Asian Soil Research Journal
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An Empirical Survey on Damages Caused by Erosional Depositions on Farmlands along Jimeta-Yola Road, Adamawa State Nigeria
No full textAim: To empirically survey the damages caused by erosional deposition on farmlands along Jimeta-Yola road, Adamawa state Nigeria.
Place and Duration of Study: It was conducted in June-July 2020 rainy season due to the unprecedented depositions on three farmlands (Abattoir, Garage and Yola Bridge) in the area.
Methodology: Data was obtained in three phases which include on-farm interviews and questionnaires, direct measurement of depositions using simple bathymetric method and collection of three representative soil samples from the profiles for determination of some physico-chemical properties.
Results: The result indicated that rice was major crop grown in the area for about 30 years with an average yield ranges from 2000-8000 kg (20-80 bags). The number of farmlands damaged was 11 with total of 22 acres, at Abattoir, 5 farmlands at Garage having a total of 15 acres and 7 farmlands were also damaged with about 10 acres respectively. Fine sandy soil was deposited to an average depth of 55 cm with an estimated volume of 48.96 m3 at Abattoir area, debris and clay loam was deposited to an average of 20 cm at Garage having an estimated of 12.14 m3 and at Yola Bridge farm location about 4.24 m3 volume of loamy soils were also deposited to an average depth of 10 cm. The depositional soils have pH values ranges from 5.23-6.23, organic matter content of 0.43-2.33%, water holding capacity 35-55% with rapid to moderate permeability.
Conclusion: To combat the damaged imposed by soil erosions on farmlands in the area both preventive and conservative measures should adopted by the government and the farmers with the aim of restoring and sustaining the good soil health that will support food production for growing population
Quantitative and Qualitative Soil Water Resources Potentials and Soil Assessment of River Onyongo Drainage Basin for Agricultural Use-Oju Local Government Area - Benue State, Nigeria
No full textTo assess the quality of River Onyongo catchment area for agricultural purposes. Field and laboratory assessment was carried out.
Water resources potential assessment was carried out in part of River Onyongo catchments area. The topographical map was used to carve out the study area. Geological mapping of the study was carried out by compass. Field permeameter pits were established in four locations within the study area to determine the coefficient of permeability of sub-surface soils/lithology by Darcy Law. Depth to water table was measured in some selected hand-dug wells. Discharge measurement of River Onyongo rainy season was 199,888.12 litres/second and 2,770.62 litres/second in dry seasons while River Ichow (bridge) had 354.3 litres/second in the rainy season and 195.43 litres/second at the upstream; there was no flow during the dry season. Water samples were collected in the various locations in the study area and analysed in the laboratory. The relief of the study ranges from 100 m to 223 m above mean sea level. The Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) of the water sample ranged from 0 – 10 mg/l indicating that water can be used on all crops and all soils. The coefficient permeability/lithology of the study area ranged from 0.36 – 29.5 m/day corresponding to fine-grained sand to medium-grained sand – coarse-grained sand. Recommendations for the use of water for optimal agricultural purposes and production in the study areas were made
Effects of Organic Manure Source and Weeding Frequencies on Growth Parameters of Jute Mallow (Corchorus olitorious)
No full textField trials were carried out during 2018 and during 2019 dry season periods at Federal College of Forestry and Mechanization Afaka Kaduna, located between latitude 10° 35”N and longitude 007° 21”E at altitude 644 m above sea level, to determine the effects of organic manure source and weeding frequencies on growth parameters of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorious). The experimental treatments consists of ten combinations of poultry manure + weed free, cow dung + weed free, goat dropping + weed free, poultry manure + weeding at 2 WAT, cow dung + weeding at 2 WAT, goat dropping + weeding at 2 WAT, poultry manure + weeding at 4 WAT, cow dung + weeding at 4 WAT, goat dropping + weeding