Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
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Evaluation of Nitrogen Sources and Polymer Coated Fertilizers on Wheat Yield in Sandy Soil
No full textControlled-release fertilizers are the novel and most technically advanced way of supplying mineral nutrients to crops. Compared to conventional fertilizers, their gradual pattern of nutrient release better meets plant needs, minimizes leaching, and therefore improves fertilizer use efficiency. A field experiment was carried out to study the effects of different nitrogen sources, application times, and nitrogen rates at south El-kantra Research Station, Desert Research Center, North Sinai, Egypt. The study aimed to investigate nitrogen rates at 107,160, and 214 kg/ha on wheat yield components, nutrients content and uptake by straw and grains of wheat crop (var. Sakha 93) and the level of available nutrients in the soil.
The study revealed that increasing the application rate of N, increased yield components, nutrients content and uptake of wheat as well as increased the elements in soil. Application of 214 kg/ha of Polymer-Coated Urea (PCU) at the heading stage resulted the highest yield and recorded 6.37, 3.02, 3.35 ton/fed and 51 g for dry weight of biological yield, grain, shoots and 1000-grain, respectively. This study highlights the efficiency of fertilizers that can be significantly improved with the use of PCU as N sources and subsequently minimise the pollution hazard with other studied N sources. The highest value of N recovery efficiency (41.88%) was recorded by application of 214 kg/ha PCU at the heading stage when compared with the conventional source
Effects of Vermicompost on the Growth and Yield of Sweet Corn in Bukidnon, Philippines
No full textAims: To determine the influence of fertilizer on the growth and yield of sweet corn grown under Bukidnon, Philippines condition.
Place and Duration of Study: Research Station of IPB-UPLB, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines on February 2016 to May 2016.
Methodology: Soil samples were taken from the site for initial characterization. Six treatments were employed; T1- no fertilizer,T2- Recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer (RRIF) based on soil analysis of the experimental area (70 – 50 – 0 N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1), T3- 2 tons ha-1 Vermicompost, T4- ½ RRIF (35 – 25 – 0 N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1) + 1 ton ha-1 Vermicompost, T5- ½ RRIF (35 – 25 – 0 N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1) + 2 tons ha-1 Vermicompost and T6- RRIF (70 – 50 – 0 N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1) + 1 ton Vermicompost. Harvesting proceeded at 70 days after sowing (DAS).
Results: The application of Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 significantly influenced the plant height of sweet corn at 20 DAS. Soil’s negative logarithm of hydrogen ions present or pH was greatly affected by the application of inorganic fertilizer alone. Moreover, the application of ½ RRIF + 2 tons of Vermicompost ha-1 caused significant effects towards the organic matter content (%) of the soil at harvest. On the other hand, the yield of sweet corn measured by the number of ears expressed in per hectare basis shows to be highly affected by the application of Full RRIF along with 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1.
Conclusion: The combined application of the recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer and Vermicompost are possible ways that may be undertaken in order to yield sweet corn in higher portion under Bukidnon condition as well as maintaining the quality of the soil of Bukidnon, Philippines
Prediction of Nitrogen Application in Maize Based on the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)
No full textAims: To determine the quantity of nitrogen required for vegetative, yield and yield components of maize and to predict these attributes using the normalised difference vegetative index.
Study Design: Experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design five treatments and replicated three replicates.
Place and Duration of Study: Field experiment was carried out at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology at Teaching and Research Farm, Ogbomoso (latitude 8º10\u27 N, longitude 40º10\u27 E and elevation 1,286 m), Nigeria, during the raining season between June and October of 2015.
Methodology: Seeds of nine maize hybrids were obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, and submitted to five nitrogen rates (0, 80, 100, 120 and 140 kg Nha-1). Seeds were sown in two 5 m row plots with 0.75 m space between rows and 0.5 m within rows. Data of NDVI at 2, 3 and 4 weeks after planting (WAP), number of leaves, plant height, cob weight, grain weight, harvest index of cob and grain were collected and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results: The ANOVA indicated significant variation (P ≤ 0.05) among nitrogen treatments for all growth and yield parameters. There was a significant correlation between NDVI values and grain yield per hectare indicating that NDVI can be used to predict maize performance. As a result of the magnitude of the correlation coefficient between NDVI at 4 WAP and grain yield (GY), regression analysis was computed between these two parameters; for every possible change in the value of NDVI 4 WAP, the corresponding equation: GY = 2592.5 + 9653.5 x (NDVI 4WAP).
