Soil Chemical Fertility Research Articles

Growth and yield of soybean varieties with biochar application

Climate change cause a temperature increase, decreasing soil fertility and causing a reduced microbial and nutrient availability, and increased salinization, so it cannot support the growth of soybean plants. Soybeans are vulnerable to climate change, which can lead to lower yields. Biochar is an organic material that can improve soil's physical, chemical, and biological fertility. This study aims to obtain soybean varieties and biochar types that increase growth and yield in low soil fertility cultivation. This research was conducted in August 2022 – June 2023 at the Agricultural Faculty Experimental Field of Universitas Sebelas Maret. The research was designed in randomized complete block design factorial with three replications. The first factor was soybean varieties, and the second factor was types of biochar. Data analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by DMRT 5% if there was a significant difference. The results showed that Demas 1 variety significantly affects growth and yield with biochar addition compared to Dena 1 and Gepak Kuning. The addition of rice husk biochar can increase the growth and yield of 3 soybean varieties, compared to the addition of sugar palm fiber biochar and without the addition of biochar.

The State of Soil Chemical Fertility in Pineapple Agrotourism Land, Bolaang Mongondow Regency


 
 
 
 Soil is a natural resource mostly from the surface of the planet earth that is capable of growing plants and has properties as a result of the influence of climate and living organisms that act on the parent material in certain relief conditions. This shows that an area can have different soil properties. This study aims to Based on the results of research that has been carried out in the pineapple agro-tourism area of Bolaang Mongondow Regency, it shows that the nutrient content of the land is low - very low, while the soil pH on the land is neutral. Thus, efforts to increase nutrient fertility at locations in the area can be done through fertilization of both organic and anorganic fertilizers. determine the chemical fertility of the soil (pH, KTK, N, P, K, Ca and C-organic).
 Key words: Agrotourism Land, Soil Fertility
 Abstrak
 Tanah adalah sumber daya alam yang sebagian besar berasal dari permukaan planet bumi yang mampu menumbuhkan tanaman dan memiliki sifat sebagai akibat pengaruh iklim dan organisme hidup yang bertindak atas bahan induk dalam kondisi relief tertentu. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa suatu daerah dapat memiliki sifat tanah yang berbeda-beda. Penelitian ini bertujuan Berdasarkan hasil penelitian yang telah dilakukan di kawasan agrowisata nanas Kabupaten Bolaang Mongondow menunjukkan bahwa kandungan unsur hara tanah rendah – sangat rendah, sedangkan pH tanah pada tanah tersebut adalah netral. Dengan demikian, upaya peningkatan kesuburan hara pada lokasi-lokasi di kawasan dapat dilakukan melalui pemupukan baik pupuk organik maupun anorganik. menentukan kesuburan kimia tanah (pH, KTK, N, P, K, Ca dan C-organik).
 
 
 
 
 Kata Kunci : Lahan Agrowisata, Kesuburan Tanah

Soil morphological, physical and chemical properties affecting Eucalyptus spp. productivity on Entisols and Ultisols

