EJSS

Eurasian Journal of Soil Science

Eurasian J Soil Sci

2147 - 4249

Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.510744

10.18393/ejss.510744

Effects of land use types on selected soil physical and chemical properties: The case of Kuyu District, Ethiopia

Mulugeta Tufa ejersa2008@gmail.com

Asmare Melese

Wondwosen Tena

94 - 109

2019-05-18

2019-01-03

2019-01-09

2019-04-12

Information about effects of land use types on selected soil physical and chemical properties is essential in sustainable utilization of soil resources. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate effects of land use types on selected soil physical and chemical properties on Kuyu district, Ethiopia. Totally, 24 composite soil samples were collected from grass, cultivated, forest and grazing lands by two soil depths (0-20 cm and 20-40 cm) with three replications. The two way analysis of variance was used to test the mean differences of the soil physical and chemical properties. The highest mean values of sand and clay were recorded in cultivated and grasslands, respectively. The mean bulk density of the soils ranged from 1.10 and 1.37 g cm-3 and the mean total porosity ranged from 48.2 to 58.7%, which indicated the less soil compaction. The pH ranged from 7.68 to 8.00 while the mean values of OM ranged from 3.15 to 5.02%. However, the mean values of total N ranged from 0.18 to 0.26%. The mean value of available P ranged from 1.26 to 5.37 mg kg-1, which implies that high deficiency of available P in the study area. The exchangeable basic cations and CEC values were within high to very high ranges in all land use types. Conversion of land use types from one to another has adverse effects on soil properties, especially overgrazing and cultivation of deforested land. Therefore, the proper soil and water conservation practice are important in the study area to enhance soil fertility and crop productivity.

Cultivated land, forest land, grazing land, soil depth, soil fertility.

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.528851

10.18393/ejss.528851

Spatial variability assessment of Nile alluvial soils using electrical resistivity technique

Gamal S. Swileam

Reda R. Shahin dredashahin@gmail.com

Hamdy M. Nasr

Khalid S. Essa

110 - 117

2018-10-09

2019-02-18

2019-02-19

2019-04-12

Spatial information about soils generally results from local observations which are destructive and time consuming. Geophysical techniques could help soil mapping since they are non-destructive and fast. Electrical resistivity is interesting for soil studies due to a wide range of values and as it depends on soil characteristics. This work aims to study soil spatial variability using electrical resistivity. GPS defined grid points of 40X40 m were installed in the experimental western farm (EWF) in the Faculty of Agriculture of Cairo University in Giza. Electrical resistivity was measured at 40 points using 4-electrodes Wenner array in a line perpendicular to the path direction. Soil resistivity data from 2-depths profiling mode was considered to produce two apparent resistivity maps and geostatistically tested. Soil resistivity taxa were sampled and analyzed for soil moisture, EC and bulk density. Krigged soil resistivity maps were produced for depths (i.e. 30 and 60 cm). Kriging and Semivariogram interpretation was conducted, and the spatial dependency of top and subsoil resistivity were moderate (48.4% and 68.6% respectively). Highly significant negative correlations were recorded in the topsoil between apparent or true resistivity and soil moisture, EC or bulk density. The obtained models were used to produce conjugated moisture and EC maps and geostatistically investigated. The spatial dependency of the top and subsoil moisture or salinity were moderate. Soil moisture and EC are the most significant factors for controlling soil electrical resistivity. The method used opens the way to the development of semi-automatic soil mapping from electrical resistivity data.

Soil resistivity, Wenner profiling, soil moisture, soil salinity, mapping, spatial dependency.

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.533454

10.18393/ejss.533454

Determination of physico-chemical properties and agricultural potentials of soils in Tembaro District, KembataTembaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Alemu Lelago lelagoalemu@gmail.com

