Improve Soil Chemical Properties Research Articles

Cover Crops Effects on Soil Chemical Properties and Onion Yield

Cover crops contribute to nutrient cycling and may improve soil chemical properties and, consequently, increase crop yield. The aim of this study was to evaluate cover crop residue decomposition and nutrient release, and the effects of these plants on soil chemical properties and on onion (Allium cepa L.) yield in a no-tillage system. The experiment was carried out in an Inceptisol in southern Brazil, where cover crops were sown in April 2012 and 2013. In July 2013, shoots of weeds (WD), black oats (BO), rye (RY), oilseed radish (RD), oilseed radish + black oats (RD + BO), and oilseed radish + rye (RD + RY) were cut at ground level and part of these material from each treatment was placed in litter bags. The litter bags were distributed on the soil surface and were collected at 0, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 days after distribution (DAD). The residues in the litter bags were dried, weighed, and ground, and then analyzed to quantify lignin, cellulose, non-structural biomass, total organic carbon (TOC), N, P, K, Ca, and Mg. In November 2012 and 2013, onion crops were harvested to quantify yield, and bulbs were classified according to diameter, and the number of rotted and flowering bulbs was determined. Soil in the 0.00-0.10 m layer was collected for chemical analysis before transplanting and after harvesting onion in December 2012 and 2013. The rye plant residues presented the highest half-life and they released less nutrients until 90 DAD. The great permanence of rye residue was considered a protection to soil surface, the opposite was observed with spontaneous vegetation. The cultivation and addition of dry residue of cover crops increased the onion yield at 2.5 Mg ha-1.

Effects of silicate application on soil fertility and wheat yield

An improvement in soil chemical properties and crop development with silicate application has been confirmed in several plant species. The effects of silicate application on soil chemical properties and wheat growth were investigated in the present study. The experiment was carried out in 8-L plastic pots in a greenhouse. Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design in a 3 × 5 factorial: three soils [Rhodic Acrudox (Ox1), Rhodic Hapludox (Ox2) and Arenic Hapludult (Ult)] and five silicate rates (0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 Mg ha–1 of calcium/magnesium silicate), with four replications. The plant length, number of spikes per pot, shoot dry matter and grain yield, were measured after 115 days of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth. Changes in the soil chemical properties (pH, H+ + Al3+, Al3+, P, K, Ca, Mg, Si, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) were analyzed after wheat harvest. Application of calcium/magnesium silicate reduces the potential acidity (H+ + Al3+) and Al3+ phytotoxic; and increases the soil pH, available Ca, Mg and Si, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil base saturation. Silicate application did not affect the available P, exchangeable K and availability of micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) in the three soils. The application of calcium/magnesium silicate in an acid clayey Rhodic Hapludox improves the development and yield of wheat; however, the silicate application in soil with pH higher to 5.3 and high Si availability does not affect the agronomic characteristics and grain yield of wheat. An improvement in soil chemical properties and crop development with silicate application has been confirmed in several plant species. The effects of silicate application on soil chemical properties and wheat growth were investigated in the present study. The experiment was carried out in 8-L plastic pots in a greenhouse. Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design in a 3 × 5 factorial: three soils [Rhodic Acrudox (Ox1), Rhodic Hapludox (Ox2) and Arenic Hapludult (Ult)] and five silicate rates (0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 Mg ha–1 of calcium/magnesium silicate), with four replications. The plant length, number of spikes per pot, shoot dry matter and grain yield, were measured after 115 days of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth. Changes in the soil chemical properties (pH, H+ + Al3+, Al3+, P, K, Ca, Mg, Si, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) were analyzed after wheat harvest. Application of calcium/magnesium silicate reduces the potential acidity (H+ + Al3+) and Al3+ phytotoxic; and increases the soil pH, available Ca, Mg and Si, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil base saturation. Silicate application did not affect the available P, exchangeable K and availability of micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) in the three soils. The application of calcium/magnesium silicate in an acid clayey Rhodic Hapludox improves the development and yield of wheat; however, the silicate application in soil with pH higher to 5.3 and high Si availability does not affect the agronomic characteristics and grain yield of wheat.