Soil fertility in forestry systems has usually been constrained to soil nutrients, with little attention to soil morphological attributes and physical properties. Our hypothesis was that soil physical properties and morphological attributes are more closely related with commercial forest growth than soil chemical fertility. The objective of the study was to analyze the influence of soil properties, in different soil types, on dendrometric variables and productivity of clonal E. saligna and seminal E. dunnii, both widely employed in commercial plantations managed for pulp and lumber production in southern Brazil. On inventory plots with two Eucalyptus species, namely Eucalyptus saligna (clone 32864) and seminal E. dunnii, we evaluated morphological attributes and physical and chemical properties of 17 soils (Ultisols and Entisols), and the dendrometric variables tree height, tree dominant height (h100) and diameter at breast height (DBH), all measured in 7-years old plantations. Eucalyptus growth was variable and influenced by profile attributes and soil properties, but correlations between h100 and soil properties were weak (r < 0.7) and usually not significant. Tree height and DBH were not affected by Eucalyptus species, soil type and their interaction. Overall, DBH ranged from 77.98 to 304.30 mm, with an average value of 183.23 mm. By contrast, tree h100 was affected by Eucalyptus species and soil type, but not by their interaction. Trees of E. saligna (23.4 m) were taller than E. dunnii (22.1 m), while among soil types Ultisols had the tallest (23.4 m) and Entisols the shortest trees (22 m). Chemical properties were more variable in surface soil layers, whereas physical properties mainly differentiated subsurface soil layers. The lowest dominant height resulted from the interaction between the lowest field capacity and plant available water capacity and the smaller depth of Entisols' soil profile. Contrary to our hypothesis, most soil properties/attributes were not significantly correlated with dominant tree height. Neither soil physical, morphological properties nor soil chemical fertility are determinants to forest growth when these parameters are not at critical limits for forest growth, particularly with absence of extreme edaphoclimatic conditions such as low rainfall or high temperatures. Associations among soil morphological attributes, physical properties and edaphoclimatic variables should be validated in future studies to better understand their effect of forest productivity in subtropical environments.

Changes in the Physical, Chemical, and Bacterial Community Characteristics of Soil in Response to Short-Term Combined Organic–Inorganic Fertilizers in a Dry Direct-Seeded Paddy Field

Dry direct-seeded rice cultivation is a simple and labor-saving planting method wherein the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers can improve yield. However, the effects of combined fertilizers on soil properties and bacteria in dry direct-seeded rice paddy soil are unclear. Here, four treatments, conventional fertilization (NPK), seaweed bio-organic fertilizer + NPK, Jishiwang bio-organic fertilizer + NPK, and attapulgite organic fertilizer + NPK applied for three consecutive years were tested to explore their effects on soil physical, chemical, and bacterial community characteristics in a dry direct-seeded rice paddy field. The combined fertilizers increased alkaline hydrolysis-nitrogen and available potassium while decreasing the bulk density and pH; in addition, a marked increase in the relative abundance of soil macroaggregates (&gt;5 mm) and clay particles and a decrease in that of sand was observed. Urease and neutral phosphatase activities were the highest with the Jishiwang organic fertilizer + NPK, whereas invertase and catalase activities were the highest with attapulgite organic fertilizer + NPK. All combined fertilizers considerably increased the bacterial richness index (ACE) and Chao index; Jishiwang bio-organic fertilizer + NPK also increased the Simpson index, whereas the seaweed bio-organic fertilizer + NPK reduced it. Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria accounted for 54.25–70.49% of the total bacterial relative abundance. The relative abundance of Verrucomicrobia, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, and Nitrospirae increased with the combined fertilizers. The correlation network analysis showed predominant antagonistic relationships. A redundancy analysis demonstrated that total nitrogen, soil organic matter, urease, and invertase were the main environmental factors affecting bacterial composition. Combined fertilizers may improve soil physical and chemical properties, fertility, and bacterial richness.

Soils and olericultural practices in circumpolar region of Russia at present and in the past

Circumpolar regions are often associated with activities such as reindeer herding, hunting, fishing, and gathering wild foods, but few know that locals have practiced olericulture since ancient times. Under a changing climate, the agricultural frontier will inevitably shift northward, so it is important to understand the current and past patterns of local soil functioning. Olericultural practices in the Arctic region seem difficult due to the harsh climate; however, it is being implemented. In this paper, we report the agricultural practices used by local residents to increase the yield of crops grown in the Yamal region. We also studied the chemical properties and fertility of soils under private gardens (both active and abandoned). At present, the yields of private olericulture in Yamal even exceed those of industrial vegetable-growing farms. It is revealed that private vegetable growers can achieve an increase in soil fertility by increasing the content of nutrients (P2O5 over 1,500 mg kg−1, K2O up to 500 mg kg−1) and organic carbon up to 17%, as well as the regulation of the acid-alkaline regime. It is also found that soil fertility indicators in private vegetable gardens are higher compared to industrial fields. Such soils are not typical for the cryolithozone and can be classified as Anthrosols. Soils of abandoned vegetable gardens can retain a high level of fertility for a long time due to the specific climatic conditions of the Arctic. As a result, the research showed that it is possible to grow vegetables beyond the Arctic Circle by adapting local soils and applying specific practices typical for cryolithozone.

