scholarly journals Effect of homegarden and parkland agroforestry practices in Ethiopia on selected soil properties

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (05) ◽  
pp. 18115-18130
Author(s):  
HS Wolle ◽  
◽  
P Barberi ◽  
S Carlesi ◽  
◽  
...  

Ethiopian agricultural lands are fragile due to inherent unfavourable soil properties, over-exploitation, mismanagement (deforestation, over-grazing and inappropriate land use systems) and harsh weather conditions. These factors are worsened by changing climatic conditions, leading to significant problems in terms of soil erosion and loss of soil fertility. The consequences of such processes can be detected at the economic (agricultural production is currently being jeopardized)and biological (risks of biodiversity loss and habitat fragmentation)levels. However, the use of tree/shrub species in various agroforestry practices can increase soil nutrient supply through nitrogen fixation, improve soil structure, reduce soil erosion and nutrient losses. A study was carried out in the Amhara region, Ethiopia to evaluate the effect of home garden and parkland agroforestry practices on selected soil chemical properties. Soil samples were taken from 20x20m square plots established in home garden agroforestry and adjacent agricultural land without trees (control). In parkland agroforestry practice, two dominant tree species in each of the five villages were chosen. Soil samples were taken from the tree at the midpoint of the canopy projection, at 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths. The collected soil samples were air-dried, homogenized and passed through a 2 mm sieve for subsequent soil chemical analysis. The results indicated that all soil chemical properties except total nitrogen were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected by the agroforestry practices.Higher soil organic carbon, organic matter, available phosphorus,and exchangeablepotassium were found in the home garden agroforestry practice, while the lowest values were recorded in without-tree fields (control). All soil chemical properties except soil pH decreased as the soil depth increased. Higher value of organic carbon, available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium were found in the home garden agroforestry likely because of a higher proportion of deep-rooted tree/shrub species and species belonging to the legume functional group. Therefore, the home garden agroforestry practice can be used as an ecologically friendly and sustainable alternative to maintaining soil fertility.

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (21) ◽  
pp. 7451
Author(s):  
Barbara Breza-Boruta ◽  
Karol Kotwica ◽  
Justyna Bauza-Kaszewska

Properly selected tillage methods and management of the available organic matter resources are considered important measures to enable farming in accordance with the principles of sustainable agriculture. Depending on the depth and intensity of cultivation, tillage practices affect soil chemical composition, structure and biological activity. The three-year experiment was performed on the soil under spring wheat (cv. Tybalt) short-time cultivation. The influence of different tillage systems and stubble management on the soil’s chemical and biological parameters was analyzed. Organic carbon content (OC); content of biologically available phosphorus (Pa), potassium (Ka), and magnesium (Mg); content of total nitrogen (TN), mineral nitrogen forms: N-NO3 and N-NH4 were determined in various soil samples. Moreover, the total number of microorganisms (TNM), bacteria (B), actinobacteria (A), fungi (F); soil respiratory activity (SR); and pH in 1 M KCl (pH) were also investigated. The results show that organic matter amendment is of greater influence on soil characteristics than the tillage system applied. Manure application, as well as leaving the straw in the field, resulted in higher amounts of organic carbon and biologically available potassium. A significant increase in the number of soil microorganisms was also observed in soil samples from the experimental plots including this procedure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 115-126
Author(s):  
Shukra Raj Shrestha ◽  
Jiban Shrestha ◽  
Sanjeet Kumar Jha ◽  
Dinesh Khadka ◽  
Prakash Paneru ◽  
...  

