The soils on Imo clay shale residua at Omasi-Agu and Omor areas in Anambra State, Nigeria were sa... more The soils on Imo clay shale residua at Omasi-Agu and Omor areas in Anambra State, Nigeria were sampled in order to characterize classify and evaluate their current suitability for rice production following standard scientific procedures. The soils generally belong to loamy textural classes or finer, especially in the subsoil layers. The morphological and physical properties of soils showed that the soils were poorly drained favouring high water retentivity due to low hydraulic conductivity and slow permeability. All these soil conditions support good rice performance. Though the soils at Omasi-Agu contained high levels of exchangeable bases, exchangeable acidity was equally high leading to low base saturation of < 35% but at Omor the base saturation was > 35%. Thus, the soils were, respectively, classified as Typic Kandiaquults (Soil Taxonomy) correlated with Gleyic Cambisols of the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRBSR) and Typic Kandiaqualfs (Soil Taxonomy) correlat...
Advance Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Adv. J. Agric. & Eco. Volume: 10; Issue: 2 February-2025 ISSN 2334-2414 E-ISSN 2344-2492 Impact Factor: 7.12 Advance Scholars Publication Published by International Institute of Advance Scholars Development https://aspjournals.org/Journals/index.php/ajae..., 2025
Sudden stoppage of rainfall which results from climate change phenomenon is a major surprise to s... more Sudden stoppage of rainfall which results from climate change phenomenon is a major surprise to smallholder farmers in southeastern Nigeria. It often led to complete loss of crops in rainfed cropping system which dominates in the area. This survey which was carried out at the University of Nigeria farms grown to many arable crops as sole or in mixtures was aimed to capture the impact of unexpected stoppage of rainfall on the various crops. The sudden stoppage of rainfall resulted to early drying of grasses in the farm and bush burning, which killed most of the crops in farms affected and incomplete life cycles of the crops especially maize. The general impact was complete loss of the crops except cassava. To mitigate this sudden negative impact, intercropping with cassava is strongly recommended in rainfed small farms in the area to avert complete loss of crops.
Advance Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Adv. J. Agric. & Eco. Volume: 10; Issue: 1 January-2025 ISSN 2334-2414 E-ISSN 2344-2492 Impact Factor: 7.12 Advance Scholars Publication Published by International Institute of Advance Scholars Development https://aspjournals.org/Journals/index.php/ajae/..., 2025
The research evaluated the spatial distribution of nutrients in approximately one-hectare researc... more The research evaluated the spatial distribution of nutrients in approximately one-hectare research farm at the University of Nigeria Nsukka using pedometric approach. A handheld GPS was used to determine the farm size, soil sampling points and site elevation. Soil samples were collected from 0-20 cm depth and analyzed following standard soil analytical methods to determine the soil physicochemical properties such as the particle size distribution, pH, total nitrogen, organic carbon, cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable acidity (EA), exchangeable calcium and magnesium and available phosphorus. These parameters were evaluated and spatially interpolated using the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW). The maps produced showed that the area was dominated by the sand fraction followed by clay then silt. The pH of the soils ranged from extremely acidic to neutral (4.8-6.8) while organic matter ranged from 0.83 to 3.85 mg/kg. The CEC ranged from 4.0 to 32.4 cmol/kg, total nitrogen ranged from 0.08 to 0.81%, EA from 1 to 8 cmol/kg, exchangeable Ca ranged from low to moderate (0.4-3.4 cmol/kg) while exchangeable Mg ranged from low to high (0-1.6 cmol/kg). The available phosphorous ranged from 0.93-9.33 mg/kg. Nine prediction maps were developed using the ArcGIS 10.6 software. From the maps, available phosphorous was low in 94% and moderate in 6% of the area. Total N was low in 25%, moderate in 61% and high in 14% of the area. The pH values showed that 5% the area was extremely acidic, 31% very strongly acidic, 37% strongly acidic, 21% slightly acidic and 6% (neutral). The respective CEC distribution was 1%, 62% and 36% for low, moderate and high while EA values were 17% (low), 64% (moderate) and 19% (high). The exchangeable Ca content was low (100%) throughout the area while Mg was 18% (low), 81% (moderate) and 1% (high), organic matter was 27% (low), 68% (moderate) and 6% (high). For the utilitarian value of the study, mapping units were obtained by the combination of the soil physicochemical characteristics. This approach showed that it is possible to produce useful nine mapping units which are of practical application.
