Soil macrofauna diversity and population dynamics in Indian Himalayan agroecosystems

Soil Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 636
Author(s):  
Madhuri Pant ◽  
G. C. S. Negi ◽  
Pramod Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Soil Macrofauna ◽  
Crop Fields ◽  
Β Diversity ◽  
Top Soil ◽  
Himalayan Mountain ◽  
Irrigated Wheat ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

Soil macrofauna diversity in Himalayan mountain agroecosystems has received negligible attention despite people’s dependence on soil fertility that determines crop yield for their sustenance. This study was carried out with the objective to determine differences in soil macrofauna taxonomic groups and abundance with soil depth (0–30 cm) in irrigated and non-irrigated wheat and rice crops of two dominant Himalayan mountain agroecosystems. At both the sites, a total of 11 macrofauna groups and 23 families were recorded. Macrofauna population across both crop seasons for non-irrigated fields was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than in irrigated fields. Macrofauna population significantly differed (P < 0.001) with soil depth and significantly declined with increasing soil depth (P < 0.001). The top soil (0–10 cm depth) contributed over 80% of the total macrofauna population. Macrofauna diversity in non-irrigated fields (H′ = 2.10) was greater than in irrigated fields (H′ = 1.86), but β diversity was greater in irrigated fields (1.67 vs 1.76). The two agroecosystem types significantly differed (P < 0.05) with soil depth and crop season. On the basis of presence or absence, the macrofauna groups were categorised as (i) present in soil year-round but exhibiting high density during warm and wet rainy season and (ii) present in soil only during the warm and wet rainy season. The non-irrigated fields had greater abundance of Coleoptera, Dermaptera, Hemiptera and Isoptera than the irrigated fields. This study highlights that the Himalayan mountain crop fields host a rather diverse and abundant macro-invertebrate community that should be efficiently used to promote soil fertility.

scholarly journals Variation in Salinity through the Soil Profile in South Coastal Region of Bangladesh

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-23
Author(s):  
Mohammad Asadul Haque
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Salt Stress ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Ph Value ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Salt Accumulation ◽  
Top Soil ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

The spatial variability of salt accumulation through the soil profile was studied at Latachapali union of Kalapara upazila, Patuakhali district, Bangladesh. The soil samples were collected from 30 locations covering six villages of the union: Kuakata, Malapara, Fashipara, Khajura, Mothaopara and Tajepara. Five locations were randomly selected from each village. From each location soil samples were collected from three soil depths at 0-2 cm, 2.1-4 cm and 4.1-6 cm. Electrical conductivity of top 0-2 cm soil depth was 20.49 dS/m, in 2.1-4 cm soil depth was 7.14 dS/m and in 4.1-6 cm soil depth 4.15 dS/m. The study soils were strongly acidic having pH value 4.73, 4.99 and 5.20 in 0-2, 2.1-4 and 4.1-6 cm soil depth, respectively. The highest of 8.8 Na:K ratio was found in 0-2 cm soil depth. The Na:K ratio gradually decreased with the increase of soil depth, having 6.59 in 2.1-4 cm and 5.42. in 4.1-6 cm soil depth. The results clearly reveal that the top soil is very much sensitive to salt stress. Based on the electrical conductivity and Na:K ratio the Fashipara, Kuakata and Tajepara village were found seriously affected by salinity.Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 42, No. 1, 11-23, 2018

scholarly journals Relationship between macrofauna, mineralogy and exchangeable calcium and magnesium in Cerrado Oxisols under pasture

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 996-1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Rodolfo Siqueira Vendrame ◽  
Robélio Leandro Marchão ◽  
Osmar Rodrigues Brito ◽  
Maria de Fátima Guimarães ◽  
Thierry Becquer
Keyword(s):  
Total Carbon ◽  
Soil Macrofauna ◽  
Exchangeable Calcium ◽  
Exchangeable Ca ◽  
Calcium Magnesium ◽  
Distrito Federal ◽  
Calcium And Magnesium ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Soil Groups

The objective of this work was to assess the relationship between macrofauna, mineralogy and exchangeable calcium and magnesium in Cerrado Oxisols under pasture. Twelve collection points were chosen in the Distrito Federal and in Formosa municipality, Goiás state, Brazil, representing four soil groups with varied levels of calcium + magnesium and kaolinite/(kaolinite + gibbsite) ratios. Soil macrofauna was collected in triplicate at each collection point, and identified at the level of taxonomic groups. Macrofauna density showed correlation with contents of kaolinite, gibbsite and exchangeable Ca + Mg in the soils. Mineralogy and exchangeable Ca + Mg had significant effects on taxonomic groups and relative density of soil macrofauna. The termites (Isoptera) were more abundant in soils with low exchangeable Ca + Mg; earthworms (Oligochaeta), in soils with high levels of kaolinite; and Hemiptera and Coleoptera larvae were more abundant in gibbsitic soils with higher contents of total carbon.

