Volume 21 (2011)

1

Research Article

Erodibility and Gully Erosion in Relation to Soil Properties in Akwa Ibom State, South Eastern, Nigeria

Ogban P. I.^*, Edoho, I. J

This study was conducted to evaluate soil physical and chemical properties in relation to erodibility and gully erosion in Akwa Ibom State, South eastern Nigeria. The locations of study were three gully erosion sites/ types, namely, active and meta-stable (ms-1 and ms-2) gullies. Results of the study showed that coarse sand (CS) particles averaged 863, 710 and 800 gkg-1 in the active and ms-1 and ...

Aug, 2011 pp. 69-79

2

Research Article

Land Use/land Cover Change Detection in Ikwuano Area, Abia State Nigeria Using Landsat Data

Nuga B.O^*, Akinbola G.E.

The use of remotely sensed data through Geographic Information System template for land use evaluation and classification is relatively cheap with less drudgery. Landsat satellite imageries covering Ikwuano area were acquired and processed with ERDAS Imagine. These were applied in mapping land use changes in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Three major LULC types: forest land,...

Aug, 2011 pp. 61-68

3

Research Article

Research Note Toxicity of Soil in Agunji Marble Mining Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

Olatunji K. J.^*

Soils in areas of mining operation are used in cultivating crops in Kwara State. This makes it imperative to monitor the concentrations of toxic heavy metals in the soil. The concentrations of Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn at 10m intervals from the centre of marble quarry were determined up to 110m distance. Values of extractable Mn varied from 1.73 to 10.8, Fe 6.0 to 19.8, Cu 0.55 to 2.8 and Zn from 0.03 to...

Aug, 2011 pp. 170-173

4

Research Article

Integrated Nutrient Application Effect on Npk Absorption and Root Yield of Sweet Potato (ipomoea Batatas (l) Lam) in a Tropical Ultisol

N. A. Onunka^*, V.E. Osodeke, D. O. Asawalam, C. N. Ebeniro.

A field trial was conducted at National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State Nigeria, in 2004/2005 cropping seasons. The aim was to determine the effect of integration and time of application of two nutrient sources (poultry manure and inorganic fertilizer) on NPK absorption and root yield of sweet potato in an ultisol. Different rates of the two nutrient sources including a control ...

Aug, 2011 pp. 134-141

5

Research Article

Effect of Integrated Application of Soil Amendments on Nutrient Uptake and Soil Properties in a Tropical Alfisol

Amusan O. A.^*, OJENIYI STEPHEN OLUSOLA

A field experiment was conducted on a tropical alfisol for two consecutive years to determine the effect of integrated application of nutrient sources on nutrient uptake and soil properties. The treatments consisted of two rates of poultry manure (0 and 5 t ha-1 ), three rates of N fertilizer (0, 50 and 100 kg N ha-1 applied as urea), three rates of P fertilizer (0, 30 and 60 kg P ha-1 applied as ...

Aug, 2011 pp. 24-34

6

Research Article

Effect of Heavy Metal Contamination on Microbial Population, Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Mineralization in Soil Planted to Legumes

Soretire A.A.^*, ADESODUN Johnson Kayode, Oludemi, B.M.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of heavy metal contamination on the microbial population, organic carbon and nitrogen mineralization in the soil planted to legumes. Two heavy metals (Zinc and lead) were used at 150 mg kg -1 and 200 mg kg-1 concentrations respectively. Four legumes (Mucuna, Cowpea, Soyabean and Centrosema) were planted in pots filled with 4 kg of 2 mm sieved s...

Aug, 2011 pp. 112-117

7

Research Article

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Dynamics in a Legume Based Integrated Nutrient Management System

Amusan O. A.^*, Adetunji M. T, Jamiu Oladipupo Azeez

This study was carried out on a tropical alfisol for two consecutive years to investigate the effect of a legume based integrated nutrient management system on the soil status of nitrogen and phosphorus. The treatments consisted of two rates of poultry manure (0 and 5 t ha-1 ), three rates of N fertilizer (0, 50 and 100 kg N ha-1 applied as urea), three rates of P fertilizer (0, 30 and 60 kg P ha-...

Aug, 2011 pp. 13-23

8

Research Article

Agronomic and Economic Evaluation of Different Conservation and Conventional Farming Practices on a Sandy Clay Loam Soil at Minna, Nigeria

Odofin A. J.^*, Kaure I. G., Tanko L., Eneje R. C

Field trials were carried out in 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons to compare manual ridging (control) with ten conservation and conventional farming practices. The zero tillage treatments recorded significantly higher penetration resistance than manual ridging in both years. In terms of soil moisture content, seedling emergence, plant height, grain yield and stover + grain yield, however, the contro...

Aug, 2011 pp. 118-128

9

Research Article

Improving the Physical Properties of a Degraded Alfisol in Nigeria Using Organic Amendments for Profitable Okra Production

Oshunsanya S.O.^*

Experiments were conducted between 2007 and 2008 to determine the optimum rate of organic fertilizer (OF) for okra production and to evaluate residual effects of OF on soil physical properties. Six different rates of OF; 0 kg N ha-1 , 60 kg N ha-1 , 80 kg N ha-1 , 100 kg N ha-1 , 120 kg N ha-1 and 140 kg N ha-1 were replicated five times in a Randomized Complete Block Design on an Alfisol in the s...