Conclusion: The study concluded that application of 140 kg Nha-1 nitrogen fertiliser improves yield and yield components of maize. Moreover, judicious application of remote sensing (based on the NDVI) can be used to predict maize performance, thereby enhancing nutrient and other resource management in maize and ensuring high grain yield production
Enhancement of Seed Zinc and Iron Density in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata): A Physiological Approach
No full textThe present study was conducted to enhance the zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) concentration in cowpea (V. unguiculata L.) var. Rituraj using physiological approach. Cowpea was grown in soil-pot culture subjected to soil application at presowing and foliar application of Zn, Fe and their combination at different time period of plant growth during the growing season February to April 2016 at Lucknow University campus. In soil application, the rate of ZnSO4.7H2O and FeSO4.7H2O application was 10 mg kg-1 soil each and foliar application was done at 0.5% of Zn and Fe at 35, 45 and 55 days of plant growth after sowing. The concentration of photosynthetic pigments, specific activities of catalase, peroxidase and carbonic anhydrase in leaves and tissue Zn and Fe concentrations in single treatment 17.41% & 68.90% and in combined treatment 26.92% & 8.83% respectively in seeds were significantly increased as compared to control. Zinc translocation from flag leaves to seed and its accumulation was more significant in the combined treatment of Zn and Fe foliar application at 35 days after sowin
Properties and Sensibility to Physical Degradation of Soils under Cotton Cropping in Korola Watershed, Sikasso Region, Mali
No full textSoil physical, chemical and biological degradation is a global problem, which must be monitored by each country in order to have better decision-making for agriculture and environment. In this case, study has been undertaken in Mali at agricultural watershed scale. The present paper is related to Korola watershed (1245.3 km2). Here, and in the major part of Sikasso region, cotton cultivation for industry was introduced during the 1960s. Soil degradation is considered as a handicap to the improvement of cotton production, a general problem in Western and Central Africa. A deeper understanding of soils and their sensibility to degradation is needed in order to choose better strategies to improve their management and productivity. The methodology used in the present study includes soil profile descriptions, particle size analyzes, carbon, nitrogen and pH measurement, the use of pedotransfer functions to assess soil structure and their sensitivity to erosion. In Korola watershed, 3 soil types (soil1, soil2, soil3) are selected by farmers for cotton cropping. Soil1 (Guinin dugukolo) and soil2 (Mura dugukolo) have a high amount in silt, while soil3 (Ciencien dugukolo) is rich in sand. All these soils are poor in organic matter (≤ 1%) and present a high risk of acidification. The index of battance (IB) of surface horizons (respectively 15.9, 11.0 and 15.4 for the three types soils) indicate a unfavorable structure. The destructuration index (St) indicate a high sensibility to soil erosion. The values of soil erodibility index (K) are respectively 0.44; 0.55 and 0.09 for the three types of soils
Response of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) to Different Levels of NPK Fertilizer Application in Cassava/Sesame Intercrop in Makurdi, Nigeria
No full textField experiments was conducted during the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons at the Teaching and Research farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi to evaluate the response of cassava and sesame to different rates of fertilizer NPK 20:10:10 application under intercropping. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of three levels of NPK 20:10:10 (0 kg/ha, 200 kg/ha, 400 kg/ha) and two cropping systems [sole cropping (cassava and sesame) and intercropping (cassava + sesame)] laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Sole cropping gave significantly higher plant height at harvest, number of leaves at harvest, number of branches at harvest, number of roots per plant, root diameter and root yield of cassava than intercropping. Fertilizer level at 400kg/ha gave significantly (P≤ 0.05) higher plant height at harvest, number of leaves at harvest, number of branches at harvest, number of roots per plant, root diameter and root yield of cassava than 200 and 0 kg/ha NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer respectively. Intercropping gave higher number of days to 50% flowering of sesame than sole cropping. However, sole cropping gave significantly higher plant height at harvest, number of leaves at harvest, number of branches at harvest; stem girth, number of capsules per plant, grain yield and 1000-seed weight of sesame than intercropping. Sesame yield and growth parameters increased with increase in NPK fertilizer application. All intercrop combinations had LER values above 1.0 indicating intercrop advantages. Therefore 400kg/ha NPK 20:10:10 should be recommended for cassava/sesame intercrops in Makurdi Location, Nigeria
Influence of Organic Fertilizer (Nomau®) on Soil, Leaf Nutrient Content, Growth and Yield of Physic Nut (Jatropha curcas) in Makurdi, North Central, Nigeria
No full textAim: The aim of investigation was to evaluate the influence of organic fertilizer on soil, leaf nutrient content, growth and yield of Physic nut in Makurdi, North Central, Nigeria.
