scholarly journals Farmers’ Perceptions about the Effect of Farm Land Management Practices and Soil Depth on the Distribution of Major Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Eroded Soils of Aboy Gara Watershed, Gidan District, North Wollo Zone

Author(s):  
Gebeyaw Tilahun Yeshaneh

The study was conducted at the Abuhoy Gara Catchment, which is located in the Gidan District of North Wello Zone. The aim of the study was to study farmers’ perceptions about the effect of farm land management practices and soil depth on the distribution of major soil physico-chemical properties in eroded soils of Aboy Gara watershed. To address this issue, semi-structured interviews were conducted in 64 households to gain insight into soil fertility management practices, local methods were used to assess the fertility status of a field, and perceived trends in soil fertility. Thirty-three farmers were then asked to identify fertile and infertile fields. According to farmers response, farmers’ fields were characterized as fertile where it comprise black color, cracks during dry season, good crop performance, vigorous growth of certain plants and presence of plants in a dry environment whereas the infertile is where it shows yellow/white and red colors, compacted soils, stunted plant growth, presence of rocks and stones and wilting or dying of crops in a hot environment. A total of eight indicators (soil color, texture, soil depth, topography, soil drainage, and distance from home, type of weeds grown and cultivation intensity) were found to be used by farmers to evaluate and monitor soil fertility. The results of administered questions showed that the principal indicators mentioned by farmers as very important were soil colour (82.8%), continuous cropping land (72.2%), soil texture (62.8%), distance from home (61%), type of weeds grown (56%), soil depth (55.6%), topography (51.1%), and soil drainage (28.7%) as very important. So, among sixty four interviewed farmers: deep soil (60 farmers), soils near to home (60 farmers), forest soil (59 farmers), smooth fine soil (59 farmers), black color soil (58 farmers) and gentle slope soil (57farmers) are categorized as fertile whereas 59, 57, 56, 55, and 44farmers said that Sandy/coarse soil, shallow soil depth, steep slope soils and yellow/white, red soils and continuously cultivated soils are infertile, respectively. The overall result showed that there was good agreement between farmers’ assessment of the soil fertility status of a field and a number of these indicators. The soil laboratory analysis also corresponded well with farmers’ assessment of soil fertility. Therefore, to design more appropriate research and to facilitate clear communication with farmers, researchers need to recognize farmers’ knowledge, perceptions about assessments of soil fertility. Because, as they included all soil factors affecting plant growth, farmers’ perceptions of soil fertility were found to be more long term day-to-day close practical experience finding than those of researchers.

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 27-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ram K. Shrestha

A study was carried out to compare the fertility of soils under improved soil  management practice with that of prevailing conventional practice and to assess the farmers’ perception on the improved practice in the upland   farming system. The study was carried out in Nasikasthan Sanga of Kavrepalanchok district of Nepal. Soil samples were collected from fields under improved conventional practice. Samples were taken at 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths and were analyzed for various physico-chemical properties to  compare the fertility status of the soils under both the practices. Altogether 68 farmers were interviewed to have information on farming practices and information pertinent to improved soil management practice being adopted by them. Results from soil physico-chemical analysis showed higher fertility of soils under improved practice in terms of more favorable pH level,  contents of exchangeable bases, available phosphorus and soil organic matter compared to prevailing conventional soil management practice. Moreover, majority of the farmers believed that soil fertility and physical condition of their upland soils had improved and that the productivity of major upland  crops had also increased after the adoption of improved soil management practice. Improved practice could play an important role in the sustainable management of upland soils in the mid hills of Nepal. It is however, desirable to conduct long-term research to further ascertain the effect of the practice on soil fertility of different soil types and land uses.Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 9, 2009, pp. 27-39DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v9i0.11639 


2021 ◽  
Vol 922 (1) ◽  
pp. 012069
Author(s):  
S Mechram ◽  
B Rahadi ◽  
Z Kusuma ◽  
Soemarno

