Abstract:
Pedogenic information is of utmost importance in addressing food
security issues and future projections of soils. The University of Cape Coast
recently acquired 419 acres of land at Twifo Wamaso purposely for
commercialization and research. For efficient utilization of the land, there is an
urgent need to investigate the dynamism in soil physicochemical properties.
This research was hypothesized that various topographic features and current
,
land uses potentially influence soil physical and chemical properties for
producti ve use.
The study was carried out in an area in Wamaso in order to map out
some properties of soils and assess their variability within the area. A total of
290 composite soil samples (0 - 20 cm) were collected from the area by using
five line transects which were 400 m apart. Collection of samples was done
using a core cylinder. A portable global positioning system (Garmin 64st) was
used to take coordinates of each sampling site. Soil properties (Ca, Mg, Na, K,
Zn, Cu, Fe, clay, silt and sand) were further analysed in the laboratory. Classical
statistics were used to describe the soil properties and geostatistical analysis was
used to illustrate the spatial variability of the soil properties. The results
indicated that within small or large scale, spatial dependencies of soil properties
can be different. Maps were further generated by using the kriging tool.
A topographic map of the area, was generated in the ArcGIS 10.7
environment. Five slope classes were considered with five pedons; one on each
were opened, described, sampled (composite soils using the diagonal pattern)
and analysed for morphological and physicochemical properties. In all, 18
composite soil samples from the individual pits. The results showed moderate
to deep soils with drainage ranging from very poorly drained (PP4 and PP5) to
well drained (PPI, PP2 and PP3). pH values obtained (4.8 - 5.1) revealed that
the soils were strongly- moderately acidic. Organic C and exchangeable bases
were low in all positions per required agriculture standards.
The generated maps of soil properties that indicate soil nutrient status
over the study area could be helpful for decision makers to enhance site specific
nutrient management Soils will therefore require some level of amendments for
optimum production.
