scholarly journals Effects of animal manures on enzymes activities and physico-chemical properties of a degraded humid ultisol

Agro-Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-26
Author(s):  
A.I. Afangide ◽  
N.H. Okoli ◽  
M.A. Okon ◽  
N.T. Egboka ◽  
P. Inyang

Application of animal manures for soil amendment plays a major role in the improvement of soil properties and enzymatic activities of a degraded Ultisol. This study assessed the effects of poultry manure (PM) and swine manure (SM) on the activities of catalase and urease enzymes and some soil properties. The PM and SM were applied at the rate of 30 t ha–1 each on experimental plots arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Soil samples were collected at day 0, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 and 84 from 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths and analyzed for catalase and urease enzymes and some soil properties using standard procedures. The results showed increase in soil pH (in H2O) from 4.0 to 5.4 following manure application. At 0-15 cm soil depth, PM and SM recorded 28.1 and 28.8% increases in soil pH (in H2O), respectively. Soil organic carbon was highest (2.6 g kg–1) at 0-15 cm depth for soil amended with SM while the lowest value of 1.1 g kg–1was obtained at 15-30 cm depth for soil unamended with SM. In PM-amended soil, catalase activities ranged from 1.32 to 6.77 mg g–1 while its activities in SM-treated soil significantly (p < 0.05) varied between 1.55 and 8.11 mg g–1. Urease showed ranges of 0.72-3.90 mg g–1 and 0.96-4.71 mg g–1 in PM-amended and SM-treated soils, respectively. The results uphold that animal manures improve soil properties and are enzymatically controlled.

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
Israt Jahan ◽  
AKM Abul Ahsan ◽  
MMR Jahangir ◽  
Mahmud Hossain ◽  
Md Anwarul Abedin

Soil physico-chemical properties are an important phenomenon for sustainable crop production and maintenance of optimum soil health. Hence, a laboratory measurement was conducted with soil samples of three years long experimental field of the Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to assess the changes in five selected soil physico-chemical properties viz. soil texture, bulk density, soil pH, total nitrogen and organic matter. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with two water regimes (continuous flooding and alternate wetting & drying) in the main plots and five fertilizer treatments (N0 - control, N1- 140 kg N/ha as PU, N2- 104 kg N/ha as USG (2× 1.8 g/ 4 hills), N3 - 5 t CD + PU @ 140 kg N /ha on IPNS basis and N4- 5 t CD + USG (2× 1.8 g/ 4 hills @ 104 kg N/ha)) in the subplots under rice-rice cropping pattern with three replications. After three years, soil samples were collected at 0-5 and 5-10 cm soil depths for measuring bulk density and at 0-10 cm depth for other soil properties and analyzed. Results found that % sand, % silt, % clay, bulk density and soil pH was not changed significantly compared to initial status. Percentage of total nitrogen and organic matter was significantly affected by irrigation and fertilization. Total nitrogen (%) was higher in AWD whereas organic matter (%) was higher in CF practice. The highest total nitrogen (%) and organic matter (%) was found in N4 treatment in which USG was applied in combination with cowdung as organic manure. It can be suggested that N4 treatment was formed good combination for sustaining chemical properties of soil. Further long- term experimentation will be needed to know the changes in soil properties for sustainable crop production and improving soil health. Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2020, 5 (2), 65-71


