scholarly journals Influence of the Caiçaras on Soil Properties in the Savanna Region of Roraima, Northern Amazon

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 11354
Author(s):  
Ludmilla Verona C. Gonçalves ◽  
Rachel C. Pinho ◽  
Marta Iria C. Ayres ◽  
Cesar A. Ticona-Benavente ◽  
Henrique dos Santos Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Natural Fertility ◽  
Physical And Chemical

The management of caiçaras by indigenous peoples in the “Lavrado” (savannas) region of Roraima is a practice that increases soil fertility. Caiçaras are temporary corrals where farmers keep the cattle at night for a certain period, when the soil is enriched by manure addition. In periods when these areas are not used as corrals, they may be planted with different plants species. In addition, areas adjacent to caiçaras may receive manure runoff and also be used for crop production. The study evaluated the changes in soil physical and chemical characteristics resulting from manure supply and runoff in caiçara and adjacent areas and compared these to soil characteristics of nearby unmanaged areas. Soil samples from the three system components were analyzed. The nutrient content added by manure runoff in the plantation adjacent to the caiçara resulted in significant accumulations of organic Ca, Mg, K, P, C, and micronutrients in the soil, without, however, changing pH. Only the soil surface (0–5 cm) showed improvements in soil bulk density and total porosity. This soil management system proves how efficient indigenous farmers can be in integrating their livestock component with the exploitation of available resources to improve soil fertility in areas of low natural fertility, enhancing agricultural production.

scholarly journals Soil Fertility Assessment of an High Natural Value Eligible Area in South-Eastern Transylvania

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-67
Author(s):  
Monica Dumitrașcu ◽  
Mihaela Lungu ◽  
Sorin Liviu Ștefănescu ◽  
Victoria Mocanu ◽  
Gabi Mirela Matei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Plant Nutrition ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Reaction ◽  
Short Supply ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Growth And Nutrition ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract As low-input environmentally friendly agricultural practices are currently associated with the delivery of a wide range of public goods and socioeconomic benefits, the strategy of European Union in mitigating climate change effects, protecting environment and ensuring public health has, among others, focused around preserving the High Natural Value (HNV) areas. About a quarter of the land in Romania is potentially covered by HNV farming and eligible for associated support payments, mostly along the chain of the Carpathian Mountains. Since soil systematic data on HNV area are scarce, recent research developments currently undertake to build up a first national HNV soil data base. Soil fertility state in a HNV payment eligible area of south-eastern Transylvania was studied in seven in-depth dug profiles and seven additional shallow dug profiles. Soil samples were taken by genetic horizons as well as agrochemical samples from the upper soil layers (0-20 cm). Physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses revealed that the studied soils have a medium clayey loamy texture, good fertility and are subject to an adequate HNV management in the area, as the analytical values mostly range in favorable intervals for plant growth and nutrition. Thus, soil reaction is moderately acid up to slightly alkaline in the presence of carbonates, the soil organic matter, generally well mineralized, reaches fair levels and the high and very high cation exchange capacity ensure good conditions for plants growth and nutrition whilst nitrogen and potassium supply is adequate. Phosphorus is the only element in short supply – a situation often encountered in Romania unfertilized soils. Soil bulk density and total porosity are also favorable for root growth and spreading and plant nutrition. Microorganisms’ activity is diverse and is also adequate for plant nutrition.

THE IMPACT OF FALLOWING AND GREEN MANURING ON SOIL CONDITIONS AND THE GROWTH OF SUGARCANE

2003 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. NIXON ◽  
L. P. SIMMONDS
Keyword(s):  
Root Length ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Ratoon Crop ◽  
Green Manuring ◽  
Sugarcane Crop ◽  
Air Supply ◽  
The Impact

