 44.49mg/kg, total phosphorus content ranged from 102.7 to 113.71mg/kg with a mean of 108.48mg/kg. Total phosphorus and available phosphorus were very high in the soil of the study area and were in the following order; Fe-P>Al-P>Ca-P>occluded phosphorus.
Keywords: Phosphorus, Fixing, Mbaitolu, Imo, Nigeria
I. INTRODUCTION
The problem of nutrient supply and availability in the soil had continued to threaten productivity and food availability in low fertility soils. The problem becomes critical when supplied nutrient element becomes unavailable to plant as a result of much soil dynamism. The problem further worsens soil fertility and productivity when the nutrient element in question is essential for plant growth and development.
Phosphorus (P) is one of the major elements and it is second in importance to nitrogen in terms of nutrient requirement for plants, and for increased crop and food production in most tropical soils. The phosphorus problem in soil fertility according to (Brady and Weil, 2004) is three folds. First, the total phosphorus level of soils is low, usually not more than one-tenth to one fourth that of Nitrogen and one twentieth that of potassium. Second, the phosphorus compounds, commonly found in soil are mostly unavailable for plant uptake often because of highly soluble phosphate. Third, soluble sources of phosphorus such as fertilizers and manures added to the soil are fixed.
The factors that hinders levels of available phosphorus in soils helps to account for the low crop productivity.