Mulch and Fertilizer Management Practices for Organic Production of Highbush Blueberry. II. Impact on Plant and Soil Nutrients during Establishment

A systems trial was established in Oct. 2006 to evaluate management practices for organic production of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). The practices included: flat and raised planting beds; feather meal and fish emulsion fertilizer each applied at rates of 29 and 57 kg·ha−1 nitrogen (N); sawdust mulch, compost topped with sawdust mulch (compost + sawdust), or weed mat; and two cultivars, Duke and Liberty. Each treatment was irrigated by drip and weeds were controlled as needed. The planting was certified organic in 2008. Bed type affected most leaf nutrients measured in one or both cultivars during the first year after planting, including N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), boron (B), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), but had less of an effect on leaf nutrients and no effect on soil pH, organic matter, or soil nutrients measured the next year. Feather meal contained 12 times more Ca and seven times more B than fish emulsion and resulted in higher levels of soil Ca and soil and leaf B in both cultivars, whereas fish emulsion contained three times more P, 100 times more K, and 60 times more copper (Cu) and resulted in higher levels of soil P, K, and Cu as well as a higher level of leaf P and K. Fish emulsion also reduced soil pH. Compost + sawdust mulch increased soil pH and organic matter and resulted in higher levels of soil nitrate-N (NO3-N), P, K, Ca, B, Cu, and Zn than sawdust alone and increased leaf K and B. Weed mat, in contrast, resulted in the lowest soil pH and increased soil ammonium-N (NH4-N). Weed mat also reduced soil Ca and Mg, but its effects on leaf nutrients were variable. Leaf Ca, Mg, and B were below levels recommended for blueberry the first year after planting when plants were fertilized with fish emulsion, whereas leaf N was low or deficient on average in the second year when plants were fertilized with feather meal. Leaf B was also low the second year in all treatments, and leaf Cu was marginally low. Leaf K, conversely, increased from the previous year and was becoming marginally high with fish emulsion. Fish emulsion, weed mat, and compost were generally the most favorable practices in terms of plant and soil nutrition. However, given the impact of each on soil pH and/or plant and soil K, further investigation is needed to determine whether these practices are sustainable over the long term for both conventional and organic production of highbush blueberry.

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Mulch and Fertilizer Management Practices for Organic Production of Highbush Blueberry. I: Plant Growth and Allocation of Biomass during Establishment

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.48.10.1250 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 48 (10) ◽

pp. 1250-1261 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Handell Larco ◽

Bernadine C. Strik ◽

David R. Bryla ◽

Dan M. Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽

Organic Production ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Fertilizer Treatment ◽

Highbush Blueberry ◽

Feather Meal ◽

Total Plant ◽

The Impact

A systems trial was established in Oct. 2006 to evaluate management practices for organic production of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). The practices included: flat and raised planting beds; feather meal and fish emulsion fertilizer each applied at rates of 29 and 57 kg·ha−1 nitrogen (N); sawdust mulch, compost topped with sawdust mulch (compost + sawdust), or weed mat; and two cultivars, Duke and Liberty. Each treatment was irrigated by drip and weeds were controlled as needed. The planting was certified organic in 2008. After one growing season, allocation of biomass to the roots was greater when plants were grown on raised beds than on flat beds, mulched with organic mulch rather than a weed mat, and fertilized with the lower rate of N. Plants also allocated more biomass belowground when fertilized with feather meal than with fish emulsion. Although fish emulsion improved growth relative to feather meal in the establishment year, this was not the case the next year when feather meal was applied earlier. After two seasons, total plant dry weight (DW) was generally greater on raised beds than on flat beds, but the difference varied depending on fertilizer and the type of mulch used. Shoots and leaves accounted for 60% to 77% of total plant biomass, whereas roots accounted for 7% to 19% and fruit accounted for 4% to 18%. Plants produced 33% higher yield when grown on raised beds than on flat beds and had 36% higher yield with weed mat than with sawdust mulch. Yield was also higher when plants were fertilized with the low rate of fish emulsion than with any other fertilizer treatment in ‘Duke’ but was unaffected by fertilizer source or rate in ‘Liberty’. Although raised beds and sawdust or sawdust + compost produced the largest total plant DW, the greatest shoot growth and yield occurred when plants were mulched with weed mat or compost + sawdust on raised beds in both cultivars. The impact of these organic production practices on root development may affect the sustainability of these production systems over time, however, because plants with lower root-to-shoot ratios may be more sensitive to cultural or environmental stresses.

