Soil fertility and crop growth under poultry/crop integration

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Hilimire ◽  
Stephen R. Gliessman ◽  
Joji Muramoto
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Environmental Concerns ◽  
Total N ◽  
Olsen P ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
History Of ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Farm Soils

AbstractInnovative sources of soil fertility are of utmost importance to growers in light of rising fertilizer costs and environmental concerns. Integrating livestock and crop production is one channel by which agricultural practitioners can enhance soil fertility. For this research, soil fertility was analyzed in pastured poultry/crop agroecosystems to determine whether free-ranging birds and pasture could be used to replace or supplement non-manure-based fertilizers. Soils from adjacent cropped areas were compared to plots with a recent history of pastured poultry use on two farms, and crop plants were grown in each type of soil in a replicated greenhouse experiment. Spatial variation in soil fertility was also assessed relative to location of poultry coops. Pastured poultry plots had elevated soil total C, total N, NH4+–N, NO3−–N, Olsen P, exchangeable K, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and electrical conductivity relative to the control of typically managed organic farm soils without pastured animal inputs. These soil fertility changes conferred greater biomass and height to sunflowers and beans grown in these soils relative to control soils for most treatments. Results suggest that pastured poultry can effectively fertilize soil for certain crops but that a need exists for more research into (1) phosphorus management and (2) ensuring a spatially uniform distribution of manure.

scholarly journals Effects of Organic Fertilization and Cover Crops on an Organic Pepper System

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Delate ◽  
C. Cambardella ◽  
A. McKern
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
The United States ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Organic Farm

With the continuing 20% growth rate in the organic industry, organic vegetable crop production has increased to 98,525 acres in the United States. The requirement for certified organic vegetable producers to implement a soil-building plan has led to the development of soil fertility systems based on combinations of organic fertilizers and cover crops. To determine optimal soil fertility combinations, conventional and organic bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) production was evaluated from 2001 to 2003 in Iowa, comparing combinations of two synthetic fertilizers and three compost-based organic fertilizers, and a cover crop treatment of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and rye (Secale cereale) in a strip-tilled or fully incorporated cover crop system. Organic pepper growth and yields equaled or surpassed conventional production when nitrogen (N) was provided at 56 or 112 kg·ha−1 from compost-based organic fertilizer. Soil analysis revealed higher N in plots where cover crops were tilled compared with strip-tilled plots, leading to recommendations for sidedressing N in strip-tilled organic pepper production. Increased incidence of disease was also detected in strip-tilled plots. Postharvest weight loss after 6 weeks in storage was similar in organic and conventional peppers. The addition of calcium and sulfur products in conventional or organic fertilizer regimes did not increase pepper production or postharvest storage potential. Despite application challenges, cover crops will remain as critical components of the organic farm plan for their soil-building benefits, but supplementation with approved N sources may be required for optimal pepper production. Organic growers should conduct their own tests of organic-compliant soil amendments to determine cost effectiveness and value for their site before large-scale application.

Properties of soils in the marginal upland of Sta. Rita, Samar, Philippines

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Kenneth Oraiz ◽  
Victor Asio
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Ecological Problem ◽  
High Porosity ◽  
Total N ◽  
Upland Soils ◽  
Chemical Properties Of Soils ◽  
High Base

The widespread occurrence of marginal uplands is a serious agricultural and ecological problem in the Philippines. The study evaluated the morphological and physico-chemical properties of soils in the marginal upland of Sta. Rita, Samar. Three soil profiles located at different physiographic positions were examined and sampled. Findings revealed that the marginal upland soils were derived from mudstone. They were characterized by an Ap-Bt-BC horizon sequence and they were clayey with moderate to high porosity and water holding capacity values. The soils were friable in their surface horizons when moist, but plastic and sticky when wet. The soils had pH(water) values ranging from 5.20 to 6.86, indicating that soil acidity was not yet a serious problem in these soils. The soils had moderate soil organic matter contents in their surface horizons but low amounts in subsurface horizons. Total N and available P of the soils were low and a problem for crop production. However, the soils had moderate to high exchangeable bases and cation exchange capacity values. In terms of degree of soil development, the marginal upland soils was observed to be mature as reflected by their horizonation, particularly by the presence of an argillic horizon (B horizon with high clay accumulation). But they still had high base saturation, suggesting that they were not yet highly leached and thus, were classified as Typic Hapludalfs or Haplic Luvisols.

