Effect of mulch materials on soil physico-chemical properties and the performance of castor bean plant (Ricinus communis) in rivers state, Nigeria
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.
GROWTH AND LONGEVITY OF Pleurotus tuberregium (FR.) SING AS AFFECTED BY MIXTURES OF DECOMPOSED PALM BUNCH REFUSE AND TOPSOIL
*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.
ESTIMATING SOIL ERODIBILTY FACTOR K ON UPLAND SOILS OF OBIO-AKPOR IN RIVERS STATE NIGERIA
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.
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