International Journal of Agricultural Research1816-48972152-2553Academic Journals Inc.10.3923/ijar.2012.358.366Ufot Akpan-IdiokAckley 7201277The aim of this research was to study the physicochemical properties, degradation rates and vulnerability potential of coastal plain soils and suggest appropriate management strategies. Twenty composite soil samples (0-15 and 15-30 cm) collected from agricultural lands at ten locations in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State of Nigeria were studied. The soils were characterized as follows: texture of loamy sand surface overlying sandy loam subsurface; pH (4.9-5.2), organic carbon (4.2-26.5 g kg-1), total nitrogen (0.4-2.2 g kg-1), carbon-nitrogen ratio (11-18), available P (45-73 mg kg-1), effective Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) (2.63-5.52 cmol kg-1), base saturation (39-92%), Ca:Mg ratio (1.50-3.00) and Mg:K ratio (2.94-20.00). The Soil Degradation Rate (SDR)/Vulnerability potential (Vp) weighted values of texture (4/2), soil pH(H2O) (5/1), organic carbon (4/2), total nitrogen (1/5) and effective cation exchange capacity (2/4) showed susceptibility of the soils to degradation or vulnerability. The soils could be managed by liming, planting of acid tolerant species and adopting appropriate cultural practices.]]>Akpan-Idiok, A.U., P.O. Ogbaji and N.R.B. Antigha,201256274Black, C.A., D.D. Evans, J.L. White, L.E. Ensminger and F.E. Clerk,1965Bray, R.H. and L.T. Kurtz,19452nd Edn.,Bulktrade and Investment Company Limited,19891989Enwezor, W.O., E.J. Udo, N.J. Usoroh, K.A. Ayotade, J.A. Adepetu, V.O. Chude and C.I. Udegbe,1989Pages: 163Pages: 163Epstein, E.,1972FPDD.,19891989FPDD,19901990Holland, M.D.G., A.D. Barton and S.T. Morph,19891989Ikemefuna, E.P., 20102010Juo, A.S.R.,1979Lal, R.,19941994Landon, J.R., 19911st Edn.,Pages: 530Pages: 530Novak, J.M., W.J. Busscher, D.L. Laird, M. Ahmedna, D.W. Watts and M.A.S. Niandou,2009174105112Nton, M.E. and T.B., Esua,201044115132Metson, A.J.,1961Pages: 207Pages: 207McLean, E.O.,19651965pp: 987-990pp: 987-990Ogban, P.I., T.P. Ekanem, E.A. Etim and G.S. Effiong,19981998Oguike, P.C. and J.S.C. Mbagwu,200956369Paul, E.A. and F.E. Clark,1989Salama, R.B., D.W. Pollock, J.D. Byrne and G.W. Bartle,20012001pp: 105117Shiyam, J.O., B.F.D. Oko, A.E. Uko, H.D. Uket and N.E. Ekanem,2007114Sommerlatte, M. and A. Umar,20002000Walkley, A. and I.A. Black,1934372938Udo, E.J.,197711315337Chikezie, I.A., H. Eswaran, D.O. Asawalam and A.O. Ano,2010162329