F. O. ITOHANMWEN

This study was carried out on a 0.25 hectare land at the SLM Research Hub, University of Benin, Edo state where the soil was cha acterized, classified and evaluated for its suitability for the cultivation of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). The soil survey process was carried out with an intensive scale using the Rigid grid systematic survey method and a mapping unit was delineated in the study site. A pedon was sunk in the mapping unit, described appropriately and sa pled for analysis. The soil samples were analyzed using standard method procedures at the laboratory. Soils were classified using the USDA soil taxonomy, World Reference Base for soil resources (WRB) and the local Nigerian classification system based on Moss (1957) as updated by Ogunkunle (1983). The suitability of the soil for ginger and cucumber production was evaluated using both limitation and parametric method. The current and potential land suitability classes were assessed. The result showed that the textural class of the soil varied from Loamy Sand in the surface to Sandy Clay Loam in the subsoil while the structure ranged from fine sub-angular blocky to medium sub-angular blocky with a base saturation of 1.37-4.54% and pH level of 4.3-5.2. Sand fraction in the soil ranged from 72.9- 86.2%, Silt from 1.5-2.4% and clay from 11.4-25.6%. Taxonomically, the soil was classified , a Sandy Isohyperthermic Rhodic Kandiudult under the USDA Soil Taxonomy and as a Rhodic Lixisol (Loamic, Differentic, Ochric) under the WRB system. Locally, it was classified as the Orlu Series (Normal).