Study Design: The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated trice.
Place and Duration of the Study: Field experiment was carried out at Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria during 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons.
Methodology: The trial consisted of four treatments: organic fertilizer (Nomau®) at rate of 0, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 t ha-1. Soil samples were collected from the plough layer (0 – 20 cm) at the beginning of the experiment as composite. After harvest of the first and second cropping seasons, soil composite samples were collected on the basis of treatments for routine chemical analysis. The Nomau® manure was incorporated into the soil two weeks before planting physic nut. Parameters measured at three weeks intervals number of primary branches, plant height and leaf area and yield at the end of cropping season.
Results: Organic fertilizer is an important contribution of organic matter that improves the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil. The soil at the experimental site had soil pH which was adequate for producing most crops in the tropics, low in organic matter, available phosphorus, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable calcium, potassium and Magnesium. It increased SOM, N, P, Mg, K, Na and CEC. Its application significantly increased number of primary branches, plant height, leaf area, leaf N, P and K concentrations of physic nut and yield relative to control.
Conclusion: The findings from the experiment shows that maximum production of physic nut and soil sustainability can be achieved from treatment 1.00 t ha-1 if properly managed in Markudi, Nigeria
Study on the Effectiveness of Natural Organic Fertilizers on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) Cultivation
No full textAims: In this study, the field experiment was performed to study the soil properties changes, tuber yield and nutritional quality of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) using organic fertilizers.
Study Design: Two organic fertilizers treatments; Natural (wood ash 740 kg/ha + bat guano 740 kg/ha + defatted sesame meal 1880 kg/ha) and Vedagro (1480 kg/ha) along with Control (no fertilizer) were applied. The length of the experimental farm is 14 m, and the width is 7 m long. Totally seven rows of cassava cultivation were carried out in this 98 m2 experimental farm. Fourteen ridges were prepared in each row. In the farm, one row of cassava cultivation (14 m long) including 14 ridges was treated with no fertilizer and assigned as "Control". Next three rows were treated with natural fertilizer (defatted sesame meal, bat guano, and wood ash) and denoted as ‘Natural\u27. The other three rows were treated with commercial organic fertilizer Vedagro and it was assigned as ‘Vedagro\u27.
Place and Duration of Study: The study area is located in Seik Kyi Village, Kyon Pyaw Township, Ayeyarwady Region (latitude 15º40ʹN and longitude 94º15ʹE), Myanmar. It was conducted during the 2013 March and 2014 January cropping season.
Methodology: The soil samples were collected in randomized block design replicated three times. The characteristics and physicochemical properties of before fertilized and post harvest soil samples were studied by AOAC methods.
Results: Initial soils were acidic, very low in organic matter (OM), moderately low in N and P. The organic fertilizers used had relatively high N and P and good percentages of K, Ca and Mg. At the post harvest time, Natural and Vedagro increased soil OM, N, P, K and Mg significantly. Natural fertilizer did not much change soil pH, while Vedagro increased it. Proximate composition of Cassava on different treatments has been found as 57.02, 57.67 and 67.22% of moisture, 0.10, 0.08 and 0.09% of crude fat, 1.32, 0.56 and 0.76% of protein, 1.24, 1.01 and 1.12% of dietary fiber, 39.49, 39.77 and 38.56% of carbohydrate, 0.83, 0.91 and 0.85% ash, 161, 165 and 158 kcal /100 g based on fresh sample for Natural, Vedagro and Control, respectively.
