scholarly journals Comparative evaluation of growth performance and soil quality of two age sequences of Gmelina arborea plantation in University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1767-1773
Author(s):  
E.F. Akhabue ◽  
U.D. Chima ◽  
F.S. Eguakun
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Gmelina Arborea ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Significant Difference

This study was conducted in 2019 to compare the growth performance and soil quality of two agesequences of Gmelina arborea plantation within the premises of the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Data were collected from two stands of G. arborea established in 2011 and 2015. Growth performance was evaluated based on tree growth variables and above-ground carbon stored. Tree growth variables estimated were total height (TH), diameter at breast height (DBH), crown height (CH), crown diameter (CD) and merchantable height (MH). Topsoil (0 – 30 cm) samples collected from the two sites were analyzed for particle size distribution, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (Av.P), exchangeable bases (Mg, Ca, K and Na), exchangeable acidity (Al+ H+), effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), base saturation (BS), pH, Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn). The above-ground biomass (AGB) and carbon stock (CS) were also determined. T-test was used to test for significant difference in the measured parameters between the two age-sequences of G. arborea. Higher values for TH, DBH, CS and MH were recorded for the older stand although the differences between the two age-sequences were not significantly different (p ≥ 0.05). The AGB and CS per hectare were higher for the older than the younger G. arborea stand (302.27 m3 ha-1 and 151.52 m3 ha-1, respectively). Higher values for silt, clay, Ca, Mg, Al+ H+, ECEC, BS, Mn, Fe and Zn were also recorded for the older stand. However, the observed differences were only significant (p < 0.05) for clay, pH, Av.P, Mn and Fe. The study revealed that although soil properties, tree growth as well as carbon sequestration capacity of G. arborea stand improved/increased with age, the differences were mainly not statistically significant (p ≥ 0.05) between the two (eight and four years) age-sequences. Keywords: Gmelina arborea, age sequence, soil quality, carbon sequestration

scholarly journals Effect of feather compost on soil chemical indicators in CCN-51 cocoa plantation (Theobroma cacao L.)

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-34
Author(s):  
Nelino Florida-Rofner ◽  
José Dolores Levano-Crisóstomo ◽  
Santos Jacobo-Salinas
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Chemical Indicators ◽  
Phosphorus And Potassium ◽  
The Town ◽  
Cocoa Plantation

Introduction. Organic management of cocoa accounts for 60% of production in Peru and large amounts of compost prepared with different inputs are used, in order to improve the quality of the soil and cocoa yields. Objective. Evaluated the effect of the application of chicken feather compost on the main soil chemical indicators in a cocoa plantation CCN-51 un the Town of Nuevo Progreso, province of Padre Abad in the Ucayali-Peru region was evaluated. Materials and methods. A randomized complete block design was used, with four treatments and four repetitions where: FC1 was an absolute witness, FC2 feather compost at a rate of 2,000 kg. ha-1, FC3 feather compost at a rate of 4,000 kg. ha-1 and FC4 feather compost at a rate of 6 000 kg. ha-1. The main chemical indicators of soil quality were evaluated: hydrogen potential (pH), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+) , aluminum (Al3+), available cadmium (Cd2+), changeable acids (AC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Results. The results showed a decrease in exchangeable aluminum and changeable acidity and increases in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, depending on the proportion of compost applied, these indicators presented significant differences (p <0.05); The pH, calcium and cadmium available did not show significant differences (p <0.05). Conclusion. Feather compost (FC) significantly improved the levels of OM, N, P and K+, indicators that define soil quality and reduce aluminum levels, the latter of utmost importance in acidic soils.