Author(s):  
Kenea Worku ◽  
Abdissa Debela ◽  
Diriba Shanko

The study of soil physico-chemical properties were made on the soils of BuleHoraWoreda, WestGuji zone. The objective of the study was to characterize soil physical and chemical properties to assess the fertility status of the soils in the study areas. Soil profile pits at representative sites were described and soil samples were collected from each depth of 0-15 cm, 15 – 30 cm, and 30–60 cm depending on the root depth of the crop. Soil samples were collected from two different study areas for the determination of soil texture, bulk density, porosity, soil pH and electrical conductivity. The top layer (0-15 cm) has an average bulk density of 1.10 g/cm3, whereas the subsurface layer (15-30 and the bottom layer (30-60 cm) has an average bulk density of 1.16 g/cm3 and 1.26 g/cm3, respectively at the GuyyeKebele. The average value of bulk density 1.18 g/cm3, 1.29 g/cm3 and 1.39g/cm3 was recorded on the surface horizon (0-15 cm), subsurface horizon (15-30 cm) and the bottom horizon (30 - 60 cm) depth, respectively at BuleHora Farm. Accordingly, the highest (1.39 g/cm3) and the lowest (1.10 g/cm3) average bulk density values were recorded for BuleHoraand GuyyeKebele study Farm, respectively. The average highest porosity (58.48%) value was observed in the surface horizon (0 -15 cm) soil depth and the average lowest porosity value (52.11%) was observed in the bottom horizon (30 – 60 cm) depth at GuyyeKebele study Farm. The average porosity value of the soils in BuleHora study Farm were recorded 55.27%, 52.39% and 47.63% for the surface horizon (0 -15 cm), sub surface horizon ( 15 –30 cm) and bottom horizon (30 – 60 cm) depth , respectively. The soil textural class was changed with depth from sandy clay in surface horizon (0-15 cm) to clay in both sub surface horizon (15- 30 cm) and bottom horizon (30-60 cm) at GuyyeKebele. The pH value was observed on the soils of the GuyyeKebele study area increased from 6.08 at surface horizon (0 – 15 cm) to 6.27 at the sub surface horizon (15- 30 cm) and then slightly decreased to 6.21 at the bottom horizon (30-60 cm) of the soil depth. Lowest soil pH value (5.44) was measured in the surface horizon (0 –15 cm) and the highest pH value (6.09) was observed in bottom horizon (30-60 cm) soil depth at BuleHora farm. The electrical conductivity of the saturated soil paste extracts of the study area was low (ranging from 0.0387 to 0.1587 dS m-1) throughout the profile showing no significant accumulation of soluble salts to convert the soil to saline soil.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 7 (2): 43-48, December, 2017


Author(s):  
O. A. Denton ◽  
I. O. Fademi ◽  
K. S. Are ◽  
A. O. Ojo ◽  
O. D. Adeoyolanu

Application of manure for soil amendment plays important roles in reclaiming and improving soil properties of degraded soils. This study assessed the effects of composted and non-composted manures on a degraded soil under continuous maize production. The treatments applied consisted of composted manures in form of cassava based compost (CBM) and verticompost (VC) at the rate of 0, 30, 60 and 120 tons/ha, non-composted manure (NC) applied as poultry manure (PM), and an un-amended control plot. These treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Soil physical and chemical properties were determined for two consecutive seasons, with maize (SUWAN 1-SYR) planted as test crop. The CBM, VC and PM treatments increased the soil organic carbon content by 18.2, 24.1, and 22.3 % respectively. Corresponding increases observed in cation exchange capacity (CEC) were 13.6, 15.7, and 15.2 %. The comparison of the soil chemical properties measured indicated positive effects from the amendments on the soil properties in the order: CBM < PM < VC.  The maize grain yield of cassava based fertilized plot consistently and significantly was higher than the other treatments in both cropping seasons. However, both the composted and non-composted manures favored improved maize growth and resulted in higher grain yields (4.62 – 6.03 t ha-1) than the un-amended control treatment (3.69 t ha-1). The study therefore showed that the incorporation of manures, whether composted or non-composted, is beneficial to soils, improving one or more essential soil attributes thus reducing soil degradation.


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.


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.


Author(s):  
Atef A. A. Sweed ◽  
Ahmed A. M. Awad

Low soil organic matter, low nutrient availability and the higher soil pH (more than 8) are the major problem of agricultural practices in region of Toshka. An incubation trial at October 2019 was conducted to investigate the effect of potassium humate (KH) and micronic sulfur (MS) on some chemical properties of different soils (sandy clay soils, loamy sand and sandy soils). The used amendments (KH and MS) were added to the studied soil at 4 levels of each amendment i.e. 0.0, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0%. A two way randomized completely block design and provided with three replications. Studied parameters were included soil pH, EC, exchange Na and the content of available - P and K. Results showed that, the MS application at 1% level caused a significant decrease in soil pH values compared with the KH application and control treatment. These reductions were more pronounced in case of soil B (loamy sand). Also, KH application gave an increase on exchange Na and available-K. While MS application was cause an increased in soil EC and available-P in the three soils under study. Moreover, the increases in the percentage of available – K with added of KH were higher than added of MS for soils under study. While the percentages of available-P with added of KH were higher than with added of MS for studied soils. It may be recommended to add KH and MS at a rate of 1% to improve the soil chemical properties. But the effect of application from MS has greater than KH to increase dissolved sodium salts on the form of sodium sulfate, which facilitates disposal during soil drainage.