Effects of silicate application on soil fertility and wheat yield

<p>An improvement in soil chemical properties and crop development with silicate application has been confirmed in several plant species. The effects of silicate application on soil chemical properties and wheat growth were investigated in the present study. The experiment was carried out in 8-L plastic pots in a greenhouse. Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design in a 3 × 5 factorial: three soils [Rhodic Acrudox (Ox1), Rhodic Hapludox (Ox2) and Arenic Hapludult (Ult)] and five silicate rates (0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 Mg ha–1 of calcium/magnesium silicate), with four replications. The plant length, number of spikes per pot, shoot dry matter and grain yield, were measured after 115 days of wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum </em>L.) growth. Changes in the soil chemical properties (pH, H+ + Al3+, Al3+, P, K, Ca, Mg, Si, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) were analyzed after wheat harvest. Application of calcium/magnesium silicate reduces the potential acidity (H+ + Al3+) and Al3+ phytotoxic; and increases the soil pH, available Ca, Mg and Si, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil base saturation. Silicate application did not affect the available P, exchangeable K and availability of micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) in the three soils. The application of calcium/magnesium silicate in an acid clayey Rhodic Hapludox improves the development and yield of wheat; however, the silicate application in soil with pH higher to 5.3 and high Si availability does not affect the agronomic characteristics and grain yield of wheat.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>

Effects of soil management practices on soil fauna feeding activity in an Indonesian oil palm plantation

Optimizing the use of available soil management practices in oil palm plantations is crucial to enhance long-term soil fertility and productivity. However, this needs a thorough understanding of the functional responses of soil biota to these management practices. To address this knowledge gap, we used the bait lamina method to investigate the effects of different soil management practices on soil fauna feeding activity, and whether feeding activity was associated with management-mediated changes in soil chemical properties, in a 15-year-old oil palm plantation. We examined the four management zones: (1) empty fruit bunch (EFB) application along the sides of harvesting paths; (2) chemical fertilization within palm circles; (3) understory vegetation with pruned fronds in inter-row areas; (4) no input in the cleared part of the harvesting paths. Our results showed significantly higher soil fauna feeding activity under the EFB application compared to other management practices, and this was associated with improved soil chemical properties and soil moisture conditions. Principal component analysis on soil properties indicated that 71.2% of variance was explained by the first two principal components (PCs). Soil pH, base saturation and soil moisture contributed positively to PC1, while exchangeable aluminum and hydrogen contributed negatively to PC1. The results demonstrate that different soil management practices at the tree-scale have the ability to create spatial complexity in soil fauna feeding activity and soil chemical properties. This suggests that the practice of EFB application plays an important role in enhancing soil ecosystem functioning in oil palm plantations, which may ultimately contribute to sustainable palm oil production.

Seasonal Patterns of Soil Respiration and Related Soil Biochemical Properties under Nitrogen Addition in Winter Wheat Field.

Understanding the changes of soil respiration under increasing N fertilizer in cropland ecosystems is crucial to accurately predicting global warming. This study explored seasonal variations of soil respiration and its controlling biochemical properties under a gradient of Nitrogen addition during two consecutive winter wheat growing seasons (2013–2015). N was applied at four different levels: 0, 120, 180 and 240 kg N ha-1 year-1 (denoted as N0, N12, N18 and N24, respectively). Soil respiration exhibited significant seasonal variation and was significantly affected by soil temperature with Q10 ranging from 2.04 to 2.46 and from 1.49 to 1.53 during 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 winter wheat growing season, respectively. Soil moisture had no significant effect on soil respiration during 2013–2014 winter wheat growing season but showed a significant and negative correlation with soil respiration during 2014–2015 winter wheat growing season. Soil respiration under N24 treatment was significantly higher than N0 treatment. Averaged over the two growing seasons, N12, N18 and N24 significantly increased soil respiration by 13.4, 16.4 and 25.4% compared with N0, respectively. N addition also significantly increased easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (EEG), soil organic carbon (SOC), total N, ammonium N and nitrate N contents. In addition, soil respiration was significantly and positively correlated with β-glucosidase activity, EEG, SOC, total N, ammonium N and nitrate N contents. The results indicated that high N fertilization improved soil chemical properties, but significantly increased soil respiration.

