African Journal of Soil Science

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 3 (7), pp. 134-146, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Characterization and classification of soils of Kabe Subwatershed in South Wollo Zone, Northeastern Ethiopia

Alem Hagos Hailu¹, Kibebew Kibret² and Heluf Gebrekidan³

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

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

Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 20 July, 2015

Abstract

A study was undertaken in Kabe subwatershed of Amhara region, Ethiopia, to investigate the site, morphological and selected physico-chemical characteristics, and classification of soils. Four soil pedons at representative sites were duly described and soil samples from identifiable horizons were taken for laboratory analysis. The data obtained showed that the soils varied from shallow to very deep, poorly to well drained, very dark gray to yellowish brown in color (dry), weak fine granular to strong coarse angular blocky structure and loose to firm (moist) consistence. The values of the determined soil physical characteristics revealed that sand, silt, clay, bulk density, particle density, total porosity, field capacity, permanent wilting point and available water content ranged from 30 to 68%, 11 to 28%, 16 to 49%, 1.03 to 1.53 g cm^-3, 2.52 to 2.91 g cm^-3, 46.13 to 59.45%, 20.90 to 41.98%, 10.53 to 26.81% and 103.70 to 200.10 mm m^-1. Moreover, the soils were slightly acidic throughout (pH 6.11 to 6.45), very low to low in OM (0.27 to 2.08%) and total N (0.01 to 0.09%), low to very high av. P (2.35 to 42.49%), high in exchangeable Ca (10.54 to 19.77 cmol(+) kg^-1) and Mg (3.96 to 8.04 cmol(+) kg^-1), medium in monovalent cations (Na and K), medium to very high CEC (23.40 to 40.80% cmol(+) kg^-1) and PBS (59.30 to 83.20%). In addition, high status of micronutrients was obtained. Following the survey and soil analytical results, four main reference soil groups were identified in the study area and classified according to FAO/WRB (2006) as Haplic Leptosols (pedon 1), Leptic Cambisols (pedon 2), Vertic Luvisols (pedon 3) and Stagnic Vertisols (pedon 4), respectively. Restoration and increasing of OM and nitrogen content of the soils, implementation and maintenance of soil and water conservation practices, successful introduction and adoption of agricultural technologies on a sustained basis can tackle the investigated problems and thereby increase production and productivity of the soils of the study area.

Key words: Soil characteristics, soil classification, reference soil groups, pedon.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN: 2375-088X Vol. 3 (7), pp. 123-132, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

The continental terminal as principal source of kaolinite in the Coastal area of West Africa

Henri Demba^*, Papiss J.A and Bouba J. Seck

Department of Geography, Dakar Bourguiba University, Dakar, Senegal.

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

Accepted 31 July, 2014

Abstract

Soils of the coastal region of West Africa present some specificities linked to the topography: they frequently occur in a well-defined and fairly regular sequence related to relief: the soil catena or toposequence. The objectives of this study were to (1) analyse kaolinite distribution on different landscape positions in the coastal area of the Saloum river Basin, west central Senegal, West Africa, in order to (2) demonstrate the influence of Continental Terminal (CT) sediments on local soil formation and mineral distribution. The described soils were distributed along the toposequence as Gleyic Hyposalic Solonchaks in the floodplain, Haplic Gleysols in the low terrace and Endogleyic Arenosols in the middle terrace. The middle terrace was characterized by a coarser soil texture (mainly sand) compared to the floodplain and the low terrace. The bulk mineralogy was dominated by quartz (SiO₂). The clay fraction of the soils was dominated by kaolinite (≥ 70%), smectite (around 25%), illite (≤ 2%), and illite-smectite mixed layers (trace amounts). More detrital (eolian dust inputs) than pedogenic (in situ weathering) kaolinite was identified. The widespread distribution of kaolinite in the entire toposequence and the influence of CT sediments in such distribution trend is the main finding of this study.

Key words: Kaolinite, clay minerals, West Africa, Continental terminal, eolian dust inputs.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN: 2375-088X Vol. 3 (6), pp. 110-114, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Performance of nine cassava (MANIHOT ESCULANTA Crantz) clones across three environments

Peprah Bright Boakye¹*, Ofori Kwadwo², Asante Isaac K.³ and Elizabeth Yaa Parkes^1,4

¹Crops Research Institute, Fumesua, Kumasi, P. O. Box 3785, Ghana.

²Department of Crops Science, University of Ghana, Legon.

