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Tillage and Residual effect of some Organic Amendments on Aggregate associated Soil Carbon of an Ultisol, Growth and Yield of Maize and Cowpea Intercrop
1Onunwa, A.O., 2Igwe, C. A.3and Mbonu, O. A.
- Department. of Soil Science & Land Resources Management, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
- Department. of Soil Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
- Department. of Soil Science Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria
Onunwa, A. O. et al., NJSS 28 (2) 31-41
ABSTRACT
We investigated the tillage and residual effects of some organic amendments on aggregate-associated soil carbon (C WSA) and yield of maize and cowpea intercrop in an Ultisol, Southeastern Nigeria. A land area of 0.1125 ha was planted to sole cowpea, sole maize and maize-cowpea intercrop using minimum tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) with poultry droppings (PD), pig waste (PW), and Cassava peels (CP) as amendments at the rates of 20, 90, 100 t/ha respectively and a control. The experimental design was a split-split plot in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The same crops, treatments, and replications were maintained for two experimental years (2011 and 2012), after that the residual effect of the amendments on aggregate-associated soil carbon (C WSA) and yield of the test crops was investigated in 2013. Consecutive ap-plication of organic amendments for the two years necessitated great improvement on aggregate-associated soil carbon (C WSA) for aggregate sizes > 0.25mm. However, when the amendments were withdrawn, there was a reduction in C WSA values though still signif-icant except for aggregate sizes 1-0.5mm. Pig waste was observed to perform better than all the other amendments followed by Poultry Droppings in aggregating the soil. Tillage had a significant effect on C WSA for aggregate sizes >0.05mm, CT performed better than NT. Organic amendments significantly influenced cowpea and Maize both as sole and intercrop, however, it was observed that the intercrop had a tremendous improvement at the residual compared to the previous years.
Selected Properties of Two Soil Groups in Rivers State Nigeria
Orji, O. A.1 and Amaechi, P.U2. 1& 2Crop and Soil Science Department, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B.5323 Port Harcourt Corresponding Author: Orji O. A.
IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS) e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. Volume 12, Issue 2 Ser. II (February 2019), PP 19-24
Abstract:
Some physical and chemical properties of some upland and wetland soils of Rivers State Nigera were investigated to ascertain the effect of these soil forms on soil properties. 6 profile pits were sunk in Ogba/Egbema, Port Harcourt and Etche Local Government Areas of the State; each representing either an upland or a wetland soil. Samples collected from the various horizons were analyzed for selected soil properties. Results showed that the wetland soils had shallow water tables ranging from 46 to 60cm depth. The percentage of sand, organic matter, available P, total nitrogen, iron content and cation exchange capacity were higher in most locations and horizons than the at the upland soils. pH was generally acid across all locations. The mean values at the Ap horizons ranged between 5.06 to 5.87. Iron content for wetland soils, at the Ap horizon ranged between 333 to 2000mg/kg with the highest for Port Harcourt and the least for Etche. Keywords: Upland soil, Wetland soil, physical and chemical properties
Forms and Status of Phosphorus in Soils Derived from Varying Parent Materials in Cross River State, Nigeria.