scholarly journals Sedentary Agriculture and Its Implications on Soil Quality in Agro-pastoral Semi-arid Karamoja, Uganda

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
S. Muwanga ◽  
R. Onwonga ◽  
S. O. Keya ◽  
E. Komutunga
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Data Base ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Sustainable Land Use ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Local Soil ◽  
Semi Arid

Uganda Government embarked on promoting sedentary agriculture in Karamoja agro-pastoral semi-arid livelihood zone, which experience rapid environmental and high soil quality (SQ) decline. However, studies on sedentary agriculture’s impact on soil quality using farmer’s knowledge is limited. Consequently, a survey was carried out in Karamoja (Iriiri, Matany Sub-counties of Napak of districts and Rengen sub-county of Kotido) to determine the soil quality indicator parameters based on the farmers knowledge in order to build a local soil knowledge data base to better inform sustainable land use strategies. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, forty indigenous farmers per sub-county, were interviewed between August and September, 2015. The study took into account the social demographic characteristics of the people, farming enterprises, methods of crops production, crops yields trends, causes of the perceived yields trends and soil quality indicators. Prospects of developing Karamoja indigenous knowledge data base lies in visible feature that predict soil quality. Farmers used 36 parameters to determine SQ. The parameters were clustered into five categories; soil, crop, biological, environmental and management each category contributing to 42, 19,14,8 and 17% of the total indicators, respectively. The relationship between age group and the perceived indicators of soil fertility was statistically significant (p-value = 0.045) with the majority stating that they use either soil colour, soil depth or soil texture to express the fertility of soil. The farmer’s soil quality indicators assessed in this study, is important in establishing indigenous-scientific hybrid knowledge data base to enhance soil fertility maintenance and better inform policy makers and other stakeholders on development of sustainable land use strategies.

scholarly journals Farmers’ Perceptions about the Effect of Farm Land Management Practices and Soil Depth on the Distribution of Major Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Eroded Soils of Aboy Gara Watershed, Gidan District, North Wollo Zone

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-195
Author(s):  
Gebeyaw Tilahun Yeshaneh
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Land Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Drainage ◽  
Fertility Status ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Black Color

The study was conducted at the Abuhoy Gara Catchment, which is located in the Gidan District of North Wello Zone. The aim of the study was to study farmers’ perceptions about the effect of farm land management practices and soil depth on the distribution of major soil physico-chemical properties in eroded soils of Aboy Gara watershed. To address this issue, semi-structured interviews were conducted in 64 households to gain insight into soil fertility management practices, local methods were used to assess the fertility status of a field, and perceived trends in soil fertility. Thirty-three farmers were then asked to identify fertile and infertile fields. According to farmers response, farmers’ fields were characterized as fertile where it comprise black color, cracks during dry season, good crop performance, vigorous growth of certain plants and presence of plants in a dry environment whereas the infertile is where it shows yellow/white and red colors, compacted soils, stunted plant growth, presence of rocks and stones and wilting or dying of crops in a hot environment. A total of eight indicators (soil color, texture, soil depth, topography, soil drainage, and distance from home, type of weeds grown and cultivation intensity) were found to be used by farmers to evaluate and monitor soil fertility. The results of administered questions showed that the principal indicators mentioned by farmers as very important were soil colour (82.8%), continuous cropping land (72.2%), soil texture (62.8%), distance from home (61%), type of weeds grown (56%), soil depth (55.6%), topography (51.1%), and soil drainage (28.7%) as very important. So, among sixty four interviewed farmers: deep soil (60 farmers), soils near to home (60 farmers), forest soil (59 farmers), smooth fine soil (59 farmers), black color soil (58 farmers) and gentle slope soil (57farmers) are categorized as fertile whereas 59, 57, 56, 55, and 44farmers said that Sandy/coarse soil, shallow soil depth, steep slope soils and yellow/white, red soils and continuously cultivated soils are infertile, respectively. The overall result showed that there was good agreement between farmers’ assessment of the soil fertility status of a field and a number of these indicators. The soil laboratory analysis also corresponded well with farmers’ assessment of soil fertility. Therefore, to design more appropriate research and to facilitate clear communication with farmers, researchers need to recognize farmers’ knowledge, perceptions about assessments of soil fertility. Because, as they included all soil factors affecting plant growth, farmers’ perceptions of soil fertility were found to be more long term day-to-day close practical experience finding than those of researchers.

scholarly journals Susceptibility of pine stands to bark stripping by chacma baboons Papio ursinus in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe

2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 389-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.A.T. Katsvanga ◽  
L. Jimu ◽  
J.F. Mupangwa ◽  
D. Zinner
Keyword(s):  
Rainy Season ◽  
Predictor Variables ◽  
Bark Stripping ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Papio Ursinus ◽  
Crop Fields ◽  
Pine Trees ◽  
Chacma Baboons ◽  
Level Of Significance ◽  
Eastern Highlands