Field experiments were conducted for four years (2014-2017) at five locations namely Salbani, Bhokraha, Simariya, Bhaluwa and Kaptanganj of Sunsari district to assess the changes in soil chemical properties under conservation agriculture (CA)-based practices in two cropping systems namely rice-kidney bean-maize at Salbani and rice-wheat at rest of the locations. In rice-wheat cropping system, there were four treatments: (1) conventional tillage (CT) for rice transplantation and subsequent wheat sowing, (2) conventional tillage rice transplantation followed by zero tillage (ZT) wheat, (3) unpuddled rice transplantation followed by zero tillage wheat, (4) zero tillage in both rice and wheat. Similarly, in rice-kidney bean-maize cropping system, there were four treatments; (1) conventional tillage for rice transplantation and sowing of both kidney bean and maize, (2) conventional tillage rice transplantation followed by zero tillage in both kidney bean and maize, (3) unpuddled rice transplantation followed by zero tillage in both kidney bean and maize, (4) zero tillage in all three crops. Soil samples were taken at initial and every year after rice harvest.The soil samples were analyzed for total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, pH and soil organic matter.Total nitrogen (N) showed a slightly decreasing trend in the first three years and showed a slight increase at the end of experiment under ZT in all locations. The total N under ZT changed from 0.12 to 0.13%, 0.05 to 0.06%, 0.10 to 0.12%, 0.11 to 0.08% and 0.09 to 0.13% in Salbani, Bhokraha, Simariya, Bhaluwa and Kaptanganj, respectively.  All locations showed the positive values of available potassium; Salbani  revealing considerable change of 64.3 to 78.5 mg/kg in CT while 68.4 to 73.3 mg/kg in ZT condition. The treatment where rice was transplanted in unpuddled condition and zero tilled to wheat, had a mean value of available phosphorus and potassium as 87.3 and 81.9 mg/kg respectively. Soil pH ranged from 4.8 to 7.1 in CT while it was 5.2 to 6.8 in ZT across the locations. The change in soil organic matter in CT of all locations except Salbani was narrower as compared to ZT.


2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 3379-3386
Author(s):  
S Syarifinnur ◽  
Yulia Nuraini ◽  
Budi Prasetya

This study was conducted to determine the effect of compost and vermicompost from market organic waste on the soil chemical properties and the growth of maize. The treatments tested were three doses of compost (2.5, 5, and 10 t/ha), three doses of vermicompost (2.5, 5, and 10 t/ha), and one control (without compost or vermicompost). At the time of harvest (10 weeks after planting), maize shoot dry weight, root dry weight, cob length, cob diameter, cob with husk, and cob dry weight, as well as the soil chemical properties organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), total phosphorus (P), available P, total potassium (K), and pH were observed. Maize plant height, leaf number, and stem diameter were observed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after planting. The results showed that the application of compost and vermicompost significantly affected soil chemical properties and the yield of maize. The application of 10 t vermicompost/ha resulted in the highest yield of maize and highest increase of soil organic carbon, total phosphorus available phosphorus, total potassium, and pH by 7.21%, 112.41%, 287.44%, 85.44% and 17.58%, respectively. The application of 10 t compost/ha resulted in the highest increase of soil total N by 44%.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Imam Khoirudin

This result aims to determine the impact of land fires on chemicals soil. Forest fire data Obtained in the region of Research and Edication Forest Bukit Soeharto Mulawarman University (HPPBS UNMUL). The method was used on research are descriptive and comparative by comparing the result of soil chemicals properties analysis of burn and unburned lands. The soil chemistry properties of this result is pH, Organic Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphor and Potassium. Soil sampling was random system on this methods. Soil samples be distinguished by type and depth of soil sampling. The results of the soil analysis chemical properties then was compared based on assessment of soil chemical properties which refers to the assessment criteria soil chemical properties developed by Soil Research Institute Bogor, 2005. The results showed the fires occurring after 1 year influence of soil chemicals properties such as pH, Organic Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphor and Potassium.