2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Błońska ◽  
Jarosław Lasota

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of using biological and biochemical parameters in the evaluation of forest soil quality and changes caused by land use. The study attempted to determine a relationship between the enzymatic activity of soil, the number of earthworms and soil physico-chemical properties. The study was carried out in central Poland in adjoining Forest Districts (Przedbórz and Smardzewice). In soil samples taken from 12 research plots, basic physico-chemical properties, enzyme activity (dehydrogenase, urease) and density and biomass of earthworms were examined. Enzyme activity showed a large diversity within the forest site types studied. The correlations between the activity of the enzymes studied and C/N ratio indicated considerable importance of these enzymes in metabolism of essential elements of organic matter of forest soils. Urease and dehydrogenase activity and earthworm number showed susceptibility to soil pH, which confirmed relationships between enzyme activity and abundance of earthworms and soil pH in H2O and KCl.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yadesa Bato ◽  
Tamrat Bekele ◽  
Sebsebe Demissew

Abstract Background: Soil chemical properties have changed under different land-use systems and soil depth layers either by increasing or decreasing. Hence, scientifically information on the soil chemical properties dynamics under different land-use systems and soil depths are crucial for best land management practices, and to avoiding ecological negative impacts of it for sustainable development. The study aimed to evaluate the soil chemical properties dynamics under different land-use systems and soil depths in the central highlands of Ethiopia. The land-use systems included natural forest, four exotic tree plantation species (Eucalyptus globules, Cupressus lusitanica, Grevillea robusta, and Pinus patula), grassland, grazing land, and cropland. Results: The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the majority of soil chemical properties of OC, TN, Avial. P, soil pH, EC, CEC, and exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K, Na) were showed that significant variations among land-use systems (P<0.0001). The highest mean values of OC (3.49 % DM ), TN ( 0.31 % DM) , Avail.P (31.52 mg/kg of soil ), CEC ( 33.63 meq/100gm soil), Exch. Ca (17.13 cmol(+)/kg soil), Exch. Mg (5.37 cmol(+)/kg soil), and Exch. K ( 3.60 cmol(+)/kg soil) were observed under natural forest than others of land-use systems. The results also showed that the lowest mean values of OC (1.47 % DM), TN (0.13 %DM), soil pH (5.38), CEC (18.98 meq/100gm soil), Exch. Ca (9.93 cmol(+)/kg soil), Exch. K (1.20 cmol(+)/kg soil), and Exch. Na (0.22 cmol(+)/kg soil) were recorded under cropland than other land-use systems. The highest mean values of EC (3.47ds/m), and Exch. Na (0.60 cmol(+)/kg soil) were observed under Eucalyptus globulus plantation forest. The overall mean values of OC, TN, Avail.P, CEC, Exch. Mg, Exch. Ca, Exch. K, and Exch. Na accumulation at the topsoil layer was higher than that of the subsoil layer except for soil pH and EC. Conclusion: In general, the majority of soil chemical properties under cropland and Eucalyptus globulus plantation forest were poorer than the soils subjected to other land-use systems which indicated that changes in land use systems were significantly affected soil chemical properties.


Author(s):  
Christopher O. Akinbile ◽  
Remigius C. Eze ◽  
Habeeb Yusuf ◽  
Babatunde S. Ewulo ◽  
Adeniyi Olayanju

The increasing demand of Cassava for our dietary needs and shortage experienced going by the burgeoning global population is a cause for concern that require urgent attention. The study therefore considered the effect of some selected soil properties, nutrients, moisture content, yield and consumptive water use (CWU) on two selected Cassava varieties TMS 0581 and TME 419 respectively. The design was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) of four treatments and three replicates. Treatment A had fertigation, B used poultry manure, C employed NPK, 15-15-15 while D with no treatment was used as control. Soil properties such as Bulk Density (BD), Particle Density (PD), soil classification and nutrients such as Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), Organic Matter (OM), Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K) and others were determined using standard procedures. Penman-Monteith (PM) model was used in estimating reference evapotranspiration (ETr) while its product with crop coefficient (Kc) produced crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Moisture content was measured at depths 10, 20 and 30 cm respectively while water use efficiency (WUE), irrigation water applied and tuber yield were also determined. The findings of this study showed that all the soil properties were within permissible levels to encourage optimum agronomic development of Cassava plant and the class was entirely a loamy soil which permits well-developed roottuber configuration. Tuber yields varied from 21.96 Kg to 25.13 Kg for TMS 0581 variety while TME 419 had 17.04 Kg to 31.63 Kg in all the treatments. Deficiencies were observed in some of the nutrients which were replenished with the introduction of the fertilizers among the plots. Moisture content at 30 cm depth is suggestive of adequate water availability sufficient enough to encourage proper tuber development for optimum yield while fertigation technique was adjudged the best as it improved Cassava Tuberization and WUE in all the treatments considered.


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