Propionic acid-treated barley in the diets of bacon pigs

1975 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. A. Cole ◽  
P. H. Brooks ◽  
P. R. English ◽  
R. M. Livingstone ◽  
J. R. Luscombe
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Propionic Acid ◽  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Feed Utilization ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Linear Measurements ◽  
Moisture Contents ◽  
Significant Difference

SUMMARYGrowth performance and carcass quality (linear measurements) were studied in pigs grown from 25 to 90 kg on barley stored and prepared in different ways. Half the barley was dried to about 14% moisture content for storage and half was not dried but treated with 0·8% propionic acid. Each was given after hammer-milling (3·2 mm screen) or rolling. A total of 144 pigs was used at four centres.The performance and carcass quality of pigs given acid-treated barley were as good as those given dried barley. While feed utilization, expressed on the basis of air-dry feed, was poorer for pigs fed on acid-treated barley this difference disappeared when account was taken of the different moisture contents of the barley samples. Pigs fed on diets based on milled barley grew more quickly, had better feed utilization but greater fat measurements than pigs fed on rolled barley. There was a significant interaction between storage method and feed preparation (milling or rolling). Pigs given the acid-treated barley grew more quickly when it was in the milled form than when it was rolled, whereas for the dried barley there was a small, non-significant difference in favour of the rolled form.

scholarly journals Biochar and/or Compost Applications Improve Soil Properties, Growth, and Yield of Maize Grown in Acidic Rainforest and Coastal Savannah Soils in Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Kobina Mensah ◽  
Kwame Agyei Frimpong
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Exchangeable Acidity ◽  
Combined Application ◽  
Agroecological Zones ◽  
Soil Fertility Improvement ◽  
Increase Crop Yield

Use of biochar for soil fertility improvement is gaining popularity due to its potential to improve soil quality, increase crop yield, and sequester carbon from the atmosphere-biosphere pool into the soil. A 40-day pot experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of corncob biochar and compost applied alone (at a rate of 2%, w/w) or in combination (1% of each, thus 1% compost + 1% biochar) on soil physicochemical properties, growth, and yield of maize on two soils of contrasting pH and texture collected from the Rainforest and Coastal Savannah agroecological zones of Ghana. Biochar and compost applied alone or in combination significantly increased soil pH, total organic carbon, available phosphorus, mineral nitrogen, reduced exchangeable acidity, and increased effective cation exchange capacity in both soils. Additionally, combined application and single application biochar or compost additions increased the plant height, stem girth, and dry matter yields of two maize (local (“ewifompe”) and hybrid (Obaatanpa)) varieties used in the study. The study showed that biochar applied alone or in combination with compost offers the potential to enhance soil quality and improve maize yield.

scholarly journals Effect of Silage Diet (Sweet Sorghum vs. Whole-Crop Corn) and Breed on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality of Lambs

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3120
Author(s):  
Pu Wu ◽  
Xiaoyue Fu ◽  
Hucheng Wang ◽  
Mingjie Hou ◽  
Zhanhuan Shang
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Sweet Sorghum ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Initial Ph ◽  
Sorghum Silage

Diet and breed directly affect ruminant carcass traits and meat quality. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the effect of silage diet and breed on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of lambs. A total of 28, 3–4 months old female lambs consisting of 14 Dorper lambs (DP) and 14 Thin-tailed Han lambs (TH) were allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial design and offered two experimental diets (sweet sorghum silage: SS; whole-crop corn silage: WS) for 90 days. Lambs fed the WS diet had a higher growth performance (p < 0.01), intramuscular fat content (p < 0.05), and bright meat color (p < 0.01) than lambs fed the SS diet. The lambs fed the SS diet showed a higher polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content than the lambs fed the WS diet (p < 0.01); there was no significant difference in growth performance and carcass characteristics between DP and TH lambs (p > 0.05). The meat of the DP lambs showed lower values of initial pH, shear force, lightness (L*), redness (a*), and saturated fatty acid (SFA) content (p < 0.05). The lamb breed influenced fewer variables of growth performance and carcass characteristics compared to the diet. The lambs fed the SS diet had higher nutritional quality meat than lambs fed the WS diet.

scholarly journals Soil Quality of a Rice Organic Farm in Langkong, M'lang, Cotabato

