Evaluation of Land Constraints to Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) Production in Wukari Area, Northeastern Nigeria

Donald Nweze Osujieke; Yasin Agono Awwal; Hussaini Okpanachi Muhammad

doi:10.66132/ngas020204

Authors

Donald Nweze Osujieke Federal University Wukari https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6674-1990
Yasin Agono Awwal Federal University Wukari https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7693-8471
Hussaini Okpanachi Muhammad Federal University Wukari

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66132/ngas020204

Keywords:

Yam production, Land suitability evaluation, Soil fertility constraints, Parametric method

Abstract

This study evaluated land constraints affecting yam (Dioscorea rotundata) production in the Wukari area, northeastern Nigeria, with emphasis on identifying key soil and land factors limiting productivity. Three representative soil profile pits were excavated in major yam-growing locations and assessed using field characterisation and laboratory analyses within the Land Suitability Evaluation framework. The soils were deep (108–118 cm), well drained, and located on nearly level terrain (0–2% slope), indicating generally favourable physical conditions for yam cultivation. However, soil fertility indicators were low, with organic matter (0.5–1.9 g kg^-1), total nitrogen (0.09–0.11 g kg^-1), available phosphorus (0.74–2.57 mg kg^-1), and cation exchange capacity (3.72–4.92 cmol kg^-1) consistently below optimal levels. Soil texture ranged from loamy sand to sand, further limiting nutrient and moisture retention. Actual land suitability indices ranged from 33.54 to 43.30 (marginally suitable to currently not suitable), while potential suitability improved to 86.05 (highly suitable) under improved fertility scenarios. The major constraints were identified as low available phosphorus, low nitrogen, low organic matter content, low cation exchange capacity, and coarse soil texture. These limitations collectively reduce nutrient availability, nutrient retention, and tuber development efficiency in yam systems. The study concludes that declining yam productivity in the area is primarily driven by soil fertility depletion rather than physical land limitations. Targeted soil fertility management, particularly phosphorus supplementation, organic matter enhancement, and balanced nutrient application, is essential for sustainable yam production in the region.

References

Alghamdi, A. G., Majrashi, M. A., & Ibrahim, H. M. (2024). Improving the Physical Properties and Water Retention of Sandy Soils by the Synergistic Utilization of Natural Clay Deposits and Wheat Straw. Sustainability, 16(1), 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010046 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010046

Anugwo, S. C., Egwue, O. L, & Adebayo, T. (2025). Economic evaluation of yam production in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Economics, Environment and Social Sciences, 11(2), 63-69. https://doi.org/10.56160/jaeess/2025/vol11/issue2/007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.56160/jaeess/2025/Vol11/Issue2/007

Awwal Y. A., & David J. E. (2024). Classification and Suitability Assessment of Selected Soil Units in Federal University Wukari for Rainfed Cultivation of Cassava (Manihot esculenta). Proceedings of the 48th Conference of SSSN “Abuja 2024”. 72 – 83.

Awwal, Y. A., Gani, A. T., & Akwanaki, G. L. (2025b). Spatiotemporal dynamics of land use/cover and its impacts on carbon stocks in a Nigerian savanna. Sustainable Geosciences: People, Planet and Prosperity, 1, 100008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susgeo.2025.100008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susgeo.2025.100008

Awwal, Y. A., Sadiq, F. K., Gisilanbe, S. A., & David, J. E. (2026). Characterization and classification of selected soils formed on a planar surface in Wukari, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 35(1), 242–259. https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2026.en5g3nqd DOI: https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2026.en5g3nqd

Awwal, Y. A. (2021). Influence of toposequence on soil properties, genesis, suitability and degradation at Hayin Gada, Zaria Nigeria. MSc Thesis. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

Awwal, Y. A. & Maniyunda L. M. (2023). Toposequence effect on soil properties and suitability rating for selected crops in Northern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Environment. 19(2): 215-235. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jagrenv.v19i2.21 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jagrenv.v19i2.21

Awwal, Y. A., Angyu, M. D. & Afolabi, R. J. (2025a). Impact of various soil amendments on temporal NPK release, soil quality and maize yield in tropical Alfisols of Zaria, Nigeria. Scientific Reports 15, 41856. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-25873-w DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-25873-w

Bouyoucos, G. J. (1962). Hydrometer method improved for making particle size analyses of soils. Agronomy Journal, 54(5), 464–465. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1962.00021962005400050028x DOI: https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1962.00021962005400050028x