Tadele Buraka

118 - 130

2018-08-21

2019-02-19

2019-02-28

2019-04-12

The objectives of this study were to classify the soils of Tembaro district, and to identify its potentials for crop production. Five pits representing a pedon each were opened and profile in each pit was described for its morphological, physical and chemical characteristics according to standard procedures. A total of 20 disturbed soil samples and 16 core ring samples were collected from five representative profiles. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory for texture, BD, FC, PWP, Soil pH, EC, OC, TN, av.P, av.K, exchangeable bases, free and active iron and CEC. The results showed that the proportions of soil separates varied among profile and depth however, soils were all in clay textural class. The BD varied from 1.02 in the surface profile 1 to 1.25 g.cm-3 in the profile 3. Soil pH ranged from 6.8 to 5.4 in the surface horizons of all profiles with further decrease with depth indicating that the soils in the watershed are slightly acidic to moderately acidic. The OM and TN contents ranged from 2.90 to 5.43 and 0.23 to 0.45% in the surface horizon and they were in the low, low to medium and high categories respectively. The corresponding values for the remaining subsoil horizons were in the low categories. In all cases the contents of these parameters decreased considerably with depths. Available P was below critical values for all profiles and depths except for profiles 1 and 4. Exchangeable K was above critical value in all profiles with increasing trend along with depth of all profiles. Exchangeable Mg varied from 2.47 in surface horizon of profile 3 to 3.98 cmolc kg-1 in the surface horizons of profile 4 and increased with depth in all profiles except in profile 1. The observation with exchangeable K and Mg implies that there is leaching phenomenon in the study area. Ca ranged from 4. 35 cmolc kg -1 in profile 5 to 16.50 cmolc kg -1 in profile 1 with inconsistent trend with depth. The CEC from 18.22 cmolc kg -1 soil in surface horizon of profile 5 to 27.43 cmolc kg-1 soil in the surface horizons of profile 1 indicating they are in the medium to high ranges. But inconsistent trend in CEC distribution was observed with depth in all profiles. Based on the data collected from profile description study and soil physicochemical analytical data and according to FAO-WRD soil classification legend, the soil at Ambukuna watershed were classified as Haplic Nitisols (Endoeutric, humic), Haplic Nitisols (Hypereutric, humic), Haplic Nitisols (Endoeutric) and Haplic Nitisols (Epidystric, Humic). Most of the soil physical and some of the chemical characteristics studied could be ranked as good indicating that the area has high potential for agricultural production.

Agricultural constraints and potentials, soil physicochemical properties, soil profiles, profile des

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.514319

10.18393/ejss.514319

Assessing aggregate stability of soils under various land use/land cover in a watershed of Mid-Himalayan Landscape

Abhisek Kumar Singh

Suresh Kumar

Justin George Kalambukattu justin@iirs.gov.in

131 - 143

2018-05-29

2019-03-12

2019-03-18

2019-04-12

Soil aggregate stability is considered as an important indicator of soil quality in the landscapes witnessing land degradation due to soil erosion by water. An increase in anthropogenic activities over the period of time has accelerated soil erosion that necessitated need to assess soil aggregate stability in various land use/land cover in the hilly and mountainous landscape. The study investigated the soil aggregate stability of surface soils in different land use/ land cover classes, hillslope unites as well as in respect to terrain parameters in the watershed. The watershed located in mid- Himalayan region of Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, India covering an area of 196 ha. The elevation of the watershed ranges from 1200 m to 1927 m. CartoDEM was used to derive terrain parameters i.e., aspect, slope and terrain indices like Terrain Wetness Index (TWI) and Stream Power Index (SPI) of the watershed. Among the various land use /land cover classes, aggregate stability in crop land was found to be in the range of 0.16 (lower hillslope) to 0.28 (mid hillslope), in forest ranged from 0.18 (mid hillslope) to 0.28 (upper hillslope) and in dense scrub ranged from 0.16 (middle slope) to 0.32 (upper/lower hillslope). The aggregate stability was further analyzed in relation with various soil (carbon, nitrogen, sand, silt, clay and pH) and terrain (slope, elevation, TWI and SPI) variables. Among these variables soil carbon, nitrogen, elevation, TWI and SPI were found to have moderate to high degree of correlation with soil aggregate stability. Prediction model developed by using the various significant soil and terrain parameters were found to be more effective (r2 = 0.50) than the models developed using only soil parameters (r2= 0.36) or only terrain parameters (r2= 0.37).

Land Use/ land cover, Mid-Himalaya, soil aggregate stability, terrain parameters.

