scholarly journals Pedogenic and Contemporary Issues of Fluvisol Characterization and Utilisation in the Wetlands of Bamenda Municipality, Cameroon

2020 ◽  
pp. 8-27
Author(s):  
Godswill Azinwie Asongwe ◽  
Bernard P. K. Yerima ◽  
Aaron Suh Tening ◽  
Irene Bongsiysi Bame

Fluvisols in urban wetlands in Bamenda Municipality Cameroon play a vital role in vegetable production but they are under immense pressure. Seven representative soil profiles and 21 surface soil samples were morphologically and/or physico-chemically characterized to classify the soils, evaluate their agro-utilization constraints, and to provide adequate data for planning sustainable land management. The soil samples were analyzed using standard procedures. Critical levels established for tropical crops and vegetables were used to declare deficiency of soil nutrients. The coefficient of variation were used as an index of soil variability, while sources of soil variation and subsequent grouping into management units were identified using principal component analysis. The soils, classified as Humi-umbric fluvisols are developed from young alluvio-colluvial material of granitic origin. Like other physico-chemical properties, organic matter varied irregularly down the profile. Except of pH which was slightly (CV<15%) variable, most soil properties were moderately (CV=15-35%) to highly (CV>35%) variable. Some correlation coefficients between the soil parameters were highly significant (p<0.01) ranging - 0.95 to 0.99, but most of them have correlation values less than 0.5. Six principal components (PCs) grouping soils in management units explained 96.2% of the variations observed in the soil properties. The PCs were: base status, organic matter, weathering and moisture retention, acidity, dispersal and N-mineralization, and mineral neo-synthesis factors. We recommend that a detailed mapping of soil properties be carried out for the establishment of a soil fertility map; and individual soil management practices defined for identified units instead of a common management for all units in the municipality.

1966 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. Saini ◽  
A. A. MacLean ◽  
J. J. Doyle

The relationship of the mean weight diameter of water-stable aggregates to certain soil properties (clay, organic matter, free iron, free aluminum, and polysaccharide contents) and the relationship of the increase in aggregation caused by VAMA to the same properties of 24 New Brunswick soils were evaluated by correlation and regression analyses.Simple correlation coefficients relating aggregation to soil properties indicated that organic matter (r = 0.627), polysaccharides (r = 0.602), and aluminum (r = 0.679) were the most important factors. However, when the influence of each factor was separated by partial correlation, the coefficients were not significant. On the other hand, the combined effects of all factors as indicated by the multiple correlation coefficient (r = 0.743) was significant at the 1% level. The effect of the same soil properties on response to VAMA, as shown by increase in mean weight diameter, indicated that clay exerted the greatest influence. The relationship with other factors was nonsignificant.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
Israt Jahan ◽  
AKM Abul Ahsan ◽  
MMR Jahangir ◽  
Mahmud Hossain ◽  
Md Anwarul Abedin

Soil physico-chemical properties are an important phenomenon for sustainable crop production and maintenance of optimum soil health. Hence, a laboratory measurement was conducted with soil samples of three years long experimental field of the Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to assess the changes in five selected soil physico-chemical properties viz. soil texture, bulk density, soil pH, total nitrogen and organic matter. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with two water regimes (continuous flooding and alternate wetting & drying) in the main plots and five fertilizer treatments (N0 - control, N1- 140 kg N/ha as PU, N2- 104 kg N/ha as USG (2× 1.8 g/ 4 hills), N3 - 5 t CD + PU @ 140 kg N /ha on IPNS basis and N4- 5 t CD + USG (2× 1.8 g/ 4 hills @ 104 kg N/ha)) in the subplots under rice-rice cropping pattern with three replications. After three years, soil samples were collected at 0-5 and 5-10 cm soil depths for measuring bulk density and at 0-10 cm depth for other soil properties and analyzed. Results found that % sand, % silt, % clay, bulk density and soil pH was not changed significantly compared to initial status. Percentage of total nitrogen and organic matter was significantly affected by irrigation and fertilization. Total nitrogen (%) was higher in AWD whereas organic matter (%) was higher in CF practice. The highest total nitrogen (%) and organic matter (%) was found in N4 treatment in which USG was applied in combination with cowdung as organic manure. It can be suggested that N4 treatment was formed good combination for sustaining chemical properties of soil. Further long- term experimentation will be needed to know the changes in soil properties for sustainable crop production and improving soil health. Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2020, 5 (2), 65-71


