A Survey of Maize Cultivars and Soil Textural Suitability Across Agro-Ecological Units of The River Watari Basin, Kano State, Nigeria

Hafsat Bala Muhammad; Rabiatu Balarabe Umar; Mahmoud Zubair Imam; Inuwa Sani Sani; Karimatu Umar Adamu

doi:10.69606/geography.v4i1.472

Authors

Hafsat Bala Muhammad Department of Geography, School of Secondary Education (Arts & Social Sciences), Sa'adatu Rimi College of Education Kumbotso, Kano, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6459-4405
Rabiatu Balarabe Umar Department of Integrated Science, School of Sciences Education, Sa'adatu Rimi College of Education Kumbotso, Kano, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7286-1517
Mahmoud Zubair Imam Department of Geography, School of Secondary Education (Arts & Social Sciences), Sa'adatu Rimi College of Education Kumbotso, Kano, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4175-9369
Inuwa Sani Sani Department of Geography, School of Secondary Education (Arts & Social Sciences), Sa'adatu Rimi College of Education Kumbotso, Kano, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5136-1529
Karimatu Umar Adamu Department of Geography, School of Secondary Education (Arts & Social Sciences), Sa'adatu Rimi College of Education Kumbotso, Kano, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7581-5632

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69606/geography.v4i1.472

Keywords:

soil texture, land suitability, maize cultivars, irrigation, River Watari, semi-arid agriculture

Abstract

The urgency of optimizing maize (Zea mays L.) productivity in semi-arid regions like the River Watari basin depends heavily on aligning soil physical characteristics with appropriate cultivar selection to ensure regional food security. This study evaluates soil texture and maize cultivar suitability within irrigated agro-ecologies by analyzing 54 soil samples for physicochemical properties, including soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, exchangeable bases, and organic carbon. The research identified that the area is predominantly characterized by loamy and sandy loam soils, which are moderately suitable for maize production. Seven major cultivars, including hybrid and open-pollinated varieties, were identified. Results reveal clear relationships between soil texture and distribution: hybrid varieties are concentrated in well-drained sandy loam, while early maturing cultivars are common in clay-rich soils with higher moisture retention. These findings emphasize that soil texture critically determines cultivar performance and farmer selection strategies. Integrating soil suitability evaluation into extension services is essential for yield stability and sustainable irrigation planning in northern Nigeria.

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