scholarly journals Soil structure indices under different tillage systems of sandy loam soil in Hadejia, Jigawa state, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-76
Author(s):  
A. Nabayi ◽  
H.A. Santuraki ◽  
A.H. Girei ◽  
N.G. Hayatu ◽  
F.D. Haruna ◽  
...  

Abstract. Soil structural indices have a significant effect on the nutrients retention and crop yield. Studies on soil structure indices in the semi-arid zone are minimal despite their importance in controlling water and water transmission, root elongation and erosion. A study was conducted in the area of Hadejia to evaluate the influence of tillage systems (TS) and sampling depths on some selected soil structure indices. The TS were four (4); conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), zero tillage (ZT) and chisel plough (CP), while the sampling depths were two – 0-15cm and 15-30cm. Randomised complete block design (RCBD) was used in factorial arrangement. The result showed that the soil is sandy loam in texture irrespective of the TS. Lower dispersion ratio (DR) was observed in ZT with greater aggregate silt + clay (ASC) and water stability index (WSI) which differed significantly (p<0.01) from one another. Pearson’s correlation and simple linear regression analysis revealed a significant (p<0.01) positive and negative relationships between organic matter (OM) content of the soil with ASC, WSI and DR, respectively. Negative correlation of OM with DR stressed the significance of OM in decreasing DR of the soil which further explains lower DR by ZT because of greater OM content (p<0.05). Sodium (Na), sodium absorption ratio (SAR) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) were in the order of RT>ZT>CT>CP with RT having the highest that differed significantly (p<0.05) from other TS. Lower values in CT and CP could be a result of leaching due to the lower surface residues relative to conservational tillage systems. Conclusively, the best tillage systems to improved soil structural indices are conservation tillage (ZT and RT) systems, particularly ZT.

Soil Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Amato ◽  
Rocco Bochicchio ◽  
Giacomo Mele ◽  
Rosanna Labella ◽  
Roberta Rossi

Mucilage produced by myxodiaspores has been mainly studied for its role in seed ecology. This work investigates changes due to mucilage in soil structure and stability in the spermosphere of the myxodiaspore crop chia (Salvia hispanica L.). In sandy-loam (S) repacked soil sown with chia and subjected to wetting–drying (DW), Computer Assisted X-ray micro tomography showed that extrusion of a mucilage capsule formed a pore of volume twice that of the seed, surrounded by a shell of particles with higher porosity and lower pore size than the bulk soil. In three soils (S; loam, L; and clay-loam, C) the aggregate stability index to wet sieving (Stw) decreased with one and two DW cycles. Application of 2% w/w mucilage increased Stw before and after DW, from 29% in C to more than 60-fold in S. Mucilage-amended samples after DW had higher or equal Stw compared with unamended soil before DW. Soil retained at the surface of hydrated diaspores exposed to water flow changed with soil texture (11.3, 90.5 and 91.7mg on each hydrated seed for S, L and C respectively) and chia genotype (6.7, 9.9 and 12.8mg per hydrated seed in BC and G8 long-day flowering mutants and commercial Black chia respectively). Our results showed that myxodiaspores affected soil structure by providing a microenvironment of altered porosity and high stability around the mucilage capsule extruded by the hydrated seed. This finding characterises a transient but crucial time of crop production around sowing when physical properties of soil surrounding seeds are relevant to stability, germination and plant–microorganism relations.


Author(s):  
Ammar Hameed Madi ◽  
Jawad A. Kamal Al-Shibani

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of bacterial bio-fertilization A. chroococcum and P. putide and four levels of compost (0, 1, 2, 3) tons.h-1 on the leaves content of N.P.K elements. The experiment was carried out in one of the greenhouses of the College of Agriculture - University of Al-Qadisiyah during fall season 2018-2019. It designed in accordance with the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates in sandy loam soil. The means of treatments were compared with the least significant difference (LSD) at (5)% probability level. The results present that the treatments of A. chroococcum, P. putide and compost at (3) tons.kg-1 significantly increases the leaves content of K.P.K compared to all other treatments in the flowering stage (4.970, 0.5000, and 4.930) mg.kg-1, respectively. This treatment was followed by the effect of the treatment of A. chroococcum and compost at (3) tons.kg-1, which increases the values of all traits except the leaf content of (P). Bio-fertilizer with P. putide + A. chroococcum significantly increases the leaves' content of P.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-44
Author(s):  
Dinesh Khadka ◽  
Sushil Lamichhane ◽  
Amit P Timilsina ◽  
Bandhu R Baral ◽  
Kamal Sah ◽  
...  