Advance Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Adv. J. Agric. & Eco. Volume: 9; Issue: 11 November-2024 ISSN 2334-2414 E-ISSN 2344-2492 Impact Factor: 5.39 Advance Scholars Publication Published by International Institute of Advance Scholars Development https://aspjournals.org/Journals/index.php/ajae..., 2024
The study was carried out at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to assess the soil fertility statu... more The study was carried out at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to assess the soil fertility status and determine microbial contributions to soil fertility in the compound farms. The physicochemical properties of soils, fungi and bacteria species, number and populations were determined after portioning the farms into low slopes (CFLS) and high slope (CFUS) zones. Twenty soil samples from 0-20 cm depth were collected from each zone and bagged in black polythene, air dried and sieved with 2-mm sieve for the analysis of the properties following standard methods. The residents grew similar crops with the same purpose, mainly for family use. The soils of both slope positions were dominated by coarse textures with silt having the least values. The soils of CFUS were slightly acidic and those of CFLS moderately acidic. Also organic matter, total N and available P were low while exchangeable Mg, Ca and K moderate. The CEC values in CFUS were high compared to moderate values obtained from the CFLS soils. The microbial population was higher in the CFUS soils than in the CFLS soils. Generally, the fertility status of the soil was moderate. It was recommended that the farmers should embark on soil nutrient replenishment practices by adding organic and inorganic fertilizers to their soils and avoiding rubbish burning on their compound farms as this practice tend to kill most of the microbes that help in improving soil health and fertility.
Agro-Science Journal of Tropical Agriculture, Food, Environment and Extension Volume 21 Number 3 (July 2022) pp. 55 - 64, 2022
The soils on Imo Clay Shale residua were sampled at Anaku and Igbariam in Anambra state, Nigeria ... more The soils on Imo Clay Shale residua were sampled at Anaku and Igbariam in Anambra state, Nigeria to characterize, classify and evaluate their current suitability for rice production following standard scientific procedures. After several auger borings, modal profiles were sited, dug, described, and sampled. The soils generally belong to loamy textural classes or finer, especially in the subsoil layers. The morphological and physical properties of soils showed that the soils were poorly drained, favouring high water retention due to low hydraulic conductivity and slow permeability. All these conditions favour good rice performance. Though the soils contained high levels of exchangeable bases, exchangeable acidity was equally high leading to low base saturation (< 35%). Thus, the soils were classified as Typic Kanhaplaquults (Soil Taxonomy) and correlated to Gleyic Cambisols (World Reference Base for Soil Resources). Due to fertility inadequacies, the current suitability unit of the soils for rice production is S2f. This implies that for sustainable rice production supplementary nutrient especially P2O5 from triple superphosphate or rock phosphate need to be applied. Based on the soil chemical results the following recommendations were made for optimum rice production: 100.00-120.00 kg ha-1 urea, 60.00 kg ha-1 P2O5 from triple superphosphate and 15.00 kg ha-1 K2O (muriate of potash).
The study was carried out at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to assess the soil fertility statu... more The study was carried out at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to assess the soil fertility status and determine microbial contributions to soil fertility in the compound farms. The physicochemical properties of soils, fungi and bacteria species, number and populations were determined after portioning the farms into low slopes (CFLS) and high slope (CFUS) zones. Twenty soil samples from 0-20 cm depth were collected from each zone and bagged in black polythene, air dried and sieved with 2-mm sieve for the analysis of the properties following standard methods. The residents grew similar crops with the same purpose, mainly for family use. The soils of both slope positions were dominated by coarse textures with silt having the least values. The soils of CFUS were slightly acidic and those of CFLS moderately acidic. Also organic matter, total N and available P were low while exchangeable Mg, Ca and K moderate. The CEC values in CFUS were high compared to moderate values obtained from the CFLS soils. The microbial population was higher in the CFUS soils than in the CFLS soils. Generally, the fertility status of the soil was moderate. It was recommended that the farmers should embark on soil nutrient replenishment practices by adding organic and inorganic fertilizers to their soils and avoiding rubbish burning on their compound farms as this practice tend to kill most of the microbes that help in improving soil health and fertility.
