scholarly journals Effects of Tree Forest Plantations on Soil Physicochemical Properties in the Arboretumof Ruhande,Southern Province of Rwanda

Author(s):  
Nsengimana Venuste

Different tree speciesare blamed to have negative effects on soil ecosystems by changing soil physicochemical properties, and hence soil quality. However, few researches to verify this statement were done in Rwanda. This study provides prior information on the effects of planted forest tree species on soil physicochemical properties. It was conducted in the Arboretum of Ruhande, in southern Rwanda. Soil cores were collected in plots of exotic, native and agroforestry tree species. Collected soils were analysed for soil pH, total nitrogen, organic carbon, available phosphorus,  aggregate stability, bulk density, soil humidity, cation exchange capacity, and soil texture. Soils sampled under exotic tree species were acidic, richin soil organic carbon, and in soil available phosphorus. Native and agroforestry tree species offer better conditions in soil pH, soil water content, cation exchange capacity, clay and silt. Less variations in soil total nitrogen and soil bulk density were found in soils sampled under all studied forest types. Research concluded that studiedtree species have different effects on soil physicochemical parameters. It recommended further studies to generalize these findings. Key words: soil, exotic, native, agroforestry, soil properties

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 2617
Author(s):  
Alicja Szatanik-Kloc ◽  
Justyna Szerement ◽  
Agnieszka Adamczuk ◽  
Grzegorz Józefaciuk

Thousands of tons of zeolitic materials are used yearly as soil conditioners and components of slow-release fertilizers. A positive influence of application of zeolites on plant growth has been frequently observed. Because zeolites have extremely large cation exchange capacity, surface area, porosity and water holding capacity, a paradigm has aroused that increasing plant growth is caused by a long-lasting improvement of soil physicochemical properties by zeolites. In the first year of our field experiment performed on a poor soil with zeolite rates from 1 to 8 t/ha and N fertilization, an increase in spring wheat yield was observed. Any effect on soil cation exchange capacity (CEC), surface area (S), pH-dependent surface charge (Qv), mesoporosity, water holding capacity and plant available water (PAW) was noted. This positive effect of zeolite on plants could be due to extra nutrients supplied by the mineral (primarily potassium—1 ton of the studied zeolite contained around 15 kg of exchangeable potassium). In the second year of the experiment (NPK treatment on previously zeolitized soil), the zeolite presence did not impact plant yield. No long-term effect of the zeolite on plants was observed in the third year after soil zeolitization, when, as in the first year, only N fertilization was applied. That there were no significant changes in the above-mentioned physicochemical properties of the field soil after the addition of zeolite was most likely due to high dilution of the mineral in the soil (8 t/ha zeolite is only ~0.35% of the soil mass in the root zone). To determine how much zeolite is needed to improve soil physicochemical properties, much higher zeolite rates than those applied in the field were studied in the laboratory. The latter studies showed that CEC and S increased proportionally to the zeolite percentage in the soil. The Qv of the zeolite was lower than that of the soil, so a decrease in soil variable charge was observed due to zeolite addition. Surprisingly, a slight increase in PAW, even at the largest zeolite dose (from 9.5% for the control soil to 13% for a mixture of 40 g zeolite and 100 g soil), was observed. It resulted from small alterations of the soil macrostructure: although the input of small zeolite pores was seen in pore size distributions, the larger pores responsible for the storage of PAW were almost not affected by the zeolite addition.


1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. L. Meyer ◽  
P. A. Arp ◽  
M. Marsh