at 4 WAT and no organic manure application + no weeding which were laid out in a randomize complete block design (RCBD) and replicated 3 times The growth parameters observed and measured were crop vigour score, plant height, shoot diameter, number of leaves and number of primary branches. Result of the study showed that at harvest (8 WAT) all the treatments significantly affected the vigour of jute mallow crop and gave comparable score than the least observed with no nutrient + no weeding as control. The result revealed that plant growth at harvest exhibited significantly taller plant with application of poultry manure + weeding at 2 WAT. In conclusion the result obtained from the study showed that poultry manure at 4 tons /ha + weeding at 4 WAT resulted in taller plant height, wider shoot diameter, increased number of leaves, number of branches than all other treatment due to lower weed infestation, it is therefore recommended as the best treatment combination to obtained the best growth rate of jute mallow
Combined used of Dry Cocoa Bean Test Ash (Theobroma cacao L.) and Poultry Dropping for the Improvement of Soil Fertility and Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth and Yield on a Humid Alfisol Southwestern, Nigeria
No full textThe combine use of dry cocoa bean testa ash and poultry droppings for the improvement of soil fertility, maize growth and yield was studied on an Alfisol south western Nigeria, located at Joseph Ayo Babalola University Ikeji-Arakeji, Ilesa Osun State, Nigeria. Research farm from April to July 2018 and from August to November 2018. Four treatments of poultry droppings (PD) at 5 tones ha-1, cocoa bean testa ash (CBTA) ash at 5 tones ha-1, mixture of poultry droppings and cocoa bean testa ash (PD + CBTA) at 2.5 tones ha-1 each and control (C) were used in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The study showed that organic manure is a valuable fertilizer and can serve as a suitable alternative to inorganic fertilizer in the south western Nigeria especially, CBTA that has higher concentration of potassium (K) and organic carbon (OC). Poultry droppings (PD 2.5 tones ha-1) treatments plus cocoa bean testa ash (CBTA 2.5 tones ha-1) produced higher values for plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll, leaf area index, plant diameter, cob length, cob diameter and grain yield against the control that recorded the lowest value. Also, CBTA improves soil pH (94%) and OC (87%) over the control as well as increases minerals such as N, P, K Ca, Mg, and Na at 19%, 37%, 19%, 53%, 43% and 36% respectively. Organic fertilizer applications increase maize growth towards the later stage and were significantly different from the control according to DMRT at p<0.05. Cocoa bean testa ash (CBTA) and poultry dropping (PD) application registered over 47% increases of N levels in the soil, from 0.15% to 0.77% to 0.84%. Organic carbon increased as poultry droppings plus cocoa bean testa ash were added to the soil. Maize grain yield increased from control plot to 1.95 t ha-1 in CBTA + PD plot. The study recommends an application rate of cocoa testa ash and poultry droppings for maize growth on this type of soil in this agro-ecology
Influence of Nitrogen Sources and Bio-fertilizer on Soil Nutrients, Yield and Quality of Cowpea under Saline Soil Conditions
No full textTwo field experiments were conducted at El-Rod village at Sahl El-Houssinia, El-Sharkia governorate, (32°15\u27 00" N 30°50\u27 00" E), Egypt. The study investigated evaluations of different nitrogen fertilizers sources (calcium nitrate, ammonium sulphate and urea fertilizers) and rates (0, 47.6, 71.4 and 107 kg N/ha) alone or combined with bio-fertilizer (using bio-fertilization with Rhiobium radiobacter sp strain on improve nutrients available and contents in cowpea productivity and quality in newly reclaimed saline soil conditions during two summer seasons 2017 and 2018. The studies treatments were disturbed among the experimental pelts in split design with six replicates. The obtained results cleared that the used ammonium sulphate fertilizer was increase effect with increasing rate in EC, pH, and available N, P, K , Fe, Mn and Zn content in soil. Moreover data recorded the applied 71.4 kg N /ha was increase of plant height, weight of 100 seeds, weight of pods (g/plant) , weight of seeds (g)/plant and seeds yield (ton ha-1) have been affected by inoculation with bio-fertilizer combined with nitrogen sources fertilizers and different rates than other treatments. The highest values of N, P , K, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations and uptake in seeds treated with ammonium sulphate at rate 71.4 kg N/ha than other treatments. The decrease of the soil salinity to increased content of cowpea plant of chlorophyll and protein, but increased salinity of the soil led to increase the content of the plant of proline. The application of ammonium sulphat at 30 kg N/fed combined with bio-fertilizer was improve soil properties and cowpea productivity and quality under saline soils conditions
