Assessing the Availability of Exchangeable Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Potassium (K) in Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis) Plantations Grown on Coastal Plain Sand Soil of Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

A study was carried out to evaluate the content and quantitative ratios of exchangeable Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg) and Potassium (k) in soils and plants in three oil palm plantation sites in Akwa Ibom State namely Ikot Obong Edong (IOE), Obioakpa (OBA) and Uta-ewa (UTE). Soil samples were taken from 0 – 20cm depth, from the three site, dried, sieved and analyzed in the laboratory. The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis and the following results were observed. The soils were sandy in texture, slightly acidic, values ranged from 4.5 (IOE) to 4.9 (UTE), exchangeable acidity were low, values ranged from 1.44 to 1.67cmol kg-1, organic matter (OM)were rated low to moderate, the trend were: 1.92% (10E) < 3.33% (OBA) IOE (3.29 mgkg1)>OBA (3.03 mgkg-1), the order of variation for Mg was UTE (2.79mgkg1)>IOE(2.72mgkg-1)>OBA (2.07mgkg-1) while K varies in the order; UTE (1.94mgkg1)>IOE(1.85mgkg-1)>OBA (1.51mgkg-1) With the low to moderate nutrient status of the soils, application of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer (NPK) as well as lime is recommended to enhance the nutrient content, increase the pH and promote higher crop yield.