There are currently concerns within some sugar industries that long-term monoculture has led to soil degradation and consequent yield decline. An investigation was conducted in Swaziland to assess the effects of fallowing and green manuring practices, over a seven-month period, on sugarcane yields and the physical properties of a poorly draining clay soil. In the subsequent first sugarcane crop after planting, yields were improved from 129 t ha−1 under continuous sugarcane to 141–144 t ha−1 after fallowing and green manuring, but there were no significant responses in the first and second ratoon crops. Also, in the first crop after planting, root length index increased from 3.5 km m−2 under continuous sugarcane to 5.2–6.8 km m−2 after fallowing, and improved rooting was still evident in the first ratoon crop where there had been soil drying during the fallow period. Soil bulk density, total porosity and water-holding capacity were not affected by the fallowing practices. However, air-filled porosity increased from 11 % under continuous sugarcane to 16% after fallowing, and steady state ponded infiltration rates were increased from 0.61 mm h−1 to 1.34 mm h−1, but these improvements were no longer evident after a year back under sugarcane. Levels of soil organic matter were reduced in all cases, probably as a result of the tillage operations involved. In the plant crop, root length was well correlated with air-filled porosity, indicating the importance of improving belowground air supply for crop production on poorly draining clay soils.

Trees in Alley Cropping: Competitors or Soil Improvers?

1994 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy P. Haggar
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Agroforestry System ◽  
Humid Tropics ◽  
Substantial Evidence ◽  
Soil Improvers ◽  
Improved Design

Agroforestry has a high potential to sustain agricultural production in the humid tropics. One specific type of agroforestry, alley cropping, has received much attention as a means of producing staple food crops within an agroforestry system. There is now substantial evidence that alley cropping maintains soil fertility above levels found in pure annual cropping systems. Nevertheless, competition between the trees and crops can significantly reduce yields by the crop. A model is presented of how the balance between the improved soil fertility in alley cropping and competition from the trees determines the final crop performance. Better understanding of the factors that determine crop yield will enable improved design and management of alley cropping systems, and may allow alley cropping to become a more reliable means of improving crop production.

scholarly journals Production of lettuce seedlings in substrates with tung compost, carbonized rice husk and earthworm humus

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maristela Watthier ◽  
Magnólia AS Silva ◽  
José E Schwengber ◽  
Maria H Fermino ◽  
Tiago V Custódio
Keyword(s):  
Rice Husk ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Dry Density ◽  
Physical And Chemical Properties ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Shoot Mass ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

ABSTRACT Different properties of substrates based on tung compost (TC), carbonized rice husk (CRH) and earthworm humus (H) were analyzed, besides the effect of the formulations on the production of lettuce seedlings, cv. Veneranda. The experiment was carried out in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, from December 2012 to February 2013, in a greenhouse, using completely randomized design with seven treatments and three replications. The used substrates were formulated on a volume basis: T1= commercial substrate S10® (control); T2= 90% carbonized rice husk (CRH) + 10% humus (H); T3= 75% CRH + 15% tung compost (TC) + 10% H; T4= 55% CRH + 35% TC + 10% H; T5= 35% CRH + 55% TC + 10% H; T6= 15% CRH + 75% TC + 10% H; T7= 90% TC + 10% H. Seedlings were produced in polystyrene trays with 200 cells, being evaluated 35 days after sowing. The substrate with larger proportion of CRH (T2 with 90% CRH) showed suitable dry density (DD) and total porosity (TP), high pH and aeration space (AS), low easily available water (EAW), electric conductivity (EC), and nutrient content, constituting an inert substrate, not being indicated as substrate due to the lower development of the seedlings. Using 15% TC, an increase was noticed in DD, AEW, EC and nutrients and, a decrease in TP, AS and pH due to, mainly, the size of tung compost particles, which accommodated themselves and altered physical and chemical properties of the substrates. Substrates with 90% and 75% TC (T7 and T6) provided the greatest shoot length, fresh and dry shoot mass and leaf area for lettuce seedlings due to higher nutrient content, also considering physical and chemical properties of these substrates. Pure CRH is not indicated to be used as substrate, but mixed with tung compost (T6), it provides high quality seedlings. Tung compost was effective in producing lettuce seedlings, since the composting is able to eliminate phytotoxic substances from this material which can hinder the seedling growth.