Effect of Earthworm on Lettuce Production through the Recycling of Organic and Bio-Compost Production
No full textLettuce is one of the most abundant leafy vegetables and is consumed in its raw form by humans, all over the world. This study is conducted in one of the fields in the district of Al-Garmah City, Iraq, to investigate the effects of several fertilizers (Animal, Chemical, and Compost fertilizer). The crop of lettuce harvested from Aug 2017 to Mar 2018, was used in this study. The experiment is carried out in two stages. The first stage includes the multiplication of the earthworm and the production of the worm (vermicompost). The second stage includes the cultivation of lettuce in three replicates with ten coefficients and additions of animal fertilizer, vermicompost and chemical fertilizer (N, P, and K). The results show that the highest productivity is shown in the lettuce plant in vermicompost second with level recommendation half of the fertilizing, and second-ranked vermicompost and chemical. Only the second level and the third place in the recommendation vermicompost 1/2 second with level waste sheep 1/2 second level. The result showed the percentages of the treatment (T5), (T8), (T3), (T9), (T7), (T2), (T1). It is concluded that the production of vermicomposts in a specialized farm which is environmentally-friendly and hygienic, results in more healthy crops for the consumer, which should be given into consideration. More research in this area is needed to fully understand the ecology of different earthworm species, their interactions and their potential roles in promoting the more sustainable farming system
Assessment of Soil Quality Irrigated with Tube Well Water at University Fadama Farm Jega, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero
No full textA research was conducted on the soils of teaching and research fadama farm of Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero located at Jega, with the aim of assessing the soil quality irrigated with tube well water of the study area. The entire University Fadama land was divided into three sections namely T1, T2 and T3 and from each section, three (3) composite soil samples were collected. Each soil sample was collected 2meters away from a tubewell where water sample was also collected. Three (3) samples of the tube well water were collected from the three demarcated areas T1, T2 and T3, making a total of nine (9) samples. These samples were collected in a clean 75cl water bottle provided with a cap. Each water sample was analysed for pH, total dissolved solid (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K). Soil sample was analyzed for pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus. Result obtained showed that pH was 7.2, TDS 2.55 mg/l, EC 0.25 µs/cm, SAR 1.35, Mg 90.25, K 1.43 and RSC -3.8. Soil analysis showed that organic carbon content was 0.75 g/kg, total nitrogen 0.06 g/kg, Phosphorus 0.65 g/kg and CEC ranged 6.96-7.32 cmol(+)/kg. The study showed that soil in the area were low in fertility, therefore fertilizer of both organic and inorganic should be supplemented to make the soils more fertile. The soils were found to be free from salinity/sodicity problems at least for now
Estimation of Ecosystem Carbon Stock and Tree Species Diversity at National Botanical Garden, Dhaka, Bangladesh
