LAND SUITABILITY

The study was carried out at Iguzama Community in Ovia North East Local Government area of Edo state, Nigeria, to evaluate some soils for tomato cultivation. The study area consisted of two sites; Site A, a 4 hectare land, and site B, a 12 hectare land. Soil survey was carried out by the rigid grid method at a detailed scale, using the rigid grid method which produced four mapping units. Each mapping units was represented by a pedon and each pedon was appropriately described. Soil samples were analysed using standard procedures. The result of the land evaluation revealed that pedon 1a (1.65ha) representing 38%, pedon 2a (2.64ha) which representing 62%, pedon 1b (6.4ha) representing 53% and pedon 2b (5.69ha) representing 47% of the study area were not suitable (N) for tomato cultivation due to severe limitations in soil physical characteristics and fertility. Limitations in soil physical characteristics cannot be amended, thus the study area should not be used for tomato cultivation; however, the study area may be used for other purpose(s) for which it is found suitable.

This study was carefullycarried out in Iguzama commity in Ovia North East Local Government. Area of Edo State, to evaluate some soils for African Native Pear cultivation. Soil survey process was carried out on the site using the rigid grid method at a detailed scale. The survey produced four mapping units and each represented with a pedon. Soil samples were collected from each of the pedon for analysis in the laboratory using standard procedures. Soil survey process was carried out by the grid method at a detailed scale which produced four (4) mapping units. Each mapping units was represented by a pedon and each pedon was appropriately described according to FAO (1976). Soil samples were analysed using standard procedures. Result in all the Pedons shows that mean value for Sand ranges from 787.00-924.00, while Silt ranges from 15.00-44.00 and Clay ranges from 88.00-190.00. Mean value for pH ranges from 5.24-6.38. Sand recorded low variation in all the pedons with cv values ranging from 5.10 to 91.50%; Silt ranges from 8.37 to 54.20% and clay ranges 32.20 to 95.70%. Results of Suitability evaluation showed that pedons 1A and 2A representing an area 3.3 hectares and amounting to 55 % of the land area were marginally suitabale (S3) for African Native Pear cultivation with limitation in climate as a result of rainfall and length of growing season while pedons 1B and 2B representing an area of 3.3 hectares and amounting to 55 % were moderately suitable for African Native Pear cultivation with limitation in soil fertility as a result of the pH of the soils.Thus, the cultivation of African Native Pear in the study area could be profitable after amelioration, it is therefore recommended that the land should be adequately maximized for African Pear cultivaton since the risk of failure is at minimal level.