Minimizing ammonia volatilization from urea, improving lowland rice (cv. MR219) seed germination, plant growth variables, nutrient uptake, and nutrient recovery using clinoptilolite zeolite

The anionic nature and high cation exchange capacity (CEC) of clinoptilolite zeolite can be exploited to reduce ammonia (NH3) loss from urea and to improve soil chemical properties to increase nutrient utilization efficiency in lowland rice cultivation. A closed-dynamic airflow system was used to determine NH3 loss from treatments (20, 40, and 60 g clinoptilolite zeolite pot−1). Seed germination study was conducted to evaluate the effects of clinoptilolite zeolite on rice seed germination. A pot study was conducted to determine the effects of clinoptilolite zeolite on rice plant growth variables, nutrient uptake, nutrient recovery, and soil chemical properties. Standard procedures were used to determine NH3 loss, rice plant height, number of leaves, number of tillers, dry matter production, nutrient uptake, nutrient recovery, and soil chemical properties. Application of clinoptilolite zeolite (15%) increased shoot elongation of seedlings and significantly reduced NH3 loss (up to 26% with 60 g zeolite pot−1), and increased number of leaves, total dry matter, nutrient uptake, nutrient recovery, soil pH, CEC, and exchangeable Na+. Amending acid soils with clinoptilolite zeolite can significantly minimize NH3 loss and improve rice plant growth variables, nutrient uptake, nutrient recovery, and soil chemical properties. These findings are being validated in our ongoing field trials.

Characterization of Biochar Produced at Different Temperatures and its Effect on Acidic Nitosol of Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia

Physical and chemical properties of the biochar varied as a function of feedstock selection and pyrolysis temperatures. Biochar additions to acidic soils have the potential to improve soil fertility and crop yield. Biochar materials were produced from coffee husk and corn cob at temperatures of 350 and 500°C and characterized by their physical and chemical properties. These were mixed with acidic soil at the rates of 0, 5, 10 and 15 t haG 1 and were laboratory incubated for 2 months at ambient temperature to examine changes in soil properties. Types of feedstock used at two different pyrolysis temperatures and application rate had no significant effects on soil textural classes but showed highly significant effects (p<0.01) on soil pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), Organic Carbon (OC), Organic Matter (OM), Total Nitrogen (TN), exchangeable cations and available phosphorous. Application of coffee husk biochar showed relatively better improvement in soil chemical properties (pH, EC, CEC, OC, OM, TN, exchangeable cations and available phosphorous) than corn cob biochar at all application rates. The highest values of chemical properties were recorded when coffee husk biochar produced at 500°C temperature was applied at a rate of 15 t haG 1 . Therefore, we generated an evidence that application of biochar is

Effects of Manure Composts and Their Combination with Inorganic Fertilizer on Acid Soil Properties and the Growth of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

