Asian Soil Research Journal
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Evaluation of Different Extractants for Boron Estimation in Soils of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh
No full textThe present study was conducted to compare the four different extractants widely used in boron (B) determination in soils and to screen the most suitable extractant for acidic (Alfisols) and alkaline (Vertisols) soils of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. A total of 200 surface soil samples were collected across two sites (100 from each site) representing different pH ranges. Hot-water-soluble boron (HWS-B) extraction procedure being the most widely used B determination procedure was kept as a benchmark in order to compare the B extracting efficiency by the extractants viz., 0.01 M Calcium Chloride (CaCl2), 1 N Ammonium acetate (NH4OAc) pH-7.0 and 0.01 M Barium Chloride. The mean values of hot water extractable B for acidic soils were 0.49 (mean between 0.18 and 1.50 mg kg-1), CaCl2 – 0.42 (mean between 0.14 and 1.52 mg kg-1), BaCl2 – 0.45 (mean between 0.10 and 1.68 mg kg-1) and NH4OAc – 0.60 (mean between 0.17 and 2.43 mg kg-1). The mean values of hot water extractable B for alkaline soils were 1.87 (mean between 0.71 and 4.79 mg kg-1), CaCl2 – 1.57 (mean between 0.45 and 5.43 mg kg-1), BaCl2 – 1.37 (mean between 0.52 and 4.15 mg kg-1) and NH4OAc – 1.92 (mean between 0.85 and 8.33 mg kg-1) in acidic and alkaline soils respectively. The coefficient of variation for extractable B varied from 53.0 to 66.6 and 42.7 to 55.7 in acidic and alkaline soils respectively. The variation in B extracting efficiency in both the types of soils was found in the order: Hot water > Hot CaCl2 > BaCl2 > NH4OAc. Authors conclude that amongst all the compared extractants, 0.01 M CaCl2 extraction may be an adequate procedure for B determination in both the acidic as well as alkaline soils
The Effect of Land Uses on Soil Erodibility (Index) and Soil Loss of the Keana Geological Sediments of Parts of Nasarawa State, Nigeria
No full textThe effect of land uses on soil erodibility and soil loss of the Keana geological sediments of parts of Nasarawa State, Nigeria was investigated in this study. Geographic positioning system (GPS) was used to identify three land uses (agricultural, forested, and residential). Soil samples were collected from top soils at 0-30 cm depth using core sampler from 1 ha of each land use in 8 settlement communities (16 locations). Standard laboratory methods for soil analysis were followed for determination of Dispersion ratio, Erosion ration, Clay ratio and Modified clay ratio. Linear regression and correlation were used to determine the logical relationship between the erodibility index and corresponding soil loss. The soils from the study area were classified as sandy loam and sandy clay loam with high density, high permeability and porosity making them less vulnerable to shear stress. Dispersion ration (DR) modified clay ratio (MCR), Clay ratio (CR) and Erosion ratio (ER) where high, which suggests that soils from the study area are vulnerable to erosion at various degree of susceptibility. Mean value of erodibility factor (K) and predicted soil loss of 0.0492, 0.0460 and 0.0357; 7.77, 7.20 and 5.48 tonnes/hectare/year for agricultural, forested, and residential lands respectively. The findings suggest that land uses influence the soil erodibility in the formation is in this order residential land > agricultural land > forested land use. The erosion class is ‘very low’ for forested (soils in this class have very slight to no erosion potential), ‘low’ (soil losses will occur) for agricultural and residential land uses respectively. These findings suggest that soil erodibility has been significantly influence by land use change in Keana geological sediment
Effect of Different N Management on Improving N Efficiency in Rice- tarom Variety
No full textThe chlorophyll meter (SPAD) and leaf colour chart (LCC) are simple, portable diagnostic tools that can measure the crop N status in situ in rice fields to determine the timing of N top dressingAn experiment was carried out in Rice Research Institute in Mazandaran, in 2019. A test material has been evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Tarom variety were grown under eight treatments at plant density of 25*25 cm. Eight treatments included a zero-N control, o splits, chlorophyll meter 35, 37, 40, LCC 4 and 5. Result showed that Both LCC and SPAD can be used to improve N management for rice. The optimal SPAD threshold for determining the timing of N-application was 35. LCC treatments indicated that N-management based on LCC shade 4 helped avoid over application of N. Critical value of LCC 4 was more beneficial in enhancing the growth and agronomic, physiologic and internal efficiency. It is suggested that when N-management technology such as real time N-management (SPAD and LCC) were used, would avoid to over application of N fertilizer by rice farmers. The objective of this study is to determine critical threshold SPAD and LCC value of Tarom variety of rice(Oyiza Sativa L)
