Review on Termite Mound Soil Characteristics and Agricultural Importance

Addition of soil with various amendments to boost up the nutrient content and moisture holding capacity is necessary for improving the crop productivity. Among the various amendments, compost prepared from the crop residues attracted much attention in recent years. The crop residues used as feedstock are added with different bulking materials such as rice husk and sewage sludge. In addition to these, termite mound soil which is available in plenty in tropical countries is found to be a suitable bulking material and is added with crop residues to obtain nutrient rich compost. In this paper we reviewed researches carried out on the characteristics, microbial diversity and organic matter degrading enzymes in termite mound soil. Further, the research carried out on the characteristics of compost amended with termite mound soil and its effect on crop productivity is also reviewed with the available literature. Majority of the investigations concluded that termite mound soil possessed more microbial population with a huge array of organic matter degrading enzymes. Few studies monitored the nutrient content of the soil and water holding capacity of the soil and crop yield when termite mound soil was used as a soil amendment. Limited studies were conducted using termite mound soil as a bulking material to compost crop residues. Based on the outcome of various studies, it is understood that the termite mound soil might be used as a soil amendment to increase growth and yield of crops.

Download Full-text

Mitigating Soil Salinity Stress with Gypsum and Bio-Organic Amendments: A Review

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11091735 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 1735

Author(s):

Suleiman K. Bello ◽

Abdullah H. Alayafi ◽

Samir G. AL-Solaimani ◽

Kamal A. M. Abo-Elyousr

Keyword(s):

Salinity Stress ◽

Organic Amendments ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Saline Soils ◽

Combined Use ◽

Physical And Chemical ◽

Water Holding ◽

Excessive Accumulation

Salinity impedes soil and crop productivity in over 900 million ha of arable lands worldwide due to the excessive accumulation of salt (NaCl). To utilize saline soils in agriculture, halophytes (salt-tolerant plants) are commonly cultivated. However, most food crops are glycophytes (salt-sensitive). Thus, to enhance the productivity of saline soils, gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) as well as bio-organic (combined use of organic materials, such as compost and straw with the inoculation of beneficial microbes) amendments have been continuously recognized to improve the biological, physical and chemical properties of saline soils. CaSO4·2H2O regulates the exchange of sodium (Na+) for calcium (Ca2+) on the clay surfaces, thereby increasing the Ca2+/Na+ ratio in the soil solution. Intracellularly, Ca2+ also promotes a higher K+/Na+ ratio. Simultaneously, gypsum furnishes crops with sulfur (S) for enhanced growth and yield through the increased production of phytohormones, amino acids, glutathione and osmoprotectants, which are vital elicitors in plants’ responses to salinity stress. Likewise, bio-organic amendments improve the organic matter and carbon content, nutrient cycling, porosity, water holding capacity, soil enzyme activities and biodiversity in saline soils. Overall, the integrated application of gypsum and bio-organic amendments in cultivating glycophytes and halophytes is a highly promising strategy in enhancing the productivity of saline soils.

Download Full-text

Influence of Different Organic Waste Materials on the Transformation of Nitrogen in Soils

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/tsw.2001.390 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 658-663 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

D.K. Das ◽

A.M. Puste

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Wheat Straw ◽

Organic Waste ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Waste Materials ◽

Cow Dung ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Potato Skin

Organic waste materials like crop residues, well-decomposed cow dung, composts, and other rural and urban wastes are considered highly useful resources in enhancing soil fertility and also in build-up of soil organic matter. Organic matter decomposition provides plant nutrients in soil, which in turn increases crop productivity. Availability of nutrients and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus from organic waste materials is dependent upon the nature of organic residues, climatic conditions, and soil moisture activity. Keeping these factors in view, the present investigation was undertaken to study the transformation of N from different organic waste materials in two contrasting soils from an eastern India, subtropical region. The results showed that the amounts of ammoniacal-N (NH4-N), nitrate-N (NO3-N), hydrolysable N (HL-N), and nonhydrolysable (NHL-N) were increased for up to 60 days of soil submergence and increased further with the increase (1% by weight of soil) of organic residue application. Considering the effect of various organic waste materials, it was found that the amounts of NH4-N, NO3-N, HL-N, and NHL-N were higher with the application of groundnut hull as compared to wheat straw and potato skin, which may be due to relatively narrow carbon:N ratio of groundnut (22:43) than that of wheat straw (62:84) and potato skin (71:32); however, the results showed that the release of NH4-N, NO3-N, HL-N, and NHL-N was in the order of groundnut hull > wheat straw > potato skin.

