scholarly journals Assessment of Soil Fertility in Smallholder Potato Farms in Rwanda

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrien Turamyenyirijuru ◽  
Guillaume Nyagatare ◽  
Robert Morwani Gesimba ◽  
Rhoda Jerop Birech

This study assessed soil fertility in potato farms of Birunga and Buberuka highlands agro-ecological zones (AEZs). It compared nutrients levels (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, S, Mn, Cu, Zn and Fe) and other parameters (pH, organic carbon [OC], cation exchange capacity [CEC], base saturation [BS], bulk density [BD] and texture) of soil samples. ANOVA revealed that pH of soils (5.53-6.50) varied from slightly to moderately acidic, BD fell below optimum for plant growth (Lessthan 1.8gcm-3), texture was sandy loam to sand clay loam. Soil fertility for OC (3.33-5.53%), N (0.15-0.31%) and CEC (10.08-18.60 meq/100g) varied from low to medium; and medium to high for BS (34.78-61.91%); was qualified medium for P (5.75-9.20 ppm), K (0.21-0.54 meq/100g), S (6.46 - 8.15 ppm) and majority of micronutrients. Values from Birunga AEZ were higher than ones from Buberuka AEZ except for BD, CEC, clay, silt, Na and Fe. There were significant differences between farms within locations for all parameters and significant differences between locations for all parameters except Na and Mn.

2016 ◽  
pp. 133-150
Author(s):  
Evgeny Romanov ◽  
Dmitry Mukhortov ◽  
Tatiana Nureeva

Most seedlings and saplings of woody plants in the Russian Federation are produced in the open ground in forest nurseries. In order to produce high quality planting material it is necessary to support and preserve soil fertility, which can be obtained by using organic wastes and organic-based fertilizers. Our research is aimed at the assessment of the influence of non-conventional organic fertilizers on fertility of podzols and on the growth rate of seedlings and saplings of woody plants in forest nurseries. Our research shows, that the application of non-conventional organic fertilizers does not result in any accumulation of heavy metal salts in podzols, but optimizes hydro physical and agrochemical properties of the ploughed horizon. The efficiency of non-conventional organic fertilizers depends on their composition, physical and chemical characteristics of the original components, their doses applied and original fertility of soils. A combined application of non-conventional organic fertilizers and sand results in the optimization of practically all soil fertility parameters in middle clay-loam soils, while application of non-conventional organic fertilizers and clay is optimal for application on light soils. The optimal application dose of non-conventional fertilizers depends on soil texture, woody species and the fertilizer composition. An optimal application dose for Norway spruce on a light clay-loam soil is 50-80 tons/ha, and on a middle clay-loam soil is 149-182 tons/ha. It is 50 tons/ha for Scots pine growing on a sandy loam soil, and 100 tons/ha for the same species growing on a sandy soil or a light clay-loam. For Siberian larch growing on a light clay-loam soil the dose of fertilizer applied should be 150 tons/ha. It is recommended to apply composts containing over 50% (by weight) of Category II wastes (substrate) for the amelioration of light soils, and composts containing over 40% (by weight) of Category I wastes (filler) for the amelioration of heavy soils. It would allow for the optimization of soil properties and production of better quality planting material in forest nurseries.


1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. FRIESEN ◽  
D. A. WALL

McCall, Maple Presto, Maple Amber and OT80-3 soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivars were evaluated under field conditions for their response to metribuzin. Maple Amber was found to be less tolerant than the other cultivars. In controlled environment chamber studies, injury to this cultivar was more severe on a sandy loam soil than on a clay loam soil. Fall applications of metribuzin, alone or tank-mixed with trifluralin, were tolerant to Maple Amber soybeans and such applications may offer a practical alternative to spring treatments for broad spectrum weed control in the less tolerant soybean cultivars grown in Manitoba.Key words: Metribuzin, trifluralin, preplant incorporation, fall treatments, soybean cultivars


Author(s):  
Kalpana Pudasaini ◽  
Nanjappa Ashwath ◽  
Kerry Walsh ◽  
Thakur Bhattarai

