scholarly journals Organic wastes from bioenergy and ecological sanitation as a soil fertility improver: a field experiment in a tropical Andosol

SOIL ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariane Krause ◽  
Thomas Nehls ◽  
Eckhard George ◽  
Martin Kaupenjohann
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Biogas Slurry ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
P Deficiency

Abstract. Andosols require the regular application of phosphorus (P) to sustain crop productivity. On an Andosol in NW Tanzania, we studied the short-term effects of amending standard compost, biogas slurry and CaSa compost (containing biochar and sanitized human excreta) on (i) the soil's physico-chemical properties, on (ii) biomass growth and crop productivity, and on (iii) the plants' nutrient status. The practice-oriented experiment design included the intercropping of seven locally grown crop species planted on 9 m2 plots with five repetitions arranged as a Latin rectangle. Differences in plant growth (biomass production and crop yield, e.g., of Zea mays) and crop nutrition (total C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, etc.) were related to pH, CEC (cation exchange capacity), total C and the availability of nutrients (N, P, K, etc.) and water (water retention characteristics, bulk density, etc.) in the soil. None of the amendments had any significant effect on soil water availability, so the observed variations in crop yield and plant nutrition are attributed to nutrient availability. Applying CaSa compost increased the soil pH from 5.3 to 5.9 and the level of available P from 0.5 to 4.4 mg per kg. Compared to the control, adding biogas slurry, standard compost and CaSa compost increased the aboveground biomass of Zea mays by, respectively, 140, 154 and 211 %. The grain yields of maize on soil treated with biogas slurry, standard compost and CaSa compost were, respectively, 2.63, 3.18 and 4.40 t ha−1, compared to only 1.10 t ha−1 on unamended plots. All treatments enhanced crop productivity and increased the uptake of nutrients into the maize grains. The CaSa compost was most effective in mitigating P deficiency and soil acidification. We conclude that all treatments are viable as a substitute for synthetic fertilizers. Nevertheless, further steps are required to integrate the tested soil amendments into farm-scale nutrient management and to balance the additions and removals of nutrients, so that the cycle can be closed.

scholarly journals Organic wastes from bioenergy and ecological sanitation as soil fertility improver: a field experiment in a tropical Andosol

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1221-1261 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Krause ◽  
T. Nehls ◽  
E. George ◽  
M. Kaupenjohann
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Soil Amendments ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Biogas Slurry ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
P Deficiency ◽  
Ecological Sanitation

Abstract. Andosols require the regular application of phosphorus (P) to sustain crop productivity. In a practice oriented field experiment at an Andosol site in NW Tanzania, the effects of various soil amendments (standard compost, urine, biogas slurry and CaSa-compost [biochar and sanitized human excreta]) on (i) the productivity of locally grown crop species, on (ii) the plants' nutrient status and on (iii) the soil's physico-chemical properties were studied. None of the amendments had any significant effect on soil moisture, so the observed variation in crop yield and plant nutrition reflected differences in nutrient availability. The application of CaSa-compost increased the level of available P in the top-soil from 0.5 to 4.4 mg kg−1 and the soil pH from 5.3 to 5.9. Treatment with biogas slurry, standard compost and CaSa-compost increased the above-ground biomass of Zea mays by, respectively, 140, 154 and 211 %. The grain yields of maize on soil treated with biogas slurry, standard compost and CaSa-compost were, respectively, 2.63, 3.18 and 4.40 t ha−1, compared to only 1.10 t ha−1 on unamended plots. All treatments enhanced crop productivity and increased the uptake of nutrients into the maize grains. The CaSa-compost was especially effective in mitigating P deficiency and soil acidification. We conclude that all treatments are viable as substitute for synthetic fertilizers. However, further steps are required to integrate the tested soil amendments into farm-scale nutrient management and to balance the additions and removals of nutrients, so that the loop can be closed.

scholarly journals Site-specific Nutrient Management for Enhancing Crop Productivity

2020 ◽  
pp. 17-25
Author(s):  
Ramesh Chand Bana ◽  
S. S. Yadav ◽  
A. C. Shivran ◽  
Prabhoo Singh ◽  
Vinod Kumar Kudi
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
High Price ◽  
Nitrification Inhibitors ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Site Specific