Author(s):  
Hylda Permata Riantara ◽  
Marga Mandala

Cassava has an important role as a potential caloric source for the community. Cassava has been known as a plant with wide range adaptability, thus it is very potential to be cultivated in areas with highly variated agro-ecological conditions such as temperate regions, marginal land, and dryland. This research aimed to study the chemical properties of suboptimal dryland in Panji, Kendit and Kapongan Subdistrict, Situbondo Regency for the development of cassava cultivation. The research was carried out by doing surveys and taking soil samples of suboptimal dryland in Subdistricts of Panji, Kendit, and Kapongan. Each subdistrict had 5 locations chosen as site obtaining soil samples. The soil samples were taken at a depth of 20 cm, each soil sample was put into a plastic clip, then was labeled and brought to the Soil Fertility Laboratory for analysis of soil chemical properties. The soil chemical properties analyzed were pH H2O, cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic carbon, total Nitrogen, available Phosphate, and available Kalium. The results showed that the organic carbon, total Nitrogen, and available Phosphate became a limiting factor which belonged to the category of very low to low, with organic carbon of 0.80-1.44%, total Nitrogen of 0.12-0.17% and available Phosphate of 15.21-15.97 ppm. Nevertheless, the soil chemical properties of suboptimal dryland are quite suitable for cassava, however other inputs are needed to the soil by fertilizing the organic matter, Nitrogen, and Phosphate.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 51-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Gougoulias ◽  
G. Papapolymerou ◽  
V. Karayannis ◽  
X. Spiliotis ◽  
N. Chouliaras

The effect of the algal species Chlorella vulgaris at six different ratios (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 g) of air dried algae biomass, mixed with 10.18 g of sheep manure, added to 50 g of soil, and incubated for a period of 15 weeks was studied in a laboratory in order to detect the role of adding small amounts of admixed algal biomass to soil in biodegradation of soil organic carbon. The obtained data showed that mineralization of soil organic carbon increased by 16.2–35.9% at all rates of algae addition compared to the control, while the highest increase was observed at the highest rates of algae addition. There was a 40–50% increase in the available form of potassium, while the highest increase was also observed at the highest rates of algae addition. The four times higher rates of added algae increased the corresponding content of nitrate nitrogen by 20–30%, while ammonium nitrogen contents decreased by 9.5–35.7% for all amounts of added algae in comparison with the control. The available forms of copper, manganese, and zinc were also increased for all amounts of added algae by 56.8–61.9%, 55.8–67.3%, and 34.1–40.6%, respectively. On the contrary, the addition of algae did not indicate significant differences among treatments as concerns organic or available phosphorus contents. The results proved the effect of the algae Chlorella vulgaris as an accelerator agent in biodegradation of soil organic matter, without any significant negative impact on soil chemical properties.


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivanildo Amorim de Oliveira ◽  
Milton César Costa Campos ◽  
José Marques Junior ◽  
Renato Eleotério de Aquino ◽  
Daniel de Bortoli Teixeira ◽  
...  

The lack of information concerning the variability of soil properties has been a major concern of researchers in the Amazon region. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial variability of soil chemical properties and determine minimal sampling density to characterize the variability of these properties in five environments located in the south of the State of Amazonas, Brazil. The five environments were archaeological dark earth (ADE), forest, pasture land, agroforestry operation, and sugarcane crop. Regular 70 × 70 m mesh grids were set up in these areas, with 64 sample points spaced at 10 m distance. Soil samples were collected at the 0.0-0.1 m depth. The chemical properties of pH in water, OM, P, K, Ca, Mg, H+Al, SB, CEC, and V were determined at these points. Data were analyzed by descriptive and geostatistical analyses. A large part of the data analyzed showed spatial dependence. Chemical properties were best fitted to the spherical model in almost all the environments evaluated, except for the sugarcane field with a better fit to the exponential model. ADE and sugarcane areas had greater heterogeneity of soil chemical properties, showing a greater range and higher sampling density; however, forest and agroforestry areas had less variability of chemical properties.