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the susceptibility, intensity and distribution of pine trees to bark stripping by chacma baboons Papio ursinus in three plantations in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. The number of plots/ha, stripped trees/plot and stripped trees/ha was recorded during the pre-rainy, rainy and post-rainy seasons from August 2006 to May 2007. During data collection, altitude, aspect, season and other site predictor variables (e.g., roads and fire traces, water points, indigenous vegetation conservation areas, crop fields, human settlements, wattle scrubs, rocky areas, open grasslands, earlier stripped sites and roost sites) were recorded for each plot in association with selected predictor variables within plantation estates. Data on the number of stripped plots/ha, stripped trees/plot and stripped trees/ha were analysed as dependent variables using the Generalised linear Model (GLM) through SPSS version 15 (2006) to determine which predictor variables were significantly related to bark stripping. Differences between means were tested using Bonferroni tests with a 5% level of significance. Our findings show that bark stripping of pine trees by baboons occurred at all altitudes and aspects. Overall, the number of bark stripped trees/ha did not significantly vary by season. The number of bark stripped plots/ha was lower during the pre-rainy season than the rainy season, whereas the number of bark stripped trees/plot was higher during the pre-rainy than the rainy season. Bark stripping of pines occurred more often in the vicinities of areas with abundant food and water.

scholarly journals Nutrient status of rangeland in upper Mustang

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46
Author(s):  
M. Maharjan ◽  
K. D. Awasthi ◽  
K. R. Pande ◽  
N. Thapa
Keyword(s):  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Top Soil ◽  
Palatable Species ◽  
North And South ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus ◽  
Livestock Rearing

The study aimed at assessing the nutrient status of rangeland in upper Mustang. The assessment is necessary to know about the soil quality or productivity of soil of rangeland. Livestock rearing is one of the main occupations in upper Mustang but nowadays due to lack of palatable species for livestock, people are leaving the occupation which is directly affecting their livelihood status. Therefore this research was carried out to find out if the soil nutrient is the reason behind the lack of availability of palatable species in the rangeland. For soil sampling, north and south aspects were taken. In case of altitude, 3850 m, 3650 m and 3450 m were taken. Soil samples were taken from soil profile up to 60cm depth at interval of 20 cm. Available phosphorus and available potassium were found to be high at north aspect but total nitrogen was found to be high at south aspect. Both total nitrogen and available phosphorus were found to be high at 3650 m. Available potassium was gradually decreased with increasing altitude. Total nitrogen, available potassium and available phosphorus were gradually decreased with increasing soil depth. Nutrient status was high at top soil (0-20 cm).The soil nutrient (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) status was found to be good in the study area. Further research on biophysical and ecological aspect of Rangeland in Upper Mustang is necessary to manage it properly.Banko Janakari, Vol. 24, No. 1, PP. 41-46

scholarly journals Soil fertility under different tillage systems in sugarcane expansion area

2019 ◽  
pp. 1236-1243
Author(s):  
Emmerson Rodrigues de Moraes ◽  
José Geraldo Mageste ◽  
Joicy Vitória Miranda Peixoto ◽  
Luis Augusto da Silva Domingues ◽  
Regina Maria Quintão Lana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Joint Analysis ◽  
Preparation Methods ◽  
Sugarcane Crop ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Water Ph ◽  
Chemical Attributes

In sugarcane expansion areas where soil fertility restrictions regularly occur, soil preparing ameliorates soil physical and chemical properties to improve conditions for sugarcane crop development. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate soil chemical attributes under different soil preparation methods for sugarcane cultivation at the first and second year of expansion area in the Cerrado biome. The experiment was conducted in an area previously used as pasture land for more than 10 years with Brachiaria decumbens without any soil correction. CTC-2 sugarcane variety was planted. The experiment was set up as a randomized block design with six treatments and four replications. The treatments were: desiccation-liming-plowing-harrowing; liming-plowing-harrowing; liming-harrowing-plowing-harrowing; desiccation-liming-direct planting; desiccation-liming-subsoiling, and harrowing-liming-plowing-harrowing. Soil attributes: organic matter, water pH, H++Al3+, Al3+, m, V, H2PO4-, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and S-SO4-2 were evaluated at 0-0.2, 0.2-0.4 and 0.4-0.6 m soil depth. The variables were submitted ANOVA, joint analysis and Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). The treatments including liming followed by harrowing, plowing and harrowing, and harrowing followed by liming, plowing and harrowing, resulted in the largest gains in soil fertility. In the first year of sugarcane cultivation, the no-tillage system proved to be sustainable and appropriate for sugarcane cultivation economically viable.

