Effect of biofertilizer on soil fertility and lettuce nutrition

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Westefann Dos Santos Sousa ◽  
José Roberto Verginio de Pontes ◽  
Osmanny Francisco Pereira de Melo

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of the application of efficient microorganisms (EM), in the form of a biofertilizer, on soil fertility and leaf nutrition of lettuce during two crop cycles. One of the biggest challenges of organic production is the fertilization of crops. EMs are considered an alternative, sustainable, safe and low-cost technique to increase the productivity of organic foods, and their use is a good option for agroecological management. For the capture of the EMs and the production of the biofertilizer, a rice substrate was used, according to the methodology used by Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Cattle and Supplying (MAPA, in Portuguese: Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento). Soil samples were collected at the beginning of the first cycle and at the end of the second cycle. The samples were sent for chemical analysis, in order to evaluate possible changes in the concentration of Ca, Mg, K, P and Zn, as well as the levels of CTC, base saturation, organic matter and pH. For leaf analysis, leaf concentrations of the following nutrients were observed: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu Fe, Mn, Zn. The results were satisfactory for the treatment that received weekly application of efficient microorganisms, which resulted in a greater increase of the elements K, Zn and Ca in the soil. As for leaf concentrations, there was a significant difference for N and P (48 and 9.2 g kg-1, respectively) in the treatment used with biofertilizer.

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 735-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
NC Shil ◽  
MA Saleque ◽  
MR Islam ◽  
M Jahiruddin

Laboratory studies on soil fertility evaluation was carried out across major agroecological zones (AEZs) of Bangladesh to know the nutrient status of soils and to relate those with soil properties like pH, organic matter, CEC, and clay content. Thirty five composite soil samples were collected from intensive crop growing sites, which covered 17 AEZs of Bangladesh. After proper processing, the samples were analyzed for texture, pH, organic carbon, CEC, exchangeable cations (K, Ca, Mg and Na), total N, available P and S following standard methods. The textural class of the soils collected from AEZ 12 and 13 appeared to be mostly clay. Clay loam soil was found in AEZ 4, 8, 9, 11, 25 and 28. Loamy soil was seen in AEZ 1 while AEZ 22, 23 and 29 were mostly sandy textured. The results revealed that 65.7% of the tested soil was acidic while 25.7% was alkaline in nature. All the tested soils showed lower pHKCl compared to pHH2O thus possessed negative charge. About 68.6% of the collected soils contained low (1.10-1.70%) level of organic matter, 25.7% soils retained it at medium level (1.71-2.40) and 5.7% soils at very low level (<1.0%). All the tested soils appeared to be deficient (< 0.12%) in nitrogen content. 68.6% soil samples had the low level of available P while only 8.6% retained it an optimum amount. About 80% of the tested soils contained low level of available S (7.9- 14.7 mg kg -1) although coastal regions soils hold higher amount of available S. High CEC (20-38 cmol kg-1) was found in clay rich soils of AEZ 10, 11, 12, and 13. Study revealed that 40% of the collected soils were very low, 31.4% were low, 8.6% each of medium and optimum, and 11.4% contained high level of exchangeable K. The calcareous soils (AEZ 10, 11, 12 and 13) contained very high level of Ca. Non calcareous soils also showed fairly good level of Ca content except AEZ 1, 3, 23 and 29. Sandy textured soils of greater Dinajpur, Rangpur, Moulvibazar showed lower level of exchangeable Mg. About 86% of the tested soils had the lower (< 2%) potassium saturation percentage (KSP), which needs K application for sustainable crop production. Estimate showed that 44% variability for CEC may be attributed by clay content and the relationship was significant (p = 0.05). Again, 50.4 and 65.6% variability in exchangeable K and Mg, respectively may be governed by clay content of the soils, while such relationship for Ca was non-significant. CEC may contribute 62.2, 92.3 and 83.9% variability for exchangeable K, Ca and Mg content in soils, respectively. The fertility status of most of the studied soils (except AEZ 10, 12, 13 and to some extent 11) appeared to be low to very low, which demand judicious management in order to achieve food security and to conserve the soil fertility.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 41(4): 735-757, December 2016