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Costs of Establishing Organic Northern Highbush Blueberry: Impacts of Planting Method, Fertilization, and Mulch Type

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.47.7.866 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 47 (7) ◽

pp. 866-873 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

James W. Julian ◽

Bernadine C. Strik ◽

Handell O. Larco ◽

David R. Bryla ◽

Dan M. Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Acetic Acid ◽

Management Practices ◽

Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽

Organic Production ◽

Highbush Blueberry ◽

Labor Costs ◽

Feather Meal ◽

Net Returns ◽

Lemon Grass ◽

Northern Highbush Blueberry

A systems trial was established to evaluate factorial management practices for organic production of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). The practices included: flat and raised planting beds; feather meal and fish emulsion fertilizer applied at 29 and 57 kg·ha−1 of nitrogen (N); sawdust mulch, compost topped with sawdust mulch (compost + sawdust), or weed mat; and two cultivars, Duke and Liberty. The planting was established in Oct. 2006 and was certified organic in 2008. Weeds were managed by hand-hoeing or pulling in sawdust and weed mat-mulched plots and a combination of hand-pulling, propane-flaming, and post-emergent, targeted applications of acetic acid or lemon grass oil to any weeds present in the compost + sawdust plots depending on year. Data were recorded on input costs and returns in Year 0 (establishment year) through Year 3. Plants were harvested beginning the second year after planting. Planting costs were $741/ha higher on raised beds than on the flat, but the higher costs were more than offset by an average of 63% greater yields that improved net returns by as much as $2861/ha. Cumulative net returns after 3 years were negative and ranged from –$32,967 to –$50,352/ha when grown on raised beds and from –$34,320 to –$52,848/ha when grown on flat beds, depending on cultivar, mulch, and fertilizer rate and source. The greatest yields were obtained in plants fertilized with the low rate of fish emulsion or the high rate of feather meal, but fertilizing with fish emulsion by hand cost (materials and labor) as much as $5066/ha more than feather meal. Higher costs of establishment and pruning for ‘Liberty’ compared with ‘Duke’ were offset by higher net returns in all treatment combinations, except feather meal fertilizer with either weed mat or compost + sawdust mulch. Mulch type affected establishment costs, weed presence, and weed management costs, which included product and labor costs for application of herbicides (acetic acid and lemon grass oil) as well as labor for hand-weeding as needed, depending on the treatment. The highest yielding treatment combinations (growing on raised beds mulched with compost + sawdust and fertilized with fish emulsion) improved cumulative net returns as much as $19,333/ha over 3 years.

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Soil organic matter as influenced by straw management practices and inclusion of grass and clover seed crops in cereal rotations

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr01103 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 95 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

D. Curtin ◽

P. M. Fraser

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Management Practices ◽

Degree Days ◽

Straw Management ◽

Soil C ◽

Total Soil ◽

C And N ◽

Second Year ◽

Seed Crops

In New Zealand, cereal straw has traditionally been burned to facilitate seedbed preparation for the succeeding crop. Because of concerns over the decline of organic matter and the associated deterioration in soil structure, farmers are interested in incorporating crop residues as a means of maintaining organic matter levels. In a 6-year trial on a Wakanui silt loam on the Canterbury Plains, we evaluated the effects of 3 straw management practices (i.e. straw incorporation, burning of straw, and straw removal) on total and labile soil organic matter. A fourth treatment was included to evaluate the local practice of including seed crops (grass and clover) in cereal rotations. The seed crops were grown every second year, the crop sequence being cereal–ryegrass–cereal–clover–cereal–clover. The rate of straw (wheat) decomposition was determined using a litter bag technique, with the bags being buried at a depth of 15 cm for intervals of up to 19 months. In the straw-incorporated treatment, about 25 t/ha of straw (~11 t C/ha) was returned to the soil during the trial. However, there was no significant effect (P > 0.05) of straw management treatments on total soil C (or N), or on labile organic matter pools, although there was a tendency for higher levels of mineralisable C and N where straw was incorporated. Measured straw decomposition rates were consistent with predictions of the Douglas-Rickman residue decomposition model. Under the relatively warm conditions of the Canterbury Plains (thermal time typically >4000 degree-days per year, calculated as the sum of daily degree-days above a base temperature of 0�C), about three-quarters of incorporated straw decomposed within a year. Of the 11 t C/ha of straw-C incorporated, we estimated that only about 1 t C/ha would remain in the soil at the time of sampling. An increase in soil C by this amount would not be detectable (total soil C was about 55 t/ha in the upper 15 cm). Growing seed crops every second year increased several of the labile organic pools (mineralisable C and N, light fraction C and N, microbial biomass) in the 0–7.5 and 7.5 cm soil layers and this may have beneficial effects (e.g. improved N supply) on the succeeding cereal crop. However, the seed crops did not significantly increase total soil organic matter within the 6 years.

