Relationships Between pH Buffer Capacity and Selected Soil Properties of an Agrarian area in Samaru, Nigeria

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to investigate the nature of pH buffer capacity and evaluate its association selected soil characteristics the study area.  Soil samples from ten profile pits from within the study area were collected from genetic horizons. Soil samples were tested in the laboratory for electrical conductivity and pH buffer capacity using standard procedures. Soil data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. One-way analysis of variance and correlation analysis were applied to determine effects and relationships of selected soil properties with soil pH buffer capacity. The selected soil properties included particle size distribution, electrical conductivity, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and soil pH. Analysis of variance indicated that there were no significant effect of soil depth or drainage condition on distribution of pH buffer capacity in the study area. Correlation analysis indicated a non-significant weak relationship between pH buffer capacity and selected soil properties of the study area. This suggest that multiple interrelated factors could be responsible for the distribution of pH buffer capacity in the study area.