Download Full-text

African Rhino plantain clone (Musa AAB) behavior when using chicken manure as soil amendment and nematicides.

The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico ◽

10.46429/jaupr.v96i3-4.3166 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 96 (3-4) ◽

pp. 155-163

Author(s):

Agenol González-Vélez

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Soil Amendment ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Chicken Manure ◽

Foliar Nutrient ◽

Soil Preparation ◽

Plant Characteristics ◽

Mg Content

The effects of chicken manure as a soil amendment and the application of nematicides on plant characteristics, yield and foliar nutrient content of the African Rhino plantain clone were evaluated. Chemical properties of the soil were monitored after chicken manure application. Chicken manure, at a rate of 25 t/ha, was incorporated during soil preparation. The nematicide treatment Included the use of etoprop at planting, followed by oxamyl at six and 12 months after planting. The application of chicken manure significantly increased the height and diameter of the pseudostem, reduced the number of days from planting to shooting, and increased bunch weight, and yield per hectare. With the use of chicken manure a yield of 34,242 kg/ha was obtained. This yield represents a 33% increase over that of the treatment without chicken manure. The use of nematicides significantly diminished the number of collapsed plants and Increased plantain yield. The use of chicken manure Increased the foliar content of N and Ca whereas the use of nematicide had no effect on any of the nutrient foliar content. The chemical properties of the soil (pH; organic matter; electric conductivity; N, P, K, Ca and Mg content) were not affected by the use of chicken manure.

Download Full-text

Earthworm: A Natural Ecofriendly Organism for Recycling of Organic Residues and Improvement of Soil Health by Vermicompost

International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology ◽

10.3126/ijasbt.v1i4.9130 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 1 (4) ◽

pp. 171-175

Author(s):

Sanjeev Kumar Ambasta ◽

Seema Kumari

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Nutrient Management ◽

Soil Health ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Agricultural Field ◽

Soil Microbial ◽

Ground Water Recharge ◽

Water Recharge ◽

Soil Microbial Population

Vermicompost of agriculture waste is an important method in which organic waste such as leaves or stalks of agricultural field is converted into useful compost by means of worms is useful to the environment. Earthworm and microbes acts together and breaks down the complex organic matter of agricultural field and resulting material is rich in nutrients and oxygen. Composting is becoming an effective way to increase organic matter of soil. In addition to increasing organic matter of soil compost also increases soil microbial population (Pera et al., 1983; Perucci, 1990), which leads to the improvement of soil quality. The entire residues after crop is harvested must go back to the soil to replenish the lost nutrient, so vermicompost is considered as excellent way to recycling nutrient in the ecosystem. Soil organic carbon enhancement through crop residues recycling by means of vermicomposting along with fertilizers and integrated nutrient management (INM) are major option to improves soil health and crop productivity. The major objective to vermicomposting is that more ground water recharge and lesser depletion of water table as well as reduces soil salinity and less pollution by agrochemicals.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v1i4.9130 Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 1(4): 171-175

Download Full-text

Peningkatan Produktifitas Tanaman Sawi Melalui Penambahan Pupuk Kandang Ayam dan NPK 16:16:16

JAMI: Jurnal Ahli Muda Indonesia ◽

10.46510/jami.v1i1.19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 65-72

Author(s):

Harli A. Karim ◽

Fitritanti Fitritanti ◽

Yakub Yakub

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Brassica Juncea ◽

Design Method ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Chicken Manure ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Fresh Weight ◽