For sustainable rice production, supplementary addition of nutrients especially P2O5 from triple ... more For sustainable rice production, supplementary addition of nutrients especially P2O5 from triple superphosphate and some minor levelling and bunding are required to control erosion due to flooding in the limited areas.
The soils of the world are facing vicious cycle of degradation processes caused by anthropogenic ... more The soils of the world are facing vicious cycle of degradation processes caused by anthropogenic and natural disasters including climate change, flooding, wildfire and earthquake. World food and nutrition security is challenged by soil degradation. Currently there is no alternative to soil in resolving the food and nutritional security in the world. The expectations from the soils of the future are to continue to provide their current functions and be able to accommodate emerging challenges from human activities that lead to soil acidification, salinization, sodification and erosion, those due to dumping of non-biodegradable wastes such as plastics and glass as well as those resulting from natural disasters. Since soils cannot be manufactured, new strategic research protocols are needed on existing unproductive soils to make them productive. The soils of the future are not an aberration as they are bound in the world because when problematic and unproductive soils are made productive they become new 'born" soils. The challenge is more for soils of the future that can degrade non-biodegradable wastes and withstand natural disasters. However, with the discovery of Ideonella sakaiensis that can degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the world's most problematic plastic pollutants, Japanese scientists are already working for the soils of the future. Thus, the realization of the soils of the future is feasible.
This study examined the contributions of organic matter (OM), clay and silt to the effective cati... more This study examined the contributions of organic matter (OM), clay and silt to the effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) of soils of different land use history, in order to determine the influence of land use on the contributions of the various fractions to the ECEC of the soils. The land use types examined were sole cassava (C), sole pigeon pea (P), mixed cropping of cassava and pigeon pea (C + P), natural fallow land (FA) and forestland (FO). The results showed that in FA and FO, the OM fraction contributed more to the ECEC compared to the other fractions. The contribution of clay was more visible in the legume-based cropping systems, while that of silt was more pronounced in C. The average contribution of OM to ECEC was 54%, while that of silt and clay were 26% and 20%, respectively. Thus the OM fraction gave better predictions of ECEC than the particle size fractions in an Alfisol of southeastern Nigeria. The low contribution of clay to ECEC recorded in this study may be due...
A greenhouse experiment was carried out on an acid soil to investigate the effect of combination ... more A greenhouse experiment was carried out on an acid soil to investigate the effect of combination of organic (poultry manure) and inorganic fertilizer (NPK 15-15-15) on maize (M-S variety) performance at different soil pH levels. This was followed by a field trial to validate the findings from the greenhouse experiment. Four soil pH levels: pH 5.5, pH 6.0, pH 6.5 and pH 7.0 and six rates of treatment combination: T1 (200kg/ha NPK + 6t/ha PM); T2 (300kg/ha NPK + 4 t/ha PM), T3 (400kg t/ha NPK + 2t/ha PM); T4 (400 t/ha NPK only), T5 (8t/ha PM only); T6 (Control) and replicated three times were carried out in a 6x4factorial in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and Randomized Complete Block Design (RBCD) respectively. The study results obtained showed that plant growth, dry matter and fruit yields of maize were significantly increased due to application varying combinations of organic (poultry manure) and inorganic fertilizer at different soil pH levels, when compared with the control. ...
The relative changes in the composition of six cultivars of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) ... more The relative changes in the composition of six cultivars of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) were investigated in three major yam ecozones in southeastern Nigeria. The component parameters measured were crude protein, starch and total soluble sugar of the six cultivars at maturity. Each of the six cultivars was grown in the three locations which represent su bh umid savanna (Zaki-Biam), forest-savanna transition (Abakaliki) and riverine alluvial areas (At ani) for two seasons (1986 and 1987). Samples analyzed were obtained from unfertilized plots which formed part of the split plot design used in each location with fertilizer as main plot and cultivar as subplot treatments. The study showed that some cultivars (e.g., Agatu) performed better in their test sites because increase in protein contents of up to 53 percent, starch contents of up to 33 percent and soluble sugar content of up to 16 percent were obtained in the test site. On the other hand, some cultivars (e.g., Nyeji) performed better in their source site. and decrease of up to 43 percent protein, 56 percent soluble sugar and 10 percent starch were obtained. The soil properties that may contribute to these variations are soil acidity and base saturation, organic matter and total nitrogen. When these properties are adequately amended in each of the locations, the quality of the yam cultivars grown in each location is likely to be higher.