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Baghdad Science Journal

Soil invertebrates community an important role as part of essential food chain and responsible for the decomposition in the soil, helps soil aeration , nutrients recycling and increase agricultural production by providing the essential elements necessary for photosynthesis and energy flow in ecosystems.The aim of the present study was to investigate the soil invertebrates community in one of the date palms plantation in Aljaderia district South of Baghdad, , and their relationships with some physical and chemical properties of the soil , as Five randomly distributed replicates of soil samples were collected monthly. Invertebrates samples were sorted from the soil with two methods, direct method to isolate large invertebrates and indirectly to isolate small invertebrates using wet funnel method. The study also included the determination of physical and chemical factors of the soil (Temperature, Salinity, pH, Organic matter, Humidity, In addition to the soil texture).Monthly fluctuations in physical and chemical characteristics of the soil and the total invertebrates community study site were determined. Significant correlations the of the invertebrates community and each of temperature, organic matter, and humidity were observed. The study revealed that the temperature of the soil ranged between 5 to 25 C0 , The salinity concentration ranged between 1.1-1.9 ‰, The pH values ranged between 7.3 to 7.8 and the percentage of soil moisture ranged between 15 - 25% , Soil samples were composed of 44.6 % Clay, 19.7% Silt and 35.5% Sand.A total of 4625 individuals of soil invertebrates belonging to 16 taxa were sorted , within which the adult and larval insects were the most abundant, and from them 1283 individuals were sorted , represented 28% of the total numbers, followed by Isopoda , which 1030 individuals of them were sorted, In addition to Nematode, Oligochaetes Annelids family Enchytraeidae, and Earthworms family Lumbricida, Species of Chilopoda, Diplopoda, mites, land snails and slugs. The highest total individual number were recorded recorded durim moderate temperature months, February, March and April amounted to 838, 801 and 813 individuals, respectively.A significant correlation was mated between total number of soil invertebrates and each of temperature, organic matter and humidity. The significant difference in means was calculated according to LSD test.


2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 895-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyanka Jamwal ◽  
Daniel Phillips ◽  
Kim Karlsrud

Abstract In the present study, three low-cost filter aggregate materials were tested and compared for organic matter and fecal coliform (FC) removal at the laboratory scale. Setups were subjected to synthetic wastewater at two hydraulic loading rates (HLR), i.e. 4 cm/day and 40 cm/day. The hydraulic retention time (HRT) at the two HLRs varied from 4 days to 12 h, respectively. The result obtained shows that the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) removal efficiency of aggregate materials decreased with the increase in HLR. Both at high and low HLR, the terracotta aggregate material exhibited maximum BOD5 loading removal and without significant difference for the case of FC removal efficiency for all the three aggregate materials. At higher HLR, cell debris and biofilm loss from the aggregate material contributed to the chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels in the treated water. The terracotta aggregate material provided best organic matter removal at both HLRs. The study demonstrates the potential of incorporating inexpensive and readily available local materials into decentralized, frugal green infrastructure interventions capable of lowering the quantum of harmful biological contaminants in open storm water channels in rapidly urbanizing cities of developing countries, and that the terracotta aggregate material provided best organic removal at both HLRs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (02) ◽  
pp. 108-115
Author(s):  
S. P. Vista ◽  
T. B. Ghimire ◽  
T. S. Rai ◽  
B. S. Kutu ◽  
B. K. Karna

Potato is a staple food crop in high hills and mountains and a major vegetable throughout the country and one of the most important cash generating crops in Nepal. With the efforts undertaken by research and extension sectors, its productivity has significantly increased in last twenty years. However, this is not sufficient for increasing population of the country. Considering its potentiality for income, employment, industrial products, export and processing, appropriate technologies are urgent.Soil fertility evaluation is the most basic decision making tool for the sustainable soil nutrient management. Soil fertility studies and mapping is an effective way to diagnose soil status and recommend as per the need of the nutrient to particular crop in the area. This research aims to assess and prepare soil nutrient map of potato super zone, Kavrepalanchowk in Nepal. The specific objectives of the research were to assess soil texture, pH and organic matter status and simultaneously prepare soil fertility map of the potato super zone. A total of 202 soil samples were collected and nutrients were analyzed using standard procedure in the soil laboratory. Composite soil samples were collected from 6 to 10 different spots of the area at 0-20 cm depth by using soil auger. The GPS location of each soil sampling point was noted. The soil sampling point of each zone was determined by studying various aspects (area, slope, colour, texture, etc.) of the study area. Based on the nutrient status, nutrient maps were prepared and presented. Soil fertility maps were prepared by observing the critical nutrients required for the specific crops and by giving those nutrients certain ranking based on the nutrients role for the crop. The soil of Potato super zone was mostly found to be silty loam, moderately acidic (pH 5.9), medium in organic matter content (2.67%) and total nitrogen (0.13%), high in available phosphorus content (56 kg/ha) and available potassium (356kg/ha). There is also sandy loam, loam and silty clay loam types of soil in the area. Soil fertility maps were prepared by setting criteria based on nutrient status that were tested in the laboratory and on the basis of nutrients that are critical for each crops of the super zones. Vegetable super zone soil was found having medium (50%) and high (30%) fertility status. Based on the soil analysis report, it could be concluded that the soils of potato super zone is fair enough for cultivating potato crop at the moment.