Abstract Plant growth requires nutrients and their functions in plants cannot be replaced by other elements so that if there are not enough nutrients in the soil, plants cannot grow normally. The nutrient content in the soil and the ability of the soil to provide nutrients for plant growth is different. So that the type of fertilizer and the amount of fertilizer given to each type of soil will be different and it depends on the type of plant being cultivated. To determine the requirements of fertilizers and the types of fertilizers required for each type of soil, need some research about the evaluation study of soil fertility. The research was conducted in Aceh Besar with located between 5¼ 2 ‘-5¼ 8’ N and 95¼ 80 ‘-95¼ 88’E. Assessment of soil fertility status based on the criteria of several soil chemical properties, CEC (cation exchange capacity), alkaline saturation, C-Organic, P2O5 (HCL, 25%) mg / 100g, and K2O (HCL, 25%) mg / 100g. The analysis results obtained from 11 sample points show that Aceh Besar has soil fertility status from medium to low.


Author(s):  
Isaiah Ufuoma Efenudu ◽  
Ehi Robert Orhue ◽  
Ogochukwu Jennifer Ikeh ◽  
Michael Aimiesomon Erhayimwen ◽  
Blessing James

The effectiveness of three different extractants soil mixtures—HCl, HCl + H2S04, and DTPA-TEA, in order to determine Si from soil and the forms of Silicon as influenced by different parent materials under acidic medium. Seven forms of Silicon; namely water soluble, specifically adsorbed, oxides bound, organic matter bound, exchangeable, residual, total viz sequential fractionation. Extractable Si value established in this study was (50.0 mg kg-1), indicating negative effect on plant physiology. The physico-chemical properties decreased significantly with increase in soil depth vs soil parent materials. In addition, the forms of Si in the parent materials decreased in the pattern RES, bound residual fractions > EXC, soluble & exchangeable fractions > OM, organic matter fraction. Among the properties the silt fraction, pH & OM significantly and positively correlated with the forms of silicon, with negative correlation vs clay which maybe due to silicon adsorption by clayey fraction of the soil (redox). Therefore the soil maybe be maintained and conserved for farming activities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 348-360
Author(s):  
Rajendra Hegde ◽  
◽  
Mahendra Kumar ◽  
M. B. Niranjana K. V. ◽  
Seema, K. V. ◽  
...  

An investigation was under taken to study the soil fertility status of major nutrients, micronutrients and mapping in Ramasamudram-1 microwatershed of Yadgir taluk and district of Karnataka, India during the year 2019. Total seventy-four grid wise surface soil samples were collected at 320 m grid interval at 0-15 cm depth to assess the soil parameters (texture, pH, EC, OC, available P, K, S, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and B) and prepare the soil fertility maps through GIS using Kriging method. The results of the study indicated that, the texture of the soil varied from loamy sand to sand clay loam in surface. Soil reaction varied from acidic to neutral with non-saline in nature. The distribution of soil organic carbon (32%), available phosphorous (56%) and potassium (47%) status was found to be medium in most of the area of microwatershed. The available sulphur status was found to be low (57%) in maximum area of the microwatershed. The available zinc status was found to be sufficient (46%) in majority area of the microwatershed. The available copper, iron and manganese status of the soils were sufficient (58%) in entire area. Whereas available boron status was found to be low (57%) in maximum area of the microwatershed. Therefore, the study showed that, the soils of the microwatershed were medium in fertility status. There is need of proper fertilizer recommendation and soil management practices can be made productive thereby, increasing the crop yield.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 43-53
Author(s):  
Bishal Gnyawali ◽  
Umesh Kumar Mandal ◽  
Ishwor Aryal

Soil fertility assessment is a very fundamental task for farmers and agricultural planners to adopt appropriate fertility management practices, to recommend applying lacking fertilizers, to make fertility-based agricultural plans,s and to produce a large number of crops in their land. This study assesses the soil fertility status of Sainamaina Municipality, ward no. 5-9, Rupandehi district based on soil sample data collected from the field. Soil test based fertility assessment, calculation of overall fertility of area using fertility index, and preparation of soil fertility map is carried out. As soil fertility, the status of total nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (P2 O5), potassium (K), organic matter (OM), and soil pH are measured. As a result, the status of TN, (K2 O), and OM is found low, the status of (P2 O5 ) is found high and soil pH is found in range of very strongly acidic to slightly alkaline.


Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zubair Aslam ◽  
Safdar Bashir ◽  
Waseem Hassan ◽  
Korkmaz Bellitürk ◽  
Niaz Ahmad ◽  
...  

The present study was conducted to explore the role of different types of vermicomposts (VCs) prepared from different substrates to improve soil health (physical and chemical properties) and wheat plant growth under field conditions. Different combinations of vermicompost prepared from different substrates (cow dung, paper waste, and rice straw) and inorganic fertilizers were applied in soil using wheat as a test plant. The impact of three different VCs on physico-chemical characteristics and nutrient availability in soil was evaluated to examine their efficacy in combination with chemical fertilizers. Temporal trends in vermicomposting treatments at various stages showed significant improvement in physico-chemical attributes of the VCs substrates. All the plant physiological attributes showed significant response where N:P:K 100:50:50 kg ha−1 + 10 t ha−1 cow dung vermicompost was applied. In addition, post-harvest analysis of soil not only revealed that different combinations of the vermicomposting treatments improved the soil health by improving the physico-chemical attributes of the soil. Conclusively, application of cow dung vermicompost along with recommended NPK not only improved crop yield, soil health, reduced insect (aphid) infestation but also fortified grains with Zn and Fe.


2019 ◽  
pp. 1236-1243
Author(s):  
Emmerson Rodrigues de Moraes ◽  
José Geraldo Mageste ◽  
Joicy Vitória Miranda Peixoto ◽  
Luis Augusto da Silva Domingues ◽  
Regina Maria Quintão Lana ◽  
...  

In sugarcane expansion areas where soil fertility restrictions regularly occur, soil preparing ameliorates soil physical and chemical properties to improve conditions for sugarcane crop development. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate soil chemical attributes under different soil preparation methods for sugarcane cultivation at the first and second year of expansion area in the Cerrado biome. The experiment was conducted in an area previously used as pasture land for more than 10 years with Brachiaria decumbens without any soil correction. CTC-2 sugarcane variety was planted. The experiment was set up as a randomized block design with six treatments and four replications. The treatments were: desiccation-liming-plowing-harrowing; liming-plowing-harrowing; liming-harrowing-plowing-harrowing; desiccation-liming-direct planting; desiccation-liming-subsoiling, and harrowing-liming-plowing-harrowing. Soil attributes: organic matter, water pH, H++Al3+, Al3+, m, V, H2PO4-, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and S-SO4-2 were evaluated at 0-0.2, 0.2-0.4 and 0.4-0.6 m soil depth. The variables were submitted ANOVA, joint analysis and Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). The treatments including liming followed by harrowing, plowing and harrowing, and harrowing followed by liming, plowing and harrowing, resulted in the largest gains in soil fertility. In the first year of sugarcane cultivation, the no-tillage system proved to be sustainable and appropriate for sugarcane cultivation economically viable.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel C. Pinho ◽  
Robert P. Miller ◽  
Sonia S. Alfaia

This paper discusses the effects of trees on soil fertility, with a focus on agricultural systems in Amazonia. Relevant literature concerning the effects of trees on soil physical and chemical properties in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions is reviewed, covering both natural ecosystems and agroecosystems. Soil carbon, in the form of organic matter, is considered as an indicator of biological activity as well as in relation to policy issues such as carbon sequestration and climate change. In the case of tropical soils and Amazonia, information on the effects of trees on soils is discussed in the context of traditional agriculture systems, as well as in regard to the development of more sustainable agricultural alternatives for the region. Lastly, attention is given to a case study in the savanna region of Roraima, northern Brazil, where a chronosequence of indigenous homegarden agroforestry systems showed clear effects of management practices involving trees on soil fertility. The use of diverse tree species and other practices employed in agroforestry systems can represent alternative forms of increasing soil fertility and maintaining agricultural production, with important practical applications for the sustainability of tropical agriculture.


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