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Organic Production Systems in Northern Highbush Blueberry: I. Impact of Planting Method, Cultivar, Fertilizer, and Mulch on Yield and Fruit Quality from Planting through Maturity

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci12179-17 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (9) ◽

pp. 1201-1213 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bernadine C. Strik ◽

Amanda Vance ◽

David R. Bryla ◽

Dan M. Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Production System ◽

Production Systems ◽

Organic Production ◽

High Rate ◽

Highbush Blueberry ◽

Feather Meal ◽

Cumulative Yield ◽

Planting Method ◽

Flat Ground ◽

Low Rate

A long-term trial was established in Oct. 2006 in western Oregon to identify organic production systems for maximum yield and quality in highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). The planting was transitional during the first year after planting and was certified organic during fruit production (2008–16). Treatments included planting method (on raised beds or flat ground), fertilizer source (granular feather meal or fish solubles), and rate (“low” and “high” rates of 29 and 57 kg·ha−1 N during establishment, increased incrementally as the planting matured to 73 and 140 kg·ha−1 N, respectively), mulch [sawdust, yard debris compost topped with sawdust (compost + sawdust), or black, woven polyethylene groundcover (weed mat)], and cultivar (‘Duke’ and ‘Liberty’). Mulches were replenished, as needed, and weeds were controlled throughout the study. Raised beds resulted in greater yield than flat ground during the establishment years but had less effect on yield once the plants were mature. After 9 years, cumulative yield was 22% greater on raised beds than on flat ground in ‘Liberty’ but was unaffected by planting method in ‘Duke’. Cumulative yield was also 10% greater with feather meal than with fish solubles, on average, and 4% greater with the low rate than with the high rate of fertilizer. ‘Duke’ was particularly sensitive to fertilizer source and produced 35% less yield overall with fish solubles than with feather meal. By contrast, there was relatively little effect of fertilizer source or rate on yield in ‘Liberty’. In five of 9 years, yield was 8% to 20% greater with weed mat than with sawdust or compost + sawdust. Mulch type had no effect on cumulative yield of ‘Duke’, but cumulative yield of ‘Liberty’ was 11% greater with weed mat than with sawdust or compost + sawdust. Soil temperature was warmer under weed mat than under sawdust, and plants on raised beds covered with weed mat required more irrigation than those grown on flat ground mulched with sawdust. ‘Duke’ produced heavier, larger, and firmer berries with lower total soluble solids (TSS) than ‘Liberty’. However, other treatment effects on berry quality were relatively small and inconsistent. For example, berry weight was greater on raised beds than on flat ground, on average, but only by 3% (0.06 g/berry). Plants on raised beds also produced berries with slightly lower TSS than those on flat ground (15.2% and 15.7%, respectively, in ‘Liberty’, and 13.1% and 13.3%, respectively in ‘Duke’). There was no effect of fertilizer source or rate on TSS in ‘Liberty’ (15.5% on average), whereas in ‘Duke’, TSS was highest when fertilized at the high (13.7%) or low (13.4%) rate of fish, and was lower when using feather meal (12.9% and 13.1% for low and high rate, respectively). Plants fertilized with fish produced firmer fruit than with feather meal in five of the 7 years in which the measurements were taken. Also, fertilization with the higher rate of either product increased berry firmness compared with the low rate in six of the 7 years. The impact of mulch was inconsistent through the study period. On average, ‘Duke’ berries were softest when fertilized with the low (173 g·mm−1 deflection) and high (176 g·mm−1) rates of feather meal and were the firmest with the high rate of fish (182 g·mm−1). In ‘Liberty’, the low rate of feather meal produced softer fruit (157 g·mm−1) than the other fertilizer treatments (162 g·mm−1 on average). When this study was initiated in 2006, the most common organic production system in this region was raised beds with sawdust mulch and fertilizing with a high rate of fish solubles. For this production system, yield for mature plants in our study (2014−16) was the equivalent of 8.9−12.3 t·ha−1 in ‘Duke’ and 11.8−23.7 t·ha−1 in ‘Liberty’. However, when plants were grown on raised beds with weed mat and fertilized with the high rate of feather meal, yield increased to 10.2−19.3 t·ha−1, depending on year, in ‘Duke’. By contrast, there was little effect of production system on yield of mature ‘Liberty’ plants. These yields, particularly for the best-performing treatment combination in ‘Duke’, are similar to what are observed in commercial conventional fields or organic farms using similar management practices. Our results showed that choice of organic production system can have significant impact on yield and economic costs and returns.