³Department of Botany, University of Ghana, Legon.

⁴International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

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

Accepted 18 March, 2013

Abstract

The study was carried out to quantify the genotype × environment interaction (G × E) and to estimate the phenotypic stability by genotype genotype × environment (GGE) biplot of nine cassava clones comprising 5 hybrids, 3 parent checks and 1 improved variety. The study was planted across three different environments; Fumesua, Pokuase and Ejura representing forest, coastal savanna and forest transition zones, respectively. Genotype main effect was significant (P < 0.001) for fresh root yield and dry matter content, G × E interaction effect was significant (P < 0.001) for fresh root yield only and environment main effect was significant (P < 0.01) for only fresh root yield. The most stable clone for fresh root yield with above average performance was La02/026 (hybrid). The high genotype and low environment effects, and the relatively low interaction on dry matter content imply that evaluation and selection can be effectively done in fewer environments to select clones with high performance for the trait whiles fresh root yield requires multiple environments to identify clones with broad and specific adaptation.

Key words: Genotype genotype × environment (GGE) biplot, stability, fresh foot yield, dry matter content, cassava.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN: 2375-088X Vol. 3 (7), pp. 115-122, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Diversity of Myanmar cowpea accessions through seed storage polypeptides and its cross compatibility with the subgenus Ceratotropis

Khin Thuzar Win^1,2*, Aung Zaw Oo³, Khin Lay Nwe⁴, Min San Thein⁵ and Hirata Yutaka²

¹United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho,

Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.

²Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and

Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu City, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.

³Laboratory of Plant Nutrition, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8

Saiwai-cho, Fuchu City, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.

⁴Myanmar Agriculture Services, Seed Division, Gyokone, Myanmar (Burma). ⁵Seed bank, Yezin, Myanmar (Burma).

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. Tel: 81-42-367-5625. Fax: + 81-42-367-5625.

Accepted 23 July, 2014

Abstract

This study was conducted to detect the genetic diversity of sixty eight cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) accessions mainly from Myanmar on the basis of protein subunit variations. Fourteen polymorphic bands were recorded out of total 18 resolution bands and the banding pattern revealed four regions. The UPGMA dendrogram showed two distinct clusters. It revealed random grouping of different colored genotypes that indicated no response for discriminating cowpea for different seed-coat color genotypes. Some accessions exhibited a considerable amount of variations although its magnitude was limited through SDS-PAGE 11.25 slab gel. To be broadened, the genetic diversity of cowpea, interspecific hybridization between cowpea and the Asian Vigna was conducted. The intermediate band patterns of F1 hybrids were detected from the cross between mungbean and cowpea and thus it confirmed that they were true hybrids by SDS-PAGE analysis and species-specific Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) primer. It is suggested that SDS-PAGE can also be used as a promising tool to detect genetic relationships of Vigna interspecific hybrids because differences were found between known genetic similarities of both parents.

Key words: Cowpea, cross compatibility, genetic relationship, SDS-PAGE, UPGMA dendrogram.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN: 2375-088X Vol. 3 (4), pp. 097-100, April, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Genetic variability and correlation studies in the fluted pumpkin (TELFAIRIA  OCCIDENTALIS  Hook F.)

Fayeun L. S.¹*, A. C. Odiyi¹, S. C. O. Makinde² and O. P. Aiyelari¹

¹Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, the Federal University of Technology, P. M. B. 704, Akure,

Ondo State, Nigeria.

²Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Lagos State University, Ojo Campus, P. O. Box 001, LASU Post Office, Ojo,

Lagos State, Nigeria.

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

Accepted 04 July, 2014

Abstract

Thirty-five genotypes of the fluted pumpkin (TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS) collected from seven states in Southern Nigeria were evaluated for ten agronomic characters. The results obtained showed considerable variation among the genotypes for all characters studied. Low level of environmental influence was observed in the expression of all the characters studied except number of branches per plant and internode length. High heritability estimates were accompanied by high expected genetic gain in vine length, fresh leaf weight, vine weight, number of leaves per plant and marketable leaf yield. Vine length had the highest broad sense heritability and number of branches had the least value (75.00 and 29.28%, respectively). Correlation analysis showed significant and positive association among all the ten characters. Direct selection for improvement of these traits may be carried out on these characters, as their phenotypic expression would be good indicators of their genotypic potentials.

Key words: Coefficients of variation, genetic advance, heritability, Telfairia occidentalis.