Bray, R. H., & Kurtz, L. T. (1945). Determination of total, organic, and available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Science, 59(1), 39–45. https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-194501000-00006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-194501000-00006

Bremner, J. M. (1996). Nitrogen-total. In D. L. Sparks (Ed.), Methods of soil analysis. Part 3: Chemical methods (pp. 1085–1121). Soil Science Society of America. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser5.3.c37 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser5.3.c37

Carsky, R. J., Asiedu, R., & Cornet, D. (2010). Review of soil fertility management for yam-based systems in West Africa. African Journal of Root and Tuber Crops, 8(2), 1–17.

Chapman, H. D. (1965). Cation-exchange capacity. In C. A. Black (Ed.), Methods of soil analysis. Part 2: Chemical and microbiological properties (pp. 891–901). Soil Science Society of America. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.c6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.c6

Ekebuike, A. N., Oliha, A. O., & Ojo, P. E. (2024). Mapping and analysis of seasonal flooding in Benue State Nigeria using remote sensing and GIS approach. International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies, 4(4), 597–602.

Emerald, J. G., Ekeledo, P. I., Obidiegwu, J. E., & Chilaka, C. A. (2026). Flowering, Dormancy, Yield Formation and Food Quality in Yam (Dioscorea spp.): Implications for Crop Improvement and Sustainability. Agronomy, 16(7), 724. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16070724 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16070724

FAO (2007). Land evaluation: Towards a revised framework (Land and Water Discussion Paper 6). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

FAO Knowledge Repository. (2025). FAOSTAT analytical brief 121: Production: Crops and livestock products. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

FAO (1976). A framework for land evaluation (Soil Bulletin No. 32). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

Fatihu, S., Maniyunda, L. M. and Awwal, Y.A. (2020). Assessment of Soil Properties under different Land Uses and their Suitability for Maize (Zea mays) Production in Hunkuyi, Northern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria. Dutse Journal of Agriculture and Food Security, 7(1): 9-22.

Ferré, T. P. A., & Warrick, A. W. (2005). Infiltration. In D. Hillel (Ed.), Encyclopedia of soils in the environment (pp. 254–260). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B0-12-348530-4/00382-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B0-12-348530-4/00382-9

Gabriel, T. A., Abdullahi, I., & Joseph, A. E. (2018). Rainfall variation, water resources potential and implication for flooding: A case study of catchment area of major tributaries to River Benue in Taraba State. African Journal of Engineering Research, 6(3), 55–63. https://doi.org/10.30918/AJER.63.18.028 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30918/AJER.63.18.028

Gani, A. T., & Awwal, Y. A. (2025). Assessment of soil degradation and resilience index across different topographic positions in Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria. Open Soil Science and Environment, 3(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.70110/osse.v3i1.26

Gani, A. T., & Usman, J. (2024). Land Suitability Evaluation for Maize Production Among the Soils of Hyuku in Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria. Bulgarian Journal of Soil Science, 9(1), 69–82. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11409507

Gani, T. A., & Awwal, Y. A. (2026). GIS-based land suitability assessment for rice cultivation in Rafin Kada floodplains, Wukari, Nigeria. Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica, 59(OV), 40–54. https://doi.org/10.2478/ats-2026-0003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ats-2026-0003

Igbawua, T., Gbanger, M. H., & Ujoh, F. (2022). Suitability analysis for yam production in Nigeria using satellite and observation data. Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences, 4(4), 883. https://doi.org/10.46481/jnsps.2022.883 DOI: https://doi.org/10.46481/jnsps.2022.883

Javan, M., Abtahi, A., Zareian, G., & Haghighatnia, H. (2025). Soil mineralogy and potassium forms distribution and release in some calcareous soils of the Darab Region, Iran. PLOS ONE, 20(12), e0334155. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0334155 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0334155

Kumar, S. S., Wani, O. A., Prasad, B., Banuve, A., Mua, P., Sharma, A. C., Prasad, S., Malik, A. R., El-Hendawy, S., & Mattar, M. A. (2024). Effects of Mulching on Soil Properties and Yam Production in Tropical Region. Sustainability, 16(17), 7787. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177787 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177787

