Soil survey and classification of Ikwuano Abia state Nigeria

A soil survey aimed at natural soil classification of Ikwuano Local Government Area (LGA) (latitudes 50 241 to 50 301 N and longitudes 70 321 to 70 371 E) of Abia State, southeast agro-ecological zone of Nigeria, was conducted to provide data for appropriate land use decisions for sustainable agriculture and rural development. A participatory and free survey approaches were adopted. The physiography rises from 30 to 152 m above sea level. The soils are characterized by toposequence and lithosequence, and are classified as ultisols and alfisols in the USDA System correlated with acrisols and nitisols in the FAO-UNESCO legend. Three soil series named Orlu, Ahiara and Alagba were delineated. Orlu series is the largest (19,530 ha or 63.0 % of the area) followed by Ahiara series (6,820 ha) and Alagba series (4,650 ha). The soil series are correlated with map units 407, 431 and 12a in FDALR soil maps of Nigeria, to enhance a better understanding and use of the soils in relation to available national soils report.