Nutrient management plays a crucial role in achieving self-sufficiency in food grain production. High price index of chemical fertilizers coupled with mount pollution problem gave rise to interest in precision nutrient management tools. Site specific nutrient management (SSNM) increases and maintains the yield by optimizing the balance between supply and demand of nutrients. Nutrient application as per SSNM concept resulted in significantly higher grain yields of maize, rice, wheat and other important crop over recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) and farmer’s fertilizers practices. The SSNM is real time feeding of crops with nutrients while recognizing the inherent spatial variability which enhances crop productivity, nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and avoids nutrient wastage. For effective SSNM, utilization of different sensing devices of soil and plant nutrient status, decision support systems, GIS, remote sensing, simulation models and nenoparticles play an important role. Traditional techniques like balanced fertilization, use of nitrification inhibitors and slow-release nitrogenous fertilizers (SRNF) are also used to attain higher productivity and reduce environmental pollution. This paper deals with the SSNM approaches which are able to enhance crop productivity, NUE and sustainability.

scholarly journals The effects of mineral treatment and the amendments by organic and organomineral fertilisers on the crop yield, plant nutrient status and soil properties

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 34-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Gondek ◽  
B. Filipek-Mazur
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Copper Form ◽  
Mobile Forms ◽  
Nitrogen Concentrations ◽  
Cadmium Lead ◽  
Manure Slurry

The studies were carried out as a pot experiment comprised of mineral treatments with farmyard manure, slurry and liquid organomineral fertiliser (Damishum) and finally the unfertilised control. Mineral fertilisation and liquid organomineral fertiliser better affected the crop yield in comparison with organic treatments in the first year of the experiment, whereas in the subsequent two years with a consecutive affect of organic fertilisers. According to the expectations the biggest nitrogen concentrations were found in crops receiving mineral treatment and organomineral fertiliser. Phosphorus content depended on crop species and applied fertiliser. Potassium and magnesium contents immediately after treatment were the highest in the objects receiving organic treatment (farmyard manure and slurry). In the subsequent years no visible tendency in both element contents was noticed. Among the cultivated crops rape revealed the biggest amounts of cadmium in the above ground parts. Lead concentrations in the above ground parts of the cultivated crop did not reveal any diversification among the objects. Copper accumulated mainly in the crop root systems, except rape, whereas zinc concentration depended on the plant species and applied fertilisation. The treatment caused a decrease in the soil pH and an increase in hydrolytic acidity value. Mineral and organomineral fertilisation caused a pronounced decline in organic carbon content in the soil, whereas farmyard manure raised it. Similar dependencies were found for the total nitrogen concentrations. The applied treatment increased the contents of mobile forms of cadmium, lead and zinc but had no significant effect on changes of mobile copper form contents.

Fertility Status of Selected Agricultural Soils Along Major Roads in Nasarawa Eggon and Doma Areas of Nasarawa State, North Central, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Onwuka ◽  
J. M. Nwaedozie ◽  
E. H. Kwon – Dung ◽  
P. T. Terna
Keyword(s):  
Plant Uptake ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
High Rate

Soil nutrient status determines its crop productivity and provide basis for appropriate soil management. The soil samples which spread across the agricultural farms along major roads in Nasarawa Eggon and Doma areas of Nasarawa State, Nigeria; were analyzed for both physical and chemical properties. Most of the studied Nasarawa Eggon and Doma soils were extremely acidic. Textural class showed high sand content (>80) of the investigated soils, indicating possible high rate of water infiltration in these soils which will lead to their low water holding capacity. The organic carbon (OC) contents in both locations, were rated high as it varied from 1.50 to 1.85 %, whereas total nitrogen (TN) levels ranged from 0.07 to 0.21 % in the studied soils. The levels of available P, Ca, K and Mg were inadequate for satisfactory plant growth, considering their respective critical level established for Nigerian soils. Mineral analysis showed the presence of essential elements such as S, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Mo and Zn. Beneficial/functional elements such as Ti, V, Rb and Sr, were found in significant quantities in the investigated soils of both studied areas. Thus, Potential K and Ca deficiency could be greatly compensated by Rb and Sr uptake. The quantities of non – beneficial elements such as Sn, Sb, Te, Cs, Ba and Sc were significant in soils from Nasarawa Eggon but were insignificant in Doma soils. Thus, this study revealed that nutrient content of the soil differs from the nutrient availability for plant uptake and the fertility of investigated soils in both locations depended on the soil pH and textural class. Also, the conditions of the soils at both studied locations, are unfavourable for plant uptake of certain important nutrients and could lead to low crop yields if there is no effective nutrient and soil management.