The Combine Effect of Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) Manure and NPK Fertilizer on Soil Properties, Growth and Yield of Carrot (Daucus carota)

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
K. Atakora ◽  
K. Agyarko ◽  
H. K. Dapaah ◽  
E. K. Asiedu ◽  
A. J. Baayim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Transitional Zone ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Npk Fertilizer ◽  
Physical And Chemical

The use of inorganic fertilizer to produce most vegetables in Ghana like carrot is in ascendency in Asante Mampong and its environs and its continuous use has a rippling effect on soil health and productivity and the high cost of these fertilizers is a challenge to most poor resourced farmers in Ghana. A field experiment was conducted during the major raining season in 2010 at the University of Education Winneba, Faculty of Agriculture Education research field at Mampong in the forest-transitional zone of Ghana on the Bediase series. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of grasscutter manure in combination with NPK fertilizer on soil physical and chemical properties, growth and yield of carrot.  The treatments were 300 kgNPK/ha, combination of half rate NPK fertilizer and different rates of grasscutter manure (GM) thus; (5tGM1/ha+150 kgNPK, 7.5tGM2/ha+150 kgNPK and 10tGM3/ha+150 kgNPK/ha) and control (without amendment) and the experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Results indicates that application of grasscutter manure in combination with NPK fertilizer significantly improved the soil physical conditions particularly, soil bulk density, total porosity, and gravimetric moisture content than the NPK alone and the control. Compared with the control, the treatment combinations significantly increased soil organic carbon, N, organic matter concentrations and exchangeable cations. Plant height, number of leaves, tap root length and root yield of treatment combinations were higher than NPK and the control. Also the treatment combinations significantly reduced nematode presence and number of roots deformed. For good soil health, grasscutter manure in combination with NPK would be better than either manure or NPK alone.

scholarly journals Regeneration of Belowground Properties and Nutrient Pools in Soil after Compaction: Response to the Reforestation with Native Tree Species in the Hyrcanian Forest

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Meghdad Jourgholami ◽  
Rodolfo Picchio ◽  
Farzam Tavankar ◽  
Rachele Venanzi
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Prunus Avium ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Clear Cutting

The current study characterizes the regeneration in the floor layer and topsoil at a depth of 0–10 cm in the skid trails, dealing with the reforestation of four tree species (Fraxinus excelsior, FE; Prunus avium, PA; Acer cappadocicum, AC; and Quercus castaneifolia, QC) after clear-cutting in degraded forests, comparing to the undisturbed natural forest (Carpinus betulus-Parrotia persica; CB-PP). Results showed significant differences in litter layer properties among tree species, with the highest litter thickness, C (carbon), and C/N ratio under QC and AC, and the greatest litter N in CB-PP and FE. FE plantation resulted to enhance soil bulk density (1.14 g cm−3), total porosity (55.85%), macroporosity (37.72%), penetration resistance (1.43 MPa), soil moisture (33.4%), and aggregate stability (51.7%), compared to other tree plantations, whereas these values under the FE plantation were still lower than those of the CB-PP stand over a 30-year period after logging operation. Litterfall on soil surface under planted tree species (FE and PA in particular) can be considered as a primary food resource (i.e., soil C and soil organic matter) driving biological and microbial activities. Results of the current study can improve our knowledge to select suitable tree species to maintain soil quality and nutrients pool to deal with ecosystem restoration programs and reforestation in degraded forest areas.

scholarly journals Soil Properties Linking to Climate Change Mitigation and Food Security in Nepal

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Him Lal Shrestha ◽  
Trishna Bhandari ◽  
Bhaskar Karky ◽  
Rajan Kotru
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Ph Value ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Food Deficit

