Soil Fertility In Areas Research Articles

Rhizobium leguminosarum bv.viciae Potential Assessment using Dosha faba Bean Isolates from Central and North Gondar, Ethiopia

Purpose: The objective this study was to evaluate nitrogen fixation effectiveness, survival and compatibility of the isolates of on two different soils that came from Dabat and Shentia sites at Gondar, Ethiopia. The author recommends that the isolates test their nitrogen fixing potential under field conditions in slightly acidic and neutral soil before being used as commercial biofertilzer inoculants. The present study provides potential nitrogen fixer input for agricultural research centers. Methodology: Soil physicochemical analysis and most probable number were done according to their standard procedure. Three top strains were selected as inoculants for faba beans grown on the slightly acidic Shentia soil and the slightly neutral Dabat soil with their control. The symbiotic effectiveness of the strains was evaluated based on plant agronomy and total nitrogen of the plant. The results of the strains analyzed by SPSS version 26. Findings: The highest rhizobium population size was 5.8 x102 cells g-1 soil, while the lowest was 1.7 x102 cell g-1 soil observed at the Dabat and Shentia sites, respectively. There is limited nitrogen and phosphorus content other were enough. It was significant difference inter-strain difference in the all agronomic parameter of all treatments in soil compared to each based on agronomic parameter, but across soils there was no significant different except shoot fresh weight. The result of these studies showed that two Rhizobium leguminosarum bv.viciae isolates and other combinations of them had considerable effect on agronomic properties. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The application of biological nitrogen fixation through Rhizobium inoculums is promoted as a solution to the problem of poor soil fertility in areas where legumes are cultivated. In most of the developing countries, including Ethiopia, biological nitrogen fixation technology has not fully flourished, so this study was initiated to evaluate fixation potential of isolates.

Mineralogical properties of pyroclastic materials from Mount Merapi, Indonesia

Mount Merapi, located in Indonesia, is known as one of the most active volcanoes globally, often resulting in volcanic eruptions that produce pyroclastic materials. These materials from Mount Merapi’s eruptions have the potential to influence soil fertility in areas affected by the volcanic activities. This study aims to analyze the mineralogical properties of pyroclastic materials from Mount Merapi. The methodology involves collecting pyroclastic material samples from the 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi, followed by analysis using various mineralogical techniques such as polarized microscopy, X-ray diffraction, petrographic analysis, and wet chemical analysis. The findings offer detailed insights into the mineral composition, types of clay minerals, overall elemental presence, and the rock types forming these minerals in the pyroclastic materials. Variations in mineral composition are observed in the pyroclastic materials from Mount Merapi. Predominant minerals, including the plagioclase, pyroxene, and hornblende groups, are distinctly identified. These minerals’ presence suggests their susceptibility to weathering, categorized as easily weatherable minerals. This tendency for weathering is shown by the presence of elements like Na, Ca, and Mg in these minerals, which are crucial macro-nutrients for plant growth.

Influence of the Caiçaras on Soil Properties in the Savanna Region of Roraima, Northern Amazon

The management of caiçaras by indigenous peoples in the “Lavrado” (savannas) region of Roraima is a practice that increases soil fertility. Caiçaras are temporary corrals where farmers keep the cattle at night for a certain period, when the soil is enriched by manure addition. In periods when these areas are not used as corrals, they may be planted with different plants species. In addition, areas adjacent to caiçaras may receive manure runoff and also be used for crop production. The study evaluated the changes in soil physical and chemical characteristics resulting from manure supply and runoff in caiçara and adjacent areas and compared these to soil characteristics of nearby unmanaged areas. Soil samples from the three system components were analyzed. The nutrient content added by manure runoff in the plantation adjacent to the caiçara resulted in significant accumulations of organic Ca, Mg, K, P, C, and micronutrients in the soil, without, however, changing pH. Only the soil surface (0–5 cm) showed improvements in soil bulk density and total porosity. This soil management system proves how efficient indigenous farmers can be in integrating their livestock component with the exploitation of available resources to improve soil fertility in areas of low natural fertility, enhancing agricultural production.

SOIL FERTILITY: CHALLENGES TO SOYBEAN (𝘎𝘭𝘺𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘹 L.) PRODUCTIVITY IN CONSOLIDATED NO-TILLAGE SYSTEM

The objective was to evaluate the relationship of soil fertility in areas with productivities gradients of soybean managed under no-tillage system (NT) in Western Santa Catarina, Brazil, and the interaction of this fertility with the physical and biological attributes of the soil. Areas with NT of High (NTH), Medium (NTM) and Low (NTL) soybean productivity were selected during the agricultural years 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. In each system, a sampling grid of 3 × 3 points, positioned 30 m apart, was used. Univariate analysis of the data showed no difference between the systems. However, principal component analysis helped identify the attributes that can affect productivity. Redundancy analysis identified the influence of biological attributes on some soil nutrients. The explanation for higher soybean productivities in NT system should not consider just the chemical fertility of the soil, but a holistic approach to fertility.

