Effect of pH on Soil Chemical Properties and Maize Performance in Abakaliki, Nigeria

Background: Low soil productivity in Nigeria and Africa sub sahara is considered as one of the major causes of food insecurity and under nutrition. This area is considered among the most regions affected by acidity on soil nutrients optimization. Despite of its severity, there is limited knowledge about limiting effect of pH on nutrients availability and maize yield in the state. Evolving a technology that does not depend on traditional system of amendment for pH assessment for increased soil productivity must first of all go through a good knowledge of the nature and distribution of soil studied. The present study aimed to evaluate three pH (4, 7 and 9) values on soil chemical properties in the state and assess maize performance under these conditions in order to control and manage pH related problems. Methods: In the field-laboratory investigation during 2018-2019 at different localities of Ebonyi State were surveyed. Three sampling localities were selected based on geographical situation, climate and local condition. In the laboratory, the soil samples of natural stock collected were processed for mean pH values and confirmed with pH meter using standard laboratory method. Maize was used as test crop to assess effect of pH on its performance. Result: Our investigations in Ebonyi State have allowed us to inventory three pH values. Among the inventoried pH values, some are regarded adverse for soil productivity. The implication of soil pH on nutrients availability and maize performance was discussed. The current work will be a complementary contribution of detailed study of effect of pH on soil productivity.

Effect of Differently Matured Composts from Willow on Growth and Development of Lettuce

Soil amendments from peats, brown coals and composts produced from segregated biodegradable waste or biomass from fallow land can increase soil fertility and improve soil productivity. The aim of the study was to determine the possibility of using willow (Salix viminalis L.) biomass composts as a substrate component in horticulture. The objects of the research were composts produced from willow carried out in a pile under aerobic conditions. The addition of hay and mineral nitrogen (Nmin) was used to improve process efficiency. In order to verify the type and determine fertilizing value, basic chemical parameters were analyzed (pH, total contents of C, N and P) and a pot experiment was established to analyze the germination and growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Changes in pH, an increase in total nitrogen content (TN), phosphorus (TP) and a decrease in TOC was observed in the investigated samples. Results of the experiment showed that the highest yield was obtained from the pots with the mixture of willow, hay and Nmin. Matured composts significantly stimulated the germination and growth of the test plants. It can be concluded that the addition of hay and Nmin significantly improved composting process and increased the fertilizing value of the investigated composts.

The Initial Study on the Application of Sewage Sludge for Agriculture on the Laboratory Scale

Chemical fertilizers currently poison arable agriculture, so organic fertilizers are now a new trend for soil improvement. This study investigates the appropriate ratio of fertilizer use and materials mixed with sewage sludge in the anaerobic co-digestion treatment method, which will best support agriculture. In the study, bio-organic fertilizer was composted of the co-digestion anaerobic with sewage sludge and agricultural wastes such as rice husk, rice husk charcoal, water hyacinth, cassava peel, and then tested on rice. The specific criteria of fertilizers such as total organic (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and effective phosphorus (P2O5) and plant growth parameters such as germination rate (%), tillering rate, total weight (g) were evaluated. Initial results show the untreated sludge can be impacted negatively on plant development. The concentration of nutrients in the co-digestion composts was meet the requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture’s standards of organic fertilizer. These bio-fertilizers will play an important role in soil productivity and sustainability. Hence, the widespread use of organic fertilizers from waste to partially replace chemical fertilizers will open up opportunities to reduce farming costs for farmers and develop agriculture sustainably.