scholarly journals Delineation of Soil Fertility Management Zones for Site-specific Nutrient Management in the Maize Belt Region of Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 9010
Author(s):  
Kamaluddin T. Aliyu ◽  
Alpha Y. Kamara ◽  
Jibrin M. Jibrin ◽  
Jeroen E. Huising ◽  
Bello M. Shehu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Available P ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Total N ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Management Zones

Site-specific nutrient management can reduce soil degradation and crop production risks related to undesirable timing, amount, and type of fertilizer application. This study was conducted to understand the spatial variability of soil properties and delineate spatially homogenous nutrient management zones (MZs) in the maize belt region of Nigeria. Soil samples (n = 3387) were collected across the area using multistage and random sampling techniques, and samples were analyzed for pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), macronutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca and Mg), micronutrients (S, B, Zn, Mn and Fe) content, and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC). Spatial distribution and variability of these parameters were assessed using geostatistics and ordinary kriging, while principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate K-means cluster analysis were used to delineate nutrient management zones. Results show that spatial variation of macronutrients (total N, available P, and K) was largely influenced by intrinsic factors, while that of S, Ca, ECEC, and most micronutrients was influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors with moderate to high spatial variability. Four distinct management zones, namely, MZ1, MZ2, MZ3, and MZ4, were identified and delineated in the area. MZ1 and MZ4 have the highest contents of most soil fertility indicators. MZ4 has a higher content of available P, Zn, and pH than MZ1. MZ2 and MZ3, which constitute the larger part of the area, have smaller contents of the soil fertility indicators. The delineated MZs offer a more feasible option for developing and implementing site-specific nutrient management in the maize belt region of Nigeria.

scholarly journals Effect of bio-composts on soil fertility status and productivity of organic farm: An approach to promote sustainable agriculture

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1912-1918
Author(s):  
Dipika Rana ◽  
Haseeb U. R. Masoodi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
Fertility Status ◽  
Input Use ◽  
Recorded Data ◽  
Soil Fertility Status

The findings of this research provide information on various approaches to manage and maintain soil fertility for organic crop production through composting. The initial recorded data pertaining to various conventional farming practices showed very low soil fertility status, low productivity before the initiation of organic farming. In the year prior to 2006 pH was low (4.10) and it increased to 5.40 by 2006-07. Organic carbon percentage increased to 1.35 in 2006-07 and the value of phosphorus was very low in the previous year but increased in the year 2006-07 (6.00 Kg/ha) while Potassium value increased in the year 2006-07 (395.00 Kg/ha). Input use pattern of various composts was also evaluated and it was observed that higher rates of FYM was used in case of maize-wheat+gram (614.31q/ha) in 2006-07 while higher rates of vermicompost was used in case of soybean-pea system i.e 111.11 q/ha for the year 2006-07. It was found that in the year 2006-07, among the cereals, yield of wheat was the highest (15.56 q/ha), among pulses soybean dominated (13.04 q/ha). The yield of potato (74.88 q/ha) was the highest among vegetable crops. For the year 2007-08, the yield of wheat+ lentil was the highest (10.86 q/ha). Among the pulses again yield of soybean was the highest (6.14 q/ha) and potato showed the highest yield among vegetables (73.88 q/ha). It showed that the application of compost had direct effect on productivity as the application of compost in the year 2007-08 decreased the productivity decreased subsequently as compared to initial year i.e 2006-07.

Soil carbon pool under organic and conventional crop production system of semi arid tropics

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-84
Author(s):  
D Udhaya Nandhini ◽  
E Somasundaram ◽  
S Somasundaram ◽  
K Arulmozhiselvan
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
Organic Soils ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Soil Carbon Pool ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
Doc Concentration ◽  
Farm Soils ◽  
Conventional Farm ◽  
Semi Arid

