Asian Soil Research Journal
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The Use of Homegarden Agroforestry Systems for Climate Change Mitigation in Lowlands of Southern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
No full textMitigation of climate change is one of the major environmental challenges facing the globe. In this context, homegarden agroforestry systems (HGAFs) have large potential for climate change mitigation. Therefore, this study was initiated to estimate the biomass and soil carbon stocks of HGAFs in relation to adjacent Natural Forest (NF). It also analyzed the relationship between woody species diversity, evenness and richness with biomass and soil carbon stocks. Three sites were purposely selected on the basis of the presence of HGAFs and NF adjacent to each other. Random sampling was used to select representative homegardens from the study population. In NF, a systematic sampling technique was employed. A total of 60 plots with a size of 10 m x 20 m were used to collect vegetation and soil data in both land uses. Soil samples were collected from each plot of the samples laid for vegetation sampling. Accordingly, 120 composite and 120 undisturbed soil samples from 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm soil depths were collected for soil organic carbon (SOC) and bulk density analysis respectively. Biomass estimation for each woody species was analyzed by using appropriate allometric equations. The result showed that the total amount of carbon stocks was 148.32±35.76 tons ha-1 and 157.27±51.61 tons ha-1 in HGAFs and adjacent NF respectively which did not vary significantly between the two studied land uses (P > 0.05). The finding also shows a positive but non-significant (P>0.05) relationship between carbon stocks and woody species diversity, richness, and evenness. Specifically, in NF lands, woody species diversity with SOC (r=0.36) and in HGAFs species richness with biomass carbon (r=0.39) was correlated positively and significantly (P=0.05). We concluded that HGAFs have the same potential as the NF for carbon stock accumulation and to counteract the loss of biomass
Impact of Irradiated Compost on Growth and Nutritional Status of Valencia Orange Grown in the Desert Areas
No full textAims: To evaluate the effect of compost application whether irradiated or not in addition to recommended mineral fertilization on growth and nutritional status of Valencia orange trees.
Study Design: The design of the study is a randomized complete block design. The study was done on five-years-old Valencia orange grown in a loamy sand soil.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in El-Shrouk yard -Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road through five successive seasons 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Compost irradiation was done at the National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology, Atomic Energy Authority.
Methodology: In addition to mineral fertilization, four main treatments were applied to Valencia orange trees, T1 three years application of non-irradiated compost, T2 four years application of non- irradiated compost, T3 and T4 similar to T1 and T2 while irradiated compost was applied. Shoot length and thickness, leaf number and area were calculated. Leaf N, P and K% as well as Fe, Mn, Zn and total chlorophyll content were measured.
Results: Data revealed that application of compost especially irradiated form in combination with chemical fertilizers has a positive effect on vegetative growth of Valencia orange trees in addition to leaf content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc and total chlorophyll. Four years application of compost regardless irradiation was superior to three years application. Combination of irradiated compost and four years application gave the highest values for the previously mentioned parameters.
Conclusion: Addition of compost to chemical fertilizers improved the vegetative growth and nutritional status of Valencia orange trees. Irradiation of compost increased its efficiency that might reduce the time of application. Also, using compost, particularly in the newly reclaimed soil, greatly increase water and mineral fertilizers use efficiency, which in turn lead to saving in irrigation water and fertilization nutrients
Pedotransfer Functions for Estimating Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity of Selected Benchmark Soils in Ghana
No full textAims: Direct methods of measuring saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), either in situ or in the laboratory, are time consuming and very expensive. Several Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) are available for estimating Ks, with each having its own limitations. In this study, the performances of four popular PTFs were evaluated on different soil classes in the semi deciduous zone of Ghana. The PTFs considered herein were Puckett et al. (1985), Campbell and Shiozawa (1994), Dane and Puckett (1994), and Ferrer-Julià et al. (2004). In addition, five local data derived PTFs were used to study the possibility of using local datasets to validate PTF accuracy.
Materials and Methods: A total of 450 undisturbed soil cores were collected from the 0 – 15 cm depth from three benchmark soils, namely, Stagni-Dystric Gleysol (SDG), Plinthi Ferric Acrisol (PFA) and Plinthic Acrisol (PA). The Ks of samples were measured by the falling-head permeameter method in the laboratory. Sand, silt and clay fractions, bulk density, organic matter content, and exchangeable calcium and sodium were measured and used as input parameters for the newly derived PTFs. Accuracy and reliability of the predictions were evaluated by the root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of correlation (r), index of agreement (d), and the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) between the measured and predicted values from both tested and newly derived PTFs. The relative improvement (RI) of the newly derived PTFs from this study over the existing ones were also evaluated.
