Green Global
Foundation   Journal
...an emerging window for scientific research and publication across the globe

DETERMINATION OF PHOSPHORUS AND POTASSIUM FIXATION CAPACITIES AND FERTILIZER FACTORS IN SOILS OF THREE COCOA GROWING AREAS OF NIGERIA (Pages : 11 - 16)

Phosphorus and Potassium fixation capacities in soils of three cocoa growing regions-Ibadan, Owena and Ikom in Nigeria were determined by evaluation of P and K fixation capacities of the soil as well as some physical and chemical properties. Results indicated that the fixation capacities of the soil for P was in the order of Ikom (54%) > Ibadan (13%) > Owena (3%). It was similar for K in the order of Ikom (68%) > Ibadan (51%) > Owena (48%). The fertilizer factor determined for the soils also followed similar order with highest fertilizer factor obtained for P (2.53) and K (6.4) in Ikom location soils and P (1.15) and K (4.01) in Ibadan location soils. Phosphorus and potassium fixation correlated positively with clay, organic carbon, Mn and Fe contents of the soil while pH, sand and silt were negatively correlated with P and K. The fertilizer factors for P and K obtained for the soils in this study is made to take care of any fixed amount of P and K applied when fertilizer recommendation is made in the study area. Fertilizer recommendation that takes these fertilizer factors into consideration is expected to impact positively on the resultant crop yield since provision is already made for the fixed nutrients via the fertilizer factor. Download