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Trace Elements Composition and Enzymes Activity of Soil Amended with Municipal Sewage Sludge at Three Locations in Kentucky
George Fouad Antonious,
Eric Todd Turley
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 5, September 2020
Pages:
89-95
Received:
13 April 2020
Accepted:
30 April 2020
Published:
23 September 2020
Abstract: Biological monitoring is a sensitive indicator of soil ecological stress for early restoration. The addition of manure, such as sewage sludge (SS) to agricultural soil contributes to the enhancement of organic compounds. However, SS may contain toxic metals that potentially affect soil microbial growth and the enzymes they produce. Soil samples were collected from three agricultural locations in Kentucky (Adair, Meade, and Franklin Counties), from areas where municipal SS was applied as a soil amendment for commercial crop production. The objectives of this investigation were to: 1) assess the impact of mixing native agricultural soil with municipal SS on the activities of the three enzymes that hydrolyze urea (urease, urea amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.5), sucrose (invertase, β-D-fructofuranosidase), and p-nitrophenyl phosphate (acid and alkaline phosphatase) and 2) determine total microbial activity using the fluorescein diacetate reagent. The concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, and C content in soil mixed with SS in Franklin location were greater compared to Adair and Meade locations. The elevated soil urease and invertase activities (47 and 89%, respectively) as well as acid and alkaline phosphatase activities (23 and 26%, respectively) in soil amended with SS provided evidence of increased soil microbial population and the enzymes they produce.
Abstract: Biological monitoring is a sensitive indicator of soil ecological stress for early restoration. The addition of manure, such as sewage sludge (SS) to agricultural soil contributes to the enhancement of organic compounds. However, SS may contain toxic metals that potentially affect soil microbial growth and the enzymes they produce. Soil samples wer...
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Soil Fertility Status in Bukoba, Missenyi and Biharamulo Districts in Kagera Region, Tanzania
Mgeta Steven Merumba,
Ernest Semu,
Johnson Mashambo Semoka,
Balthazar Michael Msanya
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 5, September 2020
Pages:
96-117
Received:
5 September 2020
Accepted:
17 September 2020
Published:
23 September 2020
Abstract: The study was conducted in three Districts of Kagera Region, Tanzania to assess the inherent soil fertility status of farmers' fields. Thirty-three fields, located three to five km apart, were selected and soil samples (0 – 20 cm depth) were taken, mixed thoroughly, air-dried, ground, sieved through 2 mm sieve, and analyzed in the soil laboratory based on standard laboratory analytical procedures. Correlation analyses among soil chemical properties were performed using IBM SPSS Statistic 20 and the mean values were calculated using Excel spreadsheet statistical package. Soil fertility index (SFI) and limiting nutrients were used to assess the fertility status of the fields. The results indicated that soil textures ranged from sandy clay loam to sandy clay, clay loam, clay to sandy. Soil pH ranged from strongly acid (5.1) to slightly acid (6.1) while EC levels were very low (0.03 - 0.17 dS m-1). Total TN ranged from very low to medium (0.04 - 0.41%), extractable P ranged from low to high (0.44 - 86.44 mg kg-1) and Exchangeable K ranged from very low to medium (0.08 - 0.98 cmol(+) kg-1). Exchangeable S ranged from low to medium (2.27 - 12.14 mg kg-1) while CEC ranged from very low to medium (5.20 - 23.00 cmol(+) kg-1), extractable Zn ranged from medium to high (0.85 - 18.41 mg kg-1), Cu from medium to high (0.47 - 2.81 mg kg-1), and Mn and Fe were medium (2.24 - 70.34 mg kg-1) and high (37.50 - 473.21 mg kg-1), respectively. The results also indicated both positive (r=+ve) and negative (r=-ve) and both significantly (p≤0.05) and highly significantly (p≤0.01) correlations among the soil chemical properties in each districts. Based on SFI, the soil fertility status of the studied fields ranged from poor fertility to good fertility. The results on the limiting nutrients across the studied fields indicated that N and K were the most limiting nutrients (67%) followed by P (52%), S (32%), Mg and OC (18%) and the least was Ca (15%). The results also indicated that N and P were the most limiting nutrients in Bukoba District while N and S were the most limiting nutrients in Missenyi District and N, P and K were the most limiting nutrients in Biharamulo District. Therefore, specific soil fertility management practices are recommended based on limiting nutrients in those fields having inadequate levels of plant nutrients together with training of farmers on proper use of the appropriate soil fertility management practices.