Regardless of land use, the results indicated significant differences in all the studied parameters. Total % SOC ranged from 0.52 to 0.72 for conventional farm samples (mean 0.62%) and 0.63 to 1.59 for the organic samples (mean 1.19). Bulk density (g/cc) ranged from 0.43 to 0.81 (mean 0. 62) for conventional and 0.17 to 0.28 (mean 0.20) organic farm soils. Organic manures increased microbial biomass carbon by 117% and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration by 181% over conventional farming. The results suggested that organic matter is better protected in organic soils and are consequently less vulnerable to mineralization.

scholarly journals Assessing the Macronutrient Status of Some Selected Soils in Bayelsa State, South-South Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-114
Author(s):  
Kelvin Harrison Diri ◽  
Tate Oyinbrakemi Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Total N ◽  
Exchangeable Acidity ◽  
Analysis Of Means

Fertility status of soils within the south-south region of Nigeria varies both inter and intra states. Therefore, the study investigated the macronutrient status of some selected soils in Bayelsa State. Two farm sites in Opume (OPF) and Amassoma (AMF) with records of long term cultivation were randomly selected and soil samples randomly collected from each locality for physico-chemical analyses. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis of means and a post hoc regression analysis to determine relationships between soils and analyzed parameters. Results revealed that soils were loam to sandy clay loam and acidic with low pH levels. Exchangeable bases (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+) were low in AMF soils compared to OPF soils except for Na+. Organic carbon and organic matter were moderately low in both soils, however, AMF had lower contents. Total N were found to be critically low (0.03%) in both soils. OPF had higher available phosphorus (5.09 mg/kg) while AMF had higher available sulphur (6.55 mg/kg). Base saturation was high moderate in OPF (50.44 %), however, not significantly different (p<0.05) from AMF. Similarly, Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC) was low in soils of both localities. Regression analysis showed that pH had significant positive relationships with sand, Org C, Org M, available P, TN, % B.S and the basic cations (r=0.534*, 0.841***, 0.837***, 0.855***, 0.736***, 0.856**) with a negative relationship with Exchangeable acidity and SO42- (r=-0.799** and 0.844***). Org C, Org M and TN had significant negative relationships with silt at both localities (r=-0.592**, -0.592** and -0.491*) respectively. These results indicate clearly that the nutrient status of soils in the study areas are mostly controlled by pH and the textural distribution. It also indicates that improved soil management practices can improve the macronutrient status for increased crop production.

scholarly journals A Boundary Plane Approach to Map Hotspots for Achievable Soil Carbon Sequestration and Soil Fertility Improvement

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 4038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piikki ◽  
Söderström ◽  
Sommer ◽  
Da Silva ◽  
Munialo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Boundary Plane ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change ◽  
Global Carbon ◽  
Soil Fertility Improvement

Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration is important in the global carbon cycle and an integral part of many initiatives and policies to mitigate climate change. For efficient targeting of measures leading to SOC sequestration, it is necessary to know the actual SOC content (%) and a realistic target SOC content (in contrast to the saturation content, which may not be easily achievable) under local biophysical and socioeconomic conditions. We developed a new method for the practical assessment of achievable SOC sequestration concerning soil texture based on a non-linear boundary plane approach, also applicable for mapping of SOC sequestration hotspots. The method was tested at two spatial scales (a 125 km2 catchment and a 4 km2 sub-area of that catchment) in a region in Western Kenya characterized by smallholder farming. Moreover, we assessed the associated benefits of increasing the SOC content from a crop production perspective and found significant correlations between SOC and other soil properties (pH, cation exchange capacity, and various plant-available macro- and micronutrients). This indicates a possible improvement in soil fertility when the SOC content is raised to the modeled target levels, which should be attainable without major changes in land use or agricultural systems.

Controlling Kalmia and reestablishing conifer dominance enhances soil fertility indicators in central Newfoundland, Canada

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 1270-1279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin T. Moroni ◽  
Nelson Thiffault ◽  
Brian D. Titus ◽  
Christina Mante ◽  
Franz Makeschin
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Canopy Closure ◽  
Potassium Fertilizer ◽  
Total N ◽  
Soil Organic Layer ◽  
Mineralizable N

