A Study of Holomorphic Soil in SuleTankarkar Local Government Area of Jigawa State Using Remote Sensed Data

Abstract

This study is carried out to examine Holomorphic soil formation in one of the local Government Areas of Jigawa State – SuleTankarkar LGA. Unsupervised random sampling technique was used to select the sampling sites from the five districts that make up the Local Government. Global Positioning System (GPS) was used in the field for data collection. The sample soils collected were taken to laboratory for physicochemical analysis unto which the textural classes and electrical conductivity (EC) of the soils were measured. The results for EC measurement ranges from 8.22µS/cm – 63.7µS/cm with lowest figures at Danladi site 1 and the highest figures occurs at Danzomo site 1. The textural class measurement revealed that Dangwanki site 2, Jeke site 1 and 2 were classified with sandy soil. Danladi site 2, Danzomo site 1 and SuleTankarkar site 2 falls under sandy loam type. While Dangwanki site 1, Danladi site 1, Danzomo site 2 and SuleTankarkar site 1 were classified with loamy sand. The 36 Normalized Difference vegetation Index (NDVI) data sets utilized for the study were recomposed into 4 Multiple Value Composites (MVCs) and then reclassed to derive the bare soil images used for the GIS analysis. The empirical reflectance method was applied to detect the spatial spectral reflectance pattern of the dielectric properties of the soil. The spectral curves showed that there were existences of holomorphic soil formation from 2000 to 2009, but significantly decrease to 2010. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) for time-series analysis was also incorporated with the used of Standardized principal components. This gave a clear indication of its formation from the components loadings and graphs with about 65% of the areas been affected. Holomorphic soil formation causes changes in agricultural suitability, and declining rate of productivity. It is therefore necessary to construct drainage channels to alleviate flooding and waterlogging, soil nutrient management shall be induced such like application of manures.

Key words: Holomorphic, Electric conductivity, empirical reflectance, principal components analysis