The Impact of Potassium Sources and Bio Fertilizer on Corn Plant and Potassium Availability in Calcareous Soil
No full textTwo field experiments were conducted in a calcareous soil during summer seasons of 2019 and 2020 at the experimental in a private farm Mallawi, El- Minia Governorate, Egypt to evaluate application of K fertilization at different rates of K2SO4 and non-classic products, i.e. K feldspar, mixture with or without inoculation with the K dissolving bacteria (Bacillus circulans.) soil chemical properties, plant growth, yield and nutritional value of corn (Zea-maize hybrid third 310). Our results proved that inoculation of maize seeds with Bacillus circulans at rate of 36% K2O improved soil pH, EC, soil organic matter content and enhanced the soil available N, P and K concentrations. Also, the growth parameters, yield and nutritional status of the plants were significantly increased by using non-traditional potassium fertilizers particularly in the case of seed inoculated with potassium dissolving bacteria (Bacillus circulans)
Assessment of Heavy Metal Contents in Three Different Land used Soils in Ohaji/Egbema Imo State, Nigeria
No full textThis assessment of some heavy metal contents in different land used soils in Ohaji/Egbema, Imo State was conducted between June, 2019 and May, 2020. Three land used soils namely; the grass land, continuously cropped and forest land were studied. Soil profile representations were established in each of the physiographic units and soil samples collected from the pedogenetic horizons for the analysis of some heavy metals like Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), and Iron (Fe). The heavy metals observed in this study were Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe while Pb was not detected in this study. The results of this study showed that the grass land, continuously cropped and forest land had no Pb detected. The heavy metal contents(Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe) detected decreases with depth from 0.15cm depth to 60-90 cm depth in grass land and continuously cropped and forested land respectively. The occurrence of Fe was high in forested land which ranges from 7.8-6.3Mg/Kg with mean value of 7.0Mg/Kg than continuous cropped land and grass land with lower values. The forest land had high sodium content with mean value of 0.74 and high electrical conductivity with a mean 4.91 dsm-1. The results showed low to moderate heavy metal load in forest land and high to moderate load of heavy metals in the grass land and continuously cropped land
Influence of N:K Ratios in Soils on Growth, Nutrient Availability and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Southern Nigeria
No full textThis study was undertaken to determine the influence of N:K ratios applied to soils and the availability of N, K on yield of maize in two distinct ecological zones of Edo state of Nigeria. The sites used were Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) Iyanomo (Forest) and the Teaching and Research Farm of Ambrose Alli University, Emaudo, Ekpoma (Derived Savanna). The soils of the two experimental sites were analyzed for both physical and chemical properties before the commencement of the experiments. The experiments were carried out as pot experiments in the screen house and field experiments. Each of the experiments had ten treatments (adjusted ratios) that were fitted into randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Maize was used as the test crop. Results from the screen house revealed that N/K ratio 4:1 had the highest dry matter yield for both locations, (RRIN; 2.60 g/pot and Emaudo; 2.75 g/pot) but these values were not significantly different (P < 0.05) from what were obtained from N/K ratio 3:1 and 2:1, respectively. The N:K ratio in soil had influence on the availability of N and K. Under field conditions, N/K ratio 4:1 had the highest grain yield for both locations (RRIN; 3.46 ton/ha and Emaudo; 3.33 ton/ha), and the highest cob field weight (RRIN; 9.92 ton/ha and Emaudo; 9.33 ton/ha), hence its recommendation
Origin and Dynamics of Termite Mound Soils in Southern India
No full textAims: In Southern India, termite above-ground nests can have the shape of cathedral (CAT) or lenticular (LENT) mounds. Although CATare built by the fungus-growing species Odontotermes obesus, the origin and evolution of LENT remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of to study was to estimate the origin and dynamics of LENT from their specific physical and chemical properties.
Study Site: This study was carried out in the Bandipur Tiger reserve (dry deciduous forest), Karnataka, Southern India.
Methodology: All the soil samples were collected in a Fluvisol in the Mule Hole experimental watershed.Only large size mounds between 1.5 - 1.8m high were considered in this study. Soil samples were collected from the outer wall of CATnest and from the soil surface layer (0-5 cm deep) and surrounding soil. Particle-size distribution and dispersion were obtained by process of sedimentation. All the statistical analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA) were calculated using R studio and R version 3.2.1.