Mapping Soil Productivity Index on Plantation Land in ATP Jatikerto, Kromengan District, Malang Regency

It is feared that the decline in productivity of plantation crops in Malang Regency, so it is necessary to analyze the soil productivity index at ATP Jatikerto as one of the locations for producing plantation plants. This soil productivity index assessment was presented in the form of a map to make it easier to see the distribution pattern of soil productivity in ATP Jatikerto. The results of the calculation of the productivity index showed that the land potential varied from land with poor to sufficient criteria, namely maize land with an IP (Productivity Index) of 43.27, which is included in the bad IP criteria. In coffee, cocoa, sugarcane, papaya, and citrus fields, they are categorized as moderate with IPs of 50.14, respectively; 45.82; 39.45; 52.26; and 45.82. Actions that can be taken to overcome the problem of decreasing productivity are to carry out regular fertilization, both organic and inorganic, to keep nutrients available for cultivated plants, as well as adding organic matter using litter which not only serves to add nutrients but can also be used as organic mulch to prevent raindrops from falling directly to the ground so that the loss of topsoil can be minimized and increase the population of soil microorganisms. In addition, it can also use bagasse, blotong or manure which can improve the physical condition of the soil by reducing soil density and increasing macropores for better root growth, and ultimately increasing sugarcane yield.

Conservation tillage improves productivity of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under reduced irrigation on sandy loam soil

Sunflower production is significantly lower in arid and semi-arid regions due to various crop management problem. Conservation of tillage provides the most excellent opportunity to reduce degradation of soil reserves and increase soil productivity. The main objective of this study was to investigate the combined effects of conservation tillage and drought stress on growth and productivity of different sunflower hybrids. Experimental treatments included two sunflower hybrids (‘NK-Senji’ and ‘S-278’), two drought stress treatments (i.e., well-watered and drought stress at flowering and grain filling stages) and three tillage practices (i.e., conservation, minimum and deep tillage). The results indicated that morphological and physiological parameters, and yield-related traits were significantly (P≤0.05) affected by all individual factors; however, their interactive effects were non-significant. Among sunflower hybrids, ‘NK-Senji’ performed better for morphological, physiological, and yield-related traits than ‘S-278’. Similarly, conservation tillage observed better traits compared to the rest of the tillage practices included in the study. Nonetheless, conservation tillage improved growth and yield-related traits of hybrid ‘NK-Senji’ under drought stress. Hence, it is concluded that conservation tillage can improve the productivity of sunflower under low moisture availability. Therefore, conservation tillage could be suggested in the areas of lower water ability to improve sunflower production. Nonetheless, sunflower hybrids or varieties need thorough testing for their adaptability to conservation tillage and low moisture availability before making recommendations.

Low-cost soil conservation technique for controlling gully erosion in the semi-arid area of the Free State province

In South Africa, soil erosion is a major problem confronting natural resources. Gully erosion has a huge negative impact on soil productivity and potable water supplies, while measures to control it are expensive. Sannaspos farm which has been threatened by gully erosion was selected as a demonstration site for controlling gully erosion using low-cost control measures. The main aim of this study was to control gully erosion resulting in improved rangeland production. The technique entailed the use of old tyres and bags filled with soil. Three reference points were selected along a 240 m gully in August 2016 and monitored over 42 months. After 17 months (January 2018), gully depth decreased from 70 to 34 cm, 45 to 20 cm and 35 to 19 cm at the three reference points. After 24 months (August 2018) gully depth further decreased from 34 to 27 cm, 20 to 14 cm, and 19 to 10 cm for the three points. Thirty months after installing control measures (February 2019), the gully was sealed at all reference points. By February 2020 (42 months after initiation of the trial), the entire gully was sealed and covered with various vegetation types. Use of this low-cost method to control gully erosion is recommended under similar conditions.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SOIL FACTORS FOR CROPS IN AGRICULTURE

This article presents the high yields of crops due to the improvement of the factors and propertiesof soil that are necessary for plants. This is due to the fact that the application of organic fertilizers, ie composts, at 20 t/ha, the agrophysical and agrochemical properties of the soil are optimal, water, air, heat and nutrient regimesof the soil are improved at the level of plant demand. In this process, the growth, development and high yields of crops are ensured. KEYWORDS: Agriculture, soil productivity, agrophysical properties, agrochemical properties, fertilizers, nutrients, moisture, soil fertility.