Author(s):  
Nasiru M. Danmowa ◽  
Peter Nkedi- Kizza ◽  
Kelly T. Morgan ◽  
Kamal Mahmoud

The aim of this study is to characterize the fertility status of the Dingyadi soils from semiarid Northern Nigeria, by using different methods of extraction to assess the potential for soil available macro and micronutrients to the sorghum crop. The study also compared concentrations of extractable nutrients between extractants for ascertaining the possibility of using one method to quantify a variety of plant-available nutrients in soils. Surface (0-15 cm) and sub-surface (15-30 cm) soil samples were collected along a topo-sequence at Dingyadi Sokoto-Nigeria, where sorghum had been grown, to characterize the soil chemical and physical properties that can influence soil fertility for sorghum production. The topo-sequence consisted of valley floor (TLL1), middle (TUP2), and crest (TUP3) positions of the slope. At each position 60 concentrations of each plant nutrient were used for the comparisons.Soil extraction for nutrients was carried out at the Environmental Soil Physics laboratory, Soil and Water Sciences Department, University of Florida, while analysis of aliquots for the elements was carried out at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee, Florida. The study was carried out over a period of eight months, in 2016-2017. Soil samples were extracted using different extraction methods (Mehlich-3, Bray-1, Ammonium acetate, and DI-Water). A soil to solution ratio of 1:1 was used across all extraction methods to facilitate comparison between methods. However, a test was carried out to examine the effect of soil to solution ratio of (1:10) on extractable macro nutrients using Mehlich3 for randomly selected soil samples across the topo-sequence. Soil samples were also analyzed for texture, pH, organic matter, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). All soil soils were sandy, low in organic matter content, and CEC.With respect to sorghum production, the soils had adequate nutrients (Mg, Ca, K, and P) and soil pH. All soil samples contained no exchangeable K. Mehlich3 extracted higher available P than Bray1 in TLL1, but equal amounts in TUP2 and TUP3. Good correlations exist between extracting methods for macro nutrients (Mg, Ca, K, and P). Bray1 method used for available P is not suitable for soils that have pH greater than 7 determined in water. Mehlich3 is more suitable for the semiarid soils of Northern Nigeria that are acidic or alkaline. The Mehlich3 method should be calibrated with yield response of crops to substitute for Bray1 available phosphorus. Also, Mehlich3 method could be used for the multi-nutrient test with a good correlation with other methods like ammonium acetate for exchangeable bases.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dinesh Khadka ◽  
Sushil Lamichhane ◽  
Shahabuddin Khan ◽  
Sushila Joshi ◽  
Buddhi Bahadur Pant

Soil test-based fertility management is important for sustainable soil management. This study was carried out to determine the soil fertility status of the Agriculture Research Station, Belachapi, Dhanusha, Nepal. Using soil sampling auger 25 soil samples were collected randomly from a depth of 0-20 cm. Soil sampling points were identified using GPS device. Following standard methods adopted by Soil Science Division laboratory, Khumaltar, the collected soil samples were analyzed to find out their texture, pH, N, P2O5, K2O, Ca, Mg, S, B, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and organic matter status. The soil fertility status maps were made using Arc-GIS 10.1 software. The observed data revealed that soil was grayish brown in colour and sub-angular blocky in structure. The sand, silt and clay content were 36.03±3.66%, 50.32±2.52% and 25.42±2.25%, respectively and categorized as eight different classes of texture. The soil was acidic in pH (5.61±0.14). The available sulphur (0.73±0.09 ppm) status was very low, whereas organic matter (1.34±0.07%), available boron (0.56±0.10 ppm), available zinc (0.54±0.22 ppm) and available copper (0.30±0.01 ppm) were low in status. The extractable potassium (95.52±13.37 ppm) and extractable calcium (1264.8±92.80ppm) exhibited medium in status. In addition, available phosphorus (33.25±6.97 ppm), available magnesium (223.20±23.65 ppm) and available manganese (20.50±2.43 ppm) were high in status. Furthermore, available iron (55.80±8.89 ppm) status was very high. To improve the potentiality of crops (maize, rice, wheat etc.) for studied area, future research strategy should be made based on its soil fertility status.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 434-440
Author(s):  
Fitra Syawal Harahap ◽  
Abdul Rauf ◽  
Benny Hidayat ◽  
Hilwa Walida ◽  
Jamidi ◽  
...  

