Research Papers/Topics in Soil Science

Characterization and Mapping of Gully Erosion Features in Two Geological Formations of Eastern Nigeria Using Global Positioning System (GPS) and Satellite Aerial Photo

ABSTRACT With the aid of Global Positioning System (GPS) and Satellite Aerial Photo, a comparative characterization and mapping of soil gully erosion features on two geological formations were carried out in Nsukka area of eastern Nigeria. The two geological formations were Ajali and Mamu formations. The study involved the use of base map created using a Geographic Information System (GIS) (GPS Track Marker) and Satellite Photo downloaded from the internet using the same GIS (GPS Track Marke...

Mobility of Heavy Metals from the University of Nigeria Sewage-Sludge Disposal Site to the Surrounding Soils and Plants

ABSTRACT This study was carried out at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka sewage disposable site. The study was to quantify the mineral contents of sewage sludge and assess their mobility in the soil and plants around UNN disposal site. The experimental layout was a 4x3 factorial in RCBD in which distance from the sewage disposal site and soil depth were the two factors under consideration. The distances from sewage pond were 0 (edge), 100, 300 and 2000 m away from the sewage pond with 2000 m...

Characterization and Mapping of Gully Erosion Features in Two Geological Formations of Eastern Nigeria Using Global Positioning System (Gps) and Satellite Aerial Photo

ABSTRACT With the aid of Global Positioning System (GPS) and Satellite Aerial Photo, a comparative characterization and mapping of soil gully erosion features on two geological formations were carried out in Nsukka area of eastern Nigeria. The two geological formations were Ajali and Mamu formations. The study involved the use of base map created using a Geographic Information System (GIS) (GPS Track Marker) and Satellite Photo downloaded from the internet using the same GIS (GPS Track Marker...

The Effects of Soil Degradation to Sustainable Agriculture in Chongwe District, Zambia

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of land degradation on agricultural land use, planning and management in chongwe, Zambia and specifically determined farmers’ considerations of land suitability for selected types of agricultural land uses in varying cropping zones, investigated farmers’ local environmental knowledge of land degradation indicators and finally documented farmers’ land management strategies and practices for soil and sustainable Agricultural conservatio...

Impact Of Solid Minerals Mining On Selected Soil And Water Properties In Enyigba, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Indiscriminate and uncontrolled mining activities give rise to significant negative environmental impacts such as pollution of water bodies and farm lands, thus leading to decrease in soil fertility and soil quality as well as land degradation and changes in landscape. Therefore, this research was conducted to evaluate the impact of solid minerals mining at the Enyigba Lead-Zinc mining district in Abakaliki L.G.A of Ebonyi State and to document the present state of soil physico-chem...

Comparative Analysis Of The Physical Characteristics Of Water Stable Aggregates In Some Forest And Cultivated Soils Of Enugu State, South Eastern Nigeria.

ABSTRACT A study was conducted to evaluate the physical changes that occur in the soil due to conversion of forest to arable land. Six locations in Enugu State that were selected for this purpose include Ugbo-Okpara (Li), Ugbo-nabo (L2), Ugwogo-Nike (L3), Iyi- Ukwu (L4), Edem (L5) and Ugwo (L6). Soil parameters determined include bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, macro porosity, micro porosity, total porosity, organic carbon, pH, Dithionate citrate bi-carbonate (DCB) Iron oxide...

Effects Of Commercial Chemical And Microbiological Products In Soil On Maize Growth And Yields

ABSTRACT A study was conducted under screenhouse and field conditions at Sokoine University of Agriculture to evaluate the effects of commercial chemical and microbiological products on growth and yields of SITUKA maize variety grown on an Ultisol soil. The study soil had medium organic matter, low available phosphorous (1.02 mg/kg) and very low extractable zinc (0.34 mg/kg) hence the soil was of medium fertility status and only moderately suitable for maize production. Commercial products e...

Comparison Of The Physicochemial Potential Of Boiler Ash, Poultry Droppings And Inorganic Fertilizer And Their Effects On Ultisol And Maize Performance In South Eastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT The power boiler ashes (BA) from burnt oil- palm mill wastes at Solive Vegetable Oil Mills Ltd, Nsukka has not been assessed for its crop-use potentials before, and its disposal could pose environmental challenge in future. Several studies have shown that recycling such ash through agronomic production system could alleviate the risks associated with its disposal and make it a value-added input in crop production with the potentials of solving the challenges posed by high cost of mi...