Soil pit digging and their precise study is a decision making tool to assess history and future of soil management of a particular area. Thus, the present study was carried out to differentiate soil physico-chemical properties in the different layers of excavated pit of the National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. Eight pits were dug randomly from three blocks at a depth of 0 to 100 cm. The soil parameters were determined in-situ, and in laboratory for texture, pH, OM, N, P (as P2O5), K (as K2O), Ca, Mg, S, B, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn of collected soils samples of different layers following standard analytical methods at Soil Science Division, Khumaltar. The result revealed that soil structure was sub-angular in majority of the layers, whereas bottom layer was single grained. The value and chrome of colour was increasing in order from surface to bottom in the majority pits. Similarly, the texture was sandy loam in majority layers of the pits. Moreover, four types of consistence (loose to firm) were observed. Furthermore, mottles and gravels were absent in the majority layers. Likewise, soil was very to moderately acidic in observed layers of majority pits, except bottom layer of agronomy block was slightly acidic. Regarding fertility parameters (OM, macro and micronutrients), some were increasing and vice-versa, while others were intermittent also. Therefore, a single layer is not dominant for particular soil physico-chemical parameters in the farm. In overall, surface layer is more fertile than rest of the layers in all the pits.     


2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Tarafder ◽  
MQ Haque ◽  
MM Rahman ◽  
MR Khan

The experiment was conducted at the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) sub-staion, Tajhat, Ranpure, using potato-Boro-T. aman rice cropping pattern with an objective to evaluate the direct and residual effects of sulphur and zinc on the growth, yield and nutrient uptake by the crops. The surface soil was sandy loam texture, pH 6.3, organic matter 1.24%, available sulphur 6.62 ppm and available zinc 0.45 ppm. The experiment comprised of eight treatments for potato S15Zn2 (T2, T4 and T8, S8Zn1 (T5 and T6)and S0Zn0 (T1, T3 and T7), for boro rice S20Zn4 (T3, T5, T6 and T7) and S0Zn0 (T1, T3, T4 and T6). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Average tuber yield of potato (var. cardinal) varied from 28.29 to 32.86 t ha-1 with the highest yield in S15Zn2 treatment (100% recommended dose) and the lowest was in the S0Zn0 treatment (control). In the second crop (Boro rice), growth and yield attributes, grain and straw yields responded significantly to S and Zn applied either in the first crop or in both crops. The average grain yield varied from 3.51 to 5.27 t ha-1 over the treatments. In the third crop (T. aman rice), the grain and straw yields responded significantly to S and Zn applied either in the first and second crop or in the third crops. The grain yield of T. aman rice varied from 2.96 to 4.46 t ha-1 over the treatments. The growth and yield contributing characters were also significantly influenced by the treatment. There was a significant direct and residual effect of the treatments on S and Zn uptake by the crops.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v19i1.16987 Progress. Agric. 19(1): 33 - 38, 2008 


1995 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 258-259
Author(s):  
Paul J. Semtner ◽  
William B. Wilkinson III

Abstract This experiment was conducted to evaluate various systemic insecticides applied as soil or transplant water treatments followed by foliar applications of Orthene for TA and TFB control on fluecured tobacco and to determine the impact of treatment on tobacco yield and price. The experiment was conducted at the VPI & SU Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Blackstone, VA. Eleven treatments and an untreated control were established in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Plots, 4 × 40 ft (1 row × 24 plants), were separated by single guard rows. Pretransplant soil treatments of most liquid formulations were applied broadcast with a CO2-pressurized tractor sprayer that delivered 30.4 gal/acre at 40 psi through 8003LP tips on 29 Apr (Ambient temperature, 85-89°F, soil temperature, 75°F; soil pH, 5.8; OM, 2%). Treatments were immediately incorporated by double disking. The Furadan and Temik treatments were applied during bed formation and immediately covered with 6 to 8 inches of soil on 17 May. Furadan 4F was diluted 50:50 in water and applied in a narrow stream (&lt; 1-inch wide) in the row using a peristaltic pump. Temik was applied in a 14 inch band using a tractor mounted- Gandy granular applicator. The soil moisture was good for both the pretransplant soil and bedding treatments. ‘K-326’ flue-cured tobacco was transplanted into experimental plots in a Chesterfield-Mayodan-Bourne sandy loam soil on 18 May. A measuring cup was used to apply transplant water (TPW) treatments of Orthene and Admire in 4 fl oz/plant (204 gal/acre) at the base of each plant in the treatment plots. Virginia Cooperative Extension recommendations were followed for production of the crop. Foliar applications of Orthene and Dipel were applied on 6 Jul with a CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer that delivered 30 gal/acre through 3 TX-12 tips at 60 psi. TA populations were estimated on the upper 4 leaves of 10 plants/plot about once a week from 5 to 11 wk after transplanting. On 25 Aug, TA damage was rated on a scale of 0 to 10 where 0 = no aphid damage or sooty mold and 10 = very severe necrosis of leaves and extensive sooty mold. TFB and TFB feeding holes in the most damaged leaf were counted on 10 plants/ plot. Tobacco was harvested as it ripened, weighed, graded by a USDA/AMS inspector, and yield and price were calculated. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and significantly different means were separated by WD (K-ratio = 100). Aphid count data were transformed to Log10(x + 1) before analysis.


