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African Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Soil Fertility Assessment for Rice Cultivation in Sabuwa Area, State,

Musa Ahmed & Maharazu A. Yusuf Department of Geography, Bayero University, Kano. Kano State

ABSTRACT Article History The study analyse the physical and chemical properties and assessed soil fertility for rice cultivation in Sabuwa area, . Point-composite soil sampling methods for the Received: 19 February 2020 collection of soil samples between the depths of 0-20cm was adapted. The soil samples Received in revised form: 30 April 2020 were collected from sampled plots under rice cultivation and tested for some physical and Accepted: 15 May 2020 Published Online: 2 September 2020 chemical properties. The fertility was assessed by the comparing of soil properties and the requirements for rice. The result reveals that the soil properties including average clay of Keywords: 31.31%, pH of 4.56, P of 30.26ppm and K of 0.079cmol/kg were found under rice cultivation and are at low level compared to rice requirements. Some of the soil properties Soil Fertility, Rice, Sabuwa Corresponding Author Contact: were found to be at very low fertility level. These include AWHC, Oc, N, K, Ca, Mg and Musa Musawa Ahmed CEC. Analysis of variation (ANOVA) show that calculated value F (2.13) is less than Table value (12.89), that there is no variation among the samples. It can be concluded Email:[email protected] that the soil of the area is at low fertility level for rice cultivation. Application of DOI: 10.11113/ajees.v3.n1.104 fertilizer is recommended to stabilised clay, phosphorous and improve nutrients in the soil, integration of organic manure from animal and inorganic fertilizers should be maintained to increase rice production.

1.1 INTRODUCTION Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most important One of the major factors limiting optimum stable food crops in the world. In Asia, more crop production in the tropics is lack of the than two billion people are getting 60-70 detailed information on soil and land percent of their energy requirement from rice characteristics. Soil characterization provides and its derived products. In India, rice occupies the information for our understanding of the an area of 44 million hectres with an average physical, chemical, mineralogical and production of 90 million tons with microbiological properties of the soils we productivity of 2.0 tons per hectre depend on to grow crops (Ogunkunle, 2004; (Geethalakshmi, Ramash, Palamuthiksoli and Fasina et al., 2015). Soil fertility is most Lakmashmar, 2011). According to Ajala and commonly defined in terms of the ability of a Gana (2015) it is valued as the most important soil to supply nutrients to crops (Singh et al., staple food for over half of the world 2013). According to Swift and Palm (2000), it population and ranks third after wheat and is more helpful to view soil fertility as an maize in production on world basis. More than ecosystem concept integrating the diverse soil half of the world’s population depends on rice functions, including nutrient supply, which as the major source of calories. promote plant production. Udoh, Henry and Akpan (2011) reported serious fertility Rice is predominant staple food in Nigeria, constraints, especially P, N, pH, organic providing significant proportion of dietary carbon and K requirements for rice in Nigeria. energy supply, dietary protein and dietary fat. They further added that rice grain is reported

