scholarly journals Changes in the physico-chemical properties of topsoil in a landslide-affected area (western part of the Transylvanian Basin, Romania)

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramona BĂLC ◽  
Carmen ROBA ◽  
Gheorghe ROSIAN ◽  
Dan COSTIN ◽  
Csaba HORVATH ◽  
...  

Landslides determine increases and decreases in specific soil compounds which is affecting soil fertility. The recovery of soil fertility is a long process and may be used as an indicator of the landslide age and can contribute to the management plan of the affected area. In order to add to data about soil properties affected by landslides, the current study focuses on a young and shallow landslide from the western part of the Transylvanian Depression. Soil samples were analysed from a physico-chemical point of view (pH, organic matter – OM, total organic carbon – TOC, major cations, and iron content) in two places, at between 0 and 60 cm depth (inside and outside the landslide). The results obtained showed lower values of pH inside the landslide, low values of TOC and rock fragments in both places studied (inside and outside the landslide) and no differences in soil texture between disturbed and undisturbed soil. The ammonium, magnesium and calcium content was higher outside the landslide, the sodium level was slightly higher outside the landslide, while the potassium concentration was higher inside the landslide. This study offers new data regarding recovery of soil fertility and highlights the importance of gaining knowledge on soil properties of relevance to future measures to increase the fertility of agricultural soils.

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 7-10
Author(s):  
Anubodh Karki ◽  
Pravin Ojha

Standardized milk having casein: fat ratio 0.92 was used and the processes were optimized for the manufacture of cheeses. The samples were analyzed for physico-chemical properties (moisture, total solid, fat, protein, ash, calcium, fat retention, protein retention, yield) and functional properties such as meltability, stretchability, baking quality and shreddability were also analyzed. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found in calcium content of the cheese, color and overall sensory properties. Stretchability and shreddability in relation to functional properties were also found to be significantly different. The yield for mozzarella cheese made using rennet was higher than that of cheese made using kiwi juice as milk coagulant and also it was superior in terms of overall functional properties. It was deemed that a good quality mozzarella cheese with variant characteristics can be prepared by using kiwi juice as milk coagulant.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-119
Author(s):  
Naseer Ahmed KHAN ◽  
Mukhtiar AHMED ◽  
Naveed ul Hasan SYED ◽  
Matthew DREWERY

In this study the authors investigated the effect of alkali (Ca(OH)2) and heat treatment on the physico-chemical properties of bovine bone powder. For this purpose, raw and alkali treated samples were heated separately at temperatures of 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C, and 1000 °C. A combination of characterization techniques, such as TGA, XRD, N2-adsorbtion isotherms, and EDX were used. It was found that the boiling of cleaned solid pieces of bones in 2 molar Ca(OH)2 solution results in a mass loss of about 10 % (mainly discards oily liquid). TGA analysis affirms that the hydrocarbons of bone matrix are partially extractable (~ 10 %) in the boiling alkaline solution. The color of raw and treated bone samples remained similar, that is changing from yellowish white to grayish black before turning into white over temperatures ranging from 30 °C (room temperature), 400 – 600 °C, and 800 – 1000 °C, respectively. Moreover, XRD signatures were also comparable at unified temperature ranges, however, it was noted that carbonization due to heating engenders a significant change in the intensities of the x-ray reflections. Despite of having similarities, surface area of raw and treated bones at 400 °C, 600 °C and 800 °C were found to be different, indicative of a chemical interactions of calcium ions with bone. Quite interestingly, TGA, XRD, and N2-adsorbtion isotherms support the argument that a limited amount of calcium ions diffuses into the vacancies or interstitial sites of bone lattice. Furthermore, EDX analysis of the samples calcined at 1000 °C confirms that the Ca(OH)2 treatment increases the total calcium content of hydroxylapatite (inorganic part of bone matrix).


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 


1970 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Zabed Hossain ◽  
Mihir Lal Saha ◽  
Chaman Binta Aziz ◽  
Sirajul Hoque

This study examined the effect of deforestation on the soil properties (physico-chemical and bacterial) of the Sal (Shorea robusta Roxb. Ex Gaertn.) forests in Bangladesh. Physico-chemical properties and the bacterial colony counts of soil were studied by comparing a natural Sal forest site with deforested and planted with Menjium site, deforested and planted with Mahogoni site, as well as deforested but not planted but covered with profuse growth of Axonopus compressus grass species site. Moisture content was significantly lower in the deforested and planted with Menjium site and deforested and planted with Mahogoni site than the natural forest site and the deforested but not planted site. Total organic carbon, total nitrogen and available nitrogen contents were significantly lower in the natural forest site. Significantly higher number of bacterial colony and higher organic carbon and moisture contents were found in the deforested but not planted site indicating that both organic carbon and moisture content were important for microbial growth. The present study clearly showed that deforestation significantly altered the soil physico-chemical and bacterial communities of the Sal forests. It was also revealed that plantation with different exotic plants were found to be different in influencing soil properties. Key words: Bacterial colony; Deforestation effects; Sal forest; Soil physico-chemical properties DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujbs.v19i1.8945 DUJBS 2010; 19(1): 63-72


2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 372-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Szulc ◽  
B. Rutkowska

The determination of a range of boron concentration in the soil solution, evaluation of the effect of physico-chemical soil properties on boron concentration in the soil solution as well verification whether boron quantity in the soil solution is sufficient for nutritional needs of selected plants cultivated in Poland were comprised. Average boron concentration in the soil solution of Poland&rsquo;s cultivated soils ranges from 0.59 to 5.07 &micro;mol/L and is differentiated by physico-chemical properties of soil. Taking into account decreasing effects of soil properties on the increase of boron concentration in the soil solution, the soil properties can be arranged as follows: organic C &gt;<br />soil abundance in available boron &gt; soil texture &gt; soil pH. The minimum boron quantity observed in the soil solution of Poland&rsquo;s cultivated soils was not sufficient to fulfil nutritional needs of the plants. The maximum boron quantity observed secured nutritional needs of cereals and potatoes but not those of rape plants and sugar beets. Based on the study it can be concluded that the measurement of the concentration of boron in the soil solution can be used in the diagnosis of deficiency of this element for crops.


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.


Author(s):  
Railton O. dos Santos ◽  
◽  
Laís B. Franco ◽  
Samuel A. Silva ◽  
George A. Sodré ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The knowledge on the spatial variability of soil properties and crops is important for decision-making on agricultural management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial variability of soil fertility and its relation with cocoa yield. The study was conducted over 14 months in an area cultivated with cocoa. A sampling grid was created to study soil chemical properties and cocoa yield (stratified in season, off-season and annual). The data were analyzed using descriptive and exploratory statistics, and geostatistics. The chemical attributes were classified using fuzzy logic to generate a soil fertility map, which was correlated with maps of crop yield. The soil of the area, except for the western region, showed possibilities ranging from medium to high for cocoa cultivation. Soil fertility showed positive spatial correlation with cocoa yield, and its effect was predominant only for the off-season and annual cocoa.


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


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