Characterization And Interpretation Of The Soils Of The Kano Plains For Irrigation Agriculture

Abstract

The-Kano Plain is an infilled •Pleistocene' valley, lying immediately east of Lako Victoria in Kenya. The soil invostigation embraces and area of about 72,000 ha with a high rural population. The area suffers frc/m periodic flooding and drought with soils which arc difficult to cultivate. The region however abun­dant natural resource of water and a gentle relief which irrigation agriculture. Tho study gives detailed information of the physiognomy, climate~,land use and human aspects important for agricultural planning of the area.

The soils have been described and classified .into37 units (soil map I). These ccmpri$o ..of 34 Soil types and phasds of 30 series, and 4 complex wlits, classi­ fied accordin~ to U.S.Comphrchcnsivc System, (USDA,1960 1967). The study shows that the Plain excludil.l~the ShTc'lmps (Unit 19) is covered largely (70;t)by dar-k clays-Y~rtiaQls (S.Units 9-13.16,23,24,25,30,34,35). 'fhcse have been aopar-aced at lower sub-group and series categories baaed on physio-chamical properties and parent material differentiation.

The vertisols occupy the extensive flat to slight slopin~ lands and arc lccally known as .,black oot.ton soils'. They have a hl"h prcportion of clay dominated by monta.orillcnito typo of minerals, which make tho soil mass denso ~nd impormeablo. i~lon dry the soils are very hard and intraotablo to cultivate, whereas when the soils are wet, they are very sticky and plastic so that implements get bogged down. They are, therefore successfully 'tilled with:,n narrow moisture r-ange, Horeover, power requirem('lntsfer tillage are very great