African Journal of Soil Science

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of soil moisture stress on the growth of Corchorus olitorius L.

H. Shiwachi*, M. Komoda, K. Koshio and H. Takahashi

Faculty of International Agriculture and Food Studies, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan.

Accepted 13 March, 2020

Abstract 

Effect of soil moisture stress on the growth of Corchorus olitorius L. was investigated using two varieties in the glass house during summer at Tokyo, Japan. Smaller growth was showed in light moisture stress (60 - 50%) and acute moisture stress (40 - 30%) comparing to that of field capacity soil moisture, however the growth in light and acute moisture stress was not much different from each other. Plant height was stunted under soil moisture stress condition. It was caused by shorter inter- nodes. Soil moisture stress affected the growth of inter- nodes. Both varieties of C. olitorius were able to grow under heavy soil moisture stress condition (less than 30% of field capacity soil moisture, primary wilting point of plants). The C. olitorius has tolerance to soil moisture stress. Application of abscisic acid was not effective for the growth of C. olitorius under soil moisture stress condition, because of its tolerance to soil moisture stress. Viscosity of branches in both varieties was larger in heavy soil moisture stress condition. The viscosity in C. olitorius seems to be related with soil moisture stress.

Key words: abscisic acid, mucilage, soil moisture, viscosity, yield.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Short-term studies on use of organic amendments for amelioration of a sandy soil

A. R. Mubarak¹*, Omaima E. Ragab², Amal A. Ali³ and Nemat E. Hamed³

¹Department of Soil and Environment Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Khartoum, Shambat, Sudan/ Desertification and Desert Cultivation Studies Institute, University of Khartoum, Shambat, Sudan.

²Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Khartoum, Sudan. ³Agricultural Research Corporation, P.O. Box 126 Wad Medani, Sudan.

Accepted 23 February, 2020

Abstract

The increase in world population has posed more pressure in existing arable lands. The nutrients poor sandy soils could be productive if their content of organic matter can be increased. Agricultural and animal wastes instead of being dumped, could offer a cheap alternative source of organic matter to increase soil fertility. Three glasshouse short-term experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of incorporation of: (1) agricultural residues (trashes of Cajanus cajan and sugarcane factory by-product (baggase); (2) recycling of various vegetable market wastes and; (3) application of animal wastes (hoof and wool) on soil properties and performance of fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) or maize (Zea mays L.). Results showed that almost all sources of organic materials had resulted in significant positive effects on accumulation of plant dry matter and soil physical and chemical characteristics. Organic amendments are necessary for the sustainable use of nutrient-poor Sudanese sandy soils.

Key words: Organic amendments, sandy soil, amelioration, fodder crops.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-004, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Soil physical and chemical properties under continuous maize cultivation as influenced by hedgerow trees species on an alfisol in South Western Nigeria

D. J. Oyedele¹, O. O. Awotoye²* and S. E. Popoola³

¹Department of Soil Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

²Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Accepted 22 January, 2020

Abstract

In the sub- humid tropical Africa, the pressure of diminishing land resources resulting from the rapidly increasing population has made the traditional fallow systems used for the replenishing soil fertility impossible. Alley cropping has been suggested as an alternative to bush fallowing. This study evaluated the effects of 20 years of different species of hedgerow crops on the physical and chemical properties of soil. Soil physical and chemical properties were studied under Pterocarpus santalinoides, Gliricidia sepium, Enterolobium cyclocarpum and Leucaena and leucocephala intercropped with maize (Zea mays L.) at a 20 years old Leventis Foundation Farm, at Ilesa in the south western part of Nigeria. Soil bulk density was significantly reduced under the hedgerow species from a maximum of 1.52 g cm^-3 under control to 1.33 g cm^-3 under Pterocarpus and Enterolobium hedgerows. While the soil cone penetrometer resistance index followed a similar trend, the soil field capacity was lowest under Pterocarpus and highest under Leucaena hedgerows. Soil porosity increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 0.38 under control to a maximum of 0.47 under Pterocarpus, while the hydraulic conductivity at a suction of -0.5 cm was significantly highest Gliricidia hedgerow. Soil pH and other chemical properties were consistently highest under Leucaena and consistently Gliricidia hedgerow. Overall among the screened hedgerow species, G. sepium showed the best promise in terms of improvement in both soil physical and chemical properties.