Potential Productivity ◽

Npk Fertilizer

Abstrak Objektif. Sawi (Brassica juncea L.). termasuk sayuran daun mempunyai ekonomis dan kandungan gizi tinggi. Produksi sawi di Indonesia sebesar 602.468 ton dengan rata-rata produktifitasnya sebesar 9,91 ton/ha tahun 2014. Masih rendah dibandingkan dengan produktivitas yang bisa mencapai 10-12 ton/ha. Masih rendahnya produktivitas tanaman disebabkan teknik budidaya khususnya pemupukan belum maksimal. Salah salah satu solusi yang bisa dilakukan adalah penggunaan bahan organik. Bahan organik sangat berperan pada pembentukan struktur tanah yang baik dan stabil sehingga infiltrasi dan kemampuan menyimpan air. Pemberian pupuk kandang memperbaiki sifat fisik tanah terutama struktur sehingga permeabilitas meningkat. Pemberian bahan organik juga berperan dalam memperbaiki sifat kimia tanah, selanjutnya penggunaan Pupuk NPK 16 : 16 : 16 juga mampu menjaga keseimbangan unsur hara makro dan mikro pada tanah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh berbagai dosis pupuk kandang ayam dan dosis NPK 16 : 16 : 16 yang memberikan pengaruh terbaik terhadap pertumbuhan dan produksi sawi. Material dan Metode. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Desa Saludengen Kecamatan Bambang, Kebupaten Mamasa Propinsi Sulawesi Barat menggunakan metode Rancangan Petak Terpisah yang terdiri dari 2 faktor. Petak Utama adalah dosis pupuk kandang ayam yang terdiri dari 3 taraf yaitu :0, 1000 kg/ha dan 2000 kg/ha. Sedangkan faktor kedua adalah dosisi pupuk NPK 16: 16 :16 yang terdiri dari 3 taraf yaitu : 0, 500 (kg/ha) dam 1000 (kg/ha). Hasil. Interaksi pemberian dosis pupuk kandang ayam 2.000 Kg/ hektar-1 dan Pemberian dosis pupuk NPK 16 : 16 : 1000 Kg/ hektar-1 mamberikan pengaruh terbaik terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman sawi pada parameter berat segar. Pemberian dosis pupuk kandang ayam dosis 2.000 Kg/ hektar-1 memberikan hasil terbaik terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman sawi pada semua parameter yang diamati. Pemberian dosis pupuk NPK 16 : 16 : dosis 1000 Kg/ hektar-1 memberikan hasil terbaik terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman sawi pada semua parameter yang diamati. Kesimpulan. pemberian dosis pupuk kandang ayam 2.000 Kg/ hektar-1 dan Pemberian dosis pupuk NPK 16 : 16 : 16 1000 Kg/ hektar-1 mamberikan pengaruh terbaik terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman sawi pada parameter tinggi tanaman, jumlah daun, panjang daun dan berat segar tanaman. Abstrack Objective. Mustard (Brassica juncea L.). including vegetable leaves have a high nutrient content. Indonesia's mustard production was 602,468 tonnes with an average productivity of 9.91 tonnes / ha in 2014. Productivity is still lower than the potential productivity of 10-12 tonnes / ha. Productivity is low due to planting techniques, especially fertilization is not optimal. One possible solution is to use organic matter. Organic matter plays an important role in the formation of good and stable soil structure so that the infiltration and storage capacity of fertilizers The use of fertilizers improves the physical properties of the soil especially the structure until its permeability increases. The preparation of organic matter also plays a role in improving the chemical properties of the soil, so the use of NPK 16: 16: 16 fertilizers can also maintain the balance of macro and micro nutrients in the soil. This study aimed to find out the effects of various doses of chicken pox and NPK 16: 16: 16 that have the best effect on mustard growth and production. Materials and Methods. This research was conducted in Saludengen Village, Bambang District, Mamasa Regency, West Sulawesi Province. The study uses a Separate Split Plot Design. Method which consists of 2 factors. Main plot is a dose of chicken manure consisting of 3 levels, namely: 0, 1000 kg / ha and 2000 kg / ha. While the second factor is the 16: 16: 16 NPK fertilizer composition consisting of 3 levels namely: 0, 500 (kg / ha) and 1000 (kg / ha). Results The interaction of dosing of 2,000 Kg / hectare-1 chicken manure and NPK 16: 16: 1000 Kg / hectare-1 dose of fertilizer gave the best effect on the growth and yield of mustard plants on fresh weight parameters. The administration of a dose of 2,000 kg kg / hectare-1 of chicken manure gave the best results on the growth and yield of mustard plants on all observed parameters. NPK fertilizer 16: 16 dosage: 1000 kg / hectare-1 dose gave the best results on the growth and yield of mustard plants in all observed parameters. Conclusion. Doses of 2,000 Kg / hectare-1 chicken manure and NPK 16: 16: 16 1000 Kg / hectare-1 dose of fertilizer give the best effect on the growth and yield of mustard plants on parameters of plant height, number of leaves, length of leaves and fresh weight of plants

Download Full-text

African Rhino plantain clone (Musa AAB) behavior when using chicken manure as soil amendment and nematicides.