Author(s):  
Henrique Guimarães de Favare ◽  
Sandra da Costa Preisigke ◽  
Leonarda Grillo Neves ◽  
Kelly Lana Araújo ◽  
Milson Evaldo Serafim ◽  
...  

The production of good quality passion fruit seedlings depends on substrates with adequate physical and chemical characteristics. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of doses of ash from burning of sugarcane bagasse on improvement of traits of the substrate "gully soil". The experiment was set up in a greenhouse and arranged in randomized block design, in a 2x7x2 factorial scheme. The following factors and their respective levels were studied: (i) soil structure,- aggregating between 4 and 10 mm and <2 mm; (ii) ash doses - 0; 1.5; 3; 6; 12; 24; and 48 t ha-1; (iii) families of passion fruit - F29 and F48. The use of ash combined to the soil with structure <2mm significantly increased the production of shoot fresh mass and shoot dry mass for both families studied. The density of the substrate obtained by the mixture of ash and gully soil (soil) decreased as ash doses increased, regardless of the size of the aggregates and the family studied.


1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 687-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. MOTT ◽  
J. R. DAVENPORT ◽  
R. L. THOMAS

Although corn (Zea mays L.) stalks contribute to the total quantity of organic material in soil, their direct influence on soil structural stabilization may be small. In a laboratory study 14C-labelled corn stalks were placed on the surface of, or buried at, a 5-cm depth in a sandy loam soil. The soils were incubated at 25 °C for 119 d to determine the extent of organic carbon redistribution. Approximately 70% of the buried stalk carbon and 90% of the surface stalk carbon remained in the soil after incubation. Most of the residual carbon was identifiable as stalk tissue. Less than 5% of the added carbon was intermixed with the soil. Both the lack of C redistribution in the soil and the high loss of the mineralized 14C as CO2 stress the importance of the initial distribution of added organic materials in soils. The results imply that corn stover is a poor source of soil C and that it would be best used as a surface protectant against raindrop impact. Key words: Carbon mineralization, carbon redistribution, corn stalks, soil structure


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60
Author(s):  
RU Zaman ◽  
MR Islam

Generally, lentil seeds are sown following the traditional farming practice with 3-4 numbers of ploughing combined with broadcasting method in lentil growing countries. This is time consuming and costly. The objective of this study was to evaluate the lentil performance as affected by different mechanical seeding system as well as seeding device. There were seven different treatments of which two tillage systems like i) broadcasting after4 times tillage (CT) and ii) broadcasting after tillage with two wheeler driven High Speed Rotary Tiller (HSRT), and five direct mechanical seeding systems like TT+BP =one tillage + bed planting seeding (BP+Pl), TBP =Direct bed planting seeding (BP), TPTOS =Two wheeler operated Seeder (PTOS), TST = Strip tillage seeding (ST) and TZ =Zero tillage seeding (Z). The experiment was carried out by a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. From the results it was revealed that yield was increased from0.56 % to 10.42% in mechanical seeding system than CT. The findings also demonstrated that BP increased yield of about 10.42% with 49.31% of lower fuel consumption which saved 48.1% time compared to CT. The HSRT gave numerically higher yield compare to ST than CT but lower than BP, BP+Pl and PTOS. Zero tillage seeding system gave the minimum seed yield compare to others which was 9.67% and 19% lower than that of CT and BP, respectively. In mechanical seeding systems, bed planting exhibited higher root volume and density compare to that of others, but lower to CT and HSRT. SAARC J. Agri., 18(1): 51-60 (2020)


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1241
Author(s):  
Peter Omara ◽  
Lawrence Aula ◽  
Fikayo B. Oyebiyi ◽  
Elizabeth M. Eickhoff ◽  
Jonathan Carpenter ◽  
...  

Biochar (B) has shown promise in improving crop productivity. However, its interaction with inorganic nitrogen (N) in temperate soils is not well-studied. The objective of this paper was to compare the effect of fertilizer N-biochar-combinations (NBC) and N fertilizer (NF) on maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield, N uptake, and N use efficiency (NUE). Trials were conducted in 2018 and 2019 at Efaw and Lake Carl Blackwell (LCB) in Oklahoma, USA. A randomized complete block design with three replications and ten treatments consisting of 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha−1 and 5, 10, and 15 Mg B ha−1 was used. At LCB, yield, N uptake, and NUE under NBC increased by 25%, 28%, and 46%, respectively compared to NF. At Efaw, yield, N uptake, and NUE decreased under NBC by 5%, 7%, and 19%, respectively, compared to NF. Generally, results showed a significant response to NBC at ≥10 Mg B ha−1. While results were inconsistent across locations, the significant response to NBC was evident at LCB with sandy loam soil but not Efaw with silty clay loam. Biochar application with inorganic N could improve N use and the yield of maize cultivated on sandy soils with poor physical and chemical properties.


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