Aug, 2011 pp. 90-94

10

Research Article

Nutrient Availability to Soybean (glycine Max (l) Merr.) from Ogun Phosphate Rock and Zinc Application in Some South-Western Nigerian Alfisols

Shokalu A. O^*, Shokalu O, Adetunji M. T, Jamiu Oladipupo Azeez

The response of soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr.) to phosphorus from beneficiated Ogun phosphate rock (OPR) and zinc application (as ZnO; 80 % Zn) was studied in both pot and field experiments. Pot experiment was conducted with six surface soils collected from 0-20 cm depth of different land uses within Ogun State, Nigeria while the most representative of the locations was used for the field trial. ...

Aug, 2011 pp. 52-60

11

Research Article

Microaggregate Stability and Organic Carbon Fractions of a Tropical Loamy Sand Amended with Pig-Composted Manure

ADESODUN Johnson Kayode^*, O. S. Adekonojo

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is important in restoration of microaggregate stability of tropical soils. This study evaluated effect of pig-composted manure applied at 0, 5, 10 and 15 Mg ha-1 to cultivated land and forest re-growth land on distribution of organic carbon (OC) fractions and microaggregate stability using principal component analysis (PCA). The cultivated land was planted with two variet...

Aug, 2011 pp. 80-89

12

Research Article

Yield Response of Maize (zea Mays L.) and Soil Nutrients to Time and Methods of Npk Application

B. Osundare^*

A study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, during early 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons to determine the effects of time and methods of NPK fertilizer application on yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and soil nutrients. The design was split – plot, laid out in a Randomized Complete Block, with three replicates. Time of NPK fertilizer application co...

Aug, 2011 pp. 95-101

13

Research Article

Crop Residue Management Effects on Runoff and Maize Performance in the Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria

Ahaneku I. E.^*, M. Y. Kasali

The effects of different residue management techniques on runoff, growth and yield of maize (Zea mays. L) were evaluated in a sandy loam soil (Typic haplustalf) at Ilorin, Nigeria, using maize stover as mulch material.Treatments consisted of surface placement and tillage incorporation of residue mulch at the application rates of 2, 4 and 6 t ha-1 , with three replications in a Randomised Complete ...

Aug, 2011 pp. 129-133

14

Research Article

Potassium Distribution in the Sand, Silt and Clay Fraction of Soils Developed Over Talc in Odo-Ogbe, Kogi State, Nigeria

AJIBOYE G. A.^*, Ogunwale J. A., Aduloju M. O.

Potassium (K) status of soils formed over talc at in a Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria was assessed by the exchangeable, acid extractable, residual K and total K values in the sand, silt and clay fractions of the soils. Soil samples collected from genetic horizons of profile pits dug in five mapping units were fractioned into the three particle sizes of sand, silt and clay and exchangeable...

Aug, 2011 pp. 156-169

15

Research Article

Influence of Sodium and Potassium Fertilizers on Growth and Nutrient Contents of Tomato Plant in South Western Nigeria

Idowu M. K^*

The influence of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) on growth and nutrient content of tomato was investigated on the field between 2003 and 2004 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Obafemi Awolowo University. The experiment was a 4 x 3 factorial arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The factors and levels were 0, 4, 16 and 32 mg Na kg-1 soil and 0, 64 and 128 mg K ...

Aug, 2011 pp. 1-12

16

Research Article

Effect of Poultry Manure on Soil Chemical Properties and Root Yield of Sweet Potato (ipomoea Batatas (l) Lam) Grown in a Tropical Ultiso

N. A. Onunka^*, V.E. Osodeke, D. O. Asawalam

A field trial was conducted at National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike in 2004/2005 cropping seasons. The aim was to evaluate the effect of poultry manure applied over time intervals on some soil chemical properties and root yield of Sweet potato. The time intervals were 2 weeks before planting, (WBP), at planting, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after planting (WAP). Sweet potato varieties used were TIS...

Aug, 2011 pp. 35-44

17

Research Article

Effects of Organo-Mineral Fertilizer and Cocoa Pod Husk Ash on the Soil, Leaf Chemical Composition and Growth of Coffee

Adejobi K.B^*, Famaye, A. O., Oloyede A.A., Oyedokun A.V, Adeosun S.A, Adeniyi D.O.

A nursery experiment was carried out in Ibadan (rain forest zone), Southwest Nigeria to study relative effect(s) of combined use of organo-mineral fertilizer (OMF) and cocoa pod husk ash (CPHA) on soil chemical properties, nutrient status and growth of coffee seedlings (Coffea arabica L.). Eight treatments: 5t/ha CPHA, 20 t /ha OMF, 20 t/ha OMF + 5t/ha CPHA, 15 t/ha OMF + 5 t/ha CPHA, 10t /ha OMF ...

Aug, 2011 pp. 45-51

18

Research Article

Spatial Variability of Micronutrients in Termite Infested Soil Formed on Nupe Sandstone in the Guinea Savanna Region of Nigeria

Obi J. C.^*, Ogunkunle A. O.

Soil micronutrients are nutrients required by plants in small quantity. They affect plant growth either directly or indirectly. Availability of these elements for crop growth and development may be affected by their distribution on the landscape. Variability in crop yield may indirectly be attributable to soil micronutrient variability. Termites have been implicated through their feeding habit, co...

Aug, 2011 pp. 102-111

19

Research Article

Classification and Suitability Evaluation of the Soils of a Toposequence at Odeda, Ogun State for the Production of Rice (oryza Sativa)

AJIBOYE G. A.^*, Alabi K. O., Aiboni V. U.,, Okeleye K. A, ADESODUN Johnson Kayode

A detailed survey of the soils of a toposequence at Odeda, Ogun State was conducted to characterize, classify and assess the suitability of the soils for sustainable production of rice. The rigid grid method of survey was adopted for soil mapping while the linear parametric and square root models were used for assessing the suitability of the land for rice production. The result of the study showe...

Aug, 2011 pp. 142-155