Evaluation of Soil and Climatic Conditions Supporting Maize (Zea mays L.) Production in Makurdi, Nigeria

The aim was to evaluate the suitability of the soils for the production of maize and to have a detailed soil database for effective land use planning. Soil requirements for maize were collected from past research works and compared with data obtained from the field survey. The study showed that the soils of the area had formed under climatic environment presently characterized by an annual rainfall of about 1330.20 mm and a mean annual temperature of about 27.80°C. The soils of the upper slope were classified as Typic Paleustalfs, while those of the middle and lower slopes were classified as Typic Haplustalfs and Typic Kandiaqualfs respectively, using soil taxonomy. The soils were well drained to poorly drained. The clay content ranged from 7.20 to 29.30, increasing with depth. Organic carbon was low (0.47%) in the upland and relatively high (0.86%) in the low land. The suitability assessment results showed that although, certain qualities or characteristics such as mean annual temperature, relative humidity and base saturation were optimum for maize cultivation, there was however, no highly suitable (S1) land for maize cultivation in the area. All the soils were classified into moderately suitable (S2f) subclass due to their low nutrients levels. UAMTRF I and II Units of the area were moderately suitable (S2tf) due to topography and low soil fertility. UAMTRF III was limited by its imperfect drainage to marginally suitable subclasses S3wf for maize production. To raise the productivity level of the lands for optimal maize production, management techniques such as continuous organic matter incorporation and mineral fertilizers application, and efficient use of mineral fertilizers with low levels of chemical inputs with adaption of appropriate irrigation techniques (in lowlands) would make dry season farming sustainable.