Relationships between cation exchange capacity (CEC), clay and organic carbon contents and soil pH were analyzed by way of multiple regressions for upland soils in eastern Canada (mostly Ontario, with additional data for New Brunswick). This was done by vegetation type in an attempt to explain some of the otherwise unexplained CEC variations. Data were taken from about 2000 soil horizons (organic L, F, and H horizons as well as A, B, and C mineral soil horizons) under broadleaves (mostly maples, beech, birch or aspen as dominant species), conifers (mostly fir, spruces and/or pines), and grass vegetation. For the organic forest floor horizons (or L, F, and H horizons), both organic carbon content (%) and pH were highly significant for predicting CEC, i.e.,CEC (L, F, and H of broadleaves) = −38 + 0.71 × org. C (%) + 10.3 × pH (R2 = 0.69), andCEC (L, F and H of conifers) = −31 + 0.34 × org. C (%) + 12.1 × pH (R2 = 0.58).For the mineral soil, clay and organic carbon contents (%) and pH were highly significant for predicting CEC. Soils with forest vegetation were found to have lower contributions of organic matter to CEC than grassland soils, i.e.,CEC (forest soils) = −7.0 + 0.29 × clay (%) + 0.82 × org. C (%) + 1.4 × pH (R2 = 0.72),CEC (wooded grasslands) = −6.0 + 0.31 × clay (%) + 1.31 × org. C (%) + 1.0 pH (R2 = 0.74), andCEC (grasslands) = −8.3 + 0.24 × clay (%) + 2.14 × org. C (%) + 1.3 × pH (R2 = 0.79).Relationships that were developed from Ontario data for specific vegetational types (maple sites, strongly podzolized conifer sites, grasslands/croplands) were tested by comparing CEC predictions with reported values for similar sites in New Brunswick and Quebec. The predictions were consistent with the general trends for maple sites and grasslands/croplands, but CEC values were strongly overpredicted for Podzolic subsoils on conifer sites.Literature information of the CEC dependency on in situ pH is sparse. Existing information that is based on buffering grassland/cropland soil samples from pH 2.5 to 8 appears to mimic this dependency quite well. Key words: Cation exchange capacity, clay, organic carbon, soil pH, forests, grasslands


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 987
Author(s):  
Xiaoai Yin ◽  
Longshan Zhao ◽  
Qian Fang ◽  
Guijie Ding

With increasing age, plants will cause changes in soil physicochemical properties. The objective of this study was to investigate differences in the soil physicochemical properties in different-aged Masson pine forest plantations (i.e., 10, 20, 40, and 60 years old). Soil samples were collected in a pure Masson pine forest plantation in Southwest China. The soil determination indexes included organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents, water content, bulk density, and pH. The soil pH of a 20-year-old forest was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of a 10, 40, and 60-year-old forest. In addition, soil-available phosphorus in a 60-year-old forest was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that in the other three age forest groups. With increasing forest age, available phosphorus increased, while available nitrogen decreased at 20 years old and then increased at 40 years old. There was a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between total nitrogen and available potassium; no significant correlation (p> 0.05) between total phosphorus and total potassium, organic carbon, bulk density, and pH; and a significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) between available phosphorus and the water content. The availability and utilization efficiency of soil nutrients in young forests were higher than those in old forests and the intermediate forest age was an important time point that affected the soil properties. To improve the availability of soil nutrients and ensure the sustainable utilization of soil resources, it is necessary to increase the input of nitrogen and especially phosphorus. More attention should be given to the phytochemometric response with respect to the age of plantations.


Author(s):  
Prashant Joshi ◽  
Dhiraj Kadam ◽  
Shakti Tayde ◽  
Yogesh Dharmik

The present investigation was carried out to characterize and classify some typical healthy and declined Nagpur mandarin gardens in Warud and Morshi Tahsil’s of Amravati District (M.S.). Total forty two representative surface and depth soil samples from healthy and declined Nagpur mandarin gardens were collected and analyzed for various physico-chemical properties. The findings revealed that the texture of soil is clayey (40 - 59 % clay in healthy gardens and 47.4 - 61.4 % clay in declined gardens). The bulk density and porosity in healthy gardens ranged 1.51 - 1.67 mg.m-3, 35.85 - 43.02 % in declined gardens; it varied from 1.51 to 1.66 mg.m-3 and 25.85 to 43.02 % respectively. The pH, organic carbon and CaCO3 content in healthy gardens soils varies 7.5 - 8.0, 4.8 - 9.0 g kg-1, 5.35 - 8.31 % and in declined gardens it’s 7.7 - 8.2, 1.95 - 3.75 gm kg-1, 6.71 - 10.53 % respectively. The electrical conductivity and cation exchange capacity of healthy gardens soil was noticed 0.21 - 0.28 d.Sm-1, 45.92 - 55.53 c.mol (p+) kg ha-1 and in declined gardens it varied 0.22 - 0.32 d.Sm-1, 46.20 - 51.92 c.mol (p+) kg ha-1 respectively. Further, no significant difference was found in clay, bulk density, porosity, electrical conductivity and cation exchange capacity in healthy and declined gardens; however soil reaction was found high in declined gardens than healthy gardens. Organic carbon content was high and free lime content was reported lower in healthy gardens than declined gardens. Study on depth wise distribution showed that bulk density, pH and electrical conductivity increase with soil depth. Organic carbon and cation exchange capacity decreases with soil depth. The available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of healthy gardens surface soils are ranged 206.0 - 273.7 kg ha-1, 25.0 - 38.3 kg ha-1, 324 - 672 kg ha-1 and in declined gardens it’s varied as 135.4 - 206.8 kg ha-1, 19.8 - 23.3 kg ha-1, 364 - 750.4 kg ha-1 respectively. Available nitrogen and phosphorus content in healthy gardens found more supporting than declined ones. Depth wise distribution showed that available nitrogen and phosphorus showed decreasing trend with the soil depth.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jehangir Bhadha ◽  
Raju Khatiwada ◽  
Salvador Galindo ◽  
Nan Xu ◽  
Jay Capasso

Flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.) in south Florida is grown commercially in rotation with sugarcane and vegetables. From 2008 to 2018, rice production has doubled. During the spring-summer, nearly 200 km2 of fallow sugarcane land is available for rice production. In 2017, approximately 113 km2 of rice were planted in the region. The net value of growing rice as a rotation crop far exceeds its monetary return. This study evaluated soil health parameters before and after rice cultivation and compared them against two other common summer farming practices - fallow fields and flooded-fallow. The soil health parameters that were tested as part of this study included soil pH, bulk density, water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity, organic matter, active carbon and nutrient content. Results indicated an increase in soil pH, and a significant reduction in soil bulk density due to rice cultivation. Water holding capacity increased significantly under all flooded land use practices compared to fallow fields. Cation exchange capacity significantly increased when sugarcane fields were cultivated with rice and ratoon rice, nearly doubled from 58 to 101 cmolc kg-1. Small, yet significant 3% increase in organic matter was observed when sugarcane fields were cultivated with ratoon rice. Almost 16 g kg-1 of active C is being generated within fallow soils, whereas less than half that under flooded practices, limiting the amount of soil loss via oxidation. Based on the soil health index, rice cultivation and flooded-fallow improved overall soil quality compared to fallow lands.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mardi Wibowo

Since year 1977 until 2005, PT. ANTAM has been exploited nickel ore resources at Gebe Island – Center ofHalmahera District – North Maluku Province. Mining activity, beside give economically advantages also causedegradation of environment quality espicially land quality. Therefore, it need evaluation activity for change ofland quality at Gebe Island after mining activity.From chemical rehabilitation aspect, post mining land and rehabilitation land indacate very lack and lackfertility (base saturated 45,87 – 99,6%; cation exchange capacity 9,43 – 12,43%; Organic Carbon 1,12 –2,31%). From availability of nutrirnt element aspect, post mining land and rehabilitation land indicate verylack and lack fertility (nitrogen 0,1 – 1,19%). Base on that data, it can be concluded that land reclamationactivity not yet achieve standart condition of chemical land.Key words : land quality, post mining lan


Clay Minerals ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Valter ◽  
M. Plötze

AbstractBentonite is a potential material for use in the engineered barrier of radioactive waste repositories because of its low hydraulic permeability, self-sealing capability and retention capacity. It is expected that bentonite would react at the elevated temperatures accompanying the radioactive decay in the nuclear waste. The presented study was started in order to improve understanding of the coupled influence of temperature and (pore) water on the physicochemical and mineralogical properties of bentonite during thermal treatment under near-field relevant conditions. Granular Na-bentonite MX-80 was differently saturated (Sr = 1–0.05) and stored at different temperatures (50–150°C) in a closed system. Upon dismantling after different periods of time (3 to 18 months), mineralogical characteristics, cation exchange capacity and content of leachable cations, as well as physicochemical properties such as surface area and water adsorption were investigated.The results showed a high mineralogical stability. A slight conversion from the sodium to an earth alkali form of the bentonite was observed. However, considerable changes in the physicochemical properties of the bentonite were observed, particularly by treatment above the critical temperature of 120°C. The cation exchange capacity decreased during heating at 150°C by approximately. 10%. The specific surface area dropped by more than 50%. The water uptake capacity under free swelling conditions showed a slight tendency to lower values especially for samples heated for more than 12 months. The water vapour adsorption ability in contrast drops by 25% already within three months at T = 120°C. These changes are mostly related to the variations in the interlayer cation composition and to smectite aggregation processes. The observed alterations are rather subtle. However, temperatures ⩾ 120°C had a remarkable negative influence on different properties of MX-80.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-374
Author(s):  
A. BASUMATARY ◽  

