Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
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Compost Made from Cow Dung and Sawdust Improves the Physicochemical and Biochemical Properties of the Soil, the Production and the Nutritional Quality of Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)
No full textThe effect of a compost based on cow dung and sawdust on the production and nutritional quality of tomatoes was evaluated. The compost was prepared by mixing the different constituents in variable mass/mass proportions: 25/75, 50/50, 75/25 and 100/0. The experimental device for growing tomatoes in pots was made in completely randomized random blocks with 5 repetitions, and 3 compost/soil mass/mass proportions (5%, 10% and 15%) for each variant. The physicochemical, biological and biochemical parameters of the compost and amended soils, the production and the nutritional quality of the fruits were evaluated. The C3 variant of compost showed the highest pH (9.88 ± 0.01); C4 presented the highest C/N ratio (21.45 ± 0.42); C2 showed the highest contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium, the highest values of bacterial and fungal flora and cellulase, protease, β-glucosidase, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities. Analysis of amended soils showed that: C2 (15%) has the highest pH. C1 (10%) presented the highest C/N ratio (42.12 ± 3.98) and C3 (15%) the highest contents of nitrogen, magnesium ions and calcium. C4 (15%) presented the highest potassium and sodium content. The compost significantly improved tomato production. The C2 (15%) compost was the most productive with 154 ± 3.00 fruits, 10 times more than the tomato produced with chemical fertilizer (15.00 ± 1.00 fruits). The Biological tomato showed higher proportions of ash, total sugars, lycopene, vitamin C and polyphenols than the chemical tomato. The results show that the organic treatment improved the physicochemical, biological and biochemical properties of the soil, the production and the nutritional quality of the tomato. The compost constitutes therefore an efficient method for sustainable agriculture
Effect of Foliar Application of Boron, Zinc and Manganese on Growth, Yield and Oil Contents of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
No full textA field trial was conducted to assess the effect of exogenously applied boron, zinc and manganese on growth, yield and oil contents of sunflower at Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during Spring, 2019. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used for the allocation of treatments with 3 replications. Seed was sown using dibbler on 75 cm apart ridges. Foliar treatments included T0= Control, T1= Water spray, T2= 0.6% boron (B), T3= 0.6% zinc (Zn), T4= 0.6% manganese (Mn), T5= 0.3% B+0.3% Zn, T6= 0.3% B+0.3% Mn, T7= 0.3% Zn+0.3% Mn and T8= 0.2% B+0.2% Zn+0.2% Mn). Boron, Zinc and Manganese were sprayed at 35 days and 55 days after sowing keeping Borax (H3BO3), Zinc Sulphate (ZnSo4) and Manganese Sulphate (MnSo4) as sources of B, Zn and Mn, respectively. Various phenological, physiological and agronomical traits were monitored and analysed. Spray of 0.2% B+0.2% Zn+0.2% Mn gave the high values of traits including number of achenes per head, 1000-achene weight (g), achene yield (kg ha-1), biological yield (kg ha-1), harvest index (%), oil yield (kg ha-1) and achene-oil content (%)
Varietal Response of Cola Species to Fertilizer Application on Field Establishment, Growth, Development and Canopy Characteristics
No full textResponses of Cola nitida and Cola acuminata to NPK and Super-gro fertilizers on seedling development, field establishment, and canopy characteristics were investigated in 2019-2020. Seedlings of the two Cola species were transplanted as a randomized complete block design with three replications on the field. Fertilizer treatments were imposed and the shoot and root growth parameters of the cola were monitored for two growing seasons. From the results, application of NPK fertilizer positively enhanced leaf and stem branch development as well as canopy features of the cola species compared to super-gro and the control treatments. Seedling height and leaf area development were higher significantly through application of super-gro compared with other treatments. Seedlings establishment were enhances by the application of super-gro over NPK and the control plots. Leaf production, stem branch number, stem girth development and leaf area development in Cola nitida were significantly higher than in Cola acuminata. Cola acuminata seedlings height were significantly higher compare to Cola nitida during the two growing seasons. The interactions of fertilizers and crop species reveals that NPK and super–gro application significantly influenced leaf production in C acuminata over C nitida. Stem branch production in C acuminata was better significantly under the treatment of NPK than that of C nitida under super-gro and the control plots. Canopy development was significantly higher under Cola acuminata treated with Super-gro followed by NPK with the control having the least. Canopy development in Cola nitida were significantly lower compared with Cola acuminata across the fertilizer treatments
The Nature of Soils and Their Agricultural Potential at Enemor Ener Woreda, Southern Ethiopia
No full textBackground: Availability of accurate soil data is necessary in understanding the nature of the soil and its status of the agricultural potential.