Abstract: The study was conducted in three Districts of Kagera Region, Tanzania to assess the inherent soil fertility status of farmers' fields. Thirty-three fields, located three to five km apart, were selected and soil samples (0 – 20 cm depth) were taken, mixed thoroughly, air-dried, ground, sieved through 2 mm sieve, and analyzed in the soil laboratory b...
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Holistic Appraisal of and Approaches to Agriculture and Food Policy
Adhikarla Suryanarayana Rao
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 5, September 2020
Pages:
118-123
Received:
1 September 2020
Accepted:
19 September 2020
Published:
25 September 2020
Abstract: Total number of countries and territories together are put at 235. Apparently, single blanket recommendation is not possible but one has to think of custom made and tailored solutions/policies-country and territory wise- and within country and territory wise. “How many are to be fed” and “How many are needed to feed” ? How much land needs to be ear marked for agriculture and animal husbandry? Statistics must be viewed from all angles while framing policies Viz; Nature of political governance; Total land area; Nature of the varies types of land available; Climatic conditions; Total population; Population density; Food habits; Availability of resources for agriculture and animal husbandry and for otherwise living. An integrated approach of tailor made strategies, creating strong awareness, incentives and disincentives, due monitoring and follow up must be there. This is required particularly in highly populated regions of the world apart from thinking of different strategies to increase food production and ensure food security. As the system of governance varies with the country, measures and the manner and extent of their implementation can vary. Government should encourage expertise and invest money to develop better agricultural and animal husbandry production and food distribution and food security logistics. Plants can be exploited for needs other than food but food is the first requirement. Climate change, Global warming, Sustainability and Organic Agriculture are of considerable complexity, futuristic, considerable dualities, multifaceted and inter-related and requires a critical analysis. Past, present and future scenarios have to be duly appraised to people of respective countries by the respective Governments, UN and other International Organizations. Irrespective of the state of affairs, the following measures are definitely required Viz; population control, avoiding wars and social conflicts and political instability and clean and healthy and contented life styles. Due restraints need to be followed.
Abstract: Total number of countries and territories together are put at 235. Apparently, single blanket recommendation is not possible but one has to think of custom made and tailored solutions/policies-country and territory wise- and within country and territory wise. “How many are to be fed” and “How many are needed to feed” ? How much land needs to be ear...
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Bioaccumulation of Trace Metals in Plants Grown in Sewage Sludge Amended Soil
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 5, September 2020
Pages:
124-134
Received:
7 July 2020
Accepted:
21 July 2020
Published:
13 October 2020
Abstract: A survey was established to study the mobility of metals (Cr, Mo, Cu, and Zn) from soils amended with municipal sewage sludge (SS) into plants grown at three locations in Kentucky and compare metal concentrations in plants to their permissible standard limits. The field experiments were established at Meade, Adair, and Franklin Counties in Kentucky areas where commercial growers use SS as alternative to inorganic fertilizers. Metals in soil and plant tissue were quantified using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) spectrometer. Results revealed that different trace metals had different uptake pattern by different plants. Cr concentrations in beans has shown very little accumulation in bean seeds. Cr and Mo concentrations in plants grown at the three locations were below the permissible level of 1.3 µg g-1 tissue. Other than onion bulbs, Cu concentrations were above the permissible level of 10 µg g-1 tissue in plants grown at Meade site. At the Adair site, Cu was above the limit only in tobacco leaves. Whereas at Franklin site, Cu was above the limit in potato tubers, onion bulbs, and tomato fruits. Zn concentration in all plants tested never exceeded the permissible level of 0.6 µg g-1 tissue.