Two hundred fifty geo-referenced surfaces (0-15 cm) soil samples were collected and analysed for macronutrients and micronutrients to study fertility status in soils of Dima Hasao district of Assam and their relationship with some important soil properties. Soils of the district were found to be extremely acidic to slightly acidic in reaction with a low to high organic carbon content and low in cation exchange capacity. The soil of the district indicated that the available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium status was observed to the tune of 14.0 %,7.2% and 67.2% under low and 86.0 %, 92.8 % and 32.8 %under medium categories, respectively. The overall percent deficient of exchangeable calcium, magnesium and available sulphur in soils was 25.6, 30.4 and 6.8 %, respectively. Based on critical limit, all soils were adequately supplied with DTPA-extractable Fe, Mn and Cu content. In respect of zinc and boron, soils exhibited 90.4 and 73 per cent under sufficient, while, 2.4 and 12 per cent were found deficient in DTPA -Zn and HWS-B, respectively. Soil pH and EC showed positive correlation with macro nutrients and negative correlation with micronutrients. The macro- and micronutrient showed significant positive relation with soil organic carbon and cation exchange capacity.


1969 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-365
Author(s):  
Edmundo Rivera ◽  
José Rodríguez ◽  
Fernando Abruña

The effect of acidity factors of two Ultisols and one Oxisol on yield and foliar composition of tomatoes was determined. Yields were not markedly reduced by acidity in the Ultisols until pH dropped to around 4.6 with 45% Al saturation of the cation exchange capacity (CEC), and no yield was produced at about pH 4.1 and 80% Al saturation. In the Oxisol, tomato yields dropped steadily from 39.7 t/ha, when there was no exchangeable AI, to 17.5 t/ha at the highest level of acidity, pH 4.4 and 43% AI saturation. In all soils, yields were closely correlated with soil pH, exchangeable Al and Ca and Al/Ca.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nahusenay Abate ◽  
Kibebew Kibret

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of land use, depth and topography on soil physicochemical properties at the Wadla Delanta Massif, northcentral Ethiopia. Four land uses (natural forest, shrub, grazing and cultivated land), three soil depths (0-20, 20-40, 40-60 cm) and three topographic positions (upper, middle and lower) in three replications were considered for this study. A total of 108 composite samples were collected for laboratory analysis. The results show that particle size distribution was affected by the main effects of land use and soil depth; bulk and particle densities, total porosity, organic matter and total nitrogen contents, C:N ratio and available phosphorus were significantly affected by the interaction of land use by soil depth only, whereas, soil pH, electrical conductivity, exchangeable bases, cation exchange capacity, percent base saturation and extractable micronutrients were affected by the interaction effects of the three factors. Highest clay and bulk density were recorded at the bottom layer of the cultivated land soils, while the utmost porosity, organic matter and nitrogen contents, and available phosphorus were recorded at the surface layers of the natural forest land soils. Highest pH was at the bottom layer of the cultivated land at the three topographic positions. Highest exchangeable bases and cation exchange capacity were observed in the bottom layers of soils under the four land use types at the lower topographic position, whilst extractable micronutrients were recorded at the surface layers of the forest land soils at the upper topographic position. In general, most of the measured soil properties were measured better in forest than in other land use soils and the lower topographic positions than the upper and middle ones. Interaction of land use with topography showed negative effects especially on cultivated and grazing land soils in all topographic positions. Therefore, integrated soil fertility management and soil conservation measures are required in all topographic positions to maintain soil physicochemical properties.


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