Aim: Thus, a research was carried out to investigate physicochemical and morphological properties of the soils and characterize, classify and mapping them accordingly at Enemor Ener woreda, southern Ethiopia.
Methods: Nineteen (19) representative pedons were opened from lower, middle and upper slopes and described them according to WRB (2014). Soil samples from each horizon were analysed for physicochemical properties.
Results: Soils in the study area are so variable in their formation and nutrient availability. The major soil textural classes are clay loam and clay. Calcium the most dominant exch. bases whereas, Magnesium, sodium and potassium follow in decreasing order. The soil pH was ranged from strongly acidic to neutral reaction. Total nitrogen and organic carbons contents in all soils of the pedons are low to very low. Phosphorous content was ranged from optimum to very low content. Cation exchange capacity and percentage of the base saturation were ranged from very high to optimum, in regards to the micronutrients such as iron, manganese, copper and zinc in the soils were ranged from sufficient III to sufficient I. Major soil types revealed in the study area are Chromic Luvisols, Haplic Nitisols, Mollic Leptosols and Mesotrphic Vertisols.
Conclusion: Soil properties and their potential status influenced by topography and land use type. Therefore, practice of soil integrated fertility management is vital for their sustainability
Effect of the Magnetic Treatment of Urea and Groundnut Seeds before Sowing on Its Yield and Quality under Sandy Soil Conditions
No full textAims: It is to study the effect of the magnetic treatment (MT) for 30 min of urea as nitrogen (N) fertilizer as well as the groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds before sowing on the crop yield and quality under sandy soil conditions. This is to increase the crop productivity in the reclaimed sandy soils.
Study Design: A Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates.
Place and Duration of Study: A field study have been carried out during the summer seasons of 2020 and 2021.
Methodology: The control has received the recommended dose RD of the urea fertilizer while other treatments received the rates 50%, 75%, and 100% of the RD as magnetized urea applied to the surface soil. The groundnut grains were exposed to a magnetic field (MF) 1.4 T intensity before sowing. Representative samples from soil and plant were taken after harvesting.
Results: At the 30-min time and 100% N-fertilization, the yield (kg ha-1) has increased relatively by 13.3% for pods and by 16.8% for the seeds. It has increased the chlorophyll a, b and the total chlorophyll (mg g-1 f.w) by 29.4%, 37%, and 32.2%, respectively. It has increased the soil available N by 33.7%, the P by 13.2%, and Mn by 11.8%. It also increased the K by 4.1%, Fe by 5.1%, and Zn by 9.7%. The nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and the agronomic efficiency (AE) were 5.76 and 2.75, respectively, being the highest value for the 100% rate compared to the 50% and 75% rates.
Conclusion: Magnetic treatment (MT) of urea as a nitrogen fertilizer and/or groundnut seeds for 30 min before cultivation can be recommended to enhance the N use efficiency under the sandy soil conditions. This can be attributed to the induction effect of the magnetic force on the chemical and biological reactions that enhance the nutrients availability and uptake in the soil-plant system
Influence of Two Cover Crops (Arachis repens L. and Desmodium adscendens Sw.) on Root Infestation of the “Great Dwarf” Dessert Banana Cultivar (Musa sp.) by Plant-parasitic Nematodes in Southeast Côte d’Ivoire
No full textContext: In Côte d’Ivoire, industrial banana plantations are faced with the problem of weediness. However, the use of herbicides as a means of control presents significant risks for human health and the environment. The abandonment of these products for more ecological alternatives such as cover crops is imminent.
Aims: This study aimed to compare the relative abundance and the density of the main plant-parasitic nematodes in the roots of banana and cover crops according to three weed management treatments.