scholarly journals Characterization and Classification of Major Mango-growing Soils in Arid Part of Ananthapuramu District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Agropedology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Srinivasan ◽  
◽  
R. Vasundhara ◽  
M. Lalitha ◽  
B. Kalaiselvi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Granite Gneiss ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
High Base ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Four typical pedons representing major mango growing soils, developed from granite gneiss parent material were studied for their morphological, physical and chemical properties. The soils were moderately shallow (50-75 cm) to very deep (>150 cm) in depth, loamy sand to sandy clay loam in texture, sub-angular blocky in structure, reddish brown to dark red in colour, slightly acidic to moderately alkaline in reaction, non-saline, very low to high in organic carbon content (0.09 to 1.29%), low AWC (3.36 to 7.80%), low to medium in cation exchange capacity (2.90 to 19.36 cmol (p+) kg-1) and high base saturation (78 to 98%). The soils also had high amounts of coarse fragments in P1 and P2 and high clay content in P4 and P2. Among the exchangeable cations, calcium was found to be high in most of the soils, followed by magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Based on the soil characteristics, the mango growing soils were classified as Typic Haplargids and Typic Paleargids in subgroup level. Varying soil and site characters i.e., poor rainfall, shallow soil depths, excess gravel contents, low AWC, poor nutrient status and severe soil erosion are limiting the growth and development of mango plantation. Developing site-specific soils based suitable management practices can improve the productivity of mango crops.

scholarly journals Effect of Crop Geometry and Nutrient Management Approaches on Soil Properties and Availability of Nutrients under Transplanted Finger Millet

2021 ◽  
pp. 251-259
Author(s):  
A. Aliveni ◽  
B. Venkateswarlu ◽  
M. Sree Rekha ◽  
P. R. K. Prasad ◽  
K. Jayalalitha
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Finger Millet ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Agricultural College ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Absolute Control

The present investigation was conducted for two consecutive years with the objective to know various crop geometries and nutrient management approaches on soil chemical properties at Agricultural college farm, Bapatla. The experimental design was split plot with three replications. The present study comprised of three crop geometries with different age of seedlings (30x10 cm with 30 days old seedlings, 30x30 cm with 15 days old seedlings and 45x45 cm with 15 days old seedlings) and seven nutrient management practices (S0: absolute control, S1: FYM @ 10 tonnes ha-1 + application of dravajeevamrutham, S2: FYM @ 10 tonnes ha-1 + application of  dravajeevamrutham along with wooden log treatment, S3: FYM @ 10 tonnes ha-1 + 100% RDF, S4: FYM @ 10 tonnes ha-1 + 100% RDF along with wooden log treatment, S5: FYM @ 10 tonnes ha-1 + 125% RDF, S6: FYM @ 10 tonnes ha-1 + 125% RDF along with wooden log treatment in subplots were given to kharif finger millet. integrated application of FYM @ 10 tonnes ha-1 + 125% RDF along with wooden log treatment (S6) resulted in higher organic carbon and nutrient status of the soil and reduced C:N ratio of the soil significantly though other soil properties were non significant due to various crop geometries and nutrient management treatments.

scholarly journals Transcriptional activities of methanogens and methanotrophs vary with methane emission flux in rice soils under chronic nutrient constraints of phosphorus and potassium

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 6507-6518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Sheng ◽  
Anlei Chen ◽  
Miaomiao Zhang ◽  
Andrew S. Whiteley ◽  
Deepak Kumaresan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Nutrient Deficiency ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Experimental System ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Community Structures ◽  
Rice Soils ◽  
P Deficiency

Abstract. Nutrient status in soil is crucial for the growth and development of plants which indirectly or directly affect the ecophysiological functions of resident soil microorganisms. Soil methanogens and methanotrophs can be affected by soil nutrient availabilities and plant growth, which in turn modulate methane (CH4) emissions. Here, we assessed whether deficits in soil-available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) modulated the activities of methanogens and methanotrophs in a long-term (20 year) experimental system involving limitation in either one or both nutrients. Results showed that a large amount of CH4 was emitted from paddy soil at rice tillering stage (flooding) while CH4 flux was minimum at ripening stage (drying). Compared to soils amended with NPK fertiliser treatment, the soils without P input significantly reduced methane flux rates, whereas those without K input did not. Under P limitation, methanotroph transcript copy number significantly increased in tandem with a decrease in methanogen transcript abundance, suggesting that P-deficiency-induced changes in soil physio-chemical properties, in tandem with rice plant growth, might constrain the activity of methanogens, whereas the methanotrophs might be adaptive to this soil environment. In contrast, lower transcript abundance of both methanogen and methanotrophs were observed in K-deficient soils. Assessments of community structures based upon transcripts indicated that soils deficient in P induced greater shifts in the active methanotrophic community than K-deficient soils, while similar community structures of active methanogens were observed in both treatments. These results suggested that the population dynamics of methanogens and methanotrophs could vary along with the changes in plant growth states and soil properties induced by nutrient deficiency.

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