Abstract: A survey was established to study the mobility of metals (Cr, Mo, Cu, and Zn) from soils amended with municipal sewage sludge (SS) into plants grown at three locations in Kentucky and compare metal concentrations in plants to their permissible standard limits. The field experiments were established at Meade, Adair, and Franklin Counties in Kentucky...
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Development the Wide Ridges Machine for Laying Drip Irrigation Tubes and Plastic Mulch in Ras Sudr-South of Sinai
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 5, September 2020
Pages:
135-147
Received:
12 September 2020
Accepted:
25 September 2020
Published:
13 October 2020
Abstract: Mulching facilitates more retention of soil moisture and helps in control of temperature fluctuations, improves physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. As, it adds nutrients to the soil and ultimately enhances the growth and yield of crops. The desired outcomes from raised-bed (wide ridge) are to: drain, aerate, prevent water logging, increase root growth, thereby reinforce the loose structure, increase soil organic matter, increase plant water use, reduce deep drainage and increase production. Therefore, a mulching machine was designed and manufactured to suit different dimensions of chilli raised-beds in Egypt in agriculture. The traditional machine using to build the wide ridges (raised-beds) was developed to suitable for installing raised-bed, cover it with plastic films and laying the drip irrigation pipes (surface and subsurface) at the same time. The developed part consists of main frame, plastic roll carrier unit, drip irrigation pipes roll carrier unit, press wheel assembly, soil covering unit, bed former and three hitching points. The developed machine has overall dimensions 2600 x 2000 x 1250 mm (L x W x H). The weight of the developed plastic mulch-laying machine is 322 kg (without plastic mulch roll and drip pipes roll). The total fabrication cost of the mulch machine was 20000 LE with 2019 price level. The developed machine was evaluated in Ras-Sudr research station, south Sinai governorate on calcareous sandy loam soil at three different speeds of operation (2, 3 and 4 km/h), two different methods to use plastic mulch (with and without) and two different methods to lay the drip irrigation pipes (surface and subsurface). The effect of study treatments on actual field capacity, field efficiency, pulling force, fuel consumption rate, total water stored, water consumptive use, water application efficiency, width and thickness of soil cover, width and height of raised-bed, mulching efficiency, chilli yield, productivity of irrigation water, soil salinity, cost of developed machine and cost for manual process were studied. From this study, it was concluded that using developed machine for installing raised-bed and laying both plastic mulch and drip irrigation pipes (surface and subsurface) at the same time. Led to a 68% decrease in costs compared to the manual method of using the machine before development to install the raised-bed, then laying both plastic mulch and drip irrigation pipes (surface and subsurface) manually. The results of evaluation experiment for the developed machine showed that although at low speed 2 km/h, the actual field capacity decreased and costs increased by an average of 44% and 62%, respectively, compared to the speed of 4 km/h. However, at a speed of 2 km/h, the pulling force, fuel consumption rate and soil salinity decreased about 14%, 15% and 14% respectively and field efficiency, total water stored, water consumptive use, water application efficiency, chilli yield and productivity of irrigation water about 4%, 6%, 4%, 16% and 15% respectively compared to the speed of 4 km/h. The results also showed that at a speed of 2 km/h, the width and thickness of the soil cover of the plastic edges increased about 74% and 98%, respectively, and the width and height of the raised-bed increased about 23% and 20%, respectively, compared to the speed of 4 km/h. The highest mulching efficiency 97% was achieved at a speed of 2 km/h and when laying drip irrigation pipes sub-surface compared to 66% at speed of 4 km/h and laying drip irrigation pipes on soil surface. Therefore, the study recommends using the developed machine to install a raised-bed and laying both of plastic mulch on its surface and drip irrigation pipes sub-surface at a speed of 2 km/h achieved the highest efficiency in implementing this system at the lowest cost. Also, worked to increase the irrigation use efficiency, reduced soil salinity and increased yield of chilli crop.
