-
Soil Physic-chemical Properties in Termite Mounds and Adjacent Control Soil in Miyo and Yabello Districts of Borana Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Abiyot Lelisa Deke,
Wondimu Tolcha Adugna,
Amsalu Tilahun Fite
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, July 2016
Pages:
69-74
Received:
28 May 2016
Accepted:
12 June 2016
Published:
4 July 2016
Abstract: This study was conducted in two districts of Borana (Yabello and Miyo). The objective of the study was to examine the soil texture and macronutrient distribution in termite mounds in relation to adjacent soil. Standard procedures were used to analyse the soil physic-chemical properties. One way ANOVA was used to compare results among control soil, external termite mound and internal termite mound materials. The study revealed that termites had produced a soil different in soil texture and some nutrient content than the surrounding soils. Internal termite mound at both study sites were enriched with clay in relation to external and control soil. SOM and CEC contents of control soils were higher at Boku Luboma. SOM content of external termite mound at Did Yabello was lower in relation to internal termite mound and control soil. The termite mound at Did Yabello had higher CEC content in relation to the surrounding soil. Ex. Ca content of termite mound did not show significant difference in relation to control soil. Termite activities enriched mound soil with Exchangeable potassium content. In order to design proper termite management techniques, termite species in Borana should be identified. There is no trend of termite mound use as soil amendment in Borana. In future, amount of termite materials to be incorporated to soil to increase crop yield and socio economic factors that affect use of termite materials as soil amendment should be studied.
Abstract: This study was conducted in two districts of Borana (Yabello and Miyo). The objective of the study was to examine the soil texture and macronutrient distribution in termite mounds in relation to adjacent soil. Standard procedures were used to analyse the soil physic-chemical properties. One way ANOVA was used to compare results among control soil, ...
Show More
-
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Selected Herbicides on Weed Biomass Control and Maize [Zea mays (L.)] Yield Production in Two Agro-ecological Zones in Swaziland
Thandwa Menzi Dlamini,
Henry Raphael Mloza-Banda,
Oghenetsavbuko Todo Edje
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, July 2016
Pages:
75-85
Received:
7 June 2016
Accepted:
16 June 2016
Published:
18 July 2016
Abstract: Maize is the most important food crop in Swaziland, and is produced by over 90% of smallholder farmers on Swazi Nation Land. Excluding environmental variables, yield losses in maize are caused mainly by competition from weeds. Herbicidal weed control is a promising way to control weeds at initial stages of crop growth with the appropriate choice and rate of herbicides. An experiment was conducted at the Malkerns Research Station and Mangcongco experimental site during the 2014/2015 cropping season. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of available herbicides for weed control and maize grain yield. There were 16 treatments; Four herbicides were used; Bladex Plus, Gardomil Gold, Lumax and 2,4-D Amine 480. Four rates of application were used; Control (hand-weeding), rate of recommendation based on the % clay content in the soil, half and full the rate recommended by the local retailers. A randomised complete block design (RCBD) experiment in a factorial arrangement, replicated four times was used. Highest efficacy of broadleaves in Malkerns was 97% when the herbicide Lumax at the rate recommended as per % clay content in the soil and in Mangcongco it was 76% with the use of herbicide Gardomil Gold at the full rate recommended by retailers. Weed control efficiencies for grasses in both sites at all rates were negative. Gardomil Gold was efficient in controlling sedges in both sites, at the full rate of the retailer’s recommendation (60%) in Malkerns and at half the rate recommended by retailers (28%) in Mangcongco. In Malkerns the highest grain yield was 8741 kg/ha with the treatment 2,4-D Amine 480 at the full rate recommended by retailers. In Mangcongco, the highest grain yield was 4427 kg/ha with the treatment Bladex Plus at the rate recommended based on % clay content in the soil. The highest grain yield in Malkerns was 8741 kg/ha when 2,4-D Amine 480 was used, at full rate recommended by retailer’s (2 L/ha). While in Mangcongco, Bladex Plus, at the rate based on the % clay content in the soil (4.3 L/ha) had the highest yield of 4427 kg/ha. Hence herbicides and rates with higher yields are recommended for each site.
Abstract: Maize is the most important food crop in Swaziland, and is produced by over 90% of smallholder farmers on Swazi Nation Land. Excluding environmental variables, yield losses in maize are caused mainly by competition from weeds. Herbicidal weed control is a promising way to control weeds at initial stages of crop growth with the appropriate choice an...