Mondo, J. M., Chuma, G. B., Matiti, H. M., Balezi, A. Z., Kihye, J. B., Ayagirwe, R. B., Agre, P. A., Banda, V. B., Adebola, P., & Asfaw, A. (2024). Farming practices, varietal preferences, and land suitability analyses for yam production in Eastern D.R. Congo: implications for breeding initiatives and food sovereignty. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8:1324646. https://www.doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1324646 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1324646

Obidiegwu, J. E., Akpabio, E. M., Okere, A. U., & Chilaka, C. A. (2026). The Ecology of Yam Food Culture in the Yam Belt of West Africa. Culture, 2(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/culture2010006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/culture2010006

Ogbu, O. J., Usman, M., Usman, J., & Ogbu, G. E. (2022). Land Suitability Evaluation for Yam (Dioscorea Spp) Production among the Soils of Andibilla Plateau in Oju, Benue State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Tropical Agriculture, 25(2022): 1-11.

Osujieke, D. N., Aririguzo, B. N., & Ahukaemere, C. M. (2020). Evaluation of erodibility indices and soil properties affected by land-use types in Mbano, South-East Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Sciences (Belgrade), 65(4), 361–373. https://doi.org/10.2298/JAS2004361O DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/JAS2004361O

Osujieke, D. N., Awwal, Y. A., & Gani, A. T. (2025). Land suitability assessment for cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) production in selected soils of the Mambilla Plateau, Northeast Nigeria. Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica, 58(OV), 72–81. https://doi.org/10.2478/ats-2025-0007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ats-2025-0007

Singh, P., Dheri, G. S., Nazir, G., & Singh, S. (2025). Impact of long-term use of fertilizers on soil phosphorus fractions and its uptake. Geoderma Regional, 43, e01021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2025.e01021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2025.e01021

Soil Survey Staff. (2017). Soil survey manual (C. Ditzler, K. Scheffe, & H. C. Monger, Eds.). USDA Handbook No. 18. Government Printing Office.

Sumner, M. E., & Miller, W. P. (1996). Cation exchange capacity and exchange coefficients. In D. L. Sparks (Ed.), Methods of soil analysis. Part 3: Chemical methods (pp. 1201–1229). Soil Science Society of America. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser5.3.c40 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser5.3.c40

Sun, Y., Wang, X., Zhang, Y., Duan, W., Xia, J., Wu, J., & Deng, T. (2024). Vegetation Types Can Affect Soil Organic Carbon and δ13C by Influencing Plant Inputs in Topsoil and Microbial Residue Carbon Composition in Subsoil. Sustainability, 16(11), 4538. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114538 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114538

Taylor, A. E., Ottoman, C. C., & Chaplen, F. (2021). Implications of the thermodynamic response of soil mineralization, respiration, and nitrification on soil organic matter retention. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 651210. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.651210 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.651210

Thomas, G. W. (1996). Soil pH and soil acidity. In D. L. Sparks (Ed.), Methods of soil analysis. Part 3: Chemical methods (pp. 475–490). Soil Science Society of America. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser5.3.c16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser5.3.c16

Țopa, D.-C., Căpșună, S., Calistru, A.-E., & Ailincăi, C. (2025). Sustainable Practices for Enhancing Soil Health and Crop Quality in Modern Agriculture: A Review. Agriculture, 15(9), 998. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090998 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090998

Ukabiala, M. E., Amanze, C. T., Onyechere, A. U., Nwawuike, N., Nwosu, O. U., Ononogbo, C. (2025). Effect of Toposequence on Land Suitability for Yam (Dioscorea Spp) Cultivation in Amanyi-Nta, Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. UAES Journal of Innovative Sciences and Technology for Development 2(2): 114 – 130. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15521273

Waizah, Y., & Gani, A. T. (2025). Geostatistical investigation and GIS-based spatial distribution of some micronutrients in Wukari soils, Taraba State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 34(1), 11-16. https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2025.ciwm5d59 DOI: https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2025.ciwm5d59

Walkley, A., & Black, I. A. (1934). An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter. Soil Science, 37(1), 29–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00010694-193401000-00003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-193401000-00003

Yoni, M., Senou, I., & Nacro, H. B. (2024). Enhanced cation exchange capacity and exchangeable bases in sandy soil across Sudanian savanna agro-ecosystem of Bondoukuy, Western Burkina Faso. Environment and Natural Resources Research Archives, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.5539/enrr.v14n2p1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/enrr.v14n2p1