ASSESSMENT OF EXTRACTABLE MICRONUTRIENTS OF CHALLAWA GORGE MICRO WATERSHED SOILS IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA

A study was carried out to determine the status and distribution of extractable zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and Manganese (Mn) along a Challawa-Gorge micro watershed. Three distinct soil units were identified and mapped as Soil Unit A, Soil Unit B and Soil Unit C in the study area. Two profile pits were dug in each of the identified soil units A, B and C. Morphological characteristics of the profile pits were described in-situ following the standard procedure. Also, distributions of extractable micronutrients were determined from each horizon in all the pedons. From the result, it was observed that sand appears to be the dominant fraction among the pedons followed by silt and clay being the least. Results also indicated that the extractable Fe and Mn in the soils were above the critical range. This means that deficiency symptoms of these plant nutrients on crops grown on these soils are unlikely to occur. However, Zn and Cu values were “high” above the critical limits for arable crop production in all the horizons of the pedons. The soils will not require a supplementary application of Zn and Cu.