Volume 62, Issue 341, May - August 2026

Texture-related characteristics, fertility indices, and organic carbon storage of soils as influenced by lithological and depth-base variations; an agronomic implication

Ibe OK¹, Amanze CT^2♦, Nnaji GU¹, Uzoma KC¹, Nwosu OC¹, Eluagu KF³, Ukabiala ME², Onyechere AU², Okereafor DO²

¹Department of Soil Science, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria
²Department of Soil Science, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo, Nigeria
³Department of Agricultural Technology, College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

^♦Corresponding Author
Amanze CT, Department of Soil Science, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The influence of parent material and depth on soil properties is a long-standing knowledge, but in the prevailing climate change, it is paramount to reassess and compare the characteristics of soils formed on varying parent materials at different depths with regards to soil management and crop production. This study aims at to assess the physicochemical properties and organic carbon storage of soils on varying parent materials and depths. It was a 2 - factor factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 levels of depths (0 -19, 20- 39, 40- 100 cm) and 5 levels of parent materials (Coastal Plain Sands, Shale, Imo clay Shale, Sombreiro Warri Deltaic formation, and mangrove swamp deposit. Three (3) replicates of auger and core soil samples were collected randomly at each site at the reference depths. The samples were processed and sent for laboratory determinations. Data obtained was subjected to analysis of variance, and correlation analysis. Fisher’s Least Significant Difference at 5% probability level was used to separate significant means. Results obtained showed that there was a significant interaction effect (P ≤ 5%) of parent material and depths on organic carbon storage and physicochemical properties of soil. Soil at Shale had the highest bulk density at the various depths, while the soil on Sombreiro Deltaic Deposit had the lowest. Across all the depths, soil on Coastal Plain Sands had the greatest water conductivity, while soil on Imo Clay Shale had the lowest. The soil pH varied from moderately to strongly acidity, and it decreased with depth at soil on Coastal Plain Sands, but increased with depth at soil on Shale and Imo Clay Shale. However, the soil pH fluctuated across depths of the other soils. The soils derived from the various parent materials vary considerably in the measured parameters at the various depths. Consequently, the soils should be given specific attentions in land use allocation and management practices for crop production.

Keywords: organic carbon storage, parent materials, Soil depth, Coastal Plain Sands, Imo Clay Shale, Sombreiro

Discovery, 2026, 62, e17d3279

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Published: 05 July 2026