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.541344

10.18393/ejss.541344

Empirical model and variability of soil salinity in the coastal zone of Bangladesh

Md. Shahadat Hossain mshossain.ss@sau.ac.bd

GKM Mustafizur Rahman

Md. Saiful Alam

HA Mashuk

Md. Mizanur Rahman

144 - 151

2018-06-29

2019-03-12

2019-03-18

2019-04-12

Soil salinity expressed by electrical conductivity is a threat to crop production. The study aims were to establish relationships of electrical conductivity with its relevant soil properties, and analyze variability of soil salinity in the coastal zone of Bangladesh. A total of 150 geo-referenced saline soil samples from three coastal districts (Khulna, Satkhira and Bhola) of Bangladesh were analyzed for electrical conductivity of saturated paste extract (ECe), salt cations and other soil properties related to salinity. Statistical and geostatistical analyses were done as required. Moderate to strong significant regression relationships (R2=0.42 to 0.94) were found between ECe and salt cations (ECe=43.12*Na2-46.36*Na+13.97; ECe=12.26*K-2.5;ECe=1.16*Ca-1.97; ECe=0.32*Mg2-1.60*Mg+3.53) of the soils. On the contrary, weak relationships (R2=0.05 to 0.21) were found between ECe and other soil properties (ECe=4.41*organic carbon-0.56; ECe=-1.71*Txw (soil texture)+3.98;ECe=0.35*cation exchange capacity-1.98; ECe=0.06*specific surface area-0.55). Khulna soils (CV=65.99%) showed lower statistical variations while Satkhira (CV=97%) and Bhola (CV=105%) soils showed higher statistical variations for ECe. In contrast, Khulna, Satkhira and Bhola soils showed strong, moderate and weak spatial dependency for ECe, respectively. Interpolated spatial distribution maps of ECe showed variations in individual districts of study areas. The findings would assist soil scientists or farm managers to understand and/or manage saline soils, specially the soils of coastal zone of Bangladesh.

Geostatistics, electrical conductivity, map, relationship, soil property.

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.544740

10.18393/ejss.544740

Pedogenetic characterization and classification of forest soils in the Central Middle Atlas (Morocco)

Mohamed El Mderssa elmderssa.enfi@gmail.com

Hassan Benjelloun

Omar Zennouhi

Laila Nassiri

Jamal Ibijbijen

152 - 158

2018-11-18

2019-03-15

2019-03-28

2019-04-12

The study was carried out in the forests of the Central Middle Atlas where the soils have a Mediterranean character. The forest formations found include resinous species such as on Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) and maritime mountain pine (Pinus pinaster), and deciduous species of green oak (Quercus rotundifolia) and zeen oak (Quercus canariensis). The morphological description of soils’ genetic horizons was based on the opening of soil pedons in the forest formations composing the studied area. Then, physical and chemical characterization of the studied soils was analyzed. According to the Commission of Pedology and Soil Mapping (CPCS, 1967) principles and those of the international system of classification, nomenclature and soil mapping used by FAO (2015), three types of soils were identified as dominant in these forests, namely, the class of browned soils, iron sesquioxide soils and calcimagnesic soils. As a result, they differ in their responses to management practices, their inherent ability to deliver ecosystem services, as well as their resilience to disturbance and vulnerability to degradation.

Browned soils, Calcimagnesics, Middle Central Atlas, iron sesquioxide.

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.544747

10.18393/ejss.544747

Relative potential of rhizobium species to enhance the growth and yield attributes of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

M. Amjad Qureshi qureshifsd@gmail.com

Haroon Shahzad

M. Sajjad Saeed

Sana Ullah

M. Asif Ali

Fakhar Mujeeb

M.A. Anjum

159 - 166

2018-10-02

2019-03-25

2019-03-28

2019-04-12

Legumes compensate mineral fertilizer by fixing nitrogen due to the specialized structures i.e. nodules by Rhizobium species. Literature revealed that legumes fixed nitrogen due to Rhizobium inoculation from 50-300 kg NPK ha-1 year-1. Rhizobium besides nitrogen fixation, solubilized phosphates, produced growth hormones and due to its root colonizing ability improved the growth and yield of non-legumes also and performed as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Study was conducted to assess the relative efficiency of Rhizobium species for the growth and yield of cotton. Different isolates of five species of Rhizobium species responsible for different nodule formation in legumes were assessed for the auxin biosynthesis potential as IAA equivalents and isolates having higher values for IAA equivalents were used for experimentation. Results revealed that isolates of Rhizobium species improved the growth and physiological parameters of cotton. Higher values were root/shoot length and mass were observed with Rhizobium species of berseem (Br5). Bacterial inoculation with isolate (Br5) produced 60.94, 64.40 g shoot/root mass that is 16.70 and 23.80 % higher than control and percent increase improvements of cotton shoot/root length with Br5 i.e. 18.3, 24.8 % higher than that of control. Higher values of IAA equivalents were observed in root/shoot content of cotton with isolate of Br5. Bacterial inoculation improved the plant height, boll weight, number of bolls plant-1 and seed cotton yield with Br5 inoculation. The chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and photo active radiation were also higher in the inoculated treatments. Results of present study clearly demonstrated that different isolates of Rhizobium species improved the growth and yield parameters of cotton and thus Rhizobium sp can be effectively utilized as bacterial inoculants in non-legumes.