Application of Biochar for Improving Physical, Chemical, and Hydrological Soil Properties: A Systematic Review

Biochar is a carbon-based substance made by the pyrolysis of organic waste. The amount of biochar produced is determined by the type of feedstock and pyrolysis conditions. Biochar is frequently added to the soil for various reasons, including carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas mitigation, improved crop production by boosting soil fertility, removing harmful contaminants, and drought mitigation. Biochar may also be used for waste management and wastewater treatment. Biochar’s various advantages make it a potentially appealing instrument material for current science and technology. Although biochar’s impacts on soil chemical qualities and fertility have been extensively researched, little is known about its impact on enhancing soil physical qualities. This review is intended to describe biochar’s influence on some crucial soil physical and hydrological properties, including bulk density of soil, water holding capacity, soil porosity, soil hydraulic conductivity, soil water retention, water repellence–available plant water, water infiltration, soil temperature, soil color, and surface albedo. Therefore, we propose that the application of biochar in soils has considerable advantages, and this is especially true for arable soils with low fertility.

Simulating long-term phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon dynamics to advance nutrient assessment in dryland cropping

Soil chemical fertility has steadily declined in tropical and subtropical agriculture with depleted stocks of phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and carbon (C). Assessing the dynamics of these elements and their interactions on crop productivity in dryland cropping are complex because climate often dictates crop nutrient response. This results in under- or over- fertilising crops, suboptimal crop yield, and fertiliser inefficiency. The Agricultural Productions Systems sIMulator (APSIM) model accounts for C x N x climate interactions, but simulation of P dynamics is constrained by a dearth of suitable data. To address this problem, we used a novel approach to simulate P, N, and C dynamics at a 35-year long-term field trial, where a broad range of N (0, 40, 80, 120 kg ha −1 ) and P (0, 10, 20 kg ha −1 ) fertiliser rates were consistently applied. We parameterised the soil P model with quantified adsorption isotherms and by assuming correspondence between conceptual soil P pools and Hedley fractionation pools. Soil N and C dynamics were parameterised with measured organic N, C, and charcoal content to estimate organic matter decay coefficients, pool sizes, and C:N ratios. APSIM accounted for variation in mean N export (94%), crop yield (88%), and P export (62%) across the 12 treatments, and reproduced interannual variation in N × P effects for crop yield and N export, where crop response was strongly mediated by N supply and water availability. APSIM also identified the long-term depletion or accumulation of soil P, N, and C in most treatments. P fractionation and isotherm measurements are labour intensive but worthwhile, and future efforts should work to consolidate a database for different soil types. Better informed P modelling will provide insights into the effects of climate variability on soil fertility and crop productivity, and guide management practices to deliver better fertiliser efficiency and maintain soil organic C. • Assessing the effects of soil fertility decline on crop productivity is complex due to climate × N × P interactions. • APSIM was parameterised with long-term soil P fractionation, and organic C and N data. • Across 12 treatments, APSIM explained 94% of N export, 88% crop yield, and 62% P export. • APSIM reproduced interannual treatments effects which were strongly mediated by N and water supply. • Long-term simulation showed N and P addition reduced the loss of soil organic C.

