ABSTRACT: In this study, we have applied the k0 –neutron activation analysis (k0 – NAA) standardization technique to evaluate the concentration of various elements of significant for plant growth in the cultivated areas of Dutsin-Ma Local Government, Katsina State, North – West Nigeria. The samples and the standard reference material (NIST Coal Fly Ash 1633b) were irradiated at a thermal power level of 31.0 kW corresponding to a neutron flux setting of 2.5 x 1011 cm-2 s-1 and 5.0 x 1011 cm-2 s-1for the outer and inner irradiation channels respectively using the Nigeria Research Reactor – 1 (NIRR – 1).The result of the NIST Coal Fly Ash 1633b showed good agreement with the certified values using the k0-IAEA program. Besides, the concentration of twenty-six elements (Mg, Al, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Dy, Na, K, As, Br, La, Sm, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, Rb, Sb, Cs, Ba, Eu, Yb, Lu and Hf) were determined from 25 different samples collected within the study areas using the k0 – IAEA program.The result shows that most of the trace elements required for plant growth are adequate, but elements like Mg and Ca are deficient, while Al, Mn and Fe, as well as the heavy metals (Cr and Zn) in most of the samples studied has reached toxic levels.
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