Crop productivity is directly dependent to soil fertility. High soil organic carbon (SOC) content in soil is vital as it leads to improved soil quality, increased productivity, and stable soil-aggregates. In addition, with the signing of the climate agreement, there is growing interest in carbon sequestration in landscapes. This paper looks at how SOC can be increased so that it not only contributes to reduction of CO2, but also translates to increased food production thereby enhancing food security. This synergy between mitigation and enhancing food security is even more relevant for mountain landscapes of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region where there remains huge potential to increase CO2 sequestration and simultaneously address food security in the chronic food deficit villages. Soil samples were collected from seven transects each in Bajhang and Mustang and from 4 land use types in each transect. Samples of soils were taken from two depths in each plot; 0-15 cm below the soil surface and 15-30 cm below the soil surface to compare the top soil and subsoil dynamics of the soil nutrients. The lab analysis was performed to assess the soil texture, soil color, soil acidity in 'power of hydrogen' (pH), macro-nutrients as soil fertility. Secondary data was used to analyze the level of food deficit in the villages. The result shows that most of the sample soils from Mustang were clay (82.1%) which is 46 samples out of 56. The pH value of soil from Bajhang ranged from 5.29 to 9.09. The pH value of soil ranged from 5.65 to 8.81 in Mustang. SOC contents of sampled soils from Bajhang ranged from 0.20% to 7.69% with mean amount of 2.47% ± 0.17. SOC contents of sampled soils from Mustang ranged from 0.51% to 8.56% with mean amount of 2.60% ± 0.25. By land use type, forest land had the highest carbon (C) content of 53.61 t ha-1 in Bajhang whereas in Mustang, agricultural land had the highest C content of 52.02 tons ha-1. Based on these data, we can say that there is potential for increasing SOC through improved soil health and crop production and soil. Sustainable soil management should be practiced for higher productivity. Livestock may also provide farmyard manure, which can be used to fertilize cultivated soils, which increases soil productivity. Increasing productivity would aid in increasing the access and availability of food in these mountain villages.

scholarly journals Management accounting of agricultural land fertility in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation

2021 ◽  
Vol 247 ◽  
pp. 01058
Author(s):  
T.M. Vorozheykina ◽  
T.Y. Bobovnikova
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Natural Fertility ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
Kursk Region

In the conditions of competition and limited resources, sources of income, lean production has recently been developing and, at the same time, lean management accounting is developing. Agriculture in the Russian Federation is characterized by a slow movement of capital, high dependence on natural and climatic conditions, low economic manoeuvrability, and the predominance of collective and shared ownership of land. Agricultural production uses natural factors for the cultivation of biological assets and the production of agricultural products free of charge: the natural fertility of agricultural land, natural pastures for grazing, solar and wind energy, etc. Chernozem lands are the most important fertile lands in the world. 40% of the most fertile chernozem lands are concentrated in Russia, in five regions, one of which is the Kursk region. The processes of land degradation are mainly inherent in agricultural land, or rather arable land. The economic state of agriculture in Russia does not allow for the full implementation of measures to preserve soil fertility, and even more so to take them into account. The purpose of the study is to study the state of agricultural land fertility from the point of view of management accounting. In accordance with the set goal, the following tasks were identified: fertility was identified as an object of management accounting for agricultural land, and the indicators that should be taken into account were determined. The novelty of the research conducted by the authors consists in the development of management accounting that is appropriate for long-term planning of measures for the effective use of agricultural land. In the course of the study, general scientific and special research methods were used on the basis of systematization of theoretical and practical material. The natural fertility of agricultural land is not taken into account anywhere in the costs of agricultural production, as well as its cost price, is not reflected in the accounting. Currently, there is no data collection system that covers all aspects of agricultural land and should serve as a basis for improving the agricultural sector. Results: the analysis of land resources in Russia, in the Kursk region is presented; the comparative characteristics of land in accordance with IAS and AR 6/01 are shown. It is proposed to keep records of soil fertility, to allocate "agricultural land" in the reporting, to distribute subsidies depending on changes in the level of fertility, but taking into account zoning.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Content of Hungarian Soils and Nitrogen Fertilization

2002 ◽  
pp. 51-61
Author(s):  
Tamás Németh
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Nutrient Balance ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Soil Testing ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Physical And Chemical