Organic materials in situ remaining paddy crops in paddy fields are much abandoned by farmers. Most of the remaining harvested are burned, stacked in the cultivated, or used for animal feed or as a fungus. Straw compost is source of Potassium (K) and Silica (Si). About 80% of K absorbed by plants is in the straw. The return of straw to the soil may slow the impoverishment of Potassium (K) in the soil. This study aims to find out how the availability of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) nutrients by giving organic matter as soil fertility status in paddy fields in Beringin Subdistrict, Deli Serdang Regency and to review management alternatives that are in accordance with the soil fertility status in the Central Land Rice fields in Beringin Subdistrict, Deli Serdang Regency. This research was carried out in the Central Rice Field in Beringin Subdistrict, Deli Serdang Regency ± 11 meters above sea level. The taking of soil samples was taken in the upper layer at the top soil depth of 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm and the coordinates were recorded using GPS (Global Positioning System). While information on land management is obtained by direct observation in the field and in-depth interviews with farmers in snow ball which aims to obtain complete information from farmers. Soil samples that have been taken in the field are then analyzed in the laboratory. Soil chemical properties analyzed in laboratory soil chemical properties analyzed at P2O5 Bray II (ppm) laboratory K2O Hcl 25% (mg / 100g). To determine the chemical properties of soil with certain criteria that have been determined. Based on Technical Guidelines for Evaluation of Soil Fertility The direction of management of soil fertility needs to be added to organic matter and phosphorus fertilization regularly so that soil fertility can be sustainable. Further research is needed in order to find out the addition of phosphorus fertilizer and organic matter in each unit of land.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-44
Author(s):  
Basuki Wasis ◽  
Bambang Hero Saharjo ◽  
Robi Deslia Waldi

Forest fires cause the death of flora, soil damage and smoke disasters. The research was corected at the productivity forest and soil samples were taken through purposive sampling. The result of research show that forest fires cause the death of flora by 100% and erosion occurring at the dept of 5-10 cm. Forest fires cause a significant increase in pH, Ca and Mg mineral soils, and reduce organic C, total microorganisms, total fungi and soil respiration significantly. Forest fires increase soil pH and soil fertility due to ash remaining combustion. The residual combustion ash comes from organic material (natural forest biomass and organic matter) which is burned was which of nutrient needed fan the growth of the vegetation in the forest.Keywords: forest fires, mineral soils, soil fertility, soil properties


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 780-787
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Hassan Hayatu ◽  
Abdullahi Mohammed ◽  
Barroon Ahmad Isma’eel ◽  
Sahabi Yusuf Ali

Soil fertility determines a plant's development process that guarantees food sufficiency and the security of lives and properties through bumper harvests. The fertility of soil varies according to regions, thereby determining the type of crops to be planted. However, there is no repository or any source of information about the fertility of the soil in any region in Nigeria especially the Northwest of the country. The only available information is soil samples with their attributes which gives little or no information to the average farmer. This has affected crop yield in all the regions, more particularly the Northwest region, thus resulting in lower food production.  Therefore, this study is aimed at classifying soil data based on their fertility in the Northwest region of Nigeria using R programming. Data were obtained from the department of soil science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The data contain 400 soil samples containing 13 attributes. The relationship between soil attributes was observed based on the data. K-means clustering algorithm was employed in analyzing soil fertility clusters. Four clusters were identified with cluster 1 having the highest fertility, followed by 2 and the fertility decreases with an increasing number of clusters. The identification of the most fertile clusters will guide farmers on where best to concentrate on when planting their crops in order to improve productivity and crop yield.


2010 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Takács ◽  
Gy. Füleky

The Hot Water Percolation (HWP) technique for preparing soil extracts has several advantages: it is easily carried out, fast, and several parameters can be measured from the same solution. The object of this study was to examine the possible use of HWP extracts for the characterization of soil organic matter. The HPLC-SEC chromatograms, UV-VIS and fluorescence properties of the HWP extracts were studied and the results were compared with those of the International Humic Substances Society (IHSS) Soil Humic Acid (HA), IHSS Soil Fulvic Acid (FA) and IHSS Suwannee Natural Organic Matter (NOM) standards as well as their HA counterparts isolated by traditional extraction methods from the original soil samples. The DOM of the HWP solution is probably a mixture of organic materials, which have some characteristics similar to the Soil FA fractions and NOM. The HWP extracted organic material can be studied and characterized using simple techniques, like UV-VIS and fluorescence spectroscopy.


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