Determining the effect of salt-induced soil on paddy rice development and yield using GIS mapping

The effect of salt-induced soil on growth and yield development of paddy rice in Akure, Nigeria was determined. This was to ascertain effect of various salt-inducing parameters on rice yield. Fifteen soil samples were collected and 13 parameters were analysed using standard procedures. The parameters include electrical conductivity (EC), pH, particle size, cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable acidity (EA), organic matter (OM), organic carbon (OC), phosphorus, sodium, calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and magnesium. Geographic information System (GIS) mapping was also carried out on the affected areas and results compared with the international standards. From the results, predominant soil class was clay loam which is excellent for rice growth while salinity levels were not in excess to lead to stress or low rice yield although very low values of N and K were recorded. EC, CEC and EA were well below critical levels in the soil and with the exception of OM, OC, MC and pH which were statistically significant at P < 0.05, other parameters were statistically non-significant. GIS mapping also showed traces of salt but not in high concentration levels as to result in crop stress.