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190 Growing Highbush Blueberry in Coal Ash-Compost Mixtures

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.34.3.475a ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 475A-475

Author(s):

Richard H. Zimmerman

Keyword(s):

Shoot Growth ◽

Coal Ash ◽

First Year ◽

Highbush Blueberry ◽

Clay Loam ◽

Artificial Medium ◽

Biosolid Compost ◽

Leaf Compost ◽

Second Year ◽

By Products

Highbush blueberry is adapted to well-drained sandy soils containing some organic matter, but these are often unavailable in many areas where blueberry production is desired. I tested the concept of using freely available by-products to produce an artificial medium for growing blueberries. In June 1997, 1-year-old tissue-cultured plants of `Bluecrop' and `Sierra' blueberry were planted into 15-L plastic pots filled with soil or soilless medium in a total of 10 treatments. Soils used were Berryland sand (alone) and Manor clay loam (alone or amended with 25% or 50% compost mix 1); soilless media were composed of coal ash amended with 25% municipal biosolid compost (B), 25% leaf compost (L), 25% or 50% compost mix 1 (1 B: 1 L),\ or 25% or 50% compost mix 2 (1 compost mix 1: 1 acid peatmoss). pH of all mixes containing compost was adjusted to ≈4.5 with sulfur. After the first year, plants of both cultivars in Berryland sand had significantly more shoot growth than in any other treatment except for Manor clay loam. The least growth was produced by plants growing in Manor clay loam amended with compost mix 1 and in coal ash amended with unblended compost (B or L). After the second year, plants in the best treatments were 90 to 100 cm tall. More shoot growth was produced by plants in Berryland sand and in coal ash amended with 25% or 50% of compost mix 1, followed by plants in coal ash amended with 50% compost mix 2 or 25% compost B; plants in Manor clay loam, whether or not amended with compost, had the least growth. In 1998, 95% of the plants flowered and most set fruit, but differences among treatments were not significant. `Sierra' plants produced more growth than those of `Bluecrop' in all treatments.

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Chicken manure as soil amendment: Effect on yield and foliar nutrient content of tanier, and on chemical properties of the soil.

The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico ◽

10.46429/jaupr.v95i3-4.2576 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 95 (3-4) ◽

pp. 211-221

Author(s):

Agenol González-Vélez

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Low Fertility ◽

Chicken Manure ◽

First Year ◽

Manure Application ◽

Foliar Nutrient ◽

Second Year ◽

Effect On Yield

During two consecutive years, chicken manure effects on yield and foliar nutrient content of tanier, and on chemical properties of the soil were evaluated. Treatments were 0, 25 and 50 t/ha of chicken manure incorporated into the soil prior to planting the first year. No significant differences in yield were found among the chicken manure treatments. This lack of differences was attributed to the high coefficient of variation found in the experiment. Nevertheless, with the application of 25 t/ha we observed a 17% and 122% increase in yield on the first and second year of the experiment, respectively, compared to yield in the check treatment. This increase in yield could be related to the ample benefit of applied organic matter, especially in low fertility soil. Only foliar nitrogen content showed a significant increase with the chicken manure application in both years, whereas potassium content increased with manure application during the second year. The application of chicken manure caused an increase of organic matter, electric conductivity and N, P, K and Mg content in the soil during the first year.

