Abstract

The study was carried out to analyze soils from cassava farms in floodplain terrain of the River Benue. Cassava is the most extensively cultivated crop in Benue State. Soil samples were collected randomly from cassava farms owned by members of farming cooperative societies in Makurdi, Tarka, and Gboko Local Government Areas. These samples were analysed for physical and chemical properties. The pH was slightly acidic with a mean of 5.7 for surface soils and 5.7 for subsurface soils. The organic carbon content had a mean of 0.7% for surface soils and a mean of 0.72% for subsurface soils. The total percentage nitrogen had a mean of 0.05% for surface soils and 0.05% for subsurface soils. Available phosphorus had a mean of 8.48 mg kg-1 for surface soils, while subsurface soils had a mean of 5.66 mg kg-1. The base saturation percentage was 86.58% for surface soils and a mean value of 86.55% for subsurface soils. The values of micro-nutrients were all below tolerable limits. The study recommends the effective application of inorganic fertilizers such as NPK to optimize crop production. Governments should support farmers with credit facilities, agricultural laboratory services, and effective extension services. 

Key words: Soil assessment, soil nutrients, organic carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, micro-nutrients, River Benue, Nigeria.