A factorial pot experiment was conducted using two types of soils (sandy loam and red clay loam) that are commonly used for commercial vegetable production in Bundaberg, region of Central Queensl and Australia. The soils were amended with 0, 25, 50 and 75 t/ha of green waste biochar and minimum doses of N, P and K (30 kg/ha, 30 kg/ha and 40 kg/ha respectively). After two weeks of plant establishment, the pots were leached with 1.5 litres of deionised water at week intervals, and cation concentrations of the leachate were determined. In 25 t/ha biochar treatment, there was a significant (P<0.05) reduction in K and Ca leaching by 40% and 26% respectively from sandy loam, and of Ca by 23% from the red clay loam. Soil water holding capacity and soil organic carbon were also increased in both biochar treated soils. After 12 weeks of growth, shoot weight was signifi cantly (P<0.05) higher in 25 t/ha biochar-treated sandy loam and red clay loam (32% and 31% respectively). These results clearly demonstrated that a higher yield of capsicum can be achieved from green waste biochar application in sandy loam and red clay loam at 25 t/ha biochar.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hn.v11i1.7221 Hydro Nepal Special Issue: Conference Proceedings 2012 pp.86-90


2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 157-167
Author(s):  
Hossen Anwar M ◽  
Hossain Mosharraf M ◽  
Haque Enamul M ◽  
Bell Richard W

Mechanical transplanted seedling must meet the requirements of standard seedling block with uniform distribution of seedlings and inter-twisting roots for rolling. This study was conducted to identify the effect of growing media on mat type seedling raised for mechanical transplanting at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Gazipur during the period of 2012–2014 covering two dry and cold seasons (Boro) and one wet season (Aman). Seedling were raised on plastic tray using sandy loam and clay loam soil mixed with decomposed cow-dung, mustard cake, rice straw organic fertilizer, rice bran, poultry litter and vermicompost at the rate of 0.0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%. Rolling quality of the seedling mat decreased and seedling height increased with the increased of mixing rate of organic fertilizer except rice bran and mustard cake. Averaged across three seasons, 10 to 30% cow-dung, rice straw organic fertilizer, vermicompost, 10% poultry litter and 20 to 30% rice bran with both types of soil was found suitable for seedling mat and seedling height. However, seedling varied among the organic fertilizers with both types of soil in the order of cow-dung &gt; rice bran &gt; vermicompost &gt; poultry liter &gt; rice straw organic fertilizer &gt; mustard cake. Clay loam soil showed better performance on rolling quality over sandy loam soil.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed S.F. Ahmed ◽  
Vijaya Raghavan

AbstractAmendment of soil with biochar has been shown to enhance fertility and increase crop productivity, but the specific influence of biochar on soil workability remains unclear. Select physico-mechanical and chemical properties of clay loam and sandy loam soils were measured after amendment with wood-derived biochar of two particle size ranges (0.5-425 and 425-850 µm) at five dosages ranging from 0.5 to 10% dry weight. Whereas the clay loam soil workability decreased when the finer wood-derived biochar was applied at rates of 6 or 10%, soil fertility was not enhanced. The sandy loam soil, due to Proctor compaction, significantly decreased in bulk density with 6 and 10% wood-derived biochar amendments indicating higher soil resistance to compaction.


HortScience ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Charlie L. Rohwer

Carrots (Daucus carota L. var sativus) in the midwestern United States are generally raised commercially on sandy-loam or muck soils. Some smaller growers may not have the luxury of an ideal soil type, so raised beds are often recommended to improve taproot growth. To determine specific yield and shape responses of carrots to raised-bed culture in heavy soil, three hybrids (‘Cupar’, ‘Envy’, and ‘Naval’) were grown in 2019 and 2020 on raised or flat beds in clay-loam soil. In addition, two seeding rates (high or low) were incorporated into the split-split plot design. ‘Cupar’ was larger and less misshapen than the other hybrids, but total marketable yields were similar among all three. ‘Naval’ was the most cylindrical. High seeding rate generally resulted in more numerous but smaller marketable roots and no change in total marketable weight. Raised beds caused a 10.6% increase in total marketable weight by allowing more marketable roots classified as “short” (between 76 and 127 mm long, diameter >25 mm) to grow to lengths more than 127 mm long. The average taproot cylindricity was increased and diameter decreased by growing on raised beds. Soil penetration resistance at 7.6 cm was correlated with many of the measured responses.