Conclusion: Relative to Control, both Natural and Vedagro fertilizer increased tuber yield about 79%. The study revealed that both organic fertilizer treatments had high tuber yield, the high nutrient value in tuber and the least post harvest soil nutrients depleting
Morphology, Physicochemical Characterisation and Erodibility of Soils of Boboyo (Far - North Cameroon)
No full textThe present work contributes to the study of soils in the Northern part of Cameroon, precisely in Boboyo region soils. This work aims to study morphology and physicochemical characteristics of those soils and to assess their vulnerability to erosion. Methodology: Ten wells were dug according to two directions: one direction W-E and one direction NNE-SSW. The principal analyses carried out in a laboratory are the physicochemical analyses: the granulometric analyse and the proportioning of organic carbon, total nitrogen, the exchangeable bases, the pH and residual moisture. The erodibility indices are calculate starting from the physicochemical data of the soils.
Six types of soils were identified in Boboyo: alluvial soils (entisols, fluvisols) widely spread in the region, covering the seasonally flooded plain, lithosols were found in the upper part of the landscape, colluvial soils (arenosols, regosols) were located in the Piedmont, the vertical alluvial soils were located in lower part of the slope in flooded plain, vertisols and ferruginous indurate soils were founded between colluvial (arenosols, regosols) and alluvial soils (entisols, fluvisols). The physico-chemical analyses reveal that: the colluvial soils (arenosols, regosols) are neutral to weakly acid (7 to 5,4), clayey-sandy to sandy; the vertisols are weakly acid (pH=6,3), sandy-clay (sand =77,9 and clay=19,6); The alluvial soils (entisols, fluvisols) are acid to neutral (pH= 5,2 to 7), sandy (80%); the vertic alluvial soils are neutral (pH=7), clayey-sandy (clay 34,2 and sand 65,3) and ferruginous indurate soils (luvisols) are acid (pH=5,2), sandy. All these soils are saturated (78 to 98), poor in organic matter (0,72 to 2,89%) and nitrogen and characterised by moderate proportions of exchangeable bases. The assessment of the erodibility based on erodibility indices enables to show that alluvial soils (entisols, fluvisols) are most vulnerable to erosion while the colluvial soils (arenosols, regosols) are less susceptible
Isolation and Characterisation of Particulate Organic Matter in Some Soils of Ganges Meander Floodplain and Ganges Tidal Floodplain of Bangladesh
No full textThe research was conducted with six representative soil series of Ganges Meander Floodplain and Ganges Tidal Floodplain of Bangladesh during the period of September, 2016 to March, 2017 to isolate and characterise the active fraction of particulate organic matter and its effect on nitrogen and other soil properties. A total 36 soils samples (0-15 cm) were collected in the field through random sampling from six representative soil series of GMF and GTF under different cropping pattern. The laboratory investigation was carried out in the Department of Soil, Water and Environment Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh. The results indicate that the pH of the studied soils was neutral to mildly alkaline and all the studied soils were non-saline. The active fraction of soil organic matter as well as particulate organic matter was found highest (11.62 g/kg) in Barisal and lowest (2.90 g/kg) in Sara soil series. The highest amount of total nitrogen was found in the soil of Barisal (10.88 g/kg) series and the lowest was in Ishurdi (7.02 g/kg) soil series. In the present study, a positive relationship was found between total nitrogen content and particulate organic matter. The highest amount of micro-aggregate associated carbon at > 0.50 mm range was found in the soil of Barisal series (11.26 g/kg) and the lowest was in Sara series (2.11 g/kg). The highest amount of micro-aggregate associated carbon in the range of 0.50-0.25 mm was found in Amjhupi series (10.88 g/kg) and the lowest was in Ishurdi series (7.02 g/kg). Total nitrogen content of the soils was positively correlated with POM, SOM, clay, pH but negatively correlated with silt. Moreover, silt and the particulate organic matter is negatively correlated. Soil organic carbon associated with the aggregates of 0.50-0.25 mm size range had a positive correlation with SOM associated with the aggregates of > 0.50 mm size range which is significant at 5% level. The P value between SOC 2 and SOM is significant, while in case of POM it is highly significant at 5% level of significance