O.A.Orji1 and P.O Abam2
1Crop and Soil Science Department, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B.5323 Port Harcourt
2Crop/Soil Science Department, Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oruworukwo, Port Harcourt
Corresponding Author: O.A.Orji
Abstract:
The forms and status of Phosphorus in soils derived from varied parent materials in Cross River State were examined. The study involved soil sampling at 0-15cm depth from five locations representative of soils formed from coastal plain sand (CPS), shale (SH), basement complex rocks (BCR) sandstone (SS) and basaltic rocks (BAR). The soils were analyzed for the various forms of P and routine soil properties using standard procedures. The results obtained indicated that total P varied widely due to the nature of parent materials and ranged from mean value of 76.8mg/kg in sandstone to mean value of 290.9mg/kg in shale with the order of relationship being SH > BAR > BCR > CPS >SS. Organic–P varied widely ranging from mean value of 22. 8 mg/kg in sandstone to 99.7mg/kg in shale and in the order SS < CPS < BCR <BAR < SH. The relative abundance of the active P forms were in the order of Fe–P > Al–P > Ca–P in all the soils except those formed from shale where Ca–P was more abundant. Same trend in distribution was observed for total active and total inorganic–P forms being in the order SS < CPS < BCR < BAR < SH. Available P extracted by the two methods correlated strongly with the other P forms. Bray P–2 method removed larger amount of P than Bray P-1 and the soils varied remarkable in their available P contents. Available P indices of 8mg/kg (Bray-1) and 15mg/kg (Bray–2) showed that soils derived from shale and basaltic rocks were high and well endowed with Plant available P whereas the soils formed on coastal plain sand, basement complex rocks and sandstones were relatively low and deficient in P content and would certainly require P fertilization for optimum crop production. The levels of P in these soils informed the need for proper understanding of the various forms of P to enhance soil P management and judicious fertilizer Usage.
Keywords: Phosphorus forms, Soils, Parent materials, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Morphological and Physico-Chemical Properties of Soils Formed from Diverse Parent Materials in Cross River State, Nigeria.
P.O Abam1 and O.A.Orji2
1Crop and Soil Science Department, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B.5323 Port Harcourt
2Crop/Soil Science Department, Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oruworukwo, Port Harcourt
Corresponding author: Orji, O. A.
IOSR Journal of Applied Geology and Geophysics (IOSR-JAGG) e-ISSN: 2321–0990, p-ISSN: 2321–0982.Volume 7, Issue 1 Ver. I (Jan. – Feb. 2019), PP 01-07
Abstract:
Morphological features and Physico-Chemical Properties of twenty surface soils derived from five varied parent materials in Cross Rivers Sate, Nigeria were evaluated in relation to probable constraints to increase crop yields. Four replicate soil samples were collected from the top 15cm depth of each parent material for laboratory analyses using standard methods. Results showed that the colour notations, structure and texture of the soils were similar within Same Parent materials but varied widely across the locations. The particle size distribution showed that shale derived soils are finer in texture than those of other parent materials. Chemically, the soils are low in Plant nutrient elements and the reaction is acidic with pH values ranging from 4.1 to 5.8 units. Results also showed that shale and basaltic rock derived soils are more endowed with organic carbon, total nitrogen and exchangeable bases than the soils derived from coastal plain sand, basement complex rocks and sandstone. There was positive and highly significant correlation among the soil properties. In order to improve the productive capacity of these soils to obtain high cropyields, remedial measures aimed at correcting the deficiencies will include liming to increase pH levels to near neutral and providing optimal levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and basic cations through organic manure combine with inorganic fertilization.
Keywords: morphology, physico-chemical Properties, soils, plant materials.
Assesement of Some Heavy Metals in Soils and Plants Growth in Dumpsites
*Orji, O. A2 , Edosa, I. V. O.1, Ogbemudia, I.1, Omokaro, S. O1, Elenwo C. E2.
1Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
2 Department of crop/soil science, Faculty of Agriculture, Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author: Orji, O.A..
IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) e-ISSN: 2319-2402,p- ISSN: 2319-2399.Volume 12, Issue 3 Ver. III (March. 2018), PP 17-23
Abstract:
This study was carried out to assess the heavy metal content (zinc, lead, chromium, cadmium and nickel) on soils and plants of dumpsites at Oluku, Iguomo and Ikhueniro in Benin City, Edo State. Soil samples were randomly collected from two depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm) from the dumpsite and control areas. Plant samples (Talinium triangulare) were also collected randomly from the dumpsite and control areas. Analysis of the soil and plant samples showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in heavy metal contents (especially zinc) between the control sites and the dumpsites. It was observed that the pollution index of the dumpsite soils were not high (<1) to readily cause harm. Although the transfer factor for zinc was >1 in the control and dumpsite areas, the other metals remained at <1 with the exception of cadmium which was >1 at the Iguomo dumpsite area.
Keywords: dumpsites, heavy metals, pollution, wastes.