Quantifying Short-term Effects of Soil Improving Legumes on Soil