Available Molybdenum Forms Distribution in some Soil Profiles of Different Locations of Southwestern Nigeria.

Abstract

Available molybdenum in soil profiles of twelve (12) different locations of Ogun and Oyo States in South Western Nigeria was investigated to know its status with respect to soil depths.Soil samples derived from sedimentary and igneous/metamorphic rockscomprising of Alfisols (8 profiles) and Ultisols (4 profiles) were collected at four (4) different soil depths of 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm, 40-60 cm and 60-80 cm respectively from savanna and forest vegetational zones. Soil physic-chemical properties of pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, CEC, clay, silt, and sand were determined using standard methods and correlated with the available molybdenum. The results showed that available molybdenum was positively correlated with pH, silt and clay (r = 0.403**, r = 0.072** and r = 0.025**) and also negatively correlated organic carbon, with total nitrogen, CEC and sand (r = -0.092**, r = 0.114**, r = 0.253** and r = -0.061**) respectively. The status of available Mo fell above the critical limits of 0.05 and 0.1ppm and as a result, Farmers are advised not to apply molybdenum fertilizers in these soils so as not to cause environmental pollution and soil toxicity.