IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

International Journal of Agriculture and Earth Science (IJAES )

E- ISSN 2489-0081
P- ISSN 2695-1894
VOL. 11 NO. 1 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijaes.vol.11.no1.2025.pg210.221

---

Soil Clay Content and Fertility as Major Limiting Factors to Optimum Wetland Rice ( ORIZA SATIVA) Production in Ini Local Government, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Udoh, B. T. And Akpan, U. S.

---

Abstract

A study involving field survey, laboratory characterization and fertility capability classification (FCC) of soils in the rice ecosystem in Ini Local Government of Akwa Ibom state was carried out.The aim was to identify the major soil constraints limiting optimum and sustainable wetland rice (Oriza sativa) production in the study area. Three communities: Ekoi Mbat, Ibam Ukot and Ibiono Ewuro, with long history of wetland rice cultivation, were selected for the study. In each community, three profile pits were sited at representative locations within the rice field covering about 100 hectares. Each pit was studied and described in accordance with the FAO guidelines for soil profile description. Soil samples were collected from each genetic horizon for laboratory analysis. The result showed that all profiles were dominated by sandy textures and the average clay content of each profile was less than 50-25% which is the requirements for optimum rice performance. Mean soil pH was very strongly aid (pH 5.0), extremely acid (pH 4.5 and 4.3) for Ibiono Ewuro, Iban Ukot and Ekoi Mbat, respectively. Fertility capability classification (FCC) placed the nine pedons in eight different FCC units as follows: Saegh, Sgh, Laegh (Ekoi Mbat) Legh, LSegh, LSeghk (Ibiono Ewuro) and Sgh, Lagh, SLaegh (Ibam Ukot). The result showed that irrespective of location, three of the nine pedons (33.33%) had sandy top and sub-soils(S); also

keywords:

Wetland soils, rice cultivation, major soil constraints, optimum production, Ini Local Government Area

---

References:

Amarawansha, G., Kumaragamage, D., Flaten, D., Zvomuya, F., Tenuta, M., (2015).
Phosphorus mobilization from manure-amended and unamended alkaline soils to
overlying water during simulated flooding. J. Environ. Qual. 44: 1252–1262.

Asio, V.B. (1996). Characteristics and management of volcanic soils in the Philippines. Soil
Science and Plant Nutrition, 42(3): 409-420.

Chang, Y.E., Guangjie, Z., Tao, Y.I., Yanan, X.U., Guang, C.C.X., Song, C., Yuanhui, L., Xiufu
Z. and Danying, W. (2024). Effects of soil texture on soil nutrients status: Nutrient
absorption in paddy soils. Agronomy, 14: 102-111.

Fageria, N. K., A. B. Santos, M. P. Barbosa Filho, and C. M. Guimarães. 2008. Iron toxicity in
lowland rice. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 31:1676–1697.

Fageria, N. K., and N. A. Rabelo. 1987. Tolerance of rice cultivars to iron toxicity. Journal of
Plant Nutrition ,10:653–661.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2016). Guidelines for Soil Description (4th ed.).
FAO, Rome.

Loeb, R., Lamers, L.P.M., Roelofs, J.G.M., 2008. Prediction of phosphorus mobilization in
inundated floodplain soils. Environ. Pollut., 156:325–331.

Ma, J.Y., Chen, T.T., Lin, J., Fu, W.M., Feng, B.H., Li, G.Y., Li, J.C., Wu, Z.H. and Tao, L.X.
(2022). Functions of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in energy status and their
influence on rice growth and development. Rice Science, 29:166--178

Nelson, D. W. and Sommers, L. E. (1996).Total carbon, organic carbon, and organic matter, in:
D.L. Sparks, A.L. Page, etc (Eds.), Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 3. Chemical Methods,
vol. 5, Soil Science Society of America Book Series, USA: Wisconsin, WI, 961–1010pp.

Peng, S.B., Tango, O.Y. and Zou, Y.B. (2009). Current status and challenges of rice production in
China. Plant production Science, 12:3-8
Petters, S. W., Usoro, E. J., Udo, E. J., Obot, U. W. & Okpon, S. N. (1989). Akwa Ibom State,
physical background, soils and land use and ecological problems (technical report of the
task force on soils and land use survey) Uyo, Nigeria: Govt. Printer.

Quintero, C.E., Guti?rrez-Boem, F.H., Befani, M.R., Boschetti, N.G., 2007. Effects of soil
flooding on P transforamtion in soils of the Mesopotamia region, Argentina. J. Plant
Nutr. Soil Sci., 170: 500–505.

Rakotoson, T., Amery, F., Rabeharisoa, L., Smolders, E., 2014. Soil flooding and rice straw
addition can increase isotopic exchangeable phosphorus in P-deficient tropical soils.
Soil Use Manag. ,30: 189–197.

Sanchez, P.A., Couto, W. and Buol, S.W… (1982). The fertility capability soil classification
system: interpretation, applicability and modification. Geodema, 278:283-309

Sims, J. T., and G. V. Johnson. 1991. Micronutrient soil tests. In Micronutrient in agriculture,
ed. J. J. Mortvedt, F. R. Fox, L. M. Shuman, and R. M. Welch, 427–476. Madison,
Wisc.: Soil Science Society of America.

Thomas, G. W. (1996). Soil pH and Soil Acidity. In: Sparks, D. L., Page, A. L., Helmke, P. A.,
Loeppert, R. H., Soltanpour, P. N., Tabatabai, M. A., Johnson, C. T. and Summer, M. E.
(eds.). Methods of Soil Analysis: Chemical Methods, Part 3. Maidson, WI: Soil Science
Society of America, Inc, and American Society of Agronomy, 475-490pp.

Udo, E. J, Ibia, O. T., Ogunwale, J. A., Ano, A. O. & Esu I. V. (2009). Manual of soil plant and
water Analysis. Lagos: Sibon Books Ltd. 56-59pp.

Weber, K., Achenbach, L., Coates, J., 2006. Microorganisms pumping iron: anaerobic
microbial iron oxidation and reduction. Nat. Rev. Microbiol., 4: 752–764.

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back