For crop production and agricultural production, the most important natural resource is the soil that can optionally renew. Paralelly with this, soil plays a major role in the geological and biological cycle of elements. As a result of the big (geological) and small (biological) element cycles, the elements and combines neccessary for organisms can accumulate in the soil creating suitable living conditions for plants and other organisms. Soil is a heterogenous system both horizontally and vertically, and soil constituents show great variety in all the three dimensions, in addition, most of the parameters can also change between two examination dates. When talking about the factors influencing plant production, one should take into account this variation and heterogenity in time and space. When making fertilization recommendations, these factors should all be considered. In any consultation system, most of the mistakes and errors made are due to the unsatisfying soil testing and the negligence of soil heterogenity. In the practice of fertilization the biggest mistake is the improper soil sampling, then comes the methodical mistake of soil testing, which is followed by the inaccuracy of instrumental analysis and the subjectivity of result evaluation, but the latter two are negligible compared to the others. Under normal, i.e. production conditions, the quantity and distribution of nutrients in the soil are greatly dependent upon the applied technology, the amount and form of the applied natural and artificial fertilizers and the quality of fertilization.Fertilization recommendations are needed because in the layer which is accessible for plant roots only a part of the nutrient content is available for plants in a specific production cycle. An illustration of this is that though the upper 1 m layer of an average chernozem soil contains more than 5000 kg N, 12000 kg K2O and 1500 kg P2O5 (form of expression mostly used in Hungary), the application of fertilizer doses which are just fractions of these quantities is essential. This is due to the fact that the available amount of the total nutrient content depends from the quality of soil, the environmental factors (the physical and chemical qualities of the soil) and the specific nutrient’s qualities (solubility, adsorption). Knowledge of these processes and the examination of the factors influencing the actual nutrient content are vital for working out a fertilization practice, which does not put more strain on the environment than neccessary. All of the above mentioned should be considered when applying inputs in the fields. In a well-functioning practice that considers the economic and environmental conditions (unfortunately the present production and economic conditions do not enable an appropriate level and degree), three nutrients are supplemented generally (and were supplemented in the last decades): nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium.Studying the nutrient balance of the Hungarian field production’s last hundred years, we can draw some interesting conclusions.The nutrient balance became positive for nitrogen and potassium in the second half of the 1960’s, while for phosphorus it was positive from the first half of the 1960’s and this period lasted until the end of the 1980’s.Neither before the 1960’s, nor since the 1990’s has the amount of nutrients supplemented in a specific year reached the amount of the nutrient uptake of the same year.

Physical properties and organic carbon content of a Typic Hapludult soil fertilised with pig slurry and pig litter in a no-tillage system

Soil Research ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jucinei José Comin ◽  
Arcângelo Loss ◽  
Milton da Veiga ◽  
Renato Guardini ◽  
Djalma Eugênio Schmitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Pig Slurry ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Tillage System

Applications of swine residues to the soil surface in a no-tillage system (NTS) may increase the organic carbon level and improve the physical properties of the soil. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the continuous application of pig slurry (PS) and pig litter (PL) on the total organic carbon (TOC) content and physical properties of soil under NTS in Southern Brazil. In March 2010, after 8 years of cultivation of black oats (Avena strigosa)–maize (Zea mays), soil samples were collected in the 0–5, 5–10, 10–15, and 15–20 cm layers. The treatments consisted of a control plot (without manure application), plots with PS applications equivalent to one and two times the recommended rate of nitrogen (N) for maize and black oats (PS1X and PS2X, respectively), and plots with PL equivalent to one and two times the recommended rate of N for maize and black oats (PL1X and PL2X, respectively). The TOC, soil bulk density (BD), penetration resistance (PR), total porosity (TP), macro- and microporosity, distribution of pore diameters, and indices of aggregation and aggregate stability were evaluated. Differences were found between treatments for TOC, BD, macro- and microporosity, pore diameter, aggregation, and PR. Treatment with PL favoured the production of aggregates (diameter >4 mm) and increased the rates of aggregation and aggregate stability in the 10–15 and 15–20 cm layers and macroporosity in the 0–5 and 15–20 cm layers. Application of PL2X reduced PR by 34% and 20%, respectively, in the 5–10 and 10–15 cm layers. Eight years of adding PS to successive cultivations of black oats–maize soil managed under NTS produced no changes in the physical features or the TOC of the soil, whereas the application of PL produced improvements in physical attributes of the soil and increased soil TOC.

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