2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagseer Singh ◽  
Sukhpal Singh Chatha ◽  
Buta Singh Sidhu

Abstract Wear of tools is a key problem in the farming sector. The objective of this study was to evaluate the wear performance of untreated steel (EN-42) and two hardfacings, namely H1 and VB. Hardfacing H1 (0.86Cr0.22C) fall in the basic buildup iron–carbide alloy category and hardfacing VB (3.19Cr2.51C2.7Si) is categorized as martensitic alloy steel. Abrasive wear performance of untreated, as well as hardfaced steel specimens, was evaluated in the laboratory and actual field conditions. The tests were conducted in the laboratory, and actual field trials were conducted in sandy loam and sandy clay-loam soil. The performance of the untreated and hardfaced steel was analyzed using various techniques such as weight loss, microhardness, microstructure and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that H1 and VB overlaid steel exhibited better wear performance than the untreated steel, and the least wear-rate was found in sandy clay-loam soil. VB overlaid steel experienced lesser cumulative weight loss (g) and wear-rate (g/km) and thus displayed better abrasive wear behavior under all the conditions of the study. Further, it has been observed that the moisture content in soil exerts a stronger effect on ploughshare wear than soil type. For actual field conditions, untreated and overlaid ploughshares tested in sandy loam soil with low moisture content (0–3%) experienced almost three times higher wear-rate (4.078 g/km, 3.699 g/km, and 3.055 g/km for untreated, H1, and VB overlaid steel, respectively) than the same ploughshares tested in soil having high (14–17%) moisture content (1.296 g/km, 1.178 g/km, and 0.913 g/km for untreated, H1, and VB overlaid steel, respectively).


2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 1325-1336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmelo Maucieri ◽  
Maurizio Borin

Abstract. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of soil texture and primary tillage type on soil CO2 emission and maize biomass production after digestate liquid fraction (DLF) spreading. The study was conducted in 2014 in two open fields at Terrasa Padovana (farm 1) and Bovolenta (farm 2) in the Veneto Region of Italy. Soil CO2 emission after digestate spreading was evaluated by comparing the effect of soil texture (sandy loam vs. clay loam) at farm 1 and the effect of long-term primary tillage management (&gt;10 years) (ripping vs. plowing) in clay loam soil at farm 2. Unamended soil was considered the control at both farms. DLF was supplied before maize ( L.) sowing at a dose equal to 170 kg total nitrogen ha-1 using a splash-plate technique. DLF spreading determined a CO2 emission peak 1 h after spreading at both farms, with median emission values of 8.93 and 4.35 g m-2 h-1, respectively, from the sandy loam and clay loam soils at farm 1. At farm 2, primary tillage type did not exert a significant effect on CO2 emission peak, with a median value of 5.85 g m-2 h-1. About three days after DLF distribution, soil CO2 fluxes were less than 1 g m-2 h-1. The first soil harrowing and the first rainfall event after spreading determined significantly higher CO2 emissions from amended plots than from unamended plots for a few hours. At farm 1, soil CO2 emission during the maize growing season was significantly higher in the amended plots (+1.7 times) than in the unamended plots, which showed a median emission value of 0.29 g m-2 h-1; soil texture and tillage exerted no significant influence. Maize yield at dough stage was not significantly influenced by DLF at farm 1, with 22.7 ±1.6 Mg ha-1 and 18.7 ±2.8 Mg ha-1 in the clay loam and sandy loam soils, respectively. At farm 2, the distribution of DLF increased maize biomass production by +17% with respect to the unamended treatment that produced 18.0 ±2.4 Mg ha-1. Although the results reported in this article concern data from only one year, and further long-term experiments are needed to confirm our findings, they indicate that CO2 emissions after digestate distribution are lower in a clay loam soil than in a sandy loam soil and are not affected by primary tillage type. Keywords: Clay loam soil, Digestate splash-plate spreading, Plowing, Ripping, Sandy loam soil.


1993 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-32
Author(s):  
Birhanu Kinfe ◽  
Thomas F. Peeper

Persistence of BAY SMY 1500 and chlorsulfuron during storage for 0 to 6 mo at room temperature in air-dry clay loam soil with pH 7.6 and sandy loam soil with pH 6.6 was determined with conventional wheat bioassay procedures. BAY SMY 1500 had predicted half-lives greater than 6 mo in both soils. Half-lives of chlorsulfuron were 6.0 and 3.2 mo in the clay loam soil and sandy loam soil, respectively.


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