Abstract: Mulching facilitates more retention of soil moisture and helps in control of temperature fluctuations, improves physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. As, it adds nutrients to the soil and ultimately enhances the growth and yield of crops. The desired outcomes from raised-bed (wide ridge) are to: drain, aerate, prevent water logging,...
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Manufacture and Performance Evaluation of Machine to Extend Plastic Films Under Soil Surface to Improve Water Retention Balouza-North Sinai
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 5, September 2020
Pages:
148-161
Received:
12 September 2020
Accepted:
25 September 2020
Published:
13 October 2020
Abstract: Water shortage presents a serious problem nowadays. This problem will certainly worsen in the future, and so, improving the irrigation water efficiency by various methods is one of the economically viable alternatives in overcoming the water scarcity. It considers a good solution to overcome the fight against famine especially in the developing countries. A new technique in cultivation by installing plastic membrane sheet below the crop’s root zone named subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) which helped to save irrigation water in the root zone, less farm losses, increasing the field water use efficiency and water productivity. But the difficult of installing SWRT system alienated many farmers from adopting this system. Therefore, in this paper, developed machine was manufactured to install the plastic membrane sheet below the root zone of Faba bean crop during the winter growing season 2018 in open field which cultivated at two systems, the first was ridges system and the second was flat soil system. The total fabrication cost of the study machine was 25000 L. E with 2018 price level. This research was carried out in a Balouza research station in north Sinai governorate. Subsurface drip irrigation system was used for irrigation process and laid by developed machine. Three treatments types were used, cultivated system treatment (ridges and flat soil), aspect ratio treatment (2:1, 3:1 and 4:1) (width to height) and the installing depth of plastic sheet from soil surface (20, 30 and 40) cm. In addition, control treatment was without using the plastic membrane sheet. Actual field capacity, field efficiency, pulling force, fuel consumption rate, total water stored, water consumptive use, stored and consumption water efficiency, Faba bean grain yield, productivity of irrigation water, cost of developed machine and cost of manual process were discussed and compared between the treatments. The obtained results indicated that the machine study succeed in carried out SWRT system and laying subsurface drip irrigation pipes at efficiency of 92% for plastic laying depth, (91% - 95%) for plastic aspect ratio (width - height) and 96% for depth of laying drip pipes. In general, SWRT system achieved the highest total water stored, water consumptive use and Faba bean grain yield about of 49%, 53% and 50% respectively, and achieved the lowest cost about of 74% compared to without using plastic film. The results showed that aspect ratio 2:1 achieved the lowest pulling force, fuel consumption and cost about of 24%, 22% and 7% respectively, and the highest actual field capacity about of 6% compared to 4:1 aspect ratio. While, the aspect ratio 4:1 achieved the highest total water stored, water consumptive use and Faba bean grain yield about of 21%, 26% and 14% respectively, compared to 2:1 aspect ratio. The lowest pulling force, fuel consumption and cost achieved at 20cm plastic laying depth about of 49%, 44% and 8% respectively, and highest actual field capacity about of 6% compared to 40cm depth. The highest total water stored, water consumptive use and Faba bean grain yield about of 14%, 17% and 11% respectively, at 40cm plastic laying depth compared to 20cm depth. The ridge system achieved the lowest pulling force, fuel consumption and cost about of 33%, 32% and 8% respectively, and the highest actual field capacity, total water stored, water consumptive use and Faba bean grain yield about of 5%, 8%, 9% and 8% respectively, compared to flat soil.
Abstract: Water shortage presents a serious problem nowadays. This problem will certainly worsen in the future, and so, improving the irrigation water efficiency by various methods is one of the economically viable alternatives in overcoming the water scarcity. It considers a good solution to overcome the fight against famine especially in the developing cou...
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