Development and implementation of a web-system for making management decisions on increasing soil productivity of degraded agricultural lands

Experimental studies on the effectiveness of the use of new organo-mineral amendments obtained on the basis of biocompost to restore fertility and increase the productivity of degraded alluvial meadow medium loamy and sod-podzolic sandy loamy soils of reclaimed agricultural lands were carried out by the authors of the paper as part of the implementation of the state assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation “To develop a scientific and methodological approach and new agro-meliorative methods for restoring the fertility of degraded reclaimed lands, reclaiming contaminated soils and disturbed pasture areas in the European part of Russia”. The studies included a series of long-term greenhouse and field experiments performed on the reclaimed lands of JSC “Moskovskoye” and the stationary site of the Meshchersky branch of the A.N. Kostyakov All-Russian Research Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Land Reclamation, which resulted in new ways of restoring the fertility of degraded reclaimed agricultural land and low-productivity lands involved in agricultural circulation using multifunctional amendments for the conditions of the southern part of the Non-Black Earth Zone of Russia. At the end of the experimental studies, the authors developed a database, and then an information and reference Web-system that allows entering, storing, finding and analyzing information on ways to increase the soil fertility of degraded reclaimed agricultural land and low-productivity lands involved in agricultural circulation using biocompost based on the processing of organic waste. This software allows making scientifically based and timely decisions to restore fertility and increase soil productivity.

GIS based Land Use Suitability of Diversified Cropping Systems in Bareli Watershed

A study was undertaken to evaluate the soils in Bareli watershed, Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh for sustainable land use planning. Five soil series namely, Diwartola, Diwara, Bareli-1, Bareli-2 and Bareli-3 were tentatively identified and mapped into twenty-four mapping units and a soil map was generated using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. The land information generated during soil survey has been used to evaluate land capability, land irrigability, soil productivity and soil-site suitability for some medicinal, aromatic and spices crops. The soils were grouped into land capability sub-classes IVs and IVst and land irrigability sub-classes 2st, 3s, 3st and 4st. Soils of Diwartola, Bareli-1 and Bareli-3 were average and soils of Diwara and Bareli-2 were poor in soil productivity based on limitations of erosion, drainage and physicochemical properties. Soil-site suitability assessment reveals that soils of Bareli-1 were moderately suitable (S2) for cultivation of medicinal and spices crops like Ashwagandha, Mucana, Davana, Lemongrass, Turmeric and Ginger with moderate limitations of effective depth and slope, while, soils of Diwartola and Bareli-3 were marginally suitable (S3) for cultivation of these crops.

A Review on the Effect of Soil Compaction and its Management for Sustainable Crop Production

Purpose Sustainable crop production could contribute to feed and fuel for the ever-increasing global population. The use of heavy agricultural machinery has improved the efficiency of farming operations and increased global food production since the 1950s. But their negative impact on soil includes changing soil structure resulting in deteriorating soil productivity and environmental quality is being noticed for several decades. The purpose of this review is to summarize and help to better understand the effect of heavy machinery, tire inflation pressure, and field traffic on soil properties and crop development, yield, and economics of different farming systems published in the last 20 years. Methods Search engines such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, Springer Link, Wiley Online, Taylor & Francis Online, Academia, and Research Gate platforms were used to collect and review the articles. This review includes indexed journals, conference and symposium proceedings, reports, academic presentations, and thesis/dissertations. Results Soil compaction increases bulk density and soil strength and reduces soil porosity and soil hydraulic properties. Stunted plant root growth due to compaction of soil affects crop growth and development, and yield. Soil compaction resulting from heavy machinery traffic caused a significant crop yield reduction of as much as 50% or even more, depending upon the magnitude and the severity of compaction of the soil. Conclusions High gross weight vehicles/machinery traffic damages soil structure and soil environment that are critical for sustainable crop production. The use of heavy machinery such as subsoiling for removing soil compaction results in more fuel use, increased use of energy, cost, and sometimes risks of re-compaction, further deteriorating soil conditions and causing additional adverse environmental consequences. The economics of different farming systems affected by soil compaction, potential soil compaction management strategies, and future research needs have also been discussed.