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The effect of cold disinfestation treatment on the quality of Washington navel oranges in Sunraysia

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9940515 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 515 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M Edwards ◽

S Predebon ◽

M Dale ◽

G Buchanan

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Chilling Injury ◽

First Year ◽

External Quality ◽

Washington Navel ◽

Second Year ◽

Almost All ◽

In Transit ◽

Specific Management

Trials over 2 years were undertaken to determine the effect of cold disinfestation at 1�C on the internal and external quality of Washington navel oranges. Chilling injury in the form of cold scald and rind pitting were significantly increased by cold disinfestation. The incidence and severity of chilling injury was low (maximum 7% of fruit rejected due to chilling injury), indicating that 16 days storage at 1�C will result in minimal fruit loss due to chilling injury. Extended storage at 10�C after cold disinfestation at 1�C for 16 days increased the severity of the chilling injury symptoms observed. The incidence of postharvest fungal breakdown was high in the second year of the trial and red Altemaria spot was high in the first year. Oleocellosis was present in almost all fruit tested and severe in 75% of the fruit. The overall external quality of the fruit was highly influenced by grower but no correlation between fruit quality and specific management practices could be made. These results indicate that 'in transit' cold disinfestation would be a feasible treatment for export Washington navel oranges but with provisos: that total transit time is kept to a minimum, and that care is taken to minimise postharvest fungal breakdown and incidence of oleocellosis.

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Effects of ameliorating exposed subsoil prior to sowing on the water relations and productivity of pasture during an irrigation cycle

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar9890097 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 97 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

SJ Blaikie ◽

KB Kelly ◽

WK Mason

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Irrigation Management ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

First Year ◽

Canopy Conductance ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Pasture Production ◽

Productive Potential ◽

Second Year ◽

Improved Performance

Adding organic matter or replacing topsoil have been shown to improve the growth of pasture on areas where subsoil is exposed during landforming. Intensive experiments were carried out in each of the 1985-86 and 1986-87 irrigation seasons to examine the basis of improvements in the productivity of pastures after such amelioration. Measurements were collected during the period between two irrigations which were separated by approximately 70 mm of cumulative Class A pan evaporation. Treatments included (i) high rates of nitrogen and phosphorus (NP); (ii) NP + organic matter (OM); (iii) NP + topsoil (TS); and (iv) NP +Well watered (WW).Compared to NP, pasture production in OM and TS treatments was improved in the first year, but in the second year only the TS treatment gave significant improvement. These increases in dry matter yields were reflected in rates of leaf elongation, canopy conductance, evapotranspiration and photosynthesis that were up to 50% greater than those in WW during the first half of an irrigation cycle, but there were no differences in leaf water potential. There was a strong relationship between canopy conductance and photosynthesis, and it appears that the plants in the TS and OM treatments were responding to an improved root perception of soil water availability. It is hypothesised that this allowed them to maintain canopy conductance and therefore photosynthesis at higher levels than in NP and WW. The improved performance of the TS and OM treatments represents an increase in the productive potential of exposed subsoil areas that cannot be achieved by improving fertilizer and irrigation management alone.

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BIODEGRADATION OF CATTLE HORN SHAVINGS IN SOIL AND ITS EFFECT ON THE AGROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL / GALVIJŲ RAGŲ DROŽLIŲ BIODEGRADACIJA DIRVOŽEMYJE IR JOS ĮTAKA AGROCHEMINĖMS DIRVOŽEMIO SAVYBĖMS

Mokslas - Lietuvos ateitis ◽

10.3846/mla.2014.50 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 368-372

Author(s):

