Suitability evaluation of Kusogi land in the sandstone-derived terrain of Niger State of Cashew (Anarcadium occidentale L.) production

Suitability of Kusogi land, in the sandstone-derived terrain of savanna ecology in Niger State, Nigeria, for cashew production was assessed. A 500 ha parcel of land originally earmarked for sugarcane production was assessed using rigid-grid method of soil survey. Aggregate actual suitability rating put three out of the five mapping units 978% of the total land area) as marginally suitable while the remaining 22% of the land was non-suitable for cashew production. Soil fertility, in terms of calcium mole fraction constitutes limitation in about 86.4% of the land and this proportion of the land was rated moderately suitable under aggregate potential suitability. Drainage and pH constitute major limitations in 13.6% of the land and aggregate potential suitability rated this as non-suitable. Climate, electrical conductivity indices and soil physical characteristics were conducive for the production of cashew. Management practices such as drainage and liming of the waterlogged parcels as well as fertility enhancement measures are recommended to elevate the current status of the land for cashew production. JARD Vol. 5 (2) 2006: pp. 140-15