Study Design and Methodology: The experimental design was a three-repeat Fisher block of three treatments consisting of implementation of A. repens and D. adscendens as cover crops and spraying of two synthetic herbicides (glufosinate and glyphosate) for weed management. The relative abundance and density of nematodes in the roots of banana and cover crops were assessed quarterly after extraction by the rapid double centrifugation-flotation method and enumeration under an optical microscope.
Results: Both cover crops and banana plants had their roots infested by the major parasitic nematodes evaluated (Radopholus similis, Pratylenchus spp., Helicotylenchus spp., Meloidogyne spp., Rotylenchulus reniformis and Hoplolaimus pararobustus). These infestations were not a function of weed management treatments. Compared to the use of herbicides, A. repens and D. adscendens used as ground cover did not significantly increase or decrease nematode dynamics in the plots. Individuals extracted from the roots of the cover crops, and particularly from D. adscendens, were more numerous than from the roots of the banana plants. In terms of proportions, Pratylenchus spp., R. similis, Helicotylenchus spp. and Meloidogyne spp. were most abundant. R. reniformis and H. pararobustus as well as various nematodes (plant parasites: Hirschmanniella spp., Xiphinema spp., ..., and non-plant parasites: fungivorous, carnivorous, bacterivorous, ...) were in the minority.
Conclusion: The results, particularly those of A. repens, could be useful in the biological, ecological and sustainable management of weed in banana plantations without important risks of pest pressure
Effect of Soil Amendments and Spraying with Antioxidants on Some Clay Soil Properties and Wheat Production under Climate Change Conditions
No full textClimate change is anticipated to a vigorous impact on soils and ecosystems due to elevated temperature and changes in precipitation lead to reduce in wheat yield. Thus, afield experiment was performed throughout two seasons 2021 and 2022 at Agricultural Research Station farm, Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt (30o 56 N latitude and 31o 05 E longitude) to investigate the effect of compost and biochar in the main plots in addition, applied of salicylic acid, potassium silicate and seaweed extract as plant spraying in the subplots on improving some physio-chemical properties of the clay soil, some biochemical constituents and productivity of wheat plants under climate change. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates. Data indicated that applying compost treatment appears to be more successful in reducing pH and bulk density of soil than biochar. Application of biochar treatment reduced electrical conductivity meanwhile, compost increased it. Hydraulic conductivity, total porosity, organic matter content, moisture constants of soil, cation exchange capacity were increased by applying all tested soil amendments in two seasons. All Soil amendments caused a marked improve in soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content. Meanwhile, compost treatment was the best one in increasing available nitrogen and potassium content. Compost application with all foliar spray had given a first order while foliar application under biochar addition had the second one. Data investigated that potassium silicate treatment increased grain & straw yield, harvest index, yield efficiency, 1000 grain weight, carbohydrates and protein. It is clearly observed that compost with potassium silicate treatment was superior to biochar with all foliar treatments of increasing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentration of grain and straw yields and its uptakes
Effect of Integrated Nitrogen Management on Growth and Yield of Okra at Sundarbazar, Lamjung, Nepal
No full textIntegrated Nutrient Management (INM) is a crucial approach to improving the sustainable yield of crops in an environmentally friendly manner. In this study, a field experiment was conducted at Lamjung Campus, Sundarbazar, Lamjung, from March 2022 to June 2022 to evaluate the effect of integrated nitrogen management on the growth and yield parameters of okra and to find out the suitable nitrogen management system in okra. A randomized full-block design was utilized in the investigation, with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments consisted of a control (T1) and six other combinations of nitrogen sources, with each treatment receiving 50% of its nitrogen from chemical fertilizers and 50% from organic sources. The amount of organic manure was calculated based on the nitrogen content of the manures. Farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure, vermicompost, mustard cake, and goat manure were tested as organic sources. The effect of treatment combinations was evaluated in terms of plant height, stem diameter, leaf numbers, days to first flower opening, days to first fruit maturity, number of pods per plant, length, and diameter of pods, and yield ha-1. The findings revealed that integrated nitrogen management strategies had a substantial impact on okra growth and output. Among all the treatments, 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure (T4), which gave the highest number of pods per plant (19.87), yield per ha (13.59 t/ha), and shortest days taken to first flowering (46.54 days) and plant height (54.80 cm), followed by T2, while the control treatment (T1) yielded the lowest. These findings suggest that the application of 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure is an effective strategy for obtaining a high yield of okra in the study area