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 881-893
Author(s):  
Mbark Lahmar ◽  
Najib El Khodrani ◽  
Serine Omrania ◽  
Houria Dakak ◽  
Ahmed Douaik ◽  
...  

The study of soil quality in irrigated areas is necessary to evaluate the sustainability of the agricultural production system. Indeed, the assessment of this quality is based on the physicochemical and biological characterization of soil parameters, as well as the knowledge of their spatial distribution and their evolution over time. This work aims to make a diagnosis of the current situation of soil quality of SidiYahya in the Gharb plain, Morocco. For this, sampling was carried out from 33 sites distributed over the studied plain during 2019. In this study, different soil properties including specifically texture, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), phosphorus (P2O5), and potassium (K2O) were measured while exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) was calculated using the standard formula. Based on the observed soil properties a map was prepared by using a geographic information system (GIS), which was based specifically on the inverse distance weighted (IDW) spatial interpolation method. Data were processed using different statistical tools like descriptive statistics, correlation, and principal component analysis (PCA). Results of the study revealed that 70% of the soils have a heavy clayey texture with a predominance of vertisols (55%). Further, the study area soil is mainly alkaline (70%), poor in organic matter (61%) and phosphorus (52%), while very rich in potassium (70%), and non-saline (88%) contents. Soil pH was reported to be the least variable whereas sand, phosphorus, and salinity were the highest variable. IDW allowed mapping the soil properties by moving from punctual information to whole extent information. Furthermore, correlations were found between various soil properties by using PCA, 3 principal components (PCs) were able to extract 76% of the information from the 9 initial soil properties. Collected soil samples were grouped into 3 groups, based on their scores on the 3 PCs. Based on these two kinds of information, delineation of management zones can be established for a site-specific supply of agricultural inputs leading to better management of soil and water resources for securing their sustainable use.


2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 1143-1152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diogo Mazza Barbieri ◽  
José Marques Júnior ◽  
Diego Silva Siqueira ◽  
Daniel De Bortoli Teixeira ◽  
Alan Rodrigo Panosso ◽  
...  

Improvements in working conditions, sustainable production, and competitiveness have led to substantial changes in sugarcane harvesting systems. Such changes have altered a number of soil properties, including iron oxides and organic matter, as well as some chemical properties, such as the maximum P adsorption capacity of the soil. The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between iron oxides and the quality of organic matter in sugarcane harvesting systems. For that purpose, two 1 ha plots in mechanically and manually harvested fields were used to obtain soil samples from the 0.00-0.25 m soil layer at 126 different points. The mineralogical, chemical, and physical results were subjected to descriptive statistical analyses, such as the mean comparison test, as well as to multivariate statistical and principal component analyses. Multivariate tests allowed soil properties to be classified in two different groups according to the harvesting method: manual harvest with the burning of residual cane, and mechanical harvest without burning. The mechanical harvesting system was found to enhance pedoenvironmental conditions, leading to changes in the crystallinity of iron oxides, an increase in the humification of organic matter, and a relative decrease in phosphorus adsorption in this area compared to the manual harvesting system.


