Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Determination of Class of Vertisols in Mbalwaba, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State

The researched was conducted with the aimed of examining the physicochemical characteristics and identifying the class of Vertisols in Mbalwaha. Pre-field survey involved gathering information from topographic maps, interviews and meteorological data on the study area. Four locations with substantial areas of Vertisols were selected in Mbalwaha through field observation. Four profile pits were sunk, one in each of the selected areas and pedogenic samples were collected for in situ and standard laboratory analyses. Results showed that Munsell soil colour of the samples ranged from 10YR 7/2 (Light Gray) to 10YR 3/1 (Very Dark Gray). The soils were found to be clay in texture with greater than 64 % clay contents in all the pedons. Bulk density ranged from 1.25-1.61g/cm3 . Soil pH were high, Electrical Conductivity values were normal, Calcium Contents were also high and follow by Magnesium. Potassium contents were normal while sodium contents, total exachangeable acidity and exchangeable sodium percentage values were all low. Cation exchange capacity values were medium to high, effective cation exchange capacity and percentage base saturation values were all high. Organic matter, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus contents were all in traces. The class of the Vertisols was identified based on WRB system of classification as; Eutric chromusterts.