Response Of Maize To Phosphorus In Sole Maize And Maizepigeonpea Cropping System In Semi-Arid Areas Of Tanzania

ABSTRACT Estimating crop response to fertilizer application and identification of effective fertilizer materials is important for plant nutrient management and in sustaining soil fertility. Unlike other agro-ecological zones, no fertilizer recommendations have been established for the semi-arid zones in Tanzania. This could be due to the fact that semi-arid areas are regarded as marginal land for agricultural production. To address this gap, field experiments were carried out to establish ph...

Response of tomato (lycoperscon esculentum m.) To coffee pulp compost, minjingu phosphate rock and coffee pulp - minjingu phosphate rock compost applied to a chromic acrisol

ABSTRACT A study was conducted in a glasshouse at Sokoine University of Agriculture Morogoro, Tanzania to investigate the effect of coffee pulp compost (CP), Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR) and coffee pulp composted with Minjingu phosphate rock (CPMPR) on phosphorus availability and response of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum M.) var. Carl J in 3x8 completely randomized block design experiment. The P sources were applied on a P deficient Chromic Acrisol at eight equivalent rates of 0, 40, 80, ...

Effects Of Copper Concentration In Soil On Proliferation And Survival Of Rhizobia, Nodulation And Biological Nitrogen Fixation In Beans, Cowpeas And Soybeans

ABSTRACT A study was conducted in which two strains of the fast-growing bean rhizobia- PV1 and PV2 and two others of the slow-growing bradyrhizobia for cowpeas and soybean- CP1 & GM8, respectively, were used to test their ability to: - (a) proliferate in copper contaminated liquid media, (b) survive in copper contaminated soil, (c) nodulate respective host legumes and (d) fix nitrogen under increasing copper levels both in vitro and in vivo. Known population sizes of each of the strains were...

Assessment Of The Nitrogen And Phosphorus Needs And Use Efficiencies For Enhanced Maize Yields In Mbozi District Of Tanzania

ABSTRACT A study was conducted in Lumbila, Senjele, Mbimba and Ihowa villages of Mbozi district, Tanzania during 2012 – 2013 cropping season to assess the fertility status of the soils and response of maize to N and P as a strategy for enhanced and sustainable maize production. This study was triggered by the low maize yield in Tanzania due to many factors which include declining soil fertility, soil N and P being the major constraints to maize production. The search for the most appropria...

Land Evaluation And Suitability Assessment For Crops Produced In Butuguri Area, Butiama District In Mara Region, Tanzania

ABSTRACT  The land evaluation was conducted in the Butuguri area, Butiama District, Mara Region to assess land’s suitability for cassava, maize and sorghum production. After reviewing literature and discussing with farmers and extension officers, five criteria for growing crops were selected which are: soil physical properties, soil chemical fertility, rainfall, temperature and topography. The Analytical Hierarchical Process was used to assign relative importance weights to the chosen crit...

Pedological Characterisation Of Soils Developed On Gneissic - Granites In Congo Nile Watershed Divide And Central Plateau Zones Of Rwanda

ABSTRACT This study examined morphology, physico-chemical characteristics, classification, potentials and limitations of soils developed on gneissic-granites of Rwanda. Three pedons (GSK-P1, GSK-P2 and TMB-P1) were studied and 19 soil samples analysed. All pedons were very deep, well drained, with loamy to clayey topsoils overlying dominantly clayey subsoils. Pedons GSK-P1 and GSK-P2 depicted eluviation-illuviation as dominant pedogenetic process. All topsoils had low bulk and particle densi...

Assessment Of The Potential Of Siam Weed (Chromolaena Odorata) In Enhancing Soil Fertility Status In Serengeti District, Tanzania

EXTENDED ABSTRACT Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) is a plant that has infested a large area of agricultural land in Serengeti district and has adversely reduced cropland and crop yields. It is encroaching land and especially in the famous Serengeti National Park. The weed has been reported to contain high amount of plant nutrients in its tissue, hence its probable use as an organic soil amendment, with aspect to soil fertility improvement. A study was, therefore, conducted to address the Sia...


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