ABSTRACTThe influences of manure composts and their combination with inorganic fertilizer on soil properties and growth of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) were investigated in a pot experiment in a nethouse during the autumn–winter season of 2013. The experimental design included 11 treatments and 1 control, and was based on similar amounts of total nitrogen in equivalent treatments. The treatments were application rates for a pot of 400, 800, and 1200 g of cattle manure compost (2.1% total N); 336, 672, and 1008 g of poultry manure compost (2.5% total N); 70 g of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Postassium) (12-18-12) fertilizer; and a combination of both composts with 70 g of NPK fertilizer. The soil chemical properties determined at three stages (before planting, flowering, and after harvesting) included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter content (OMC), mineral-N of soil, and morphological and fruit parameters of muskmelon. The results showed that the application of manure composts improved pH, EC, OMC, and mineral-N of the soil at all sampling periods resulting in increasing the productivity of muskmelon. At equivalent application rates, poultry manure compost resulted in more efficient muskmelon growth compared to cattle manure compost. Moreover, combined treatments of NPK fertilizer and organic fertilizer obtained greater muskmelon biomass compared to simple compost treatments. The treatment of 70 g of NPK fertilizer + 672 g of poultry manure compost gave the best condition for muskmelon performance by improving soil chemical properties.

Coapplication of Chicken Litter Biochar and Urea Only to Improve Nutrients Use Efficiency and Yield of Oryza sativa L. Cultivation on a Tropical Acid Soil.

The excessive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in sustaining high rice yields due to N dynamics in tropical acid soils not only is economically unsustainable but also causes environmental pollution. The objective of this study was to coapply biochar and urea to improve soil chemical properties and productivity of rice. Biochar (5 t ha−1) and different rates of urea (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 0% of recommended N application) were evaluated in both pot and field trials. Selected soil chemical properties, rice plants growth variables, nutrient use efficiency, and yield were determined using standard procedures. Coapplication of biochar with 100% and 75% urea recommendation rates significantly increased nutrients availability (especially P and K) and their use efficiency in both pot and field trials. These treatments also significantly increased rice growth variables and grain yield. Coapplication of biochar and urea application at 75% of the recommended rate can be used to improve soil chemical properties and productivity and reduce urea use by 25%.

Atributos químicos, estoque de carbono orgânico total e das frações humificadas da matéria orgânica do solo em diferentes sistemas de manejo de cana-de-açúcar

Mechanized harvesting maintenance of trash from cane sugar and soil application of waste as vinasse and filter cake can improve the system of crop yield. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the changes in the chemical, the stock of total organic carbon and humified organic matter fractions in an Oxisol cultivated with cane sugar with the following management systems: with sugarcane vinasse application (CCV), without application of burnt cane waste (CQS), with burnt cane vinasse application (CQV), with application of burnt cane filter cake (CQTF) and burnt cane with joint application of vinasse and filter cake (CQVTF). For reference we used an area of natural vegetation (NV), Cerrado sensu stricto . Treatment CQVTF showed improvement in soil chemical properties, increased inventory levels of total organic carbon – TOC (values ranging from 21.28 to 40.02 Mg ha-1) and humified fractions of soil organic matter in relation to other treatments. The CQS area at a depth of 0-0.05 m, showed the greatest losses of soil TOC stocks (56.3%) compared to NV. The adoption of management presented CCV and chemical attributes of the soil TOC stocks equivalent to those observed in areas with CQV CQTF and despite the short period of adoption (3 years). The TOC correlated with the sum of bases (r = 0.76 **), cation exchange capacity (r = 0.59 **) and base saturation (r = 0.63 **), while the humic acids (r = 0.40 **) fulvic acids (r = 0.49 **) and humin (r = 0.59 **) correlated with the cation exchange capacity of the soil. These results indicate that the preservation of trash in the management of cane sugar added to the application of vinasse and filter cake increases the TOC stocks promoting improvement in soil chemical properties.

