Status of available micronutrients and their correlation with some soil properties in Bade Local Government Area, North Eastern Nigeria

The soils of Bade Local Government Area (LGA) of Yobe State, Nigeria were assessed to determine the micronutrient status and their relationship with pH, electric conductivity and organic carbon. Soil samples were taken from the five major district of the LGA at the depth of 0-20cm using soil sampling auger. The samples were then analyzed using the standard procedures. Results obtained indicated that the mean pH value was 6.45 with 2.97 % coefficient of variability (CV). The mean electric conductivity (EC) showed non saline (0.17dSm-1); while organic carbon (OC) content of the soils was very low (1.03g kg-1). Micronutrients mean concentrations indicated low limit for boron (B) (0.35mg kg-1), moderate values (0.24mg kg-1) for copper (Cu), high concentration of iron (Fe) (5.07mg kg-1) and manganese (Mn) (3.12mg kg-1), while zinc (Zn) was found to low (0.99mg kg-1) in the soils. All the assessed micronutrients showed moderate variability except Zn which is the least. Cu (r -0.243), Fe (r -0.370), Mn (r -0.028) and Zn (r -0.196) showed negative correlation with pH, while only B (r = 0.043) and Zn (r = 0.285) showed positive correlation with EC. Except for zinc all other micronutrients tested showed positive relationship with OC. The nutrient fertility index of the soils indicated moderate fertility level for B (1.95), Cu (1.80) and Fe (2.00), while Mn (3.00) and Zn (1.50) showed high and low fertility level respectively. The soil management strategies need to put into consideration micronutrients supplement and addition of organic matter.