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522 M.M. Ahmed & M.A.Yusuf – African Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Volume 2, No. 2., Dec, 2020, 517-523 to consist of 75-80% starch, 12% water and Thus, despite the popularity of rice cultivation only 7% protein with a full complement of in the area, farmers are complaining about amino acids. Rice is cultivated in virtually all some areas or farms that are no longer the agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. Despite producing significant yields. this, the total land area under rice cultivation is relatively small (Okoruwa, Ogundele and 2.1 METHODS Oyewusi, 2006). Estimate of locally produced 2.2.1 Field Work rice in Nigeria for the year, 2002 was It involved sourcing of information from some 2.9million tones (FAOSTAT, 2005). Also, organisations such as FAO, UNEP, UNESCO, only about 6.7% of the 25 million hectares of Federal and State agencies of Nigeria as well as land cultivated for various food crops were thematic and toposheet maps of the area, all cultivated for rice between 2000 and 2002 were collected. The valuable sources of soil (Osiname, 2002). information could be used to help guide land management decisions, but are commonly Almost all the needs of man are derived from undervalued and underused (Grealish, the soil (Essiet, 1997). It is, thus, of paramount Fitzpatrick and Hutson (2015). Field work importance that this strategic resource be (survey) was carried out to the study area to properly utilised to ensure sustained benefits identify farmlands that cultivate rice. It also and continued sustenance. According to Yusuf involved physical characteristics of the study (2011) tropical soils are not generally infertile, area. These include soil and land use types, soil but infertile soils are common in the tropics. management, vegetation and etc. Declining soil fertility is acknowledged as a problem by the vast majority of farmers who A point-composite sample points of 12m2 were experience it on their farms. It was reported established and five samples at the depth of 0 to by Mortimore et al (2010) that farmers try to 20cm were collected randomly from each obtain organic manure or purchase inorganic point. In this regard, according to Yusuf fertilizers for application in micro-doses. (2017) five samples were collected within the Success in fertilization, thus, depends on 12m2 and bulked as composite representative economic resources (livestock or cash). The of the area. The point-composite samples absolute level of soil fertility declines with the collected were subjected to air dried, put in rainfall northwards in Nigeria. cotton yard bags and labelled appropriately using codes and stored. They were taken to the The choice of Sabuwa area is mainly due to its soil laboratory of Bayero University Kano for location in the southern part of Katsina State further analyses of soil physical and chemical which have unique peculiar agroecology, properties. GPS was used to locate the area. different from all parts of Katsina State (FAO, 2005). It is the most humid part with 2.1.2 Laboratory Analysis agroecology similar to that of southern Kaduna and Bauchi guinea savanna. Above all, the soils The samples were analysed for fertility are darker and possibly most fertile than other indicators, co-efficient of variation and analysis parts of Katsina. This may possibly be the of variation (ANOVA) were used to determine reason for intensive rice cultivation in the area. the variation among the samples (Table 2.1).

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Table 1: Methods of Determining Physical and chemical Properties of Soil Samples Physicochemical Parameters Methods Adopted Particle size distribution Hydrometer and calculation Available Water Holding Capacity Automatic Hydrometer reading Soil pH pH meter (1:25 water ratio) Total nitrogen Micro kjeldahl Phosphorus Spectrophotometry (centrifuge) and calculation Organic carbon Walkley black (dichromate solution), leaching, titration and calculation + + ++ Exchangeable bases Bray 1 (NH4OAC, Na & K by flame photometer and Ca & Mg++ by atomic absorption, AAS) CEC Calculated by the sum of exchangeable bases Source: Adapted from Eno et al (2009)

Fertility assessment is an attempt to device a Ministry of Lands, Survey and Environment, numerical and quantitative assessment of soil 2013). fertility by using nutrients capital (analysed soil properties) using soil fertility indicators or Sabuwa area has an ‘AW’ type of climate as properties (Yusuf, 2001). The fertility identified by Koppen’s climatic classification assessment was prepared by comparing the soil (Abdulrashid, 2013). According to this properties of the area and requirements for classification, this climate is a tropical one with rice cultivation. a clear wet and a dry season. The coolest month is normally experienced between 2.2 STUDY AREA December/January with temperature of less Farmers in Sabuwa reported decrease in yield than 180C. The dominant climatic influence on rice cultivation and high cost of process. throughout the areas is the Inter- Tropical Therefore, soil fertility assessment is the most Convergence Zone (ITCZ), also known as the suited system that can determine the limiting Inter Tropical Discontinuity (ITD). It is a factors to improve sustainable rice production mobile zone where two opposing air masses in the area for economic development. meet. Additionally, despite the fact that Sabuwa local government area is found within Sudan The rainy season of Sabuwa area is between the savannah agroecology, but it has peculiar month of April to October and it has its peak agroecological characteristics interms of in the month of August. The rainfall ranges of climate, vegetation and soil compared to other 7 – 8months (900mm – 1,200mm annual), parts of Katsina State based on average of 10years from 2000 to 2009. It is characterized by conventional rain Katsina State is located in the northern part of fall (dry and wet climate) followed by long dry Nigeria, within the Northwestern geo-political season of 4– 5 months (Meteorological unit, zone (Figure 3.2). Sabuwa is located at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport south end of Katsina State along Kaya to Giwa Katsina, 2017). road, between latitude 11o10’N – 11o30’N and longitude 6o50’E – 7o15’E. Sabuwa local The farming systems in Sabuwa are subsistence government area shares boarder with which requires low income and traditional local government at the north, implements. The domesticated animals localgovernment at the east and including goat, sheep and cow use to feed on at the west and southern part (Katsina State the leaves and cane of the crops after hrvest (Ikwelle, 1998; Chude et al., 2012). The