No full textThe study was conducted from January to April 2018 to estimate ecosystem carbon stock and tree species diversity at National Botanical Garden, Bangladesh. Transects line method square plots with a size of 20 m × 20 m were used. So altogether there were total eighty-three sample plots in National Botanical Garden. Above ground carbon (AGC) and below ground carbon (BGC) biomass stock was 192.67 and 31.34, respectively and soil organic carbon mean value of 27.52 Mg ha-1, 21.45 Mg ha-1 and 16.23 Mg ha-1, respectively for 0-10 cm depth, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm depth. The average number of tree species per hectare was 128 with a mean value of each plot 3.00 to 9.00 species. The average number of trees in National Botanical Garden (233 tree ha-1), basal area (21.45 m2 ha-1) and mean DBH (39.86 cm). Tree diversity range from 0.25 to 1.86 and the mean value of (0.93 ± 0.14) in National Botanical Garden. A relationship such as biomass carbon with the basal area, mean DBH, stem density and tree diversity were estimated. Among these, the relationship between basal area and biomass carbon showed positive significant correlation. Therefore, the results of the study confirmed that the selected botanical garden can serve as a valuable ecological tool in terms of carbon sequestration, diverse tree species and storage of soil organic carbon
Role of Mineral and Bio-fertilizers on Some Soil Properties and Rice Productivity under Reclaimed Saline Soils
No full textA field experiment (randomized complete blocks with three replicates) was conducted during two successive summer seasons of 2016 and 2017 at Sahl El-Houssinia Agriculture Research Station in El-Shakia Governorate, Egypt. Its lies between 32˚00/00 to 32˚15/00/ N latitude and 30˚50 / 00// to 31˚15 00// E longitude. The combined effect of bio-fertilizers inoculated with Rhizobium radiobacter sp strain (salt tolerant PGPR); Bacillus megatherium (dissolving phosphate) and Bacillus circulans (enhancing potassium availability) and yeast strains (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) combined with different rates of N, P and K fertilizers (50, 75 and 100%) was evaluated on some soil properties, nutrient content in rice plants, and rice productivity in a reclaimed saline soil. From the crop field of the Agricultural Research Institute (ARC), Egypt, 101 grain kernels from rice (Oryza sativa) var. Sakha were selected.
The results indicated that soil pH and EC were decreased in soil treated with bio-fertilizers combined with different rates of mineral fertilizers in comparison with soil treated with yeast and control. Available N, P, K, Fe, Mn and Zn in the soil increased with the use of bio-fertilizers. Application of mineral fertilizers (N, P and K) alone or combined with bio-fertilizers (bacteria and yeast) resulted in increased yield grains and straw of rice plant. Macro- and micronutrients concentrations and uptake in grain and straw of rice plants increased in soil treated with bacteria + 75% N+P+K fertilizers compared with other treatments.  
Soil Fertility as Influenced by K Enriched Azolla
No full textBiological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) is a major source of fixed N for plant life and to sustain production and productivity of agricultural crops. An incubation experiment was conducted by growing Azollae filiculoides with 2 agriculturally important potassic fertilizers (Potassium Chloride, Potassium shulphate) as main plot in seven concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ppm of K) as sub-plots laid down in split plot design replicated three times. The collected Azolla was incorporated with soil at 10 t/ha and maintained at two moisture condition such as 60 and 100 percent and assessed soil fertility by estimating various available plant nutrients and organic carbon status..The mean organic carbon content of the soil was 0.657 and 0.525% at 60 and 100% moisture contents respectively. The available N content ranged from 216.2 to 327.3 and 191.1 to 285.3 kg/ha from 0 to 40 ppm of K concentration at 60 and 100% moisture respectively because the Azolla had a high N content which released into the soil after decomposition. Azolla also contributed to the supply of phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, zinc, iron and molybdenum in sufficient amounts in addition to other micronutrients besides addition of nitrogen. Among the various concentration, 40 and 50 ppm K were significantly maintained higher and equal soil available P status of 75.17 and 77.33 kg / ha respectively. The fertilizer, K2SO4 with 30, 40 and 50 ppm at 60% moisture content and 40 and 50 ppm of K2SO4 and 40 ppm of KCl produced statistically higher and equal available K at 100% moisture. The soil biological health, mineralization and consequent increase in nutrient status by the application of K enriched Azolla was more under 60% soil moisture content than fully saturated soil