Show More
-
Genetic Relationship Among 36 Genotypes of Ceiba pentandra (L.) as Revealed by RAPD and ISSR Markers
Cosmas Sorngmenenye Abengmeneng,
Daniel Ofori,
Philomena Kumapley,
Richard Akromah,
Ramni Jamnadass,
Marian Quain
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, July 2016
Pages:
86-96
Received:
25 May 2016
Accepted:
12 June 2016
Published:
23 July 2016
Abstract: Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn (trade name Ceiba) of the family Bombacaceae is an important multi-purpose tree species in Ghana and demand for it is rising daily. As a result, it has been included as one of the species for the National Forest Plantation Development Programme of Ghana as part of the efforts towards its restoration. Seedlings for the programme are being raised from seed collected from the wild without regard for their genetic quality and its future adverse effects. The absence of adequate information on the genetic diversity within the species therefore serves as a potential threat to its long term sustainable management and efficient genetic conversation. The phylogenetic relationships of 36 genotypes of C. pentandra from natural range of the species in five ecological zones (populations) of Ghana were therefore analyzed using 10 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) markers (5 random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) and 5 inter simple sequence repeats (ISSRs)). The principal component analysis (PcoA) defined by axis 1 and 2 accounted for 67.15% of the variation observed. Cluster analysis using GeneStat Discovery showed that, 14 (38.89%), 21 (58.33%) and 4 (11.11%) of the accessions had a coefficient of similarity of 1 from the RAPD, ISSR and the combined RAPD and ISSR polymorphism respectively. The most distantly related accessions from the RAPD polymorphism analysis were BAW 1 and KON 8 with a similarity coefficient of 0.06 whereas those from the ISSR polymorphism were BAW 10 and ASE 1 with 21% similarity between them. Similarly, BUF 1 and KUE 1 were the most dissimilar accessions from the combined RAPD and ISSR fragments analysis with a similarity coefficient of 0.23. Nine (25%) accessions with high degree of dissimilarity between them were identified in the study. These accessions could serve as good candidates for conservation as seed trees and in breeding programs of C. pentandra in Ghana. Implications of the findings for effective management of the genetic resources of the species were also discussed.
Abstract: Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn (trade name Ceiba) of the family Bombacaceae is an important multi-purpose tree species in Ghana and demand for it is rising daily. As a result, it has been included as one of the species for the National Forest Plantation Development Programme of Ghana as part of the efforts towards its restoration. Seedlings for the pr...
Show More
-
Effects of Cropping Systems and Agricultural Lime on Soil Properties and Nutrient Content of Sugarcane on Acidified Soils of Kisumu County, Kenya
Jacob Omondi Omollo,
Ernest Semu,
John Msaky,
Philip Owuor
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, July 2016
Pages:
97-111
Received:
28 June 2016
Accepted:
7 July 2016
Published:
23 July 2016
Abstract: Acid soils cause soil fertility problems such as Al and Mn toxicity, Ca, Mg, N deficiency and P fixation. These are constraints to high crop yields. Historically, liming is the common management practice used to neutralize soil acidity and to overcome the problems associated with soil acidification. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of cropping systems, lime placement methods and lime rates on some soil chemical properties and nutrient uptake by sugarcane during the plant crop and ratoon one cycle under acidified Cambisols of Kibos, Kisumu, Kenya. A Split - split plot in randomized complete block arrangement was employed. The factors and respective levels (in parenthesis were): main plot; two cropping systems (sugarcane monoculture [MC] and intercropped sugarcane and soybeans [IC]). The sub – plots were three lime placement methods (lime broadcasted [L-BC], lime shallow banded, 0 – 15 cm [L-SB] and lime deep banded, 15 – 30 cm (L-DB] and the sub - sub plots were three lime rates (0, 1 and 2 t ha-1). Lime rate of 2 t ha-1 significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased soil pH to 6.4 and 5.2 as determined in water and 1 N KCl, respectively compared to 1 t ha-1 and control (0 t ha-1). Increased lime rate led to decreased levels of manganese, iron, and copper hence confirms the inverse relationship between soil pH and these micronutrients. Lime deep banded (L-DB) increased soil pH and available phosphorus for soil depth 15 – 30 cm compared to lime shallow banded (L-SB) and lime broadcasted (L-BC). Intercropped sugarcane and soybeans (IC) led to increased soil acidity and soil organic carbon (SOC) than did sugarcane monoculture (MC). For nutrient content of sugarcane leaves, IC system led to increased Ca and Mn compared to MC. Lime broadcasted (L-BC) caused high nitrogen and phosphorus content of sugarcane leaves and lime shallow banded resulted in increased Ca and Zn content of sugarcane to optimum levels. In view of the findings, the lime rate of 2 t ha-1 is recommended for use to ameliorate soil acidity for acidified Cambisols of Kibos, Kisumu County, Kenya. Lime broadcasted (L-BC) is preferred to ameliorate acidity at top depth (0 – 15 cm) while lime banded both (L-SB) and L-DB) is preferred to reduce sub - soil acidity.
Abstract: Acid soils cause soil fertility problems such as Al and Mn toxicity, Ca, Mg, N deficiency and P fixation. These are constraints to high crop yields. Historically, liming is the common management practice used to neutralize soil acidity and to overcome the problems associated with soil acidification. A field experiment was conducted to investigate t...
Show More