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522 M.M. Ahmed & M.A.Yusuf – African Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Volume 2, No. 2., Dec, 2020, 517-523 average farm size is about 0.5 to 5ha, which led inorganic fertilizer for the benefit of high crop to average farm holdings found to be 3.5ha. yield for sustainable production (NAERLS and Farmers were found to be practicing sole and NFRA, 2008). mixed cropping and apply both organic and

Figure 1: Katsina State showing Sabuwa Local Government Area

The most cultivated food crops are sorghum, domesticated animals including goat, sheep and maize, millet, white beans, vegetables and cow use to feed on the leaves and cane of the cocoa yam. The cash crops include rice, crops after harvest (Chude, 2012). groundnut, sugar cane and others. The

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522 M.M. Ahmed & M.A.Yusuf – African Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Volume 2, No. 2., Dec, 2020, 517-523

Figure 2: Sabuwa Local Government Area showing Study Area, Villages and Drainage System

3.1 RESULT AND DISCUSSION respectively. Their mean recorded clay of The result shows the soil physical and chemical 26.12% and co-efficient of variation of properties of the area (Tables 4.1 and 4.2). 30.26%. This shows that there is no variation Udoh and Ogunkunle (2009); Agbede (2009); among the soil samples. The highest AWHC of Yusuf (2015) maintained that soil physical 0.17cm/cm and lowest of 0.12cm/cm were properties are properties that do not involve recorded respectively. The values are very low chemical or biological processes. He further compared to AWHC of 0.62cm/cm and suggested that the values of soil physical 3.12cm/cm at Musawa area (Ahmed, 2014). properties are usually indications of certain This indicates that AWHC is at very low condition or potentialities of the soil. fertility level for rice cultivation in the area. The implication is that the soils may lead to dry From Table 2, it shows the high clay of overtime and decline in preserving and supply 49.20% and lowest clay of 12.64% at the of nutrients. According to Yusuf (2015) centre and western part of the area available water holding capacity is the amount

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522 M.M. Ahmed & M.A.Yusuf – African Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Volume 2, No. 2., Dec, 2020, 517-523 of water (moisture) the soil can hold for the moderate fertility. Additionally, the values are use of plants roots for certain period of time. at moderate levels compared to requirements These values are within the range of moderate for rice. As suggested by Isitekhale, Aboh and soil fertility class as pointed out by Essiet Ekhomen (2014); Yusuf (2015) that the clay (1997); Chude, Jayeoba and Berding (2012) requirements for rice are ranging from 33.0% that soils with clay ranging from 20-30%, are to 50.0% and AWHC from 2.0cm/cm to within the moderate fertility class. 4.0cm/cm respectively. Therefore, soil Maniyunda and Malgwi (2011) said that soils fertility in this regard can be classified as with clay less than 35% are classified as moderate level.