Surface Application of Hydrated Lime in Different Crop Systems

ABSTRACT To address the problems of acidity in the surface and subsurface layers and improve soil chemical fertility, three methodology of surface application of hydrated lime (HL) (4Ca(OH)2Mg(OH)2) (ensure that calcium (Ca)+2 occupied 70%, 60%, and 50% of cation exchange capacity (CEC) in the 0.0–0.2 m layer) were evaluated in a Typic Hapludalf in conventional pasture system (CPS), no-till system (NTS), and agropastoral system (APS) in Brazil. The results support the following conclusions: (a) the application of HL corrects surface and subsurface acidity and improve the soil chemical fertility: increasing pH and magnesium (Mg)2+ content in the CPS, NTS, and APS in the 0.0–0.2 m and 0.2–0.4 m layers; increasing base saturation (BS) and Mg+2/CEC in the CPS, NTS, and APS in the 0.0–0.2 m layer; increasing Ca+2 content, CEC, and Ca+2/CEC in the NTS and APS in the 0.0–0.2 m layer; reducing total acidity in the CPS, NTS, and APS in the 0.0–0.2 m layer and in the NTS and APS in the 0.2–0.4 m layer; reducing total acidity and increasing Mg+2/CEC in the NTS and APS in the 0.2–0.4 m layer.

Lime Rate in Clayey Soils Influences Chemical Fertility and Sugarcane Yield

Liming contributes to the alleviation of acidity in highly weathered soils. For sugarcane, the use of green harvest methods and new soil tillage systems requires an adjustment of lime application rates. In the present study, the effects of different lime rates and tillage systems on sugarcane performance and soil chemical fertility parameters were assessed. Three experiments were conducted in two locations between April 2015 and October 2019. The study design was a randomized block field study with four replicates. Four lime rates were applied once at sugarcane establishments in each soil tillage system and location: no liming (control); lime recommended rate (LRR); two times LRR (2× LRR); and three times LRR (3× LRR). The three soil tillage systems were conventional (CT), deep-strip (DT), and modified deep-strip tillage (MDT). Soil chemical fertility, leaf nutrient concentrations, and sugarcane yield components were analyzed, and correlations were identified by principal component analysis (PCA). The soil acidity was adequately alleviated in all tillage systems. Increasing the lime rate improved the lime distribution and soil fertility parameters. Applying lime at rates higher than LRR improved stalk and sugar yields, longevity, agronomic efficiency index (AEI), and correlated with a longer residual effect of liming, mainly in the last ratoon.

New Methodologies for the Surface Application of Limestone and Gypsum in Different Crop Systems

To address the problems of soil acidity (pH values below 4.4) in surface and subsurface soil layers and improve soil chemical fertility, this study evaluated three methodologies for surface application of limestone (LS) (ensuring that calcium (Ca)2+ occupied 70%, 60% or 50% of cation exchange capacity (CEC) at a depth of 0.0–0.2 m) and gypsum (GP, phosphogypsum) (ensuring that Ca2+ occupied 60%, 50% or 40% of effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) at a depth of 0.2–0.4 m). LS and GP were applied in a conventional pasture system (CPS), no-till system (NTS), and agropastoral system (APS) in an Arenic Hapludult in Brazil. Surface application of LS and GP using these three methodologies corrected surface and subsurface acidity and improved soil chemical fertility. Specifically, Ca2+ content increased in the CPS, NTS, and APS at a depth of 0.0–0.2 m and in the CPS and APS at a depth of 0.2–0.4 m; sulfur (S)-SO42− content and Ca2+/ECEC increased in the CPS, NTS, and APS at a depth of 0.2–0.4 m; base saturation (BS) increased and aluminum (Al)3+ content decreased in the NTS and APS at depths of 0.0–0.2 m and 0.2–0.4 m; and pH, magnesium (Mg)2+ content, CEC, Ca2+/CEC, and Mg2+/CEC increased and total acidity decreased in the NTS and APS at a depth of 0.0–0.2 m.