Soils as a significant ingredient of terrestrial ecosystems are extremely important in agriculture field. Soil having different physical, biological, chemical properties. Physicochemical soil properties are the basic indicator of soil efficiency, it is strongly related to agronomic output. Soil parameters are very important in soil fertility that helps for plant growth as well as production. The soil quality is uniformly important as crop invention. The primary goal of this research is to use remote sensing techniques to evaluate soil properties. This goal is satisfied by emerging soil analysis on the basis of spectral data collected by FieldSpec4 spectroradiometer. The spectral analysis technique includes soil samples preparation, acquisition of spectral signatures and selection suitable statistical method. In this regard, soil properties and their consequent soil spectral signature measure. Statistical mean and series of processes are performed using View Spec pro Software. In the collected soil samples, surface soil parameters are more reflected than subsurface soil parameters. The spectral reflectance data can be alternative to the traditional methods for determining soil properties.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 518
Author(s):  
Diego Pizzeghello ◽  
Livio Bellin ◽  
Serenella Nardi ◽  
Ornella Francioso ◽  
Andrea Squartini ◽  
...  

To counteract the loss of organic matter of agricultural soils, the use of compost from green and woody residues is a promising strategy. In this study, an organic farm (NE Italy) was investigated to determine the effect of management practices on physical and chemical soil properties. The organic system received three years ago a single high dose (60 t ha−1) of a wood-based compost (WBC), and it was compared with a conventional farm that annually managed mineral plus manure fertilization. In both systems, soil samples from a vineyard and field-scale rotation were collected, together with soil samples from an area not cultivated and not treated neither with compost nor with fertilizers or manure (untreated = control). Soil samples were characterized for soil fertility parameters, extractable fractions of macro- and micronutrients with DTPA and Mehlich3, and their total content. WBC was physically, chemically, and biologically characterized. The results showed that WBC fulfilled the requirements prescribed by Italian legislation, and the absence of phytotoxicity and conversely a stimulating activity towards root development was evidenced. From the DNA metabarcoding of the bacterial community, WBC revealed several peculiarities, including the dominance of taxa such as the order Acidimicrobiales, the families Anerolineaceae, Cytophagaceae, Caldimicrobiacese, Saprospiraceae and the archaeon Candidatus Nitrososphaera. Concerning the fertility of soils, the addition of WBC in both the vineyard and field-scale considerably affected some important soil parameters compared to those of conventional fertilization and untreated soil. Among these, WBC strongly increased the organic C content and the amount of the available P. In addition, the concentrations of macro- and micronutrients extractable by DTPA were generally higher with WBC than conventional fertilization. On the contrary, Mehlich3 extractable metals and total metals content were not affected by fertilization. The principal component analysis indicated that organic C, macronutrients (CaDTPA, KDTPA, and POlsen), as well as micronutrients (BDTPA, FeDTPA, and MoDTPA) are principal factors that properly separated conventional fertilization from organic fertilization. Beside this, within the same management, cases by agroecosystem were also well revealed by cluster analysis. In essence, in the short-term, the organic system led to a significant improvement in organic C and plant-available nutrients over the conventional system.


2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
J C Bateman ◽  
D S Chanasyk

Deep ripping is a common management technique used to shatter dense subsurface soil horizons that limit percolation of water and penetration of roots. Most studies have concentrated on the effects of deep ripping on subsoils, with few examining the effects on surface soil horizons. A study was conducted on reclaimed fields (undisturbed soil Albic Luvisol) at the Highvale coal mine approximately 80 km west of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with objectives to evaluate the effect of deep ripping, with and without the use of organic matter amendments, on the physical and chemical properties of Ap horizons of reconstructed minesoils. Significant treatment effects were identified for particle size distribution (all fractions), plasticity index and the October mean penetration resistance (PR), but effects on bulk density, soil water content at the time of sampling, water retention characteristics and modulus of rupture were non-significant. Soil chemical properties significantly affected included pH, soluble Ca and Mg, exchangeable Na and K, exchangeable Ca:Na ratio and loss of ignition. Addition of subsoil to the Ap horizon as a result of deep ripping likely caused the changes. They are expected to make the seedbed more difficult to cultivate and manage unless specific management practices such as organic matter additions are adopted to overcome the detrimental changes in soil properties that have occurred. Key words: Manure, peat, reclamation, soil properties, subsoiling, surface horizon, tilth


Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Rok Mihelič ◽  
Jure Pečnik ◽  
Matjaž Glavan ◽  
Marina Pintar

Maintaining good soil quality is crucial for the sustainability of agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the visual soil assessment (VSA) method by testing it on two soil types and two agricultural management practices (AMP) (organic and integrated) that are considered to protect soil quality. We selected two farms with plots on two river terraces with different soil properties. The test was based on the modified method Annual Crops Visual Quality Assessment developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and supported by a standardized soil physical and chemical analysis. This study showed that the assessed score is highly dependent on the type of farming practice and how soils are managed. The soil type also plays an important role. The results for Calcaric Fluvisol showed that the effects of selected agricultural management practices on the visual assessment of soil quality could be almost undetectable. The time of assessment also plays a significant role in VSA scoring. Different crops and agricultural activities with significant impacts on the soil occur throughout the year (especially in vegetable production). It was observed that a higher score for the soil cover indicator had a beneficial effect on the total VSA rating.


Author(s):  
Juliana Vantellingen ◽  
Sean C. Thomas

Log landings are areas within managed forests used to process and store felled trees prior to transport. Through their construction and use soil is removed or redistributed, compacted, and organic matter contents may be increased by incorporation of wood fragments. The effects of these changes to soil properties on methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) flux is unclear and unstudied. We quantified CH<sub>4</sub> flux rates from year-old landings in Ontario, Canada, and examined spatial variability and relationships to soil properties within these sites. Landings emitted CH<sub>4</sub> throughout the growing season; the average CH<sub>4</sub> emission rate from log landings was 69.2 ± 12.8 nmol m<sup>-2</sup> s<sup>-1</sup> (26.2 ± 4.8 g CH<sub>4</sub> C m<sup>-2</sup> y<sup>-1</sup>), a rate comparable to CH<sub>4</sub>-emitting wetlands. Emission rates were correlated to soil pH, organic matter content and quantities of buried woody debris. These properties led to strong CH<sub>4</sub> emissions, or “hotspots”, in certain areas of landings, particularly where processing of logs occurred and incorporated woody debris into the soil. At the forest level, emissions from landings were estimated to offset ~12% of CH<sub>4</sub> consumption from soils within the harvest area, although making up only ~0.5% of the harvest area. Management practices to avoid or remediate these emissions should be developed as a priority measure in “climate-smart” forestry.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (21) ◽  
pp. 7451
Author(s):  
Barbara Breza-Boruta ◽  
Karol Kotwica ◽  
Justyna Bauza-Kaszewska

Properly selected tillage methods and management of the available organic matter resources are considered important measures to enable farming in accordance with the principles of sustainable agriculture. Depending on the depth and intensity of cultivation, tillage practices affect soil chemical composition, structure and biological activity. The three-year experiment was performed on the soil under spring wheat (cv. Tybalt) short-time cultivation. The influence of different tillage systems and stubble management on the soil’s chemical and biological parameters was analyzed. Organic carbon content (OC); content of biologically available phosphorus (Pa), potassium (Ka), and magnesium (Mg); content of total nitrogen (TN), mineral nitrogen forms: N-NO3 and N-NH4 were determined in various soil samples. Moreover, the total number of microorganisms (TNM), bacteria (B), actinobacteria (A), fungi (F); soil respiratory activity (SR); and pH in 1 M KCl (pH) were also investigated. The results show that organic matter amendment is of greater influence on soil characteristics than the tillage system applied. Manure application, as well as leaving the straw in the field, resulted in higher amounts of organic carbon and biologically available potassium. A significant increase in the number of soil microorganisms was also observed in soil samples from the experimental plots including this procedure.


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