Table 2: Soil Physical Properties for Rice Cultivation in Sabuwa Area ID Location PSD (%) Textural AWHC Clay Silt Sand Class (cm/cm) C1 11o11.982’N-007o07.540’E 27.20 39.44 33.36 Loam 0.15 C2 11o11.968’N-007o07.565’E 22.64 44.00 33.36 Loam 0.15 C3 11o11.957’N-007o07.548’E 33.20 25.44 31.36 Clay Loam 0.14 C4 11o11.517’N-007o07.455’E 18.64 40.00 41.36 Loam 0.14 C5 11o11.329’N-007o06.542’E 18.64 48.00 33.36 Loam 0.16 C6 11o09.350’N-007o06.559’E 49.20 45.44 5.36 Silt Clay 0.13 C7 11o09.355’N-007o06.583’E 22.64 40.00 37.36 Loam 0.14 C8 11o09.392’N-007o06.464’E 22.64 40.00 37.36 Loam 0.14 C9 11o09.406’N-007o06.500’E 12.64 34.00 53.36 Sandy Loam 0.12 C10 11o10.498’N-007o07.900’E 29.20 37.44 33.36 Clay Loam 0.14 C11 11o10.517’N-007o07.907’E 35.20 37.44 27.36 Clay Loam 0.14 C12 11o10.525’N-007o07.999’E 20.64 40.00 39.36 Loam 0.14 C13 11o10.496’N-007o08.016’E 29.20 43.44 27.36 Clay Loam 0.15 C14 11o10.552’N-007o07.992’E 24.64 36.00 39.36 Loam 0.14 C15 11o13.088’N-007o12.263’E 37.20 45.44 17.36 Sandy Clay Loam 0.15 C16 11o13.140’N-007o12.257’E 27.20 35.44 37.36 Loam 0.14 C17 11o13.215’N-007o12.227’E 23.20 19.44 57.36 Clay Loam 0.11 C18 11o13.215’N-007o12.218’E 29.20 27.44 43.36 Clay Loam 0.13 C19 11o10.871’N-007o07.182’E 16.64 46.00 37.36 Loam 0.15 C20 11o10.865’N-007o07.193’E 24.64 54.00 21.36 Sandy Loam 0.17 C21 11o10.737’N-007o07.285’E 20.64 50.00 29.36 Sandy Loam 0.16 C22 11o10.734’N-007o07.301’E 24.64 48.00 27.36 Loam 0.16 Average 26.12 40.29 33.59 0.14 SD 7.93 11.01 10.84 0.01 CV % 30.36 27.33 32.27 9.29 Fertility M M L VL Source: Field and Laboratory Analysis (2018) Key: C Composite, SD Standard deviation, CV Co-efficient of variation, M Moderate Fertility, L Low Fertility, VL Very low Fertility

From Table 3, the lowest pH level of 4.56 and soil pH values below 4.5 are strongly acidic higher pH of 6.03 are found at western part and soil is at low in fertility levels. They added and centre of the area and are acidic in nature. that soil pH levels of 6.1-6.5 are slightly acidic The values are very low compared to soil and soils are very fertile. Therefore, the pH fertility ranging from pH levels of 5.0 to 6.5 levels in the study area in this regard are and the requirements for rice. Thus, it classified as very low fertile. corresponds with the findings of Chude, Jayeoba and Berding (2012); Yusuf (2001) that

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522 M.M. Ahmed & M.A.Yusuf – African Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Volume 2, No. 2., Dec, 2020, 517-523

The soil properties in the area recorded higher The values of phosphorus recorded highest of Oc of 0.63%, N of 0.28% and lowest Oc of 51.53ppm, lowest of 22.90ppm and the mean 0.06% and N of 0.09% at the different part of of 31.53ppm. The co-efficient of variation the area. According to Essiet (1997); Chude, 6.60% shows there is no variation among the Jayeoba and Berding (2012) suggested that Oc soil samples. These values are moderate in of less than 4.0% and N of less than 0.30% are fertility level as suggested by Essiet (1997); classified as very low in terms of fertility Chude, Jayeoba and Berding (2012) that levels. The co-efficient of variation in this available phosphorus ranging from 30-60ppm regard show that there is no variation among is at medium or moderate fertility class and the soil samples as pointed out by Ahmed ranging from 61-80 is at high fertility level. (2019) that co-efficient below 50% indicated Therefore, available phosphorus in the area is little or no variation. at moderate fertility class and for rice requirements.