scholarly journals Physicochemical properties of tropical forest top soil in relation to depth in western Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-48
Author(s):  
B. Gautam ◽  
M. K. Chettri
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Soil Nutrients ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
National Park ◽  
Ph Value ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Resource Extraction ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Top Soil

Information on soil properties with regards to forest soil-depth are important for sustainable management of forest. The present study investigated the physicochemical properties of the top soil (0−30cm depth) in the three forests, viz. i) the Terai Shorea Forest (Bardia National Park), ii) the Evergreen Riverine Forest (Bardia National Park) and iii) the Puraina CF (Kailali district) of western Nepal. In the tropical forests of western Nepal, the soil texture is, moreover, loamy sand to sand. The soil bulk density ranged from 1.33−1.63 gm cm-3, and slightly increased with the increase in the soil-depth. The soil pH value ranged from 5.77−7.36. The soil organic carbon, total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), and available potassium (K) were found to be in the ranges of 0.54−1.64%, 0.04−0.14%, 4.84−31.72 kg ha-1, and 204.35−557.44 kg ha-1, respectively, and all these values decreased with the increase in the soil-depth in both the forests of the protected area; however, this decreasing trend of the soil nutrients with the increase in the soil-depth was not observed in the Puraina CF as the values of the soil nutrients were lower within 0−10cm in the CF. The soil nutrients with all the depths were found to be the highest in the Terai Shorea Forest. The lower values of the soil nutrients in the Puraina CF were the result of resource extraction.  

scholarly journals Comparative Study on Soil Microbial Biomass in Tarai and Hill Sal (Shorearobusta Gaertn.) Forests of Tropical Region in Eastern Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-25
Author(s):  
Krishna Prasad Bhattarai ◽  
Tej Narayan Mandal
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Turnover Rate ◽  
Soil Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Tropical Region ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Sal Forest

A comparative study was conducted to investigate the effect of altitudinal variation and seasonality on soil microbial biomass carbon (MB-C), nitrogen (MB-N), and phosphorus (MB-P) between Tarai Sal forest (TSF) and Hill Sal forest (HSF) of the tropical region in eastern Nepal. Soil microbial biomass was estimated by chloroform fumigation - extraction method in summer, rainy and winter seasons in the upper (0-15 cm) soil depth in both forests. Pre-conditioned soil samples were saturated with purified liquid chloroform, represented fumigated sample. Another set of soil samples without using chloroform, represented unfumigated samples and soil biomass was estimated from these samples. MB-C, MB-N, and MB-P were higher by 66%, 31%, and 9%, respectively, in HSF than TSF. Distinct seasonality was observed in soil microbial biomass. It was maximum in summer and minimum in rainy season in both the forest stands. The value decreased from summer to rainy season by 46 to 67% in HSF and by 32 to 80% in TSF. Higher soil microbial biomass in the summer season may be due to its accumulation in soil when the plant growth and nutrient demand are minimal. Analysis of variance suggested that MB-C, MB-N, and MB-P were significantly different for both sites and seasons (P < 0.001). Soil organic carbon, TN, and TP were positively correlated with MB-C, MB-N, and MB-P in both the forests. In conclusion, the higher value of soil microbial biomass in HSF may be due to the higher concentration of soil organic matter and decreasing turnover rate of microbial biomass due to higher altitude. On the other hand, the lower value of microbial biomass at TSF may indicate its fast turnover rate due to lowland tropics to enhance the nutrient cycling process.

scholarly journals Response of Maize Grown on Overburden Soil in a Coal Mining Area without Top Soil to Various Compost Sources

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Erry Purnomo
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Coal Mining ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Mining Area ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Kitchen Waste ◽  
Coal Mining Area ◽  
Top Soil ◽  
Overburden Soil

Soil in Kalimantan Island is considered infertile. To obtain a reasonable crop yield a high input fertilizer package should be applied. The situation will be worsening when an open pit system of coal mining adopted. Failure in re-arranging the soil layers can result in decreasing soil fertility compared to original soil prior to mining. This study aimed to determine the improvement of soil fertility of a disposal without top soil by using composts from various sources, namely, the public garbage pile, commercial compost, and compost from kitchen waste. The experiment was conducted in a disposal area of a coal mining of PT AI. A series of application rate of compost was set. This was 0, 5, 10, and 20 tonne compost ha-1. A plot with top soil was involved for another control. Maize was selected as the plant indicator to evaluate the effect of treatments applied. It can be concluded that application of composts to reclamation area without top soil significantly improve soil fertility. Among the composts used, K-compost (compost from kitchen waste) was the best in improving soil fertility. There were some characters of the compost that had not enough to support maize yield. These were P, K, and pH. Addition of P and K fertilizers and lime material are needed. Of the equation coefficients obtained, the b coefficient of equation belong to K-compost was higher than of the others.

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