Fast improvement of macrofauna communities and soil quality in plantain crops converted to agroecological practices

Plantain (Musa paradisiaca AAB) is one of the main staple food crops in tropical areas, particularly in the Caribbean region. Therefore, supporting a sustainable production of plantain in this zone is crucial to secure food and to provide income to millions of people. We hypothesized that agroecological practices based on multi-functionality and biodiversity and that preserve soil should i) increase macrofauna abundance, ii) enhance soil chemical fertility, iii) improve soil physical structure, iv) reduce plant infestation by parasitic nematodes, and v) immediately achieve similar yield as in conventional systems. For this purpose, we compared plantain conventional and agroecological systems at the farm scale. The agroecological system consisted in a combination of three innovations: i) inputs of vermicompost to replace mineral fertilizers, ii) use of healthy planting material and iii) use of a mulching of living crop to control weeds. Ten months after the plantation, soil macrofauna abundance had doubled and taxonomic richness had increased by 45% in the agroecological system. In addition, soil structure was improved in the agroecological system (52% of biogenic aggregates in the agroecological system vs. 21 % in conventional systems), as well as the abundance of free-living nematodes associated to plantain roots increased by 73 % in the agroecological system. The abundance of Radopholus similis, one of main plant parasitic nematodes, decreased in the agroecological system. Moreover, the agroecological system achieved similar crop yield level than conventional systems. Agroecological practices are thus an efficient option to allow a fast transition from conventional to environmentally friendly cropping systems.

Effects of Underground Coal Mining on Soil Spatial Water Content Distribution and Plant Growth Type in Northwest China.

The impact of coal mining subsidence on surface ecology involves the influence of several ecological elements such as water, soil, and vegetation, which is systematic and complex. Given the unclear understanding of the synergistic change patterns of the water–soil–vegetation ecological elements in the influence of coal mining in the west, this paper investigates the impact of coal mining on the surface ecology, especially the distribution of soil water content (SWC). In 2020, this study collected 3000 soil samples from 60 sampling points (at depth of 0–10 m) and tested the SWC. All samples come from three different temporal and spatial areas of coal mining subsidence in the desert mining area of Northwest China where soil types are mainly aridisols. At the same time, the interactions among deep SWC and surface soil physical and chemical properties, surface SWC and soil fertility, and pH were analyzed. The spatial variability of soil moisture is reflected by kriging interpolation, and SWC values at different depths are predicted as a basis for monitoring the environmental impact of different coal mining subsidence years. The research has shown that the ground subsidence leads to a decrease in SWC value and changes in surface soil pH, physical and chemical properties, and covering vegetation, which have occurred from the beginning of coal mining. The impact of coal mining on the SWC of the unsaturated zone is mainly at the depth of 0–6 m, where SWC is not directly related to the nutrient content of the surface soil. The overall settlement of the ground will stir up simultaneous decline in the quality of deep SWC and topsoil. The findings of this investigation suggest that changes in the soil structure caused by coal mining subsidence are the key factor in SWC loss. Timely monitoring and repairing 0–6 m ground fissures, as well as selecting shrubs on the surface is the best choice for the restoration of the ecological environment and prevention of soil erosion in this area.

Deep tilling and localized liming improve soil chemical fertility and sugarcane yield in clayey soils

The selection of an appropriate soil tillage system for improving yields and longevity is an important decision in sugarcane cultivation. In the present study, the effects of different soil tillage systems and methods of applying lime on sugarcane stalk and sugar yield performance as well as soil fertility parameters were evaluated throughout the sugarcane crop cycle. The experiments were established in two locations in April 2015 and conducted until August 2019, corresponding to a total of 4 growing seasons. A field study with a randomized block design was established with four replicates considering 4 treatments: conventional soil tillage system (CT), deep strip-tillage system (DT) and modified deep strip-tillage system (MDT), all with the same lime rate; and a standard treatment (control, CT without liming). Immediately after harvesting plant cane (18 months (mo) after planting), first ratoon (30 mo after planting), second ratoon (42 mo after planting) and third ratoon (54 mo after planting), soil samples were collected from a depth of 0.0–1.00 m, stratified every 0.2 m. Leaf material was sampled during the period of full vegetative growth. Analyses of soil chemical fertility, leaf concentrations of elements, and sugarcane yield components were performed. MDT was found to correct soil acidity most efficiently, mainly due to the positioning of the lime application. Under high aluminum saturation (AS), especially in deeper layers, deep lime placement was more effective and resulted in the best distributions of calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+), the highest base saturation (BS) and the lowest AS compared with the other treatments. Lime application was more important than the tillage system for improving the sucrose concertation and total recoverable sugar (TRS), whereas the tillage system affected the stalk yield and, consequently, the yield of sugar. Compared with DT and CT, the average stalk yield was 4.1% and 9.4% higher, respectively, under MDT at Macatuba and 6.3% and 15.3%, higher, respectively, under MDT at Piraju. Similarly, MDT improved average sugar yield by 3.7% and 10.4% at Macatuba and 6.1% and 16.3% at Piraju. Overall, long-term assessments, which are important for semi-perennial crops like sugarcane, showed that the both deep strip-tillage were most effective.