Table 3: Soil Chemical Properties for Rice Cultivation in Sabuwa Area Sample pH OC N % P ppm Ex. Bases (Cmol/kg) CEC ID % Na K Ca Mg Cmol/kg C1 5.30 0.50 0.28 51.53 0.004 0.011 0.267 0.067 0.75 C2 4.62 0.24 0.11 24.33 0.002 0.014 0.283 0.067 1.17 C3 4.56 0.52 0.21 51.33 0.003 0.012 0.100 0.083 1.20 C4 5.53 0.36 0.23 25.76 0.002 0.011 0.350 0.033 1.00 C5 5.03 0.37 0.16 27.19 0.002 0.009 0.742 0.033 1.39 C6 4.62 0.06 0.21 27.19 0.003 0.040 0.192 0.050 0.68 C7 4.68 0.22 0.18 25.76 0.002 0.014 0.325 0.050 1.19 C8 5.45 0.07 0.25 27.19 0.001 0.006 0.342 0.033 0.78 C9 4.98 0.14 0.12 30.06 0.003 0.004 0.592 0.067 1.28 C10 5.50 0.46 0.09 27.19 0.001 0.011 0.325 0.033 0.77 C11 5.13 0.56 0.25 24.33 0.004 0.009 0.300 0.033 0.75 C12 6.06 0.21 0.23 24.33 0.003 0.011 0.525 0.050 0.99 C13 5.21 0.33 0.11 27.19 0.003 0.020 0.250 0.050 0.72 C14 6.03 0.07 0.25 38.64 0.003 0.026 0.250 0.050 0.73 C15 4.98 0.42 0.23 37.21 0.002 0.014 0.192 0.067 0.87 C16 6.20 0.48 0.16 27.19 0.004 0.020 0.917 0.033 1.77 C17 4.87 0.24 0.14 32.92 0.004 0.012 0.242 0.050 1.11 C18 5.55 0.25 0.19 31.49 0.001 0.017 0.800 0.033 1.45 C19 5.37 0.58 0.21 30.06 0.005 0.023 1.142 0.050 1.62 C20 5.57 0.43 0.18 22.90 0.002 0.011 0.050 0.033 1.30 C21 6.03 0.63 0.21 35.78 0.003 0.427 0.727 0.083 1.66 C22 5.04 0.42 0.14 44.37 0.004 0.023 0.208 0.033 1.67 Average 5.29 0.34 0.19 31.53 0.003 0.079 0.379 0.049 1.08 SD 0.70 0.10 0.05 14.68 0.0001 0.002 0.040 0.010 0.36 CV % 13.20 29.41 26.32 46.56 3.33 2.53 10.55 20.41 33.33 Fertility L VL VL M VL VL VL VL VL Source: Field and Laboratory Analysis (2018) Key: C Composite, SD Standard deviation, CV Co-efficient of variation, L Low Fertility, VL Very low Fertility, M Moderate Fertility

The result shows higher K of 0.427cmol/kg, very low, 0.3-0.7cmol/kg moderate and 0.7- lowest K of 0.009cmol/kg and the mean of 2.0cmol/kg high for fertility class (Essiet, 0.079cmol/kg. The values are very low 1997; Chude, Jayeoba and Berding, 2012; compared to the range of K below 0.3cmol/kg Yusuf and Tukur, 2012). Cation exchange