The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico ◽

10.46429/jaupr.v96i3-4.2854 ◽

1969 ◽

pp. 155-163

Author(s):

Agenol González-Vélez

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Soil Amendment ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Chicken Manure ◽

Foliar Nutrient ◽

Soil Preparation ◽

Plant Characteristics ◽

Mg Content

Download Full-text

The Effects of EM (Effective Microorganisms) and Biochar on the Rate of Decomposition and the Nutrient Content of the Compost Manure Produced from the Locally Available Materials during Composting in Kakamega Central Sub County Kenya

Journal of Horticulture and Plant Research ◽

10.18052/www.scipress.com/jhpr.4.33 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 33-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Inviolata Nanyuli ◽

Stanley Omuterema ◽

Francis N. Muyekho

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Block Design ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Organic Fertilizers ◽

Total Carbon ◽

Effective Microorganisms ◽

Total N ◽

Compost Manure

Kakamega County is one of the most densely populated regions in Kenya and most people are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. High population has led to continuous cultivation hence depletion of nutrients through the removal of crop residues, leaching and soil erosion. Inorganic fertilizers can restore soil fertility but are unaffordable for the majority of smallholder farmers living with 1240 KES (10.32 EUR) per month. However, despite government and NGOs interventions towards promoting the use of organic fertilizers in Kakamega County, the adoption rates are still low due to the long waiting period before the compost manure is ready. This study aimed at solving the problem of the period taken by the locally available organic matter to decompose and consequently the quality of the compost manure produced from various treatments. The objective of the study was to examine the effects of EM and Biochar on the rate of decomposition of locally available organic materials under Berkeley composting technique; and to evaluate the nutrient content of compost manure produced from the different treatments. Experimental design was used to examine the effects of EM and Biochar on the rate of decomposition under Berkeley composting technique and to evaluate the nutrient content of compost manure produced from different treatments. Four treatments; (i) Normal Berkeley (Control) (ii) EM+Berkeley (iii) Biochar+Berkeley, and (iv) EM+Biochar+Berkeley were evaluated in a completely randomized block design replicated three times. Nutrient content analysis used; Wet chemistry, LDPSA, PXRF and Mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy. Berkeley Hot/Rapid composting was the most adopted composting technique (28.65%), significance (χ2 = 66.500). Combining Biochar and EM (T4) significantly (P<0.05) accelerated the rate of decomposition of organic matter by attaining the highest temperature of 60°C on the 4th day, followed by compost heap with biochar alone (T3) and compost heaps with EM (T2) which attained the highest temperature of 58°C respectively on the 6th day compared to compost piles without biochar or EM at a temperature of 55°C on 8th day. The results suggest that Biochar and EM accelerate the composting process. pH, total N, K and CEC were not significantly affected by the composting treatments, while Total Carbon was significantly (p<0.05) highest in the Biochar+Berkeley treatment, followed by EM+Berkeley treatment and lowest in EM+Biochar+Berkeley treatment. Phosphorus and Total carbon were also higher in EM compost (1.8% and 5.4%) (p<0.05) compared to non-EM compost (1.2% and 5.0%).

Download Full-text

Effects of rundown in soil hydraulic condition on crop productivity in south-eastern Queensland - a simulation study

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr00089 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 39 (5) ◽

pp. 1111 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

R. D. Connolly ◽

D. M. Freebairn ◽

M. J. Bell ◽

G. Thomas

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Crop Growth ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Gross Margin ◽

South Eastern ◽

The Past ◽

Hydraulic Condition ◽

Soil Hydraulic

Declining soil organic matter levels because of cropping have been shown to reduce crop growth and yield, but the effects of changing infiltration and soil hydraulic properties on crop productivity have not been widely evaluated. Cropping systems in south-eastern Queensland have, in the past, involved intense tillage, trafficking with heavy machinery, and changed organic matter cycling, affecting soil aggregation, permeability, water-holding characteristics, and organic matter. The aim of this paper is to determine how important infiltration and soil hydraulic condition has been to the water balance, crop growth, and yield in the past, and may be in the future if management is not changed. Change in physical and chemical condition of the 5 most commonly cropped soils in south-east Queensland (Sodosols, Vertosols with ≤55% clay, Vertosols with >55% clay, Red Ferrosols and Red Chromosols/Kandosols) was measured over 0–70 years of cropping and estimated up to 200 years. The APSIM model was used to predict effects of changing soil condition in a rain-fed, fertilised, wheat-summer fallow cropping system with intense tillage. Decline in infiltration, restricted internal redistribution of water, and increased evaporation reduced water supply to the crop, causing simulated yield to decline by 29, 38, 25, 17, and 13% for the 5 soils, respectively, after 50 years of cropping. Gross margin declined at a faster rate, falling by 36, 50, 40, 20, and 21%, respectively after 50 years because of increasing fertiliser requirement to compensate for declining soil fertility. Crop productivity on most soils continued to steadily decline as period of cropping increased to 200 years. To arrest or reverse this downward trend, it is likely that substantial changes to current cropping systems will be needed, including reducing tillage and trafficking, and improving organic matter levels.