Reductive soil disinfestation (RSD) alters gross N transformation rates and reduces NO and N2O emissions in degraded vegetable soils

Continuous vegetable cultivation in greenhouses can easily induce soil degradation, which considerably affects the development of sustainable vegetable production. Recently, the reductive soil disinfestation (RSD) is widely used as an alternative to chemical soil disinfestations to improve degraded greenhouse vegetable soils. Considering the importance of nitrogen (N) for plant growth and environment effect, the internal N transformation processes and rates should be well investigated in degraded vegetable soils treated by RSD, but few works have been undertaken. Three RSD-treated and three untreated degraded vegetable soils were chosen and a 15 N tracing incubation experiment differentially labeled with 15NH4NO3 or NH4 15NO3 was conducted at 25 °C under 50 % water holding capacity (WHC) for 96 h. Soil gross N transformation rates were calculated using a 15 N tracing model combined with Markov Chain Monte Carlo Metropolis algorithm (Muller et al. 2007), while the emissions of N2O and NO were also measured. RSD could significantly enhance the soil microbial NH4 + immobilization rate, the heterotrophic and autotrophic nitrification rates, and the NO3 − turnover time. The ratio of heterotrophic nitrification to total inorganic N supply rate (mineralization + heterotrophic nitrification) increased greatly from 5.4 % in untreated vegetable soil to 56.1 % in treated vegetable soil. In addition, low release potential of NO and N2O was observed in RSD-treated vegetable soil, due to the decrease in the NO and N2O product ratios from heterotrophic and autotrophic nitrifications. These significant differences in gross N transformation rates, the supply processes and capacity of inorganic N, and the NO and N2O emissions between untreated and treated vegetable soils could be explained by the elimination of accumulated NO3 −, increased pH, and decreased electrical conductivity (EC) caused by RSD. Noticeably, the NO3 − consumption rates were still significantly lower than the NO3 − production rates in RSD-treated vegetable soil. Except for improving soil chemical properties, RSD could significantly alter the supply processes of inorganic N and reduce the release potential of N2O and NO in RSD-treated degraded vegetable soil. In order to retard the re-occurrence of NO3 − accumulation, acidification and salinization and to promote the long-term productivity of greenhouse vegetable fields, the rational use of N fertilizer should be paid great attention to farmers in vegetable cultivation.

Effect of lime and sewage sludge fertilisation on tree and understory interaction in a silvopastoral system

The productivity of the components of a silvopastoral system could be limited by the low soil fertility and the presence of shrubs in the land before planting. However, the understory vegetation can be modified by improving soil chemical properties when lime and organic fertilizers such as sewage sludge are applied. This study evaluated the effect of liming and the application of two doses of sewage sludge (50kgtotalNha−1 or 100kgtotalNha−1) on changes in soil chemical properties, tree growth and understory production as compared to the no fertilisation treatment in a silvopastoral system established in a reforested area with Pinus radiata D. Don. The results of this experiment show that the improved soil fertility caused by liming and fertilisation with sewage sludge modifies the proportion of the herbaceous/shrubs component in the understory, and promotes facilitation mechanisms which have a positive impact on the understory forage quality, tree growth as well as reducing fire risk.

Maize (Zea mays L.) nutrient use efficiency as affected by formulated&lt;br&gt;fertilizer with Clinoptilolite Zeolite

Excessive uses of fertilizer can create environmental problems such as soil pollution. This problem could be reduced by amending clinoptilolite zeolite with compound fertilizers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of clinoptilolite zeolite rates in compound fertilizers (N: P: K) on maize nutrients uptake and use efficiency. The following treatments were considered and evaluated: soil alone (T1), 44.6 g 5:3:2 formulated fertilizer (12.83 g compound fertilizer + 31.77 g zeolite) (T2), 44.6 g 5:5:5 formulated fertilizer(18.24 g compound fertilizer + 26.36 g zeolite) (T3), 37.17 g 6:6:6 formulated fertilizer (18.25 g compound fertilizer + 18.92 g zeolite) (T4), 22.30 g 10:10:10 formulated fertilizer (18.24 g compound fertilizer + 4.06 g zeolite) (T5), and 14.87 g 15:15:15 commercial fertilizer (T6). Selected soil chemical properties, as well as, dry weight, nutrients concentrations, uptake and use efficiency were measured. Compound fertilizers with zeolite increased soil pH compared to soil alone (T1) and commercial fertilizer (T6). Application of compound fertilizer did no significantly affect total N and available nitrate in the soil. T6 gave better plant height and dry matter production among treatments. Nitrogen concentrations for all plant parts were similar for all treatments. T6 showed better P concentrations, uptake, and use efficiency. K concentrations in maize plant parts were significantly increased for treatments with zeolite except for roots. T5 and T6 significantly increased K uptake. T6 significantly increased N and P uptake and use efficiency, while T2 significantly increased K use efficiency. Amending N, P, and K fertilizers with higher dosage of clinoptilolite zeolite improved soil chemical properties, nutrient uptake of Masmadu variety. Compound fertilizers amended with clinoptilolite zeolite enhanced K use efficiency of Masmadu maize variety.

