115 research outputs found
The effects of cultivation on the chemical properties of volcanic soils of Camiguin Island, Southern Philippines
No full text
Evaluation And Selection Of Maize Hybrids For Tolerance To Acidic Soils
No full textMost of the arable soils in the country are weathered and acidic in nature. These acidic soils which are classified as Ultisols and Oxisols occupy about 72% of land in Malaysia (IBSRAM, 1985). The soils have low pH, low cation exchange capacities, high Al concentration and low basic cations, mainly Ca and/or Mg (Shamshuddin et al., 1991). Among these complex factors, aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major constraint to crop production on acidic soils, including maize, in which the yields are reported unsatisfactorily in the soils (Shamshuddin et al., 1991). Most studies in the past have been carried out in correcting soil acidity problems by application of soil amendments. Despite their ability to overcome soil acidity problems, application of the soil amendments has a number of limitations (Kamprath, l97l; Shamshuddin et al., 1998; Hede et a1.,2002). Thus, planting maize hybrid varieties tolerant to acidic soils along with the use of sustainable agronomic practices offers an effective strategy for improving maize productivity on acidic soils. The aim of this study was to evaluate and select maize hybrids tolerant to acidic soils
Chemical changes in soils affected by the application of palm oil mill effluent
No full textA study was carried out in both the laboratory and in the field to determine the effects of POME application on soil chemical properties important for plant growth. The samples under treatment were analysed after 2, 4 and 6 months. The results of the laboratory study showed that POME increased organic matter content, pH and negative charge and lowered pHoand aluminium saturation. On the other hand, the field study did not show any significant difference between the treated soils and the control. Irreversible drying was suggested to be the cause. A suitable method of land application which may improve its effectiveness is suggested
Limestone, Gypsum, Palm Oil Mill effluent and Rock Phosphate effects on soil solution properties of some Malaysian Ultisols and Oxisols
No full textUltisols and Oxisols in Malaysia are characterized by low pH, high Al saturation, low ECEC and Ca and/or Mg deficiencies, which are limiting to annual crop production. A pot experiment was conducted to assess the chemical changes in the properties of the soil solution phase of soils of some representative Ultisols and Oxisols following application of limestone, gypsum, palm oil mill effluent and rock phosphate. The results showed that 2-4 t limestone/ ha were needed to increase pH, Ca, Mg and SO/, and to reduce Al and Mn to an acceptable level in the soil solution. Palm oil mill effluent application at 0.5-1 t/ha (lime equivalent) gave similar liming effects to those of limestone. Gypsum application increased Al concentration, but at high rate of application the Al existed mainly in the form of AISO*. Gypsum application in Rengam, Bungor and Prang series soils at 1 t/ha reduced pAIOHSO4 to 17, suggesting that jurbanite can be formed in Ultisols and Oxisol when gypsum is applied
On the pyritization of the coastal sediments in the Malay Peninsula during the Holocene and its effects on soil
No full textMuch of the present coastal plains in the Malay Peninsula were inundated by seawater some 6,000 years ago. That was the time when pyrite is believed to have been mineralized in the sediments of the seawater. This paper attempts to explain the process of pyrite mineralization in the coastal sediments during the Holocene as well as to show how pyrite oxidation affects plants and aquatic life in their vicinity. At that point in time, the sea level was 3-5 meters above the present level. Under reduced conditions, Fe3+ ions existing in the sediments were reduced to Fe2+ ions, while SO42- anions from seawater were reduced to S2- ions. These reactions were promoted by microorganisms feeding on the organic matter provided by native vegetation. Finally, the ferrous and polysulfide ions reacted to form pyrite (FeS2). Over the years, this pyrite accumulated in the sediments, occurring at varying depths. In some sediment of the coastal plains of the Malay Peninsula, there are considerable amounts of pyritehowever, they are environment-friendly. When the areas are developed for agriculture or otherwise, this pyrite is exposed to atmospheric conditions, resulting in its oxidation which in turn leads to acidity and the formation of yellowish jarosite [KFe3(SO4)2(OH)6]. Toxic amounts of Al and Fe are usually present in the soils and water in the area, affecting crop growth and aquatic life
Improving the productivity of acid sulfate soils for rice cultivation using limestone, basalt, organic fertilizer and/or their combinations
No full textAcid sulfate soils are generally not suitable for the crop production unless they are efficiently improved. A study was conducted to improve the productivity of acid sulfate soils for rice cultivation using ground magnesium limestone (GML), basalt and organic fertilizer. The study was conducted on rice in laboratory, glasshouse and field. The pH of acid sulfate soils was low and exchangeable Al was very high which affected rice growth. The application of GML and basalt increased soil pH and reduced Al toxicity. GML required to ameliorate the soils for rice cultivation was 4 t ha-1. Basalt in combination with organic fertilizer was a good soil amendment, but required to be applied a few months ahead of rice cultivation. Due to GML or basalt application, rice plants grew well even though water pH was below 5. The highest rice yield obtained was 4.0 t ha-1 season-1 for Sulfaquepts and it was 7.5 t ha-1 season-1 for Sulfosaprists. In general, the application of GML or basalt in combination with organic fertilizer improved the productivity of acid sulfate soils and consequently enhanced rice yield
Chemical and mineralogical characteristics of an organic soil (Troposaprist) from Sg. Burong, Tg. Karang, Selangor
No full textAt bulk density of0.97 g/cm * and pH (top soil) of around 5 reflects that the soil has improved after undergoing an ameliorating programme and more than a decade of cultivation. But at depth, pH is still low where AI is present in large quantities. A high water table leads to the accumulation of bases, especially Ca and Na in the lower horizons. Low pH ^and high CEC is the reflection of high amounts of organic matter and mica-vemiculite-smectite mineralogy
Using ground basalt and/or organic fertilizer to enhance productivity of acid soils in Malaysia for crop production
No full textFertility and suitability of the Spodosols formed on sandy beach ridges interspersed with swales in the Kelantan - Terengganu plains of Malaysia for kenaf production
No full textA study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of sandy soils in the Kelantan - Terengganu Plains (Peninsular Malaysia) and suggest measures to improve their fertility for kenaf production. The coastal landscape is scarcely utilized for crop production due to the inherently low soil fertility, nutrient imbalance and water deficit which can seriously inhibit crop growth. Three sandy Spodosols with humus - rich spodic horizon were found, locally named as Rhu Tapai, Rudua and Jambu Series with sandy matrix (> 95% sand), low CEC (0.16 - 4.52 cmolc kg-1) and high acidity (pH 4 - 5). The mineralogy data showed quartz (dominant), with gibbsite, hematite and feldspars in trace amounts that result from high degree of weathering. The Corg of Bs and Bhs horizon was about 2%, with C/N ratio of 14 to 25, respectivelythis can be exploited for kenaf production. Hence, we evaluated these sandy Spodosols for kenaf production using Wong (2009) Crop-Suitability Classification and found the soil to be marginally suitable under Class 4 described as 4Dnt where D stand for drainage, n for nutrient and t for texture. The major limitations were found to be excessive drainage, nutrient imbalance and sandy texture. Therefore, management practices recommended to improve the soils are (1) mulching the soils with different types of organic materials to retain water and plant nutrientsand (2) irrigating the soils during the dry period. If these agronomic practices are carried out, these soils could be productively used for growing kenaf
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