Geographic Information System (GIS)-Based Digital Mapping of Soil Properties for Arable Agriculture in Ike-Bunu, Kogi State

Abstract

Geographic information system (GIS) technology is increasingly applied in mapping of soil properties and land attributes, as it hastened decision making processes. This study assessed and mapped the potentials of a 21,692.51 ha parcel of land in Ike-Bunu, Kogi State, using soil/land attributes and evaluated their potential for arable agriculture. Six mapping units were delineated, namely: MU-1 (3391.35 ha), MU-2 (1689.65 ha), MU-3 (1549.66 ha), MU-4 (5065.96 ha), MU-5 (4905.390 ha) and MU-6 (hilly terrain, 6,977.03 ha) based on soil properties and terrain analysis. Five (5) profile pits were dug across the study site and described according to FAO guidelines. Soil samples were collected from each identified genetic horizons for laboratory analysis. GIS database was generated for selected soil physical and chemical properties using ArcGIS 10.3 application. Results showed the dominant textural class of the soils was sandy loam underlain by sandy clay loam. Values of bulk density (BD) ranged from 1.04 to 2.35g cm3. Soil pH rated from strongly acidic to neutral (pH 4.8 to 6.9). Organic carbon (OC) was low (2.14 to 8.57 g kg-1), total nitrogen (N) was high (0.84 to 2.66 g kg-1), available P was low (1.0 to 8.0 mg kg-1) and potassium content was low to high (0.02 to 1.68 cmol kg-1). All the soil mapping units except the hilly terrain have potentials for arable agriculture. Hilly terrain could be used for agroforestry.