Orji O.A
Department of Crop/Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture
Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
*Corresponding author’s Email: obianujuada@admin

International Journal of Agriculture And Environmental Resources. Vol 6(1) (2020):28-34.

Abstract

The castor bean seed when cooked and fermented, is a staple food condiment in Nigeria, but its production is low in the humid rainforest zone of Southern Nigeria. A field experiment was conducted in the Rivers State University Teaching and Research Farm in Port Harcourt Nigeria, to evaluate the effect of various nitrogenous soil amendments on the growth and yield of castor bean plant (Ricinus communis). The treatments included 120kgNha^-1 equivalent of urea, NPK 20-10-10, poultry droppings, piggery dung and no amendment (control). These were replicated thrice and laid out in randomized complete block design. A Chinese improved variety of castor bean plant (Zibocastor No 5) was planted at a spacing of 1m x 1m within and between row, at a population of 5,000 seeds per hectare. Results showed that the various nitrogenous soil amendments significantly affected all growth and yield parameters measured, but germination was negatively affected. Piggery dung gave the best values of 52.6cm, 24.0, 85.0cm², 191.5, and 350gplant^-1 for plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, number of capsules and capsule weight respectively, when compared to the control with 24.5, 8.0, 40.0cm², 28.4, 153gplant^-1. Results of the physico-chemical properties of the soil showed significant increase in total nitrogen and available phosphorus, and a decrease in exchangeable calcium and magnesium with no significant changes in pH; following soil amendment and cropping. Amending the soil with piggery dung increased yield by 397.0% over the control.

Key words: castor bean, soil, nitrogenous amendments

Orji O.A and Zorbaraol, B.
Department of Crop/Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture
Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
*Corresponding author’s Email: obianujuada@gmail.com

IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS)
e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. Volume 13, Issue 4 Ser. I (April 2020), PP 39-44

Abstract

A screen house experiment conducted in Rivers state university teaching and research farm and crop/soil science laboratory, to evaluate the effect of different organic lime materials as an amendment for an acid potting soil for maize (Zea mays) nursery. The lime materials used were egg shell, snail shell, oyster shell, wood ash. Calcium carbonate was used as a basis for comparison and no lime was used as control for all the limes. Results showed that all the different lime materials used appreciably raised the soil pH. Application of the different lime materials showed no significant different among the lime materials but with no lime having the lowest pH value OF 6.2, when compared to the of value pH of the other treatments. The lime materials positively affected all the plant parameters measured. Result showed that white maize variety had the highest percentage germination (89.6%), when compared to the two improved varieties (oba 98 and oba super6); 85.4%, with the yellow local variety having the least % germination of 66.7%. Generally, the combined effect of the different lime materials and maize varieties, showed significant differences (P< 0.05) among plant parameters measured; across the four weeks. Results also showed the effect of the liming varied with both the type of liming materials and the crop variety.

Key words

Lime materials, Amendment, Soil pH, Potting soil.

O. A. Orji* and I.P. Eke
Department of Crop/Soil Science, Rivers State University, P. M. B. 5080, Port Harcourt Nigeria.

Indian J. Agric. Res., 52(6) 2018: 649-654

ABSTRACT

Mulches are known to conserve soil moisture, provide organic matter, protect soil and improve the soil as a growing environment. A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of various mulch materials viz. dry oil palm bunch, saw dust and dry elephant grass at 25, 50 and 25 tons ha-1, respectively along with black plastic mulch on some soil physical and chemical properties and the performance of castor bean plant (Ricinus communis). All the mulches were applied to a mulch thickness of 5cm in this study. Results showed that pH values, organic carbon content and total nitrogen were all significantly improved by mulching. Bulk density values were reduced to 1.10 – 1.18gcm-3 across all treatments, when compared to the control at 1.33gcm-3. At 6 WAP, plastic mulching increased number of leaves from 16 to 40 leaves per plant and capsule weight from 63.1 to 161.3g/plant; when compared with the control.

Key words: Castor bean performance, Mulching, Soil properties.

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*Orji, O.A. and Gbara, A.
Department of Crop/Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture
Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
*Corresponding author’s Email: obianujuada@gmail.com

International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research
ISSN: 2455-6939 Volume:04, Issue:05 “September-October 2018”

ABSTRACT

Screen house study was conducted to evaluate the effect of decomposed palm bunch and top soil mixture on the growth and longevity of P. tuberregium. The treatments consisted of topsoil and decomposed palmbunch refuse in the following ratio T1 (0:5), T2 (5:0),T3 (4:1), T4 (3:2), T5 (2:3), T6 (1:4), T7 (1:1). The treatments were laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications. The treatments were bagged in 75x60cm perforated black polythene bag and watered daily. Growth was observed from 14 days after planting. There were no growths on the
T2 , T3 and T4. Results of this study revealed that T6 (1:4) gave the highest emergence 4.47%, highest numbers of shoots (47), weekly harvest and highest life span of 73 days. T6 (1:4) is recommended amongst the various ratios for higher % emergence, number of shoots, frequency of harvesting and longevity. Results showed that using proper ratios of decomposed palm bunch and top soil increases the production of mushroom. It should be used where emphasis is laid on increased production of fruiting bodies in mushroom cultivation. One part decomposed palm bunch refuse and 4 parts topsoil by weight is therefore recommended for increased production of Pleurotus tuberregium

Keywords: Sclerotia, P. tuberregium, decomposed palmbunch refuse, topsoil, emergence,
longevity.

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ORJI, O.A.1 AND OKPOKWASILI, N. P. 2
Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Corresponding Author: obianujuada@gmail.com

IJAER 2018; 4(3): 176 – 181

Abstract

Soil erodibility factor (K) is one of the most important factor in the Universal soil loss equation which estimates the resistance of soil particles to detachment. The K factor for the upland soils of Obio-Akpor was estimated using the mechanical composition (MC), mechanical ratio (MR), dispersion ratio (DR) and erosion index (EI) models of K determination. Soil samples were collected from cultivated land at 0-10 and 10-20cm depths from 5 communities representing the Obio-Akpor namely: Eneka, Rumuokuta, Rumudomaya, Choba and Elelenwo. their particle size distribution and water holding capacity were determined in the laboratory and fitted into the various models. The soils were generally loamy sand to sandy loam. MR and MC gave higher values of K when compared with those estimated with DR and EI models. Irrespective of the model used, K factor varied with location. Rumuokuta soil had the least mean K values of 2.26 and 2.07 (tonsha-1) at the 0-10 and 10-20cm depth respectively.Elelenwo and Runmuodomaya had higher mean K values of 4.16 and 3.44 (tonsha-1) respectively, at the 0-10cm depth and 3.74 and 3.02(tonsha-1) respectively, at the 10-20cm depth. The DR and EI models showed that the higher the water holding capacity, the lower the estimated K value.

Key Words: Erodibility , Water holding capacity, Particle size distribution.

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