Results: The newly derived PTFs in this study had higher prediction accuracy with r, d, RMSE and NSE ranging from 0.80 – 0.99, 0.79 – 0.94, 0.14 – 1.74 and 0.84 – 0.98, respectively, compared with 0.32 – 0.45, 0.27 – 0.50, 4.00 – 4.90 and 0.41 – 0.47 for the tested PTFs. The relative improvement of the newly derived over the tested PTFs ranged from 56.50 – 95.71% in the SDG, 70.73 – 96.89% in the PFA, and 65.37 – 95.81% in the PA. Generally, RI was observed to be highest for Model 1 in the SDG, and Model 4 in both PFA and PA, and lowest for Model 5 in all three soils. It was observed that the inclusion of exchangeable calcium and sodium as predictors increased the predictability of the newly derived PTFs
Effects of Phosphorus Sources and Application Rates on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentrations and Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Rice Plant
No full textA study was conducted to determine the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations and P use efficiency from Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR), Minjingu mazao and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) fertilizers under irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in Lekitatu village, Meru district, Arusha region, Tanzania. The initial soil pH in the two experimental sites was slightly alkaline while total N and available P was low and medium respectively. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was adopted and phosphorus was applied at the rates of 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P ha-1 as MPR, Minjingu mazao and TSP. Nitrogen was applied uniformly at a rate of 60 kg N ha-1 as urea taking into account the 10% N contained in the Minjingu mazao fertilizer. Phosphorus application increased N and P contents in the rice plants and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) with the increase of P levels from 0 to 60 kg P ha-1 for all P sources. The site 1 had more PUE than site 2 due to higher moisture content. These effects were due to increased availability and nutrients uptake by plants, particularly P. Based on the results, it is recommended that; Minjingu mazao at the rates of 40 to 60 kg P ha-1, MPR and TSP at a rate of 60 kg P ha-1, respectively have to be adopted for sustainable soil P use in rice production areas of Lekitatu village
Effects of NPK Fertiliser (15-15-15) on the Growth Performance of Three Arable Crops Grown on Degraded Kaolin Mined Soil in Abia State, Southeast Nigeria
No full textExperiments were carried out in the Nursery of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Management, the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia State during 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons to determine the effect of NPK fertilizer on the growth performance of three selected crops, Zea mays, Abelmoschus esculentus and Vigna unguiculata grown on a derelict kaolin mined soil. The experiment comprised of treatment pots which has three rates of fertilizer on the kaolin soil each (kaolin soil +NPK (40 kg), kaolin soil + NPK (30 kg) and kaolin soil + NPK (20 kg) kaolin soil with zero treatment (Control 2) and a control 1(un-mined) soil, it was replicated three in Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Parameters assessed include Plant height (cm) and the number of leaves weekly for six (6) weeks. Data were analysed using ANOVA at p< 0.05. The result obtained showed that growth performance of the test crops was positively affected by NPK treatment based on the quantity applied with the highest recorded height (16.50) and the number of the leaf (11.27) in Kaolin mined soil combined with 40 kg of fertilizer when compared with the control. Plant height obtained with various fertilizer treatments were in the order: 16.50>15.99>14.65 and 11.27>10.20>9.01 for the number of leaves. The result of the macro element levels in the plants showed that the nutrient uptake and accumulation were enhanced by both NPK fertilizer and the quantity added with the highest level of nutrient on the plants obtained in Kaolin soil combined with 40kg of NPK fertilizer. The study showed that kaolin mined degraded soil can be put into good use with the appropriate concentration of fertilizer treatment, thus putting more degraded land under agricultural production and ensuring food security is developing country like Nigeria. The study further suggests a sensitization program for farmers on the appropriate concentration of inorganic fertilizer to be applied to their farmers to avoid pollution
Study of Physiochemical Ground Water Quality Parameters of Different Hospital Areas of Faisalabad
No full textThe main sources of water are rain, surface and ground water. These resources are contaminated due to human activities. Clean water is basic need at every step of life, it also ensures the good health. The main objective of this study was to access the quality of ground water in Faisalabad city. From different hospitals of the Faisalabad water samples were collected to estimate their physiochemical parameters. The physiochemical parameters such as (color, taste, odor, pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were analyzed and their values were compared with the standard values given by the World Health Organization. In majority of the colonies some parameters were found within permissible parameters of above standard such as pH and total hardness. But in few colonies EC and TDS values deviated with reference to the recommended values. On the completion of data physiochemical parameters of ground water, statistical analysis was applied. Statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate the significant different between means of samples
Effect of Silicon and Phosphorus Additions and Their Interactions on Wheat Plants Grown on a Clay Soil