Amendment ofTephrosiaImproved Fallows with Inorganic Fertilizers Improves Soil Chemical Properties, N Uptake, and Maize Yield in Malawi

Maize production in Malawi is limited mainly by low soil N and P. Improved fallows of N-fixing legumes such asTephrosiaandSesbaniaoffer options for improving soil fertility particularly N supply. The interactions ofTephrosiafallows and inorganic fertilizers on soil properties, N uptake, and maize yields were evaluated at Chitedze Research Station in Malawi. The results indicated that the level of organic matter and pH increased in all the treatments except for the control. Total N remained almost unchanged while available P decreased in all plots amended withT. vogeliibut increased inT. candidaplots where inorganic P was applied. Exchangeable K increased in all the plots irrespective of the type of amendment. The interaction of N and P fertilizers withT. vogeliifallows significantly increased the grain yield. The treatment that received 45 kg N ha−1and 20 kg P ha−1produced significantly higher grain yields (6.8 t ha−1) than all the other treatments except where 68 kg N ha−1and 30 kg P ha−1were applied which gave 6.5 t ha−1of maize grain.T. candidafallows alone or in combination with N and P fertilizers did not significantly affect grain yield. However,T. candidafallows alone can raise maize grain yield by 300% over the no-input control. Based on these results we conclude that high quality residues such asT. candidaandT. vogeliican be used as sources of nutrients to improve crop yields and soil fertility in N-limited soils. However, inorganic P fertilizer is needed due to the low soil available P levels.

Soil Chemical Properties and Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Maize Grown with Different Combinations of Broiler Litter and Chemical Fertilizer in a Calcareous Soil

The main objective of this study was to explore the interactive influence of broiler litter and chemical nitrogen (N)–phosphorus (P) fertilizers placed with furrower and with disk + furrower on maize yield and soil chemical properties. The experiment consisted of two methods of fertilizer placements and seven fertilizer treatments conducted for two successive years under field conditions. Results showed that furrower method improved soil chemical properties and subsequently increased maize grain yield and dry-matter production compared with the disk + furrower method. The N and P levels in soil increased with the application of NP fertilizers and broiler litter. Soils amended with broiler litter and NP fertilizers had greater maize grain yield and dry-matter production than the control. In conclusion, furrower placement combined with the application of broiler litter and 20% of the optimum chemical NP fertilizers were the most efficient nutrient management practice for increasing maize performance in the studied area.

Use of some Selected Wastes as Sustainable Agricultural Inputs

This study elucidates an attempt to prepare compost from kitchen, dairy and drainage wastes and estimate their manorial value, and to examine the effect of prepared compost on the properties of post-harvest soil. The composts on individual item were prepared by the recently practiced quick composting method. The composts were applied in four different plots; three were treated with composts and the rest with no-treatment. The red amaranth was taken as the reference crop for the present study. The plots treated with dairy and kitchen wastes composts conserved the maximum soil moisture, available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium. The compost prepared from dairy wastes showed the best performance in conserving soil organic carbon and organic matter. The kitchen wastes compost supplied the maximum amount of nitrogen content to the soil. The dairy and kitchen wastes compost was better than the drainage wastes compost for sustainable crop production and in improving soil chemical properties and maintaining good soil quality. Dairy wastes compost showed the best performance in terms of canopy developing the plant height and root length. The highest yield was found in dairy and kitchen wastes compost treated plots. For growth and yield of red amaranth, dairy, kitchen and drainage wastes compost were superior to conventional farming as sustainable agricultural inputs.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v20i1-2.16872 Progress. Agric. 20(1 &amp; 2): 201 – 206, 2009