Results: Using elemental physical and chemical properties, this study showed a gradient of soil properties from the soil sampled between 50-100 cm depth to CAT, LENT and the surrounding topsoil (CTRL, Fluvisol), suggesting that: (i) CAT can be considered patches in the landscapes with specific physical and chemical properties in comparison with CTRL and LENT; (ii) LENT mounds can result from the progressive modification of CTRL (autogenic origin of LENT) and their degradation leads to a progressive recovery of CTRL properties or (iii) they originate from the colonization of abandoned CAT by other termite species (exogenic origin of LENT).
Conclusion: This study confirms the complexity of CAT and LENT fates and the need for long-term datasets to determine the origin and evolution of termite mounds
Freundlich and Langmuir Isotherm Studies of Phosphorus Sorption unto Soils Derived from Basement Complex Rock, Alluvium, Coastal Plain Sand and Shale Parent Materials
No full textTo provide information on best model to predict Phosphorus (P) Sorption unto Soils derived from Basement Complex Rock, Alluvium, Coastal Plain Sand and Imo Shale Parent Materials in 3 states of Nigeria. Completely randomized design was used to collect surface soil samples in 3 replications from 4 locations in Nigeria.
Samples were collected from Idanre, Koko, NIFOR and Uhonmora in Ondo, Delta and Edo states Nigeria, laboratory analysis was carried out in the Central analytical laboratory of Nigerian Institute for Oil-Palm Research (NIFOR) Benin City, Nigeria between march 2016 and September 2017.
Soil samples were equilibrated in 25 ml of 0.01 M CaCl2 containing various concentration of P as KH2PO4 to give 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/L P for 24 hours (h) at room temperature 25 ± 2oC. 3 drops of CHCl3 was added to inhibit P mineralization. The suspension was shaken for 24 h on a reciprocating mechanical shaker, centrifuged at 7000 rpm After equilibration, decanted and P determined using spectrophotometer. The sorption data were fitted to linear Freundlich and Langmuir sorption isotherm.
Considering the Freundlich model, P adsorption capacity (a) and P sorption energy (n) was highest in soils B (1400 mg kg-1) and (2.806 L kg-1) respectively. The Freundlich model fitted better to the data obtained with average root mean square error (RMSE) and R2 value of 0.69 and 0.951 respectively, as against average RMSE and R2 value of 1.60 and 0.883 respectively obtained from Langmuir model.
The sorption data fitted well to Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms of which Freundlich Adsorption model was found to be better based on lowest RMSE (0.69) and highest regression (R2 = 0.951) value. Freundlich model should be adopted to determine P sorption characteristics of the soils studied. These predictors, however, need further works to validate reliability
Contribution of Selected Herbivores’ Dung on the Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
No full textThis study was done to determine the contribution of selected herbivores’ dung in the grazed ecosystem of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. To achieve this Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen were determined in four distinct textural soils in three sites, namely Serena with clay and clay loam, Barafu with sandy loam, sandy clay loam, and Seronera with sand clay loam. Thereafter the decomposition of dung pats in terms of weight change and percentage of nutrients in dung pats of four herbivore species (buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and elephant) incorporated into the soil beneath the dung pats were determined. Fresh dung, soil cores beneath the dung pats and control soils 1 m adjacent to the pats were taken for laboratory analysis. Dung pats and soil samples were analysed for initial percentage OC, N, pH and soil particle size distribution. Weight changes of the dung pats after each three weeks period were monitored. Similarly, monthly rainfalls during the study period were recorded from the rain gauges near the sites. The results indicate that the surface soil (0-15 cm depth) pH ranged from 6.0 - 7.5, 7.4 -7.9 and 6.1 - 7.4 for Serena, Barafu and Seronera respectively. While the soil texture was highly significantly different in percentage OC added after 18 weeks, the treatments and texture were both not significant for percentage N increased in the soil after 18 weeks. There was a difference of 1% between the ruminants and non-ruminants in percentage N increase although they were fluctuating over time due to weather changes. The C/N ratios of the controls and the treatments were on average 11 and 15 respectively, being highly significantly different and indicating that, treatments had a potential contribution to the soil OC and N in the ecosystem
Pertinent Nutrient Status in Soil and Water of Kargah and Napuras Streams in Gilgit Valley
No full textAims: To observe the status of salinity build up besides inorganic nutrient status at different sites in Kargah and Napuras streams of Gilgit valley.
Study Design: one-way ANOVA means using LSD test.
Place and Duration of Study: Kargah and Napuras streams and nearby village in Gilgit valley and the duration of the study was 3 months.
Methodology: Soil and water sampling to analyze pertinent salinity parameters besides inorganic nutrient status.
Results: Soil and water properties for important salinity parameters were normal at mid point after entering the village areas of Kargah and Napuras streams. Human activities especially to raise crops by applying fertilizers needs to monitor with a specific time scale in order to avoid salinity build up.