ABSTRACT:

The study was aimed to evaluate and characterize the erodibility of soils of Minna Township, Niger State Nigeria. Three profiles were sunked in the study area using free survey technique. Soil samples were collected from profile pits based on horizon differentiation and were subjected to routine laboratory analysis. Data generated were analyzed statistically using coefficient of variation. The result indicated that sand particle was predominant over other fine fractions as determined in both water and calgon in all the pedons. Soil pH ranged from 6.35 to 6.90 across the pedons. Organic matter (O.M) had mean value of 1.73%, 1.49% and 2.12% in pedons 1, 2 and 3. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) and available Zn were generally low while available Fe was high in all the studied pedons. The dispersion ratio (DR) ranged from 64.34% to 90.69% and clay flocculation index (CFI) ranged from 9.31% to 35.66% in pedons 1, 2 and 3. The soil pH, CEC, DR and CDI had low variation among horizons of each pedon soil pH and OM correlated positively (≥ r =0.190, ≤ r =0.44) with available Fe and Zn. Organic matter correlated negatively with DR, CDI and CFI. Hence the soils were erodible therefore sustainable management practices must be adopted to ensure sustainable productivity and environmental protection in the studied area.