Mapping Sustainability Status of Agricultural Soils of Abuja Nigeria and Implications for Sustainable Food Security

The sustainability of soils is a key consideration in devising soil management options for better productivity and sustained food security. The study was carried out to determine the sustainability status of agricultural soils in Abuja, Nigeria. Two Agricultural estates in each of the six Area Councils of The Federal capital Territory Abuja were selected and soil samples collected. The soil texture ranged from loamy sand, to sandy loam and sandy clay loam. Soil pH ranged from 5.8 (strongly acidic) to 6.7 (neutral), Organic carbon in the soils was low and ranged from 1.18 – 2.80 g kg-1. In terms of limitations, water stable aggregates, mean weight diameter and soil organic carbon imposed moderate to severe limitations in the soils of Abaji and AMAC. In the soils of Bwari, Gwagwalada Kuje and Kwali, Soil organic carbon, Water stable aggregates, mean weight diameter and pH posed severe to extreme limitations on the soils. For the sustainability classification, only the soils of Agena and Nuku in Abaji Area Council, Kaida and Ibwa in Gwagwgalada Area Council and Checheyi in Kwali Area council were classified as sustainable. The soils of Iddon Kasa and Karshi (AMAC), Kudu and Kawu (Bwari), Chibiri and Gaube (Kuje) and Wako (Kwali) were classified as sustainable with high input. It was observed that the soils are of low fertility status and would therefore require significantly high input of nutrients to maintain its productive capacity for a long time. Integrated nutrient management that requires incorporation of good NPK fertilizers and organic manures is highly recommended.