Key words: Hedgerow, alley cropping, hydraulic conductivity, Pterocarpus, Gliricidia, Leucaena, Enterolobium, cone penetrometer resistance, field capacity.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Carbon and nitrogen mineralization from selected organic resources available to smallholder farmers for soil fertility improvement in Zimbabwe

J. Nyamangara¹*, F. Mtambanengwe¹ and C. Musvoto²

¹Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.

²Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Accepted 21 January, 2020

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the N release dynamics of three organic resources widely used by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa to improve soil fertility. Addition of cattle manure, miombo and mango (Mangifera indica) litter to soil increased (p < 0.05) CO₂-C evolution compared to unamended soil. Cumulative CO ₂-C evolution in all the three organic amendments followed first order kinetics (R² = 0.89 - 0.99). Slight N mineralization occurred when cattle manure was added to soil and addition of manure in combination with mineral N had no effect on the extent of N mineralization. Compared to unamended soil, miombo litter induced net immobilization of N for 60 days and thereafter net N mineralization occurred. Both untreated and composted mango litter immobilized N (up to 15 mg N kg^-1) during the 77 day incubation. It was concluded that all the three organic resources were poor and inadequate sources of N for plant growth in the short term and should therefore be supplemented with mineral N to reduce N immobilization and consequent N deficiency in plants. However the organic resources may improve the soil physical environment and also contribute to soil organic matter build up in the long term.

Key words: Cattle manure, Mangifera indica, miombo litter, N mineralization and immobilization.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Mapping soil drainage classes of Amik Plain using Landsat images

Eref Kiliç

Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya-Hatay, 31034, Turkey. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]. Tel.: +90-326-245-5845. Fax: +90-326-245-5832.

Accepted 23 August, 2019

Abstract

Soil drainage is one of the important soil properties affecting plant growth, water transfer and solute transport in soils. Soil drainage is also an environmental component affecting irrigation and soil reclamation, land capability for agriculture, flood control systems, engineering, health and infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to map soil drainage classes by using Landsat image in Amik Plain (Hatay, Turkey). Terrain and vegetation are characterized by digital terrain attributes, and vegetation indices using a LANDSAT-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Image. The study benefits from five data sources: Landsat ETM image, topographic maps, soil maps, State Hydraulic Works (DSI) land cover records and ground data from field surveys. Image classification was carried out using Maximum Likelihood (ML) Classification with supervised training. Soil drainage classes were determined, thus finalizing the process of mapping after each mapping unit and drainage class prepared as a result of the ML classification were validated on site. According to the drainage map prepared using satellite image and ground data, 51,4% (37,234 ha) of Amik Plain are well drained and moderately well drained. 48,6% (35,192 ha) of Amik Plain are somewhat poorly drained, poorly drained, and very poorly drained.

Keywords: Soil drainage, remote sensing, Landsat images.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Earthworm abundance related to soil physicochemical and microbial properties in Accra, Ghana

Nana-Osei K. Mainoo, Joann K. Whalen and Suzelle Barrington*

Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Macdonald Campus of McGill University, 21 111 Lakeshore, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Québec, H9X 3V9, Canada.

Accepted 19 November, 2019

Abstract

The introduction of vermicomposting as a cost effective method of managing organic waste in Ghana depends on the suitability of local earthworms. At nine locations across Accra, the capital of Ghana, the soil-litter layer was sampled to evaluate the occurrence and abundance of surface dwelling earthworms (0 - 10 cm depth) and to investigate the relationship between earthworm abundance and soil properties (physicochemical and microbial). Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinberg), a rapidly growing large worm (adults reach 14 cm long), was the only earthworm collected from seven of the nine locations. Small unpigmented holonephric worms were collected at the other two locations. Earthworm densities ranged between 35 and 2175 individuals m^-2. Significant (P< 0.05) negative correlations existed between earthworm abundance and organic C and exchangeable Na. All locations tested positive for the microbial indicators; Total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Yeast and Moulds and Aspergillus. There was a significant (P< 0.01) positive correlation between earthworm abundance and all the bacterial indicators tested. Earthworm abundance was also weakly correlated (P < 0.1) with the yeast and mould loads.

Keywords: Eudrlius eugeniae, earthworms, soil-litter layer, soil physicochemical and microbial properties, urban peri-urban Accra, West-Africa.