No full textA pot experiment was conducted in clay soil collected from Agricultural Research Center farm, Giza governorate, Egypt. Wheat grains (Triticum aestivum L., Giza 168) were cultivated to study the effect of silicate and phosphate ions as well as their interactions on the growth and nutritional status of the growing plants, beside their availability in the studied soil. Silicon (Si) in the form of sodium meta-silicate penta-hydrate (Na2SiO3.5H2O) was added at a rate of 0, 200, 300 and 400 mg Si kg-1 soil, and phosphorus (P) in the form of calcium super phosphate was given at a rate of 0, 3.5, 7.0, 10.0 and 13.0 mg P kg-1 soil to represent 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the recommended rate of P fertilization by the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture for wheat cultivation. Also, the experiment included combinations between all these concentrations of Si and P. Obtained results showed that Si and P availability increased in the studied soil with increasing either Si or P concentrations added. This means that P availability in soil as an essential element for plant growth can be improved by addition of Si. Also, Si increased in plant with increasing applied Si concentrations. Interaction between Si and P generally increased all parameters of plant growth; such responses were significant for fresh and dry weights of wheat plants at booting stage. It could be recommended that selecting good P fertilization design, including time and rate of addition, goes along with values of available Si in the soil
Assessment of the Impact of Untreated Rubber Effluent on the Base Cationic and Mycological Properties of Rubber Plantation Soil in Calabar, Nigeria
No full textThe study was carried out to determine the impact of rubber effluent on the cationic and mycological properties of soil in a rubber plantation through which it flows. Rubber effluent samples were collected for physicochemical and mycological analysis from the effluent discharge point of a rubber factory in Calabar, Nigeria. Three impact points (25 metres apart) were created along the flow channel of the effluent, and three sample points spaced 5m apart were created on both sides of each impact point. Top and subsoil samples were collected from the impact points and sample points for base cationic and mycological analysis. A control soil sample was also collected similarly. Correlation analysis, single-sample and two-sample were used to analyse the results. Results revealed that only temperature (26°C), sulphate (20.15 mg/l) and chloride (43.87 mg/l) conformed to Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) permissible limits of 40°C, 500 mg/l and 600mg/l, respectively. Bacteria isolated from the rubber effluent were identified as Pseudomonas spp, Micrococcus spp, Staphylococus spp, Proteus spp, Klebsiella spp, Bacillus spp, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp and Aeromonas spp. Fungi isolated were identified as Aspergillus spp, Penicillium spp, Rhizopus spp, Mucor spp and Sporothrix spp. Results also revealed that the rubber effluent impacted the soil, but parameters still recorded low values, as the effects of the effluent on the soil were altered by leaching, erosion and rubber root uptake. The study also revealed that microbiological investigation involving the use of a selective substrate can be used to augment or properly interpret results obtained from base cation studies similar to the current study, especially in a situation where pollution is not obvious or where factors like root uptake, leaching and erosion can potentially affect statistical results of base cation analysis
Effect of Phosphorus Levels on Yield Components and Grain Yield of Two Nerica Varieties in Mwea
No full textPhosphorus is one macronutrient that commonly gets fixed and accumulates into soils after it has been in use for long, thus becoming readily unavailable to plants in subsequent years. Such scenario is ontological in Mwea where rice farming is practiced, yet this element is one main critical nutrient that plants cannot do without for they need it for root initiation, root development, photosynthesis, grain- formation, grain-filling, as well as yielding. In that view therefore, an experiment was undertaken in Mwea irrigation scheme with the aim of investigating on the influence of phosphorus levels on yield components and grain yield of Nerica 4 and 11. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design in split-plot arrangement replicated thrice. Two rice varieties (Nerica 4 and Nerica 11) formed main plots and phosphorus levels (0 kg P/ha, 25 kg P/ha, 50 kg P/ha and 75 kg P/ha) formed split plots. Data was collected on appropriate parameters between week 4 and 19 after sowing at intervals of three weeks. Results demonstrated that phosphorus levels significantly influenced the 1000-grain weight and number of panicles in the tested varieties. Additionally, Grain yield mean variation was observed, where highest grain yield of 0.988 tons per hectare was produced in Nerica 4 on 50 kg P/ha in season 2, while least grain yield of 0.831 tons per hectare was still produced in the same variety on control in season 1, thus 50 kg P/ha on Nerica 4 is recommended for rice farming in Mwea. The study would be used as a body of guidelines and information for judicial, responsible, and promotion of prescribed application of phosphates in Nerica rice farming at planting for realization of higher yields between the two Nerica varieties (Nerica 4 and 11) in Mwea and with like agro ecological areas
Effect of Elemental Sulfur on Phosphorus Availability and Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grown on a High Terrace Soil in Northern Sudan
No full textThe effect of elemental sulfur on some chemical soil properties and wheat grown was studied by two performing experiments, under high terrace soils of northern region of the Sudan. First experiment (incubation experiment) was executed to quantify the rates and application time of elemental sulfur to be applied in the field experiment. It consisted of five rates of elemental sulfur (0, 165, 330, 495 and 660 kg sulfur feddan-1) and five application times (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks). In the second experiment (field experiment), two wheat varieties (Wadi Elneel and Debeira), three sulfur rates (0 kg S feddan-1, 495 kg S feddan-1 and 660 kg S feddan-1) and three application times (0, 5 and 7 weeks) were arranged in split plot design with four replications. Wheat varieties were assigned to the main plots and the combination of the rates and time application to the sub plots. Results obtained from the incubation experiment indicated differences in soil pH among treatments. Application of elemental sulfur decreased soil pH in each of the two experiments. The effect of elemental sulfur on wheat grain yield and the other studied yield components was not limited the plant height and the 1000 seeds weight. The nitrogen content of the plant tissue was affected by the applied elemental sulfur. Application of 495 kg sulfur feddan-1, 6 weeks before sowing gave the lowest soil pH (7.8) and the least available phosphorus compared to other treatments