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-53
Author(s):  
Kathleen Cedeño
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Cation Exchange ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Cation Exchange Capacity ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Water Holding

Soil quality is crucial to global food production security. However, research data on soil quality, which is vital to enhancing soil fertility and crop yield, is limited particularly on the soil in the rice fields located in Langkong, Mlang, Cotabato. This study aims to assess the soil quality of one of the organic rice farms in said area. Soil samples were collected in thirty-one (31) paddies for two sampling periods: thirty (30) days after harvest and thirty (30) days after rice transplanting. Eight (8) soil indicators representing soil physicochemical characteristics were measured from 0-15 cm depth; the indicators were soil texture, water holding capacity, pH, exchangeable phosphorus, extractable potassium, total organic matter, electrical conductivity, and cation exchange capacity. Results reveal that soils in the studied area are characterized by clay loam with moderate water-holding capacity of about 62.57% and 60.57% for both sampling periods, respectively. The soil is strongly acidic (5.3 and 5.5) and has a low amount of organic matter (2.16% and 1.57%) and exchangeable P (8.55 ppm and 2.48 ppm), although it has marginal extractable K (80.77 ppm and 91.10 ppm). Also, the soils are non-saline and have low cation exchange capacity. The findings signify that the soils have insufficient fertility to sustain the optimal growth of the rice plants which can potentially reduce the yield of rice production. Thus, amendment of the soil quality and enhancement of soil management practices should be taken into consideration to further improve soil fertility to ensure productivity and profitability of farmers.

scholarly journals Co-Composting of Khat-Derived Biochar with Municipal Solid Waste: A Sustainable Practice of Waste Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10668
Author(s):  
Zewdu Abebe Tessfaw ◽  
Abebe Beyene ◽  
Amsalu Nebiyu ◽  
Krzysztof Pikoń ◽  
Marcin Landrat
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Municipal Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Optimum Ratio ◽  
Calcium Magnesium ◽  
Phosphorus And Potassium ◽  
Organic Matter Loss

Biochar is a way to improve the performance of the composting process and the quality of compost. This study was aimed to investigate the optimum ratio of khat straw (Catha edulis) biochar and organic municipal solid waste mixtures to improve the quality of the resulting co-composts. Khat-derived biochar during pyrolysis at 350 °C was added to organic municipal solid waste mix and four co-composting treatments were prepared with the compositions (% w/w): control compost (no biochar) and 5%, 15%, and 25% co-composted biochar in three replicates. The total organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and potassium values ranged as 16.76–21.45%, 30.77–40.26%, 0.97–1.68%, 0.58–0.76%, and 12.72–15.29%, respectively. The results confirmed that 5% and 15% co-composted khat biochars had significantly reduced (p < 0.05) organic matter loss and increased the contents of cation exchange capacity, pH, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc compared to the control compost, while some heavy metals (Fe, Cu, and Mn) and EC values in co-composted biochars are lower than the control compost. Khat-derived biochar could be added to municipal organic waste mix at 5–15% (w/w) in order to get better quality of compost, which can be used as biofertilizer.

scholarly journals Effect of dolomite amendment of acid Andosols on the performance of two green beans varieties in the Cameroon Western Highlands

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Azinwi Tamfuh P ◽  
Kamga Pangop CR ◽  
Douanla Tapindje DG ◽  
Boukong A ◽  
Tabi FO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Green Beans ◽  
Yield Parameters ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Very High