NITROGEN EFFECIENCY IN BARELY UNDER SALINE-SODIC CONDITIONDS AS AFFECTED BY UREA, COMPOST AND BIOFERTILIZER (Rhizobium radiobacter sp.)

Effects of application of different rates of urea, biofertilizer, (Rhizobium radiobacter sp.) as salt tolerant PGPR strain and compost on barley (Hordeum valgare L. cv. Giza 126) were studied on a saline-sodic sandy loam soil at Gelbana village, Northern Sinai Governorate, Egypt during the two successive winter seasons of 2011/2012 and 2012/2013. The studied treatments were No, control (non fertilized), N1, mineral-N (119 kg N ha-1), N2, mineral-N (179 kg N ha-1), equivalent 0 , 50 and 75% from recommended rate for barley, biofertilizer (Bio), biofertilizer (Bio) + N1, biofertilizer (Bio)+ N2, compost, compost + N1 and compost + N2. The results could be summarized as follow: available N, P, K, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations were significantly increased due to the above mentioned treatments. On the other hand, the electrical conductivity (EC dSm-1) and soil pH values decreased due to these treatments. The applied urea, compost and biofertilizer as well as their combinations significantly, increased straw and grain yields as well as N, P, K, Fe, Mn and Zn contents in straw and grains, grain weight spike-1 and 1000-grain weight in the two growing seasons, except grains spike-1 which did not reach the level of significantly in the first season. The highest values of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE) and apparent nitrogen recovery (ANR) were obtained due to the treatment Biofertilizer + N1 (119 kg N ha-1). The higher rate of N fertilization i.e.,179 kg N ha-1 combined with compost was of superior effect on improving soil chemical properties and increasing barley production, protein content and nutrient uptake as compared to the other treatments. This was found to be true for straw and grains. Thus, it is suggested to use a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers to achieve the highest yield without negative effect on grain quality.

Utilizing Palm Oil Mill Effluent Compost for Improvement of Acid Mineral Soil Chemical Properties and Soybean Yield

Effluent from a palm oil mill contains organic matters and nutrients. It can result in water pollution when it is discharged into river without treatment. One way to manage this effluent is through composting that has potential to allow the recycling of effluent nutrients in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner so that it can be used as organic fertilizer. This study wasintended to evaluate the benefit of effluent compost application to improve soil chemical properties and soybean yield. Effluent wascomposted with chicken manure and lime for eight weeks. A pot experiment of which each pot was filled with 10 kg of soil (Ultisol)was conducted in a screen house from April to November 2012 at the Experimental Farm, University of Jambi, Muaro JambiResidency. The treatments were without compost (adding 0,25 g Urea, 0,75 g SP-36 and 0,50 g KCl) and compost application with amounts of 12,5 ml, 25 ml, 37,5 ml, 50 ml, 62,5 ml, and 75 ml. The indicator plant was soybean. The treatments were arranged in acompletely randomized design and replicated four times. Results of study showed a significant improvement of soil chemicalproperties with compost application in which application of 75 ml compost resulted in the highest increase of pH, organic C, cationexchange capacity, total N, available P, exchangeable cations (K, Ca, Mg). Furthermore, the dry weight of shoot, pod number and dryweight of seed increased significantly with compost application. The highest dry weight of seed was 28 g (equivalent to 2, 82 t ha-1)obtained by compost application of 75 ml (equivalent to 15 t ha -1).

