African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 4 (2), pp. 313-320, March, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Fertility mapping of some micronutrients in soils of Cheha District, Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Mohammed Mekonnen^1*, Kibebew Kibret² and Tekalign Mamo³

¹Department of Soil and Water Resource Management, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.

²Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.

³Agriculture Transformation Agency, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 8 April, 2016

Abstract

Although micronutrients are required in minute quantities, they have the same agronomic importance as macronutrients and play vital roles in plant production. Therefore, the study was conducted to assess and map the status of micronutrients in soils of Cheha District, Southern Ethiopia. Accordingly, about 249 composite soil samples were collected from cereal and perennial crops, respectively. The extractable micronutrients were determined using Mehlich-III soil test extraction procedure. ArcMap 10 with spatial analyst function of ArcGIS software was used to prepare nutrient maps.  The study shows that the mean values of extractable micronutrients (Fe,Mn, Cu, Zn and B) were 150.98, 108.4, 1.81, 2.36 and 0.57 ppm and ranged from 52 to 379, 31 to 290, 0.62 to 10.4 and 0.27 to 0.98 ppm, respectively. Based on the analysis, the extractable Fe, Mn and Cu values were high and above the critical levels in 100% of the samples. Furthermore, it is found that about 80% and 3% of samples were optimum in extractable Zn and B, respectively. As a result of this study, it is recommended that, future research should focus on assessing the availability of these and other micronutrients based on large number of soil and plant samples along with field trials. 

Key words: Soil fertility; micronutrients, Geo-statistics, Mehlich-III, critical level.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 4 (1), pp. 295-304, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Soil sequence-studies on the tropical Buganda-Catena (Masaka District, Uganda)

Raphael Pinheiro Machado Rehm and Sven Grashey-Jansen

Department of Physical Geography and Quantitative Methods, University of Augsburg, Germany.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 09 January, 2016

Abstract

During a two month fieldwork, soil profiles were dug along one of the numerous hill slopes of the Ugandan rolling hills in the Masaka District. The topsoil of each profile was sampled and analyzed on grain size distribution and pH-value, to get information about soil development caused by erosion processes and lateral water movement. The soil survey confirmed a catenary sequence in the studied area. Loamy soil had a massive thickness at the upper slope but showed a surprisingly stable formation at the steep shoulder position. Small clay particles that concreted as pseudosand were able to stand erosion while the waterlogged soils on flat spots got suspended. A translocation of unfixed and loose soil particles was caused by a highly developed lateral water movement. Soils on the foot slope showed hydromorphic features and accumulation of fine particles from the upslope at the bottom of the valley. Furthermore, seasonal variations of the ground water level led to an irreversible concretion at the foot slopes, called petroplinthit. It was remarkable that all soil layers were significantly enriched by quartz grains.The traditional catenary conception was used to derive the spatial distribution of soils from geomorphological field parameters.

Key words: Buganda catena, soil sequence, soil development, tropic soil, plinthit, lateral water movement.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 3 (8), pp. 167-169, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study on the effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis)

*Umaru Abubakar, Attahiru Dankwambo Idris Ibrahim Awoniyi

Department of Soil Science, Plant Production and Agricultural Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 30 August, 2015

Abstract 

Root and stem explants of fluted pumpkin were cultured in medium containing different types and concentrations of plant growth regulators (PGRs). The explants were observed for callus, root and shoot formation parameters after four months. Differences among explants, plant growth regulators and their interaction were not significant for number of roots per plantlet. Callus formation was higher in stem than root explants. Stem explants formed more callus in medium containing naphthalene acetic acid than that containing indole acetic acid while the trend was opposite with root explants. Root explants did not form shoots, leaves or nodes in any of the PGR regimes, while a concentration of 1.5 mg/l benzylaminopurine (BAP) induced the highest numbers of shoots, nodes and leaves per stem explant. There was no callus, shoot, node and leaf formation by both explants when cultured in medium without PGRs while root formation was minimal.

Key words: Fluted pumpkin, Telfairia occidentalis, micropropagation, plant growth regulators.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 3 (7), pp. 157-160, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Status of micronutrients in rhizosphere soils of Thanjavur District, Tamilnadu, India

Cholarajan, ¹A. and Vijayakumar,^*R

¹Department of Microbiology, Meenakshi Chandrasekaran College of Arts and Science Karambayam - 614 626, Thanjavur Dt., Tamilnadu, India.

²Department of Microbiology, Bharathidasan University Constituent College Perambalur – 621 107, Tamilnadu, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 24 July, 2015

Abstract

The micronutrient status of rhizosphere soils of Thanjavur district, Tamilnadu was made at 9 different locations. The objective of the present study was to analyze the status of micronutrients and their relationship with various physiochemical properties. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-30cm and analyzed zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (I) and manganese (Mg). The Zn, Cu, I and Mg ranged from 0.56 - 0.96, 0.57 - 0.96, 4.16 - 5.36 and 2.03 - 2.65 mg/kg^-1 respectively. Nutrient management is an integral part of profitable agrisystems, but in some areas of Tamilnadu inputs of fertilizer and manure nutrients in excess of crop requirements have led to a buildup of nutrient concentrations that are of environmental concern. There is an increasing awareness of the need to pay greater attention to the role of trace elements in plant nutrition as we seek to explain the adverse effects of deficiencies and toxicities, and avoid suboptimal concentrations that limit the attainment of optimum economic yields of crops. But some elements can accumulate even as traces to concentrations that are toxic to the plant. For example, plant growth is adversely affected by excess manganese (Mn) and aluminium (Al) in many soils if they are allowed to become acid, or by nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co) or chromium (Cr) in acid soils derived from minerals in which there is a natural abundance of these elements. In other soils, concentrations of trace elements have increased as a consequence of human activity and such pollution often results in increased plant uptake with adverse effects on humans, as for example with cadmium (Cd). In these cases it is essential to ensure that the concentration of the element in the soil solution does not exceed an agreed critical value.

Key words: Rhizosphere soil, physico-chemical properties, micro nutrients, agricultural field.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 3 (7), pp. 147-156, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Land suitability evaluation for rainfed production of barley and wheat at Kabe Subwatershed, Northeastern Ethiopia

Alem Hagos Hailu¹, Kibebew Kibret² and Heluf Gebrekidan³

¹Department of Soil and Water Resources Management, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia

^2,3School of Natural Resource Management and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Ethiopia

Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 23 July, 2015

Abstract

In developing countries, where resources are often scarce, land availability, productivity potential, capability and sustainability for agriculture and, planning and maximizing the use of the land resources for a particular land utilization type is essential. In order to ensure appropriate decision and, continued and sustainable productivity, thereby continuing to support the population economically without degradation, scientific and proper evaluation is essential. In view of this, land suitability evaluation was carried out for rainfed production of barley and wheat at Kabe Subwatershed. Maximum limitation method was applied for determination of the suitability classes of land characteristics. Results of the ultimate suitability evaluation showed that 9.93% of the study area is marginally suitable (S3) and 38.68% is currently unsuitable (N1) for both spring barley and wheat production under subsistence rainfed agriculture. On the other hand, 51.39% of the study area is permanently unsuitable (N2) for spring wheat production but currently unsuitable (N1) for spring barley production. The potential suitability evaluation remain the same due to permanent limitations related to consistence and slope steepness although the others can be corrected and improved. The limiting but correctable soil and landscape characteristics for the optimum production of the crops evaluated should be corrected or improved based on the level of management.

Key words: land evaluation, physical suitability, maximum limitation, rainfed agriculture.