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522 M.M. Ahmed & M.A.Yusuf – African Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Volume 2, No. 2., Dec, 2020, 517-523 capacity (CEC) in the area recorded higher of manure from animals like goat, sheep and 1.140cmol/kg and the mean of 1.034cmol/kg. other is recommended for rice to control the The values are at very low class. As suggested depletion of soil macro and micronutrients. by Essiet (1997); Ayeni (2011) that CEC Farmers are encouraged to form more below 6.0cmol/kg is classified as very low in cooperative societies. This will help them to fertility level. Thus, CEC values at Sabuwa in take control in the sources of rice cultivars this regard are at very low level for rice suitable to their environment. They can also cultivation in fertility class. use the society to get loan from the government, Banks and other NGOs. 4.1 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS REFERENCES Soil properties like clay fraction of 26.12%, Ahmed, M. (2014) Effect of pearl millet crop cultivation on and phosphorus of 31.53ppm are at moderate soil fertility in Musawa area, Musawa local fertility class, which corresponds with fertility government area Katsina State, A M.Sc Dissertation, submitted to the Department of standard. According to fertility standard, the Geography, Bayero University Kano. soil properties in the area including average pH Ahmed, M.M. (2019), Soil Fertility Capability of 5.29, Oc of 0.34%, N of 0.19%, K Classification for Rice Cultivation in Sabuwa local 0.079cmol/kg and CEC of 1.08cmol/kg are government area, Katsina State, Nigeria. A PhD classified at very low fertility levels. The soils Thesis submitted to the Department of Geography, Bayero University Kano with regard to fertility class of the area has no Agbede, O.O. (2009) Understanding Soil and Plant variation, considering the mean of each soil Nutrition Salman Press & Co Nigeria Limited property. Considering the above findings, it Keffi – Nasarawa State. can be concluded that the soils of the area are Ajala, A.S. and Gana, A. (2015) in Murcia, M (Ed). at low level in fertility for rice cultivation. Analysis of Challenges Facing Rice Processing in Nigeria, Journal of Food Processing, Publishing Therefore, measures should be taken in order Corporation, Hindawi. to improve soil fertility for rice cultivation to Ayeni, L.S. (2011). Integrated plant nutrition address the problems of agricultural management: A panacea for sustainable crop production and sustainable developments. production in Nigeria. International Journal of Soil Science 6(1):19-24. Chude, V.O. (2012) in Chude, V.O., Olayiwola, S.O., Based on the findings and conclusion of the Daudu, C. and Ekeoma, A. (Eds) Fertilizer use study, the following recommendations are and management practices for crops in Nigeria 4th made. The soil fertility class involving clay and Edition, Federal Fertilizer Department, P is found to be at moderate levels. The use of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural fertilizer is recommended to stabilize the levels Development, Abuja. Chude, V.O., Jayeoba, O.J. and Berding, F. (2012) Soil of clay and Phosphorus. Because plants (rice) Fertility Maps and Site/Crop Specific Fertilizer need these soil properties in large quantity to Formation for Katsina State, Federal Ministry of rice requirements for growth and Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja. development. The major soil properties Daudu, C.K., Yakubu, A.A., Sambo, I.J., Okworie, E., including AWHC, Oc and N are found to be at Adeosun, J.O and Onyibe, J.E. (2014) Rice production, processing, utilization and marketing in very low levels compared to the rice Nigeria. Extension bulleting No. 230, National requirements. The use of fertilizer is Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison recommended to improve their level in the soil Service ABU Zaria for intensive rice production in the area. Eno, J.U., Trenchard, O.I., Joseph, A.D., Anthony, Farmers should be discouraged for the use of O.A. and Ivara, E.E. (2009) Manual of Soil, Plant and Water Analysis Sibon Book Ltd, Lagos poultry manure. Because poultry manure adds Essiet, E.U. (1997) Soil Fertility Studies in Northern acid to soil by decrease in pH levels. However, Katsina State, Katsina Agricultural and