Download Full-text

Assessing Yield and Quality of Rice Cultivars (BRRI dhan56 and BRRI dhan71) under Different Fertilizer Management Practices

Journal of Environmental Science and Natural Resources ◽

10.3329/jesnr.v12i1-2.52006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1-2) ◽

pp. 109-115

Author(s):

I Jahan ◽

F Yasmin ◽

TS Hoque ◽

M Hossain ◽

MA Abedin

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Management Practices ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Soil Test ◽

Fertilizer Management ◽

Soil Fertility Management ◽

Science Field ◽

Yield And Quality

Proper soil fertility management is one of the prime importance in an endeavor to increase crop productivity. Hence, an experiment was conducted at the Soil Science Field Laboratory, BAU, Mymensingh during Aman season of 2017 to investigate the growth and yield performance and rice quality under different fertilizer management. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with two varieties i.e. (V1) BRRI dhan56 and (V2) BRRI dhan71 in the main plots and four fertilizer treatments such as T1 (Control), T2 (soil test based fertilization), T3 (farmers practice) and T4 (soil test based fertilization and 5 t/ha cowdung) in the subplots with three replications. Results found that, T4 treatment produced the highest grain and straw yield in both varieties. The highest N, P, K, S content (%) and uptake (kgha-1) in both grain and straw were also recorded in T4 treatment. BRRI dhan71 performed better than BRRI dhan56 in terms of yield, nutrient content and uptake. From the combinations of variety x treatment, V2T4 (BRRI dhan71 x Soil test based fertilization and 5 t/ha cowdung) was the best for maintaining rice yield and quality. Therefore, this combination could be recommended with some farmer’s field trials for sustainable rice production without declining soil fertility. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 12(1&2): 109-115, 2019

Download Full-text

Rotation and Fertilization Effects on Soil Quality and Yields in a Long Term Field Experiment

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11040636 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 636

Author(s):

Caterina Giacometti ◽

Martina Mazzon ◽

Luciano Cavani ◽

Loretta Triberti ◽

Guido Baldoni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Soil Quality ◽

Soil Amendment ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Crop Rotations ◽

Mineral Fertilization ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Continuous Corn

Understanding the complex relationships among soil quality, crop productivity, and management practices would help to develop more sustainable agricultural production systems. In this study, we investigated the combined effects of crop rotations and fertilization treatments on soil quality and crop yield in a long term (about 50 years) field experiment. Crop rotations included continuous corn (Zea mays L.), a 2 year corn-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation, and a 9 year corn-wheat-corn-wheat-corn-wheat-alfalfa-alfalfa-alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) rotation. Fertilization treatments included control, mineral fertilization with urea and triple superphosphate, and amendment with cattle manure. Crop rotations and fertilization treatments were combined in a factorial experimental design with two replications for each rotation and six replications for each fertilization treatment. The continuous corn and the corn-wheat rotations had negative effects on the main soil quality indicators considered (carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools, microbial biomass and activity). On the contrary, the 9 year rotation had positive effects on soil organic carbon (+24%) and total nitrogen (+23%) but resulted in impoverished available P (−5%). Positive effects on soil microbial biomass (+37% of microbial biomass C and +23% of microbial biomass N) and activity (+19%) were also observed. Soil amendment with manure built up soil organic carbon (+13%), increased nutrient content (+31% of extractable C and +19% of extractable N), including that of available P (+47%), and stimulated microbial growth (+34%) and activity (+8%). As compared to manure, mineral fertilization increased the soil nutrient content to a lesser extent. This study showed that the combined use of rotations, including legume forage crops, and soil amendment with manure may help preserve soil quality and crop productivity in the long term.

Download Full-text