Rhizobium species, PGPR, auxin biosynthesis, growth and yield, cotton.

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.551268

10.18393/ejss.551268

Imbalance of nutritional substances of the soil at the modern stage of development of agricultural production in Russia

Viktor V. Kidin

Alexandr E. Shibalkin

Maria V. Kagirova kagirovamary@gmail.com

167 - 175

2018-05-05

2019-03-28

2019-04-09

2019-04-12

The paper is devoted to the analysis of changes in the gross harvest of crops from 2008 to 2017. Nutrient removal volumes according to their types with the yield of main commercial crops, including 1 hectare of each crop area are calculated. Volumes of removal by type of nutrients are established. The removal of nutrients with the yield and the application of mineral and organic fertilizers when growing major crops are compared. The size of the nutrient removal over their application in general, including the main crops and types of nutrients is estimated. Proposals to improve the effective soil fertility by increasing the use of fertilizers are formulated. The authors consider ways of these proposals implementation.

Gross yield, arable area, productivity of land, nutrients, fertilizers, nutrient balance, natural fe

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.551874

10.18393/ejss.551874

Assessment of soil quality for vineyard fields: A case study in Menderes District of Izmir, Turkey

Belgin Doğan

Coşkun Gülser cgulser@omu.edu.tr

176 - 183

2018-05-18

2019-04-05

2019-04-10

2019-04-12

This study was carried out to determine the suitable classification of soil quality for vineyard fields of Akçaköy, Çatalca, Efemçukuru, Görece and Yeniköy villages in Menderes district of Izmir-Turkey. In vineyard fields, soil pH gave a positive relation with Ca and significant negative relations with P, Fe, Mn and Zn contents. Soil organic matter (OM) content had significant positive relations with EC, P, Fe, Mn and Zn and significant negative relations with bulk density and CaCO3 content. Soil quality index values for the vineyard fields varied between 0.38 and 0.85 with a mean of 0.57. Only one of the 28 soil samples taken from different vineyard fields was found in very suitable (S1:1.00-0.75) class, 8 in suitable (S2:0.75-060), 12 in marginal suitable (S3:0.60-0.50) and 7 in non-suitable (N:

Soil quality, grape, yield, soil properties.

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.552543

10.18393/ejss.552543

Nutritional quality evaluation of different varieties of pomegranate under climatic conditions of Faisalabad

Naseem Akhtar nasimsajjad235@gmail.com

Hafsa Zafar

Nisar Ahmad

Khalid Hussain

184 - 188

2019-04-11

2019-04-12

The nutritional value of different pomegranate verities was determined in the laboratory of Biochemistry, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad Pakistan to study the effectiveness of pomegranate juice as health responsive. The results showed that tested pomegranate varieties contained peels and seed percentage range from 34-40% and 28-39% respectively. Juice contained a much higher remarkable content of total soluble solids ranged from (15-19%), reducing sugar (10 to 14%), non-reducing sugars (2.8 to 5%), total invert sugars (13.8 to 18%), Vitamin-C (10.5 to12.6 mg/100 mL) and acidity (0.9 to 1.7%). Total phenols and antioxidants were higher in Sultan (1101µg GAE L-1 (gallic acid equivalants) and 41.5% DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) inhibition respectively) and lowest in NARC-1(1012 – 1101 µg GAE L-1 and 25.7% respectively). Therefore, the current results suggest that nutritional status of pomegranate variety, Sultan was better than Turnab Ghulabi, NARC-1, NARC-2 and Kandhari. It can be directed to incorporate Sultan (pomegranate) fruit juice for better nutritional status.