Comparative Evaluation of Soil Fertility, Exchangeable Cation Balance and Micronutrient Dynamics in Upland and Wetland Soils of Southern Guinea Savannah, Northeastern Nigeria

Jimoh Abdulwahab Ibrahim; Wanah, B. Bello; Michael Abashiya; Hussein I. Ibrahim; Usman U. Ningi

Comparative Evaluation of Soil Fertility, Exchangeable Cation Balance and Micronutrient Dynamics in Upland and Wetland Soils of Southern Guinea Savannah, Northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the soil fertility exchangeable cation balance and micronutrient dynamics across four distinct plots, two in upland (UP1 and UP2) and two in wetland (WT1 and WT2) in Kulani, Balanga Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria, to determine their agricultural potential for sustainability. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 30cm and analyzed for texture, pH, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (P), exchangeable bases, effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), base saturation (BS), and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu). Results showed that upland soils ranged from sandy loam to sandy clay loam, while wetland soils ranged from loamy sand to sandy loam. Soils were generally acidic with low to moderate OC and TN levels but high base saturation and ECEC values. Ca:Mg values were generally lower than 2 (<2) while Mg:K and Ca:K values were lower than 1 (<1). Nutrient Balance Index values ranged from 0.77 in WT1 to 1.05 in UP2, indicating poor nutrient balance throughout the study area These ratio indicates exchangeable cation imbalance and may predispose crops to calcium and magnesium deficiencies due to competitive nutrient interactions. Micronutrient levels were rated high to very high, indicating potential sufficiency for crop growth. Wetland soil contained higher concentrations of most nutrients than upland soils; however, the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Significant correlations were observed between several soil properties: silt negatively correlated with sand (r = –0.726**); OC positively correlated with Mn (r = 0.770**); TN with ECEC (r = 0.731**) and Fe (r = 0.633*); and available phosphorus with Zn (r = 0.706*). Exchangeable acidity negatively correlated with Fe and Cu but positively with Mn. A strong positive correlation existed between Fe and Cu (r = 0.885**), while Mn showed a strong negative correlation with Cu (r = –0.770**). These relationships reflect complex nutrient interactions and soil development processes. The study concludes that, despite moderate acidity, the soils possess a moderate nutrient status and adequate micronutrients; however, appropriate management practices are required for sustainable agriculture.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pedology and Pedometrics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Jimoh Abdulwahab Ibrahim ^*
Nigeria

Wanah, B. Bello This is me
Nigeria

Michael Abashiya This is me
Nigeria

Hussein I. Ibrahim This is me
Nigeria

Usman U. Ningi This is me
Nigeria

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

May 3, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 15, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA68PA94PD

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Abdulwahab Ibrahim, J., Bello, W. B., Abashiya, M., Ibrahim, H. I., & Ningi, U. U. (2026). Comparative Evaluation of Soil Fertility, Exchangeable Cation Balance and Micronutrient Dynamics in Upland and Wetland Soils of Southern Guinea Savannah, Northeastern Nigeria. Eurasian Journal of Agricultural Research, 10(1), 87-101. https://izlik.org/JA68PA94PD

AMA

1.Abdulwahab Ibrahim J, Bello WB, Abashiya M, Ibrahim HI, Ningi UU. Comparative Evaluation of Soil Fertility, Exchangeable Cation Balance and Micronutrient Dynamics in Upland and Wetland Soils of Southern Guinea Savannah, Northeastern Nigeria. EJAR. 2026;10(1):87-101. https://izlik.org/JA68PA94PD

Chicago

Abdulwahab Ibrahim, Jimoh, Wanah, B. Bello, Michael Abashiya, Hussein I. Ibrahim, and Usman U. Ningi. 2026. “Comparative Evaluation of Soil Fertility, Exchangeable Cation Balance and Micronutrient Dynamics in Upland and Wetland Soils of Southern Guinea Savannah, Northeastern Nigeria”. Eurasian Journal of Agricultural Research 10 (1): 87-101. https://izlik.org/JA68PA94PD.

EndNote

Abdulwahab Ibrahim J, Bello WB, Abashiya M, Ibrahim HI, Ningi UU (June 1, 2026) Comparative Evaluation of Soil Fertility, Exchangeable Cation Balance and Micronutrient Dynamics in Upland and Wetland Soils of Southern Guinea Savannah, Northeastern Nigeria. Eurasian Journal of Agricultural Research 10 1 87–101.

IEEE

[1]J. Abdulwahab Ibrahim, W. B. Bello, M. Abashiya, H. I. Ibrahim, and U. U. Ningi, “Comparative Evaluation of Soil Fertility, Exchangeable Cation Balance and Micronutrient Dynamics in Upland and Wetland Soils of Southern Guinea Savannah, Northeastern Nigeria”, EJAR, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 87–101, June 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA68PA94PD

ISNAD

Abdulwahab Ibrahim, Jimoh - Bello, Wanah, B. - Abashiya, Michael - Ibrahim, Hussein I. - Ningi, Usman U. “Comparative Evaluation of Soil Fertility, Exchangeable Cation Balance and Micronutrient Dynamics in Upland and Wetland Soils of Southern Guinea Savannah, Northeastern Nigeria”. Eurasian Journal of Agricultural Research 10/1 (June 1, 2026): 87-101. https://izlik.org/JA68PA94PD.

JAMA

1.Abdulwahab Ibrahim J, Bello WB, Abashiya M, Ibrahim HI, Ningi UU. Comparative Evaluation of Soil Fertility, Exchangeable Cation Balance and Micronutrient Dynamics in Upland and Wetland Soils of Southern Guinea Savannah, Northeastern Nigeria. EJAR. 2026;10:87–101.

MLA

Abdulwahab Ibrahim, Jimoh, et al. “Comparative Evaluation of Soil Fertility, Exchangeable Cation Balance and Micronutrient Dynamics in Upland and Wetland Soils of Southern Guinea Savannah, Northeastern Nigeria”. Eurasian Journal of Agricultural Research, vol. 10, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 87-101, https://izlik.org/JA68PA94PD.

Vancouver

1.Jimoh Abdulwahab Ibrahim, Wanah, B. Bello, Michael Abashiya, Hussein I. Ibrahim, Usman U. Ningi. Comparative Evaluation of Soil Fertility, Exchangeable Cation Balance and Micronutrient Dynamics in Upland and Wetland Soils of Southern Guinea Savannah, Northeastern Nigeria. EJAR [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 1;10(1):87-101. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA68PA94PD