E. R. Orhue

A study was carried out to determine the status of some micronutrients in soil under
Citrus orchard at the University of Benin and to show the relationship between the
selected micronutrients and some soil’s properties. At each location, an area measuring 300 m by 200 m was marked out and the area divided into 3 equal parts. Each part made a replicate, soil sample were collected from 0-15 cm, 15 - 30 cm and 30 - 45 cm soil depths. A total of 18 soil samples were collected and analyzed using approved laboratory techniques Sand did not increase with increased soil depths while Silt and Clay increased significantly with increased soil depths. The pH wasmoderately acidic(5.56-5.70). Total nitrogen was generally low, Available phosphorus and organic was below critical level. Exchangeable bases were below critical level except Na and K which were above critical level. There were negative and significant correlation between the micronutrients and Sand, Clay, Silt, Organic carbon,Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Total nitrogen and available phosphorus. E.C positive and significant correlation with copper but negative and significant correlated with Iron, Manganese and zinc. pH however negative and significant correlated with Copper, Iron, Manganese but positively and significant correlated with Zinc.

Phosphorus (P) is a critical macronutrient essential for plant growth, it involved in energy transfer, cell division, and development of root systems. This study was conducted to examine different forms of inorganic phosphorus in soils planted to plantain. The study was conducted between April-October 2025, on twelve (12) soil samples collected from five (4) depths, three (3) replicates in soils planted to plantain within University of Benin, Edo States, Nigeria. Some soil properties were determined using standard laboratory procedures, Forms of inorganic P were determined by six step sequential fractionation using suitable chemical extractants, while the relationship between some soil properties and forms of inorganic P was
evaluated by simple linear correlation. Genstat (12 th edition) statistical package was employed for data analysis, Duncan multiple ranged test was used to separate means at 5%. Results revealed that various forms of inorganic P were distributed in the soils with the Al and Fe bound P forms occurring in the largest amount with grand mean values of 88.83 and 51.80 mg kg -1 respectively. The forms of P in the soils were influenced negatively and positively by some soils properties across the various soil depths, however at 0-30 cm soil depths Ca bound P correlated positively with Ca+Mg (r= 0.997*), saloid bound P showed significant positive and negative relationship with sand (r = -1.000 ***) and Organic carbon (r = 1.000***) respectively, the relation between other soil properties, with some forms of inorganic P were also obtained