Edita Mažuolytė-Miškinė ◽

Ilona Grigalavičienė ◽

Violeta Gražulevičienė

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Matter Content ◽

Organic Production ◽

Specific Electrical Conductivity ◽

Laboratory Conditions ◽

Agrochemical Properties ◽

Field And Laboratory Conditions ◽

Properties Of Soil

The article presents investigation into the rate of the biodegradation of cattle horn shavings used as plant fertilisers in soil and describes their effect on the agrochemical properties of soil. Research was carried out under field and laboratory conditions. The field experiment was conducted on the farm of organic production at the Centre of Agroecology of Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Lithuania in May – August of 2012. The average air temperature during the experiment was 16.45 °C. Soil pH, specific electrical conductivity value and organic matter content in soil samples were measured. The extent of the biodegradation of cattle horn shavings in soil and in the thermostat under laboratory conditions at the temperatures of 5 °C and 20 °C and at 40% soil moisture was compared. The obtained results indicate that mass changes in cattle horn shavings in the process of biodegradation under field and laboratory conditions (at an ambient temperature of 5 °C and 20 °C) are similar: after 120 days, the mass of horn shavings decreased by 37.3%, 36.2%, and 34.5% respectively. The largest changes in soil pH and organic matter content were observed during the first 60 days. During the biodegradation of horn shavings under field conditions after 40 days, organic matter content in soil increased from 2.53 to 3.20% and soil pH decreased from 8.0 to 7.1. Smaller changes were observed under laboratory conditions. Ištirta augalams tręšti naudojamų galvijų ragų drožlių suirimo sparta dirvožemyje ir jų įtaka dirvožemio savybėms. Bandymai atlikti lauko (natūraliomis gamtinėmis) ir laboratorinėmis sąlygomis. Lauko eksperimentas vykdytas 2012 m. gegužės–rugpjūčio mėnesiais Aleksandro Stulginskio universiteto Agroekologijos centro ekologinės gamybos ūkyje. Vidutinė oro temperatūra bandymų laikotarpiu buvo 16,45 °C. Laboratorinio eksperimento metu buvo nustatomas ragų drožlių suirimo greitis dirvožemyje esant 5 ir 20 °C aplinkos temperatūrai ir 40 % dirvožemio drėgniui. Atlikti dirvožemio pH, savitojo elektrinio laidžio ir organinės medžiagos kiekio dirvožemyje tyrimai. Nustatyta, kad ragų drožlių masės pokyčiai biodegraduojant drožlėms lauko sąlygomis ir laboratorinėmis sąlygomis, esant 5 ir 20 °C aplinkos temperatūrai, yra panašūs: ragų drožlių masė po 120 parų sumažėjo atitinkamai 37,3 %, 36,2 %, ir 34,5 %. Didžiausi dirvožemio pH ir organinės medžiagos kiekio pokyčiai vyko per pirmąsias 60 parų. Ragų drožlėms biodegraduojant lauko sąlygomis organinės medžiagos kiekis dirvožemyje šiuo laikotarpiu padidėjo nuo 2,53 ik 3,20 %, o dirvožemio pH sumažėjo nuo 8,0 iki 7,1. Atliekant bandymus laboratorinėmis sąlygomis šie pokyčiai buvo mažesni.

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Characterization and Erodibility Evaluation of Soils of Wukari Metropolis Northeast Nigeria

10.36265/njss.2018.280214 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 123-130

Author(s):

Osujieke D.N ◽

Tanimu J. ◽

Osibe K.O ◽

Angyu M.D.

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Sustainable Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Exchange Capacity ◽

Sand Particle ◽

Survey Technique ◽

Dispersion Ratio ◽

Sustainable Productivity ◽

Northeast Nigeria

The study was aimed to characterize and evaluate the erodibility of soils of Wu- kari metropolis, Taraba State Nigeria. Three profile pits were cited in the study area using free survey technique. Soil samples were collected from profile pits based on horizon differentiation and were subjected to routine laboratory analy- sis. Data generated were analyzed statistically using the coefficient of variation. The result indicated that sand particle was predominant over other fine fractions as determined in both water and Calgon in all the pedons. Soil pH ranged from 6.35 to 6.90 across the pedons. Organic matter (OM) had mean of 1.73 %, 1.49 % and 2.12 % in pedons 1, 2 and 3. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) and available Zn were generally low while available Fe was high in all the studied pedons. The dispersion ratio (DR) ranged from 68.52 % - 90.25 %, clay dispersion index (CDI) ranged from 64.34 % - 90.69 % and clay flocculation index (CFI) ranged from 9.31 % - 35.66 % in pedons 1, 2 and 3. The soil pH, CEC, DR, and CDI had low variation among horizons of each pedon. Soil pH and OM correlated posi- tively ( ≥ r = 0.190 ≤ r = 0.441) with available Fe and Zn. Organic matter corre- lated negatively with DR, CDI, and CFI. Hence the soils were erodible; there- fore sustainable management practices must be adopted, to ensure sustainable productivity and environmental protection in the studied area.

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