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Application of Rice-Husk Biochar to Coarse-Textured Ultisols and the Effects on Soil Fertility Indicators at Different Amendment-to-Sampling Intervals Ebido, Nancy Ekene; Awaogu, Chukwuebuka Ebuka; Akubue, Jacinta Chinonso; Ozongwu, Ogorchukwu Valeria; Unagwu, Benedict Onyebuchi; Obalum, Sunday E.; Igwe, Charles Arizechukwu
JOURNAL OF TROPICAL SOILS Vol 30, No 2: May 2025
Publisher : UNIVERSITY OF LAMPUNG

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.5400/jts.2025.v30i2.69-83

Abstract

The low fertility status of the highly weathered tropical soils offers the opportunity to study the potential and optimum application rate of biochar as an organic soil amendment, especially for the dominant coarse-textured Ultisols. Despite the relatively fast mineralisation of organics in these soils and the need to synchronise nutrient release crops critical stages of nutrient requirement, the time corresponding to peak effects of biochar remains unclear. The effects of rice-husk biochar (RHB) on the soil fertility of sandy-loam Ultisols at 0, 7.5, 15, 30, and 60 Mg ha-1 equivalents in 2-kg soils were assessed at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of incubation (WOI). Treatments were prepared in batches to enable concurrent sampling for all five incubation intervals. The RHB enhanced soil fertility across the incubation intervals, with optimal rates as 15 Mg ha-1 for soil pH and 30 - 60 Mg ha-1 for macronutrients availability. Relative to the its non-application, RHB increased soil pH-H2O, total N, available P, exchangeable bases, exchangeable acidity, apparent CEC and base saturation by 4-30%, 43-100%, 30-202%, 13-240%, 14-675%, 21-126% and 7-82%, respectively. Soil pH tended to decrease after, while available P progressively decreased before 8 WOI, when treatment effects were generally most pronounced. At an all-encompassing optimal rate range of 30-60 Mg ha-1, RHB could reduce soil acidity and enhance the macronutrient status of coarse-textured Ultisols over at least 12 weeks, soil fertility restoration effects of which are likely to be most pronounced around 8 weeks.
Application of Rice-Husk Biochar to Coarse-Textured Ultisols and the Effects on Soil Fertility Indicators at Different Amendment-to-Sampling Intervals Ebido, Nancy Ekene; Awaogu, Chukwuebuka Ebuka; Akubue, Jacinta Chinonso; Ozongwu, Ogorchukwu Valeria; Unagwu, Benedict Onyebuchi; Obalum, Sunday E.; Igwe, Charles Arizechukwu
JOURNAL OF TROPICAL SOILS Vol. 30 No. 2: May 2025
Publisher : UNIVERSITY OF LAMPUNG

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.5400/jts.2025.v30i2.69-83

Abstract

The low fertility status of the highly weathered tropical soils offers the opportunity to study the potential and optimum application rate of biochar as an organic soil amendment, especially for the dominant coarse-textured Ultisols. Despite the relatively fast mineralisation of organics in these soils and the need to synchronise nutrient release crops critical stages of nutrient requirement, the time corresponding to peak effects of biochar remains unclear. The effects of rice-husk biochar (RHB) on the soil fertility of sandy-loam Ultisols at 0, 7.5, 15, 30, and 60 Mg ha-1 equivalents in 2-kg soils were assessed at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of incubation (WOI). Treatments were prepared in batches to enable concurrent sampling for all five incubation intervals. The RHB enhanced soil fertility across the incubation intervals, with optimal rates as 15 Mg ha-1 for soil pH and 30 - 60 Mg ha-1 for macronutrients availability. Relative to the its non-application, RHB increased soil pH-H2O, total N, available P, exchangeable bases, exchangeable acidity, apparent CEC and base saturation by 4-30%, 43-100%, 30-202%, 13-240%, 14-675%, 21-126% and 7-82%, respectively. Soil pH tended to decrease after, while available P progressively decreased before 8 WOI, when treatment effects were generally most pronounced. At an all-encompassing optimal rate range of 30-60 Mg ha-1, RHB could reduce soil acidity and enhance the macronutrient status of coarse-textured Ultisols over at least 12 weeks, soil fertility restoration effects of which are likely to be most pronounced around 8 weeks.
GIS-based approach in land suitability evaluation for maize (Zea mays) and cassava (Manihot esculenta) production in Nsukka local government area of Enugu State Umeugokwe, Chigozie Pascal; Ebido, Nancy Ekene; Uroawuchi, Ihuoma Eileen; Awaogu, Chukwuebuka Edwin; Umeugochukwu, Obiageli; Jidere, Chika Mike; Uzoh, Ifeyinwa Monica; Asadu, Charles Livinus Anija
SAINS TANAH - Journal of Soil Science and Agroclimatology Vol 22, No 2 (2025): December
Publisher : Universitas Sebelas Maret

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.20961/stjssa.v22i2.101534

Abstract

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of economic development, food security, and the livelihoods of rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. This study employed a parametric evaluation approach to assess the suitability of soils in the Nsukka Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State, Southeastern Nigeria, for cultivating maize (Zea mays) and Cassava (Manihot esculenta) using the Geographical Information System (GIS). The study applied the FAO land evaluation framework using systematic soil sampling, laboratory analyses, and GIS mapping. A total of thirty geo-referenced soil samples from the surface (0-20 cm) were gathered in triplicate across Nsukka LGA. Climatic and topographic data were integrated with soil parameters to assess suitability. Thematic maps were developed and overlaid to generate suitability classes for maize and cassava using the ArcGIS software. The climate characteristics were highly suitable for crop production. Topography (slope) and soil characteristics (texture, organic carbon, and base saturation) were the most limiting factors for both crops. The maps showed that 6.18% of the study region was highly suitable, while 93.82% was moderately suitable for maize production. The study region was entirely suitable for cassava cultivation. These results support the recommendation for crop-specific land-use planning and targeted soil management practices to improve maize productivity and leverage cassava's resilience in marginal soils.