Growth rates of young conifers can be poor on disturbed sites dominated by Kalmia angustifolia L. Hence, a conifer revegetation trial was established on a Kalmia -dominated site to evaluate the effects of various silvicultural options and planted species on selected soil organic layer characteristics. Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch, Pinus banksiana Lamb., and Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP seedlings were planted in plots with or without Kalmia control with herbicides. The effect of fertilizer amendment was also assessed. Seventeen years postplanting, organic layer fertility indicators suggest that soil fertility improved after Kalmia control and conifer reestablishment, especially if nitrogen (N) – phosphorus – potassium fertilizer was also applied. When Kalmia was controlled, aerobically mineralizable N and exchangeable sodium concentrations were increased; fertilizer addition to herbicided plots also increased exchangeable potassium and calcium concentrations, and cation exchange capacity compared with untreated control plots. Conifer height, diameter, and canopy closure were Larix > Pinus > Picea. Kalmia cover in control plots was 87%; Kalmia reinvasion in herbicided plots achieved 40%–43% cover but did not differ among the conifer species. Principal component analysis indicated that aerobically mineralizable N and total N were positively correlated with canopy closure. Our results suggest that increases in organic-layer fertility were related to increased conifer size resulting from Kalmia control.

scholarly journals Soil fertility and yield of ‘Paluma’ guava fertilized with phosphorus, cattle manure, and boron

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 228-234
Author(s):  
Gaudêncio P. dos Santos ◽  
Walter E. Pereira ◽  
Rosiane de L. S. de Lima ◽  
José F. de Brito Neto ◽  
Bruno de O. Dias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Cation Exchange ◽  
Cation Exchange Capacity ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Saline Water ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Cattle Manure ◽  
Chemical Attributes

ABSTRACT The low soil fertility associated with the lack of adequate irrigation management are factors that most limit crop production. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the chemical attributes of an Oxisol and the yield of ‘Paluma’ guava under irrigation with saline water and fertilized with phosphorus, cattle manure, and boron. The treatments were distributed in randomized blocks, with four repetitions and two plants per plot, including borders on the sides of the useful experimental area, arranged in a factorial scheme (5 × 2) + 1, referring to five phosphorus doses (0, 0.08, 0.16, 0.24 and 0.32 kg of P2O5 plant-1), two doses of cattle manure, 0 and 30 kg per plant and an additional treatment consisting of 0.16 kg of P2O5 plus 30 kg of cattle manure and 1.0 g of boron, using as source the borax. In the soil, pH, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the cation exchange capacity were evaluated in the 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm layers. In plants, the average yield per hectare in two harvests was estimated. The pH decreased with phosphorus doses without cattle manure and in the treatment with boron in the 20-40 cm layer. The cation exchange capacity increased with the application of phosphorus doses associated with manure and decreased in both soil layers with boron. The macronutrients evaluated were not influenced by boron. Phosphorus doses associated with cattle manure increased yield, exceeding the average of 50 t ha-1 year-1 determined for ‘Paluma’ guava. In contrast, boron did not increased the yield.

Impact of Nitrogen Management Practices on Total Nitrogen in the Fruits of High Productive Hamlin Orange Trees

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 498e-498
Author(s):  
S. Paramasivam ◽  
A.K. Alva
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Fine Sand ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Perennial Crop ◽  
Total N ◽  
N Removal ◽  
Leaf N Concentration ◽  
N Rates ◽  
Orange Trees

For perennial crop production conditions, major portion of nutrient removal from the soil-tree system is that in harvested fruits. Nitrogen in the fruits was calculated for 22-year-old `Hamlin' orange (Citrus sinensis) trees on Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reticulata) rootstock, grown in a Tavares fine sand (hyperthermic, uncoated, Typic Quartzipsamments) that received various N rates (112, 168, 224, and 280 kg N/ha per year) as either i) broadcast of dry granular form (DGF; four applications/year), or ii) fertigation (FRT; 15 applications/year). Total N in the fruits (mean across 4 years) varied from 82 to 110 and 89 to 111 kg N/ha per year for the DGF and FRT sources, respectively. Proportion of N in the fruits in relation to N applied decreased from 74% to 39% for the DGF and from 80% to 40% for the FRT treatments. High percentage of N removal in the fruits in relation to total N applied at low N rates indicate that trees may be depleting the tree reserve for maintaining fruit production. This was evident, to some extent, by the low leaf N concentration at the low N treatments. Furthermore, canopy density was also lower in the low N trees compared to those that received higher N rates.

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