The importance of modeling the effects of trend and anisotropy on soil fertility maps

• Restricted Maximum Likelihood has a higher accuracy in Fields with higher anisotropy. • Kriging with Method of Moments has higher accuracy in areas with lower anisotropy. • Spatial variability in soil chemical fertility used in Precision Agriculture must be modeled. • Directional effects in geospatial data must be considered in variogram modeling. • Synthetic data with variable levels of trend and anisotropy were simulated. Precision Agriculture (PA) commonly uses interpolation to generate maps for site-specific management. Semivariogram modeling with kriging interpolation considerers several parameters such as trend and anisotropy, which require proper estimation to return reliable maps. Often present in agricultural fields, these directional effects can also account for machine traffic and crop/soil management. Despite modeling trend and anisotropy being desirable for creating soil fertility maps, these effects are often disregarded during semivariogram modeling. Hence, this study evaluates whether semivariogram modeling considering anisotropy and trend influences the improvement of maps used in precision agriculture. Predicted performance and trends identified in the data when modeling anisotropy were evaluated considering two sampling grid densities, using the method of moments (MoM) and restricted maximum likelihood (REML) to estimate semivariogram parameters. Different levels of trend and anisotropy were tested on four types of virtual fields with 100 repetitions, and two experimental fields. Data were processed in an automated manner for virtual field generation, sampling extraction, semivariogram modeling, kriging, and cross-validation. Metrics were then subjected to bootstrapping and the differences were compared using confidence intervals. Results indicate that modeling directional effects improved the accuracy of kriging-generated maps. REML resulted in the best variability estimation in strong anisotropy, whereas MoM was more efficient in fields with weaker anisotropy. Modeling anisotropy was particularly useful in experimental fields, where trend was considered a function of spatial covariates. Consequently, semivariogram modeling must consider both directional effects to provide accurate soil fertility maps for precision agriculture.

Perspectives on the changing properties of peat soils used for agriculture: the case of Talio Hulu Village

Rice fields in Talio Hulu Village, located in the Swamp Irrigation Area (SIA) Block B Pangkoh I, Pandih Batu District, Pulang Pisau Regency, Central Kalimantan is cleared peatlands which replanted with rice afters being abandoned for years. This paper is a review of peatland research and development in Talio Hulu Village. This paper aims to provide an overview of sequential changes of peat soils since its opening in 1983, being developed by planting rice and secondary crops, subsequently abandoned, and afterwards managed and replanted in 2020. Soil chemical properties and fertility in 1987 showed that the top layer (0-30 cm) and below (>30 cm) were very acidic (pH 3.3-3.9); C-organic 36% and 53%; N total 2.3% and 1.2%; low base cation exchange capacity, and P2O5 1.4 mg kg−1 and 0.43 mg kg−1, then the plant showed less than optimal growth. The identification of chemical properties and fertility of the top and bottom layers of the soil after rice development in 1993 showed improvements, including: decreasing soil acidity with pH H2O 3.4-4.4 and 3.3-3.7; C-organic decreased to 11.46% and 54.52%; N total 0.33-1.11% and 0.48-1.53%; P2O5 7-100 mg kg−1 and 10-15 mg kg−1. Rice yields reached 0.3-2.0 t ha−1 for local rice varieties and 0.2-2.4 t ha−1 for high-yielding varieties. The low yield of rice indicated the poor growth of rice plants measured from the high amount of empty grain. From the survey in 2020, we identified 80% of rice fields were categorized as peat and 20% as shallow peat (peat layer <100 cm). After land remediation, soil acidity decreased (pH increased) at pH 4.11 and 4.47, C-organic decreased by 34.89 % and 42.48%, P-available increased to 17.90 mg kg−1 and 22.88 mg kg−1, and no more deep peat was found. Meanwhile, rice productivity increased to 1.55-6.31 t ha−1 or 3.27 t ha−1 an average.