Soil acidity is a major factor limiting green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in the Cameroon western Highland. A field experiment (split-plot layout) was conducted with seven dolomite treatments (tons ha-1): control or T0 (0), T1 (0.5), T2 (1), T3 (1.5), T4 (2), T5 (2.5) and T6 (3). Soil physico-chemical properties were determined meanwhile growth and yield parameters were collected weekly for a month and analyzed statistically. Results revealed that control soils were texturally silty sandy. The exchangeable bases (except Na), cation exchange capacity (CEC), base saturation and available phosphorus were very high. They acidity was moderate to high (5.2 to 5.6) while organic matter was very high (% dry mass) and of moderate to good quality (11<C/N ratio<13). Crop variety showed a highly significant difference (P<0.001) for all growth and yield parameters, with Cogito producing the longest (13.88 cm), most numerous (40.94 pods per plant) and highest (16.96 tons ha-1) extrafine pods. Dolomite doses revealed no significant effects (P>0.05) on crop parameters, although highest yield (13.61 tons ha-1) of extrafine pods came from 2 tons ha-1. The dolomite dose versus variety interaction showed no significant difference (P>0.05). Farmers ought to improve soils with compost and cover crops to check nutrient leaching and erosion.   

scholarly journals The use of nanoencapsulation god’s crown (Phaleria macrocarpa) fruits extract in drinking water on growth performance in broiler chickens

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-91
Author(s):  
Niati Ningsih ◽  
Bambang Ariyadi ◽  
Zuprizal Zuprizal
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Phaleria Macrocarpa

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of nanoencapsulation of Phaleria macrocarpa fruits extract (NEPM) in drinking water and the effect on broiler growth performance. A total number of 200 male broiler chicks, aged eight days old, were distributed into 5 treatments with 4 replicates (10 birds in each replicate). The experimental treatments consisted of the basal diet (P0; negative control), and basal diet with antibiotic tetracycline supplementation (P1; positive control), and basal diets with 2.5% of Phaleria macrocarpa fruits extract (P2), 2.5% NEPM (P3), or 5.0% NEPM (P4). The basal diet was based on yellow corn and soybean meal that contains 20.44% crude protein, 2917.47 kcal/kg metabolizable energy, 0.84% Calcium, and 0.51% available Phosphorus. The diets and drinking water was supplied for ad libitum consumption. Parameters evaluated in the current study were growth performance (feed consumption and conversation, body weight gain, water consumption, slaughter and carcass weight, and carcass percentage), Data were analyzed using analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. Orthogonal contrast tests were used to separate data with a significant difference. Results showed that supplementation of NEPM in the drinking water did not affect growth performance of broiler chicken.

scholarly journals Association between Soil Fertility and Growth Performance of Planted Shorea macrophylla (de Vriese) after Enrichment Planting at Rehabilitation Sites of Sampadi Forest Reserve, Sarawak, Malaysia

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mugunthan Perumal ◽  
Mohd Effendi Wasli ◽  
Ho Soo Ying ◽  
Jonathan Lat ◽  
Hamsawi Sani
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Forest Reserve ◽  
Enrichment Planting ◽  
Sandy Clay

A study was conducted to determine the status of soil properties after enrichment planting in comparison to an adjacent secondary forest and to evaluate the effect of enrichment planting of Shorea macrophylla (de Vriese) on the soil fertility status with special reference to Soil Fertility Index (SFI) and Soil Evaluation Factor (SEF) at Sampadi Forest Reserve, Sarawak. The study sites were stands rehabilitated in different years (1996: SM96; 1997: SM97; 1998: SM98; 1999: SM99) and secondary forest (SF). Findings indicated that the soils at rehabilitation sites and SF were strongly acidic in nature, with pH less than 5.50, poor soil exchangeable bases, and nutrient status. The soils were relatively of sandy clay loam to sandy clay. Principal Component Analysis revealed the three most significant components of the soil properties which explained 76.3% of the total variation. At surface soils, SFI was correlated with tree growth parameters of S. macrophylla, indicating that SFI is an applicable soil quality index as compared to SEF. Notwithstanding, a significant association was found between soil available phosphorus and planted S. macrophylla, indicating that soil phosphorus is a better indicator than SFI. Further studies on other environmental factors influencing tree growth performance, early establishment of experimental reforestation at nursery, and field should be implemented to obtain the initial data on seedling growth performance prior to outplanting.

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