Fluctuations in the Characteristics of an Important Short Tropical Season, `August Break' in Eastern Nigeria
Discovery and Innovation, 2002
Available rainfall and relative humidity data (18 years), maximum and minimum temperature (14 yea... more Available rainfall and relative humidity data (18 years), maximum and minimum temperature (14 years), sunshine hours (13 years) and evapotranspiration (Eight years) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka meteorological station were analyzed in this study. The objectives were to obtain the probability of occurrence of `August Break' and assess relationships and fluctuations in the characteristics of `August Break' dry spell in the area. The study revealed that `August Break' could occur in the months of June (probability = 0.25), July (probability = 0.31) and August (probability = 0.44). In terms of the absolute values of the mean monthly rainfall and number of rain days as well as moisture balance and relative humidity, June is the driest month followed by July then August. Thus, the adoption of the term `August Break' could have been drawn from the observed frequency of occurrence rather than the overall moisture balance. The mean monthly rainfall data from `August ...
In this work, the potential use of organic wastes in improving the productivity of the low-base s... more In this work, the potential use of organic wastes in improving the productivity of the low-base status of an ultisol was evaluated in the greenhouse using a completely randomized design. There were twelve treatments replicated four times including the control. The treatments were solid poultry droppings, piggery dung and cow dung and their extracts obtained after soaking for one week, two weeks, and more than two weeks. These treatments were properly applied to 2 kg of potted soil (equivalent of 15 t ha -1 ) and planted with maize grains at a rate of two grains per pot and thinned down to one seedling after germination. The results showed that extract from poultry droppings soaked for more than two weeks gave the highest yield of maize dry matter (18.30 g plant -1 ), followed by extracts from pig dung soaked for more than two weeks which yielded (18.14 g plant -1 ) and solid poultry dropping (17.47 g plant -1 ) while solid cow done or its extracts gave the lowest yield of (5.08 g pl...
The optimum time for yam-mound remoulding for cassava introduction in eastern Nigeria
Tropical Agriculture, 1997
A study conducted in eastern Nigeria to determine the best time for yam-mound remoulding for cass... more A study conducted in eastern Nigeria to determine the best time for yam-mound remoulding for cassava introduction, showed that the best period was between two and three months after the planting of yams in April. This recommendation was based on both the performance of yam and cassava as well as the estimated revenue from the yields of both crops. The study also showed that mound-remoulding could reduce the number of times farmers weed, from three to one and reduce erosion by improving the infiltration capacity of the yam mounds, since the soil material used in remoulding is often loose. The thin layer of earth on the mound after remoulding serves as an earth mulch which covers yam roots often exposed by the torrential rainfall which is characteristic of the study area.
Micronutrients availability in a cleared forestland after seven years of continuous cultivation and eight years of natural fallow in an Alfisol, eastern Nigeria
ABSTRACT Micronutrients content in a cleared forestland continuously cropped for seven years with... more ABSTRACT Micronutrients content in a cleared forestland continuously cropped for seven years with cassava, maize, pigeon pea and their combinations and subsequently fallowed for eight years were monitored in this study in order to determine the availability of these nutrients after these years. Soil samples were collected at the end of the cultivation and fallow periods and were analysed for available zinc, copper, iron and boron in addition to available phosphorus, pH and organic matter. The results show that micronutrients content (except copper) in the various plots decreased after years of cultivation, these equally increased after the fallow period especially for available zinc. The rate of micronutrient recovery after fallow was more on the plots which had cassava as a treatment. Availability of micronutrients was affected by soil properties especially available phosphorus which had a significant (p &lt; 0.05) negative correlation with zinc. Significant (p &lt; 0.05) negative correlation between zinc and copper, as well as a significant (p &lt; 0.01) positive correlation between boron and iron were obtained in this study. More research is needed in order to understand the interrelationships that exist among micronutrients in alfisol of eastern Nigeria.
Uploads
Papers by Charles Asadu