Author(s):  
C. V. Ogbenna ◽  
V. E. Osodeke

Aim: A pot experiment was carried out to determine the effect of sawdust ash and lime (Ca(OH)2) on soil characteristics and yield of sunflower in acidic soil of southeastern Nigeria. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in split-plot design, using sawdust ash (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 t ha-1) as the sub plot and lime (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 t ha-1) as the main plot. Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted outdoors at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Nigeria, during the 2010 planting season. Materials and Methods: Treatment combinations were applied to the 60 buckets containing soil, mixed thoroughly and watered adequately. After 1 week of treatment application, two sunflower seeds were planted and later thinned to one seedling per bucket. Plant growth and yield data were collected. Pre planting and post-harvest soil samples were collected and analyzed for soil properties. Results: Results showed that with the exception of organic carbon there was significant effect of treatments on all soil chemical properties. Lime and sawdust ash (SDA) as single and combined treatments significantly increased total nitrogen (P=0.05), available phosphorus (P<0.010), and base saturation (P<0.012). The interaction between SDA and lime significantly (P=0.05) increased total exchangeable bases and effective cation exchange capacity, while soil pH was significantly increased (P=0.05) by single applications. The increases in soil chemical properties led to significant positive response of the sunflower. With the exception of number of leaves, other plant parameters (Plant height, stem diameter, head weight, 50 seed weight, head diameter) had significant increases for sawdust ash alone at P=0.05. Correlation studies showed positive significant relationship between soil pH and sunflower yield. Conclusion: The study showed that sunflower performed best at the combination of 3 tha-1 SDA and 1.5 t ha-1 lime producing a mean head weight of 45.4 g.


Author(s):  
G. O. Ateh ◽  
M. G. Saka ◽  
E. E. Dishan ◽  
B. B. Meer

This study evaluated the relationship between selected physicochemical properties and microbial populations of the soil of Bagale Forest Reserve, Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Five plots of 20 x 20 m were laid. Soil samples were collected from five different positions at two soil depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm. The soil samples were isolated in the laboratory for microbial populations and determination of physical and chemical properties. The results obtained revealed that fungal population (7.65 x 105 cfu/ml) was the highest at the soil depth of 0-15 cm, representing 39% of the total microbial populations in the sampled soil of the study area. The results further revealed that the population (6.84 x 105 cfu/ml) of the bacteria had a positive effect on soils of the study area in terms of nitrogen fixation by Rhizobacterial spp. Chemical properties of the soil samples revealed that the available phosphorus exhibited the highest percentage (61.7%) at 0-15 cm soil depth. Analyses of soil physical properties recorded the highest percentage (49.0%) of sand at 0-15 cm soil depth. A similar percentage (50.0%) of sand was exhibited at the depth of 15-30 cm. These percentages accounted for the high porosity (29.0%) of the soil observed at the two soil levels in the study area and could be improved through the application of lime fertilizers. Application of appropriate fertilizers like NPK to improve the soil condition of the study area is highly recommended.


Author(s):  
Gintaras JARAŠIŪNAS ◽  
Irena KINDERIENĖ

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of different land use systems on soil erosion rates, surface evolution processes and physico-chemical properties on a moraine hilly topography in Lithuania. The soil of the experimental site is Bathihypogleyi – Eutric Albeluvisols (abe–gld–w) whose texture is a sandy loam. After a 27-year use of different land conservation systems, three critical slope segments (slightly eroded, active erosion and accumulation) were formed. Soil physical properties of the soil texture and particle sizes distribution were examined. Chemical properties analysed for were soil ph, available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (N). We estimated the variation in thickness of the soil Ap horizon and soil physico-chemical properties prone to a sustained erosion process. During the study period (2010–2012) water erosion occurred under the grain– grass and grass–grain crop rotations, at rates of 1.38 and 0.11 m3 ha–1 yr–1, respectively. Soil exhumed due to erosion from elevated positions accumulated in the slope bottom. As a result, topographic transfiguration of hills and changes in soil properties occurred. However, the accumulation segments of slopes had significantly higher silt/clay ratios and SOC content. In the active erosion segments a lighter soil texture and lower soil ph were recorded. Only long-term grassland completely stopped soil erosion effects; therefore geomorphologic change and degradation of hills was estimated there as minimal.


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