Morphology, Genesis, Physico-chemical Properties, Classification and Potential of Soils Derived from Volcanic Parent Materials in Selected Districts of Mbeya Region, Tanzania
Journal Title: International Journal of Plant & Soil Science - Year 2016, Vol 10, Issue 4
Abstract
This study clarifies the morphology, genesis, physico-chemical properties and classification of soils developed from volcanic parent materials of Mbeya Region, Tanzania. Six typical pedons (MWK 01, IFIG 02, MKY 03, MWZ 04, KYE 01 and NDE 01), were identified, described and 33 soil samples analyzed for physical and chemical characteristics. Results indicate that all pedons were very deep, with textures ranging between fine and coarse. Soil moisture retention ranged between low and medium (78 - 101 mm/m). Some pedons had volcanic ash layers of varying thicknesses and buried 2BC, 2Bwb or 3Bwb horizons, typical of recent volcanic soils. Topsoils had low bulk and particle densities ranging between 0.70 to 1.26 g cm-3 and 1.95 to 2.55 g cm-3, respectively. Organic carbon (OC) content ranged from medium to very high (1.29 to 5.58%). The studied pedons had extremely acidic to very slightly acidic pH ranging from 4.02 to 6.58. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) ranged from medium to very high (16.8 - 41 cmol(+) kg-1 soil for topsoils and 21 - 42.6 cmol(+) kg-1 for subsoils). All studied pedons had pHNaF > 9.5, reflecting an exchange complex dominated by amorphous Fe and Al oxides and/or humus complexes. Phosphate retention capacity (PRC) ranged from 25 to 97% and one pedon (MWZ 04) met the andic properties requirement of PRC ≥ 85%. SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 ranged from 46.5 to 62.1%, 26.3 to 38.4% and 4.0 to 9.8%, respectively. On the basis of computed Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), the degree of weathering of the studied pedons followed the trend NDE 01>MKY 03>MKW 01>KYE 01>IFIG 02>MWZ 04. According to USDA Soil Taxonomy, the studied pedons were classified as Alfisols (pedons MKW 01, MKY 03 and NDE 01), Inceptisol (pedon IFIG 02), Andisol (pedon MWZ 04) and Entisol (Pedon KYE 01), respectively correlating to Alisols, Cambisol, Andosol and Umbrisol of WRB for Soil Resources. The studied soils were generally rated as having low to medium fertility.
Authors and Affiliations
Balthazar M. Msanya, Juvenal A. Munishi, Nyambilila Amuri, Ernest Semu, Lydia Mhoro, Zacharia Malley
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP351541
- DOI 10.9734/IJPSS/2016/24855
- Views 96
- Downloads 0
Use of Compost with Onion (Allium cepa) Waste and Cattle Manure as Substrate Component for Horticultural Seedlings
In the agricultural North-Patagonian region of Argentina, more intensely different alternative substrates of organic origin have begun to be used, which can replace the use of peat to produce vegetable seedlings. The aim...
Irrigation Management of Greenhouse Marigold Using Tensiometer: Effects on Yield and Water Use Efficiency
Greenhouse is an important structure to minimize biotic and abiotic stress on crops, which could be grown round the year, during off-season and also under extreme conditions and high rainfall areas. It provides a control...
Effect of Cattle Manure and Calcium Ammonium Nitrogen on Growth and Leaf Yield of Local Cowpea Accessions in Coastal Kenya
Cowpea is one of the major food crops contributing to food security and poverty alleviation especially among women and resource-poor farmers in marginal areas in Kenya. The effect of different concentrations of cattle ma...
Yield and Yield Components of Maize as Affected by Planting Density
An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of planting density on growth, development, yield and yield components contributing characteristics of maize during the period of November, 2012 to March 2013 in th...
Influence of Water Stress and Rhizobial Inoculation on the Accumulation of Chlorophyll in Phaseolus vulgaris (L.) Cultivars
Aims: To assess the effect of water stress periods and rhizobial inoculation in five (5) P. vulgaris (L.) cultivars. Study Design: The experiment was designed in split-split plot and replicated 3 (three) times. Place an...