Morphogenesis, physico-chemical properties, mineralogical composition and nature of parent materials of some alluvial soils of the Lower Niger River plain, Nigeria

Nine pedons of alluvial origin in the Lower Niger River floodplains of Nigeria were examined for morphogenesis, physicochemical properties, mineralogical composition, and heterogeneity of the parent materials. The soils were stratified with redoximorphic features observed in the different layers reaching A-horizon with subsurface grayization. Soils that received annual alluvial enrichment were found to be structurally weak while others were moderately strong. Soil characteristics showed varying degrees of heterogeneity with source of parent materials and degrees of hydromorphism, moulding morphogenesis and gleization as major soil-forming processes. Silt loam was the predominant soil texture except ELM3 and TFN3 dominated by sandy loam and loamy sand textures. Soils were strongly acid to neutral [pH (H2O), 4.94 – 7.00], having very low to medium organic matter (0.13 – 4.02 %), and low to very high K (0.10 – 2.13 cmol/kg). Quartz dominated the identified mineral phases followed by kaolinite, indicating the dominance of low activity clays and low ferromagnesian minerals presence. The presence of several K-bearing minerals in the pedons (micas and feldspars) suggest that the K pool could naturally be replenished. Textural diversity between the different SMUs is ascribed to different sources of the water-borne sediments and the flow rate of the floodwater at the time of deposition of the parent materials. Organic carbon distribution patterns indicated stratification and heterogeneity of parent materials. Wetness, flooding, and soil chemical and physical fertility were major constraints to increased and sustainable crop production in the Lower Niger River floodplain soils.

Land use conversion to agriculture impacts biodiversity, erosion control, and key soil properties in an Andean watershed

AbstractThe conversion of natural vegetation to agricultural land uses in mountainous Andean landscapes threatens an array of key ecological processes and ecosystem services (ES). In protected areas and buffer regions that provide water to cities, it is critical to understand how interactions between plants and soil communities sustain a range of ecosystem functions associated with nutrient recycling, soil structure, and erosion control. We sought to examine how land use conversion within a mountainous tropical forest landscape influences the diversity of vegetation and soil macrofauna communities, soil physicochemical properties, and hydrological regulation services. Biodiversity and a suite of key soil‐based ES were compared in five major land uses of the Cali River watershed: (1) annual cropping systems, (2) coffee plantations, (3) pastures, (4) abandoned shrubland, and (5) secondary forests. The diversity of woody and herbaceous vegetation, as well as soil macrofauna, was assessed in each land use. Soil chemical fertility and aggregate morphology were assessed via laboratory analyses and visual separation of soil aggregates based on their origin. Infiltration, runoff, and sediment production were measured using a portable rainfall simulator. We found a decrease in the diversity of woody vegetation across land uses to be associated with lower diversity of soil macrofauna. At the same time, agricultural management, annual crops in particular, supports the largest earthworm populations, likely due to increased organic inputs and low impact tillage, which appears not to diminish soil fertility and water infiltration. In contrast, the low soil fertility in pastures was associated with the lowest values of soil C, poor aggregation, and high bulk density and likely reflects overgrazing, with negative implications for water infiltration and erosion. Associations between the different sets of variables, evaluated with co‐inertia analysis, highlight the hierarchical relevance of plant cover and woody diversity on ES. The biological complexity associated with intact forest cover appears to generate “bundles” of co‐occurring ES, with this land use demonstrating the highest infiltration, and low runoff and sediment losses. Our findings demonstrate that forests and tree‐based agricultural systems may better contribute to the provision of multiple ES, including biodiversity conservation and hydrologic regulation.