Monitoring variability in cash-crop yield caused by previous cultivation of a cover crop under a no-tillage system

Cover crops may be a factor in the variability of soil fertility in areas under a no-tillage system (NTS); one which is not taken into account when fertilising the cash crop. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the variability caused by the dry matter and nutrient cycling of the cover crop on the yield of the succeeding cash crop, by means of the NDVI, calculated by a portable ground sensor and using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The study was carried out in two areas of a Oxisol cultivated under NTS, where soil samples were taken, for chemical analysis and to evaluate the dry matter and nutrient accumulation in a winter cover crop of black oats. NDVI readings were taken at the R5 and R5.5 stages in soybean. A portable sensor was used seeking a comparison with the readings made by the UAV. It could be seen from the results, that the cover crop has an influence on the main crop under NTS. In the present case, the dry weight of the black oats as well as the accumulated nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium, showed the highest correlations with grain yield in the soybean, whereas for the chemical properties of the soil under evaluation, organic matter had the most influence on the grain yield. The NDVI assessed using the portable ground sensor and with the UAV, was efficient in evaluating the effects of variability in the crop of black oats and in the cycled nutrients.

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Elite Indigenous <i>Rhizobia</i> Nodulating <i>Phaseolus</i> bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> L.)

Nowadays application of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) through rhizobia inoculums is highly promoted as a solution to solve the problem of poor soil fertility in areas where legumes are cultivated. This is due to the fact that, rhizobia enhance nitrogen fixation, induce disease resistance, reduce heavy metal in the soil, facilitate bioavailabity of iron in soil and is environmental friendly. To get rhizobia strains which are suitable for inoculants production, isolation and molecular characterization of elite rhizobia are highly needed. Molecular characterization acts as a spark plug for discovery of many microbes including Rhizobia. Multi Locus Sequence Analysis (MLSA), 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization and SDS-PAGE analysis of the whole-cell proteins are the molecular techniques mostly used in characterizing rhizobia. But before deciding to use or not to use rhizobia inoculants in certain areas, knowing the population size of indigenous rhizobia found in that area is very important, because this is a major factor which determines inoculums responses as well gives clues on which areas need or do not need inoculation. The Most Probable Number (MPN) method is mostly used in enumerating rhizobia population of the soil. Given that, in most of the developing countries, including Tanzania, Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) technology is not fully flourished; more efforts in isolation, molecular characterization of elite rhizobia and estimation of indigenous rhizobia population in various areas are required.

Levantamento da fertilidade do solo de lavouras cafeeiras em produção, no sul de Minas Gerais

Brazil is an important coffee producer and exporter and the main coffee crop pole is in the south region of Minas Gerais State. The aim of this study was to verify the conditions of soil fertility in areas occupied by coffee production located in this region. To evaluate of soil fertility of coffee crops were obtained 2,406 routine chemical analyses referring to the superficial (0 to 20cm deep) layer, in the Guaxupe Regional Coffee Producers Cooperative (Laboratorio da Cooperativa Regional de Cafeicultores em Guaxupe, Ltda. - COOXUPE), in the period from January to December 2007. The chemical attributes used to evaluate the soil fertility of coffee crops were: active acidity (pH CaCl2), P available extracted with resin, exchangeable bases (K+, Ca2+ e Mg2+), exchangeable acidity (Al3+) and index base saturation (V%). It was verified that the P-available, pH and basic saturation are fertility attributes of the tillable layer that are in the worst conditions and that the levels of Ca2+, Mg2+ e Al3+ in the soil, on the superficial layer of most of the areas evaluated, are adequate for coffee cultivation. Most of the evaluated areas had high levels of K+ in the soil, possibly due to workaday use of commercial formulas with high nutrient levels, not taking into consideration the results of soil analyzes.

Spatial variability of soil fertility in areas cultivated with grains in the region of Paragominas, Pará state, Brazil

The application of precision agriculture techniques in the management of soil fertility has optimized the use of fertilizers, enabling more sustainable agricultural systems. In this study, we aimed to assess the spatial variability of soil fertility in areas cultivated with grains in the region of Paragominas, Para state, Brazil. The study was conducted in 17 farms in 2009 and 2010. We measured 1945 soil samples collected at the 0-0.20 m depth. The following variables were analyzed: pH, V%, m%, sum of bases, K, Ca, Mg, Al, CEC, CEC t, P, and OM. The results were evaluated by means of descriptive statistics and frequency distribution. The soils cultivated with grains presented low acidity; base saturation below 50%; medium to high values of K, Ca and Mg. The levels of available P in the soil were considered low or very low in over 40% of the soil samples analyzed, constituting the most limiting factor to production.

Soil phytoremediation from the breakdown products of the chemical warfare agent, yperite

A plant-based bioremediation (phytoremediation) strategy has been developed and shown to be effective for the clean-up of soil contaminated by the breakdown products of the chemical warfare agent (CWA), yperite. The method involves exploiting the plant growth hormone, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), to intensify the phytoremediation. For determination of the yperite breakdown products, gas chromatography is used. Soil and plant samples were analysed with a gas chromatograph fitted with an atomic emission detector. The method of standard-free determination was employed to identify sulphur-containing substances (SCSs). A series of soil tests was conducted, which showed that the level of SCSs decreased 4, 8, and more than 20-fold compared with that found in contaminated soil. This decrease was dependent upon the IAA concentrations used for plant treatment. The treated plants accumulated 2.7 to 2.9-fold larger amounts of the SCSs than did the untreated plants. Owing to its simplicity, environmental safety and inexpensiveness, the method can be recommended for the restoration of soil fertility in areas of storage and destruction of blister CWAs.