ORGANIC MATTER STATUS OF SOME SAVANNA SOILS OF NORTHERN NIGERIA

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Abstract
Organic matter and N contents of some Nigerian savanna soils were determined. In general, their amounts are small except in areas having high rainfall. The mean annual rainfall and, particularly, the number of rain days, which is related to the length of the wet season, are major factors governing the amount and distribution of soil C and N. Because of the effect of latitudinal position on the length of the wet season, organic matter decreases with increasing latitude to the north. Simple regression showed that about 63 and 74% of the variability in soil C content could be attributed, respectively, to mean annual rainfall and number of rain days. Within a limited geographical area, the influence of soil parent material on the relationship between clay and soil carbon was demonstrated. The rather limited production of organic materials by the savanna vegetation caused by climatic constraints, as well as the predominantly sandy nature of the soils, is among the factors responsible for the low levels of soil organic matter observed.

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