Boosting C Sequestration and Land Restoration through Forest Management in Tropical Ecosystems: A Mini-Review

Soil has a major role in sequestering atmospheric CO2. This has further benefits and potential to improve soil fertility and food production, mitigate climate change, restore land degradation, and conserve ecosystem biodiversity. However, its health is increasingly being threatened by the growing population, land degradation and climate change effects. Despite its importance, soil organic carbon (SOC) is understudied in the tropics. This paper reviews how managing forests in tropical ecosystems can benefit SOC sequestration and land restoration. Sequestered SOC has the potential to improve soil fertility, as well as to reduce both land degradation and atmospheric CO2 emissions. It further improves soil structure, aggregation and water infiltration, enhances soil faunal activity and boosts nutrient cycling (C, N, P and S). Managing forest ecosystems is crucial to boost C sequestration, mitigate climate change and restore degraded lands, besides other ecosystem services they provide. Apart from managing natural forests and planted forests, afforesting, reforesting marginal or degraded lands especially when associated with specific practices (organic residue management, introducing nitrogen-fixing species) boost C storage (in both soil and biomass) and foster co-benefits as soil health improvement, food production, land restoration and mitigation of climate change. Improved soil health as a result of sequestered C is confirmed by enhanced physical, biological and chemical soil fertility (e.g., sequestered C stability through its link to N and P cycling driven by soil biota) which foster and sustain soil health.

Improvement The Fertility of Sandy Soil Amended using Bagasse and Different Type of Soil to The Yield of Shallot

The sandy soil in Samas Beach, Yogyakarta is characterized by the dominance of sand fraction, high leaching of nutrient, and high soil temperature. Shallot cultivation is possible in coastal sandy land through modification of microclimate and improvement of soil fertility. This study aimed to determine the effect of improving physical and chemical fertility of sandy soil amended by clay soil and bagasse to the yield of shallot. The study was conducted using Randomized Block Design with four treatments and four replications: Sandy Soil (S), Sandy soil + Bagasse (SB), Sandy soil + Latosol + Bagasse (SLB), Sandy Soil + Grumusol + Bagasse (SGB). Amendment increased moisture contents and decreased the permeability of sandy soil. SGB improved the highest water holding capacity, organic C and Total N of sandy soil. The highest yield of shallot reached at application of SLB and SGB, these treatments produced total dry weight of shallot, which were 19.63 and 23.85 g clump-1. The combination of clay soil and bagasse was recommended as the amendment technology to improve the fertility of sandy soil.

IDENTIFIKASI TINGKAT KESUBURAN TANAH DAN SIFAT KIMIA TANAH PADA LAHAN PEMBUDIDAYAAN SAYUR-SAYURAN DI KELURAHAN REWARANGGA SELATAN

Excessive use of inorganic fertilizers and intensive tillage can cause changes in chemical properties and soil fertility. This study aims to determine the chemical properties of the soil and the level of soil fertility on land that cultivates vegetables. The research was conducted in Rewarangga Selatan Village, Ende Regency. This research was conducted using a survey method, by taking soil samples by composite methods on spinach, mustard and kale vegetables. The variables observed were soil pH, C-Organic, P2O5, K2O, CEC, and KB. These variables were analyzed for soil chemical properties and then matched using soil chemical criteria and soil fertility from the Bogor Soil Research Center. The results showed that the soil chemical criteria were soil pH in the acidic to very acidic category (4.0–5.0) , moderate C-Organic (2.03% – 2.37%), very high P2O5 (39.53 ppm – 48.90 ppm), very high K2O (1.01 me/100gr – 1.24 me/100gr), very high CEC (40.11 me/100gr – 40.33 me/100gr), and very high KB (82 ,11% - 86.76%) . While the criteria for soil fertility in the cultivation of vegetables are moderate.