Study of Soil Management for Cassava Production in Isoko, Delta State Nigeria

Abstract

This research work examined soil management for cassava production in Isoko, Delta State, Nigeria. The study adopted an exclusive field survey method. This involved the collection of soil samples in-situ for laboratory analysis. The study area was grouped into four zones based on close boundary villages. Major soil physicochemical parameters needed for cassava production were the main crust of the scientific investigation. They include NPK and soil pH. Results obtained from laboratory analysis, data were compared with minimum benchmark standards and threshold using FAO standards of land evaluation for cassava production. Results obtained from the soil analysis showed that Nitrogen is deficient in the soil with the value of (0.0325%) against the backdrop of FAO threshold standard of (1.5231%). Potassium was also found to be deficient in the soil with a mean value of 0.2895 cmol/kg which is below the FAO required threshold standard of 1.6350 cmo/kg needed for effective production of the yield of tubers. Phosphorous though present in fairly adequate quantity, with a mean value of 2.4250 cmol/kg compared with FAO threshold of 3.1252 cmol/kg, its effective utilization may be highly impaired as a result of Nitrogen deficiency. Soil pH of 5.90 falls within the range of slightly acidic soil against the required standard of 7.0 which is considered natural. To test the hypotheses, postulated for the study, the ANOVA statistical tool was used to ascertain if a significant difference exists in the soil nutrient across the various zones. Based on the decision rule for f-ratio, the (F-cal) is 0.079 while the table value is 4.07 at 0.05sig. The implication is that there is a significant difference between the required standard and the observed. The study thus confirmed that the soils of the study area are deficient in vital soil nutrients required for cassava production. Nutrient deficiency is, therefore, a major constraint to cassava production in the area. Strategies to ameliorate the soil constraints were also advanced.