Influence of Charcoal, Manure and Fertilizer Soil Amendment on Growth of Grevillea robusta Nursery Seedlings
No full textSoil amendment is vital especially in tree nurseries that are located away from the forest areas. Grevillea robusta seedlings are high nutrient demanders. An experiment was set up for a period of 8 months in 2021 at Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya to determine the effect of soil amendment on the early growth of Grevillea nursery seedlings. The experimental design was a CRD with 12 treatments replicated 3 times. The soil amendments included; manure, charcoal and artificial fertilizer combined with agricultural soil as well as their other combinations while forest soil was used as a check. The pot size was 9 by 12 cm in width and length respectively. Routine weeding and watering was done during the experimental period. The data was analyzed using SAS statistical package and the significance differences between means were separated using LSD at P<0.05. The results showed that forest soil and agricultural soil gave significantly (P < 0.05) the highest survival (84 and 81%) respectively compared with charcoal + manure + fertilizer combination (37%) which was the least. On the other hand, Forest soil had significantly (P < 0.05) the highest height (14.6cm) compared to all the other variables. Similarly, forest soil showed the highest root collar diameter (4.5 mm) which was significantly different from all the other variables measured except agricultural soil alone, agricultural soil + manure + fertilizer and agricultural soil + charcoal + manure which were similar. On the other hand, charcoal alone showed the highest root: shoot ratio (3.2), as well as root biomass which were significantly (P < 0.05) higher compared with agricultural soil + manure and charcoal + fertilizer. In conclusion, forest soil was superior in supporting the growth of both shoot, foliage and root collar diameter of grevillea seedlings. On the other hand, charcoal showed higher root to shoot ratio as well as root biomass. Forest soil is therefore recommended to be used in raising Grevillea nursery seedlings in areas nearby the forest. However, for areas located far away from the forest, a mixture of agricultural soil + manure + fertilizer or charcoal is recommended. Further research is recommended on using the same soil mixtures on other tree species which are less demanding in nutrient uptake
Growth and Productivity of Pigeon Pea Genotypes under Different Plant Geometry and Its Residual Impact on Some Soil Chemical Properties
No full textField experiments were conducted during the 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons at the research fields of CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute located at Nyankpala in the Guinea savannah agroecology of Ghana. The objective was to test the effect of genotype and plant geometry on the growth and productivity of pigeon pea and its residual effect on some soil chemical properties. The work involved three pigeon pea genotypes (L-2015-2, L-2015-3 and ICP-8863) and four spacing levels; 100 cm x 30 cm, 100 cm x 45 cm, 100 cm x 60 cm and 100 cm x 75 cm. Analysis of variance indicated a significant interaction effect of genotype, year and spacing effect on number of branches per plant, pod length, grain yield, 1000 seed weight and harvest index. Genotype x spacing effect was significant for all traits except the number of seeds per pod. (294.7 cm) whilst genotype L-2015-3 at 100 cm x 60 cm produced the shortest plants (222.9 cm). Genotype L-2015-2 at 100 cm x 60 cm in 2021 had the highest grain yield (2311 kg/ha) whilst genotype ICP8863 at 100 cm x 60 cm in 2020 had the lowest grain yield (391 kg/ha). A post-2020 cropping season soil analysis revealed improvement in key soil chemical properties, explaining the better crop performance in 2021. Genotype L-2015-2 had the highest overall average grain yield (1484 kg/ha) whilst ICP8863 had the lowest overall grain yield. The study indicated that the different genotypes required different spacing for their optimum yield due to differences in plant architecture, growth and branching habit. Spacing had significant influence on plant height, number of leaves at flowering, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod which were significantly and positively correlated with grain yield. Therefore, each genotype should be matched with its preferred spacing for optimum growth and maximum grain yield