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Development Authority (KTARDA), Katsina Mortimore, M., Ariyo, J., Bouzou, I.M., Mohammed, State. S. and Yamba, B. (2010) A dryland case study of Estefan, G., Sommer, R. and Ryan, J. (2013). Methods of local natural resource management in the Maradi- Soil, Plant and Water Analysis (3rd Edition). A Kano region of Niger and Nigeria. manual for the West Asia and North Africa NAERLS and NFRA (2008) Agricultural Performance Region, International Centre for Agricultural Survey for Katsina State Agricultural Development Research in the Dry Areas (ICADA), Beirut, Authority, National Agricultural Extension and Lebanon. Research Liaison Services and National Food FAO (2005) Food and Agriculture Organization of the Reserve Agency A.B.U. Zaria. United Nations. Agroecological map of Nigeria. Ogunkunle, A.O. (2004). Soil survey and sustainable land FAO, Rome. management. Proceedings of the 29th Annual FAOSTAT Data (2005), FAOSTAT on line: Conference of the Soil Science Society of http://faosts.fao.org retrieved 16th October, Nigeria, December 6-10, 2004, University of 2016. Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Fasina, A.S., Raji, A., Oluwatosin, G.A., Omoju, O.J. Okoruwa, V.O., Ogundele, O.O. and Oyewusi, N.L. and Oluwadare, D.A. (2015). Properties, (2006). Efficiency and productivity of farmers in Genesis, Classification, Capability and Nigeria: a study of rice farmers in North Central Sustainable Management of Soils from South- Nigeria. Poster paper prepared for Western Nigeria. International Journal of Soil presentation at the International Association of Science vol. 10(3):142-152. Agricultural Economists Conference, Gold Geethalakshmi, V., Ramash, T., Palamuthiksolai, A. and Coast, Australia, August, 12-18 2006. Lakmashmana, A. (2011) Agronomic evaluation Osiname O.A (2002), Review of Current Status, Policy and of rice cultivation systems for water and grain Pro spects of Rice production in Nigeria. Paper productivity. Agro climate Research centre, Presentation at the Rice Stakeholders Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Workshop. Nigerian Institute of Social and Coimbatore. Economic Research (NISER). 19th-20th Grealish, G.J., Fitzpatrick, R.W. and Hutson, J.L. November. (2015) Soil survey data rescued by means of Planning, Unit (2013) Map of Katsina State, Ministry of user friendly soil identification keys and Land, Survey and Environment Katsina State toposequence models to deliver soil of Nigeria. information for improved land management. Singh, D., Jain, P., Gupta, A. and Nema, R. (2013), Journal of Geographical Research vol. 6:81–91. Soil Diversity: A Key for Natural Management Ikwelle, M.C. (1998) in Emechebe, A.M., Ikwelle, of Biological and Chemical Constitute to M.C., Ajayi, O., Aminu-Kano, M. and Anaso, Maintain Soil Health and Fertility. International A.B. (Eds), Peal Millet in Nigerian Agriculture Journal of Bio-Science and Bio-Technology Vol. Peal Millet in Nigerian Agriculture 5(1):41-50. (Production, Processing, and Research Swift, M.L. and Palm, C.A. (2000). Soil fertility as an Priorities). Ramadan Press Limited Bauchi. ecosystem concept, a paradigm lost or regained? In: Isitekhale, H.H.E., Aboh, S.I. and Ekhomen, F.E. Accomplishments and changing paradigm (2014). Soil Suitability Evaluation for Rice and towards the 21st Century Sugarcane in Lowland Soils of Anegbette, Edo Udoh, B.T. and Ogunkunle, A. O. (2012) Land State, Nigeria. The International Journal of Suitability Evaluation for Maize (Zea Mays) Engineering and Science (IJES) Volume 3(5):54-62. Cultivation in A Humid Tropical area of South Maniyunda, L.M. and Malgwi, W.B. (2011). Physico- Eastern Nigeria, Journal of Nigerian Soil Science chemical properties and management strategies for Society vol. 22:1-10. soils along river Galma, Zaria, Nigeria. Yusuf, M.A. (2001) Soil Assessment and Indigenous Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of Management Strategies in the Semi-Arid North the Soil Science Society of Nigeria, March 7- Eastern Nigeria A Ph.D Thesis, Department of 11, 2011, Minna, Nigeria. Geography, BUK Kano Mba, E. (2016) Procedures to start a successful rice farming Yusuf, M.A (2015) A soil ecosystem A paper prepared for business in Nigeria. InfoGuide Nigeria, Ph.D Student, Department of Geography, Information Guide in Nigeria. Bayero University, Kano. MET (2012) Annual Weather Report, Meteorological Unit, Yusuf, M.A and Tukur, A.I., (2012) Nutrient Availability Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, of Organic Manure for Arable Crop Cultivation in Katsina. the Kano Close Settled - Zone, Kano State. Paper

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Presented at 54th Annual Conference, Department of Geography Kano University of Association of Nigerian Geographers (ANG) Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State. .

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