English

A study was conducted at the Haramaya University Chiro Campus to determine the effect of enriched FYM and inorganic fertilizers on grain yield of maize and soil chemical properties. FYM was used either alone or in combination with inorganic fertilizers as follows: Control (zero fertilizers and FYM), 10 tons/ha FYM, 8 tons/ha FYM and 25 kg/ha of N + 20 kg/ha P, 6 tons/ha FYM, 50 kg/haN + 40 kg/ha P, 4 tons/ha FYM, 75 kg/ha N + 60 kg/ha P, 2 tons/ha FYM, 100 kg/ha N+80 kg/ha P, 100 kg/ha N + 100 kg/ha P. The treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design with four replications from 2008 to 2011. Result showed that 59.60 Cmole/kg, 4.58%, 0.82%, 62.7 ppm, cation exchange capacity (CEC), %OC, total N, and available P, respectively were noted after FYM application over years indicating improved soil chemical properties. Similarly, combined analysis of variance on hybrid maize (BH-140) yield over years showed no significant difference among treatments in comparison with 10 tons/ha FYM and 100 kg/ha N + 100 kg P/ha (p &lt; 0.05). But 4 tons/ha FYM and 75 kg/ha N+60 kg/ha P increased maize yield from 5.1 tons/ha in 2009 to 8.15 tons/ha in 2010. From this finding, it was noted that enriching FYM with inorganic fertilizers can boost hybrid maize grain yield significantly through improving the physicochemical properties of the soil. On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that enriched FYM should be used for hybrid maize production at Western Hararghe in order to get maximum grain yield and sustain soil productivity. Thus, it is recommended that application of 4 tons/ha FYM incorporated with 75 kg of N and 60 kg of P at Chiro can significantly increase hybrid maize (BH-140) yield and sustain its productivity over years. Besides, it also reduces the cost of inorganic fertilizers which is becoming a bottle neck to smallholder farmers of Eastern Ethiopia. However, profitability of this technology needs to be tested at different locations and in different seasons. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Soil fertility, farm yard manure, Hybrid maize (BH-140), cation exchange capacity (CEC) inorganic fertilizers.

Copper-based foliar fertilizer and controlled release urea improved soil chemical properties, plant growth and yield of tomato

This experiment was carried out to determine the influence of copper-based foliar fertilizer and controlled release urea on soil chemical properties, plant growth and yield of tomato. Tomato plants were grown in pots under field condition. Controlled release urea (CRU), comparing with common urea, was placed into soil before transplanting seedlings. Plants were sprayed with copper-based foliar fertilizer with added zinc (CFF+Zn), a novel foliar formulation based on traditional Bordeaux mixture, at 43, 50, 70 and 97 days after transplanting (DAT) compared with plants sprayed with CFF and Kocide 2000 (KCD). Water-sprayed plants and no fertilized soil served as the controls. CRU provided the significantly higher NO3-N concentration in soil than common urea at the end of the experiment. Under the same placement of CRU, the application of CFF+Zn increased the available fraction of Cu in soil and thus made influence on soil pH and EC. At 89 DAT, plant height and leaf chlorophyll content were higher in plants sprayed with CFF+Zn compared with water-sprayed plants. Leaves from CFF, CFF+Zn and KCD treatments showed significantly higher total Cu concentration than control at 65 and 89 DAT. Without the placement of soil fertilizer, CFF treated plant increased the yield by 20.75% compared with water-sprayed plant. CRU treatment accompanied with water application significantly increased total yield by 28.58% compared with the Urea treatment. Accompanied with the same placement of CRU, yields of the plants sprayed with CFF+Zn were 27.07%, 20.73% and 20.46% more than the yields of water, CFF and KCD-sprayed plants, respectively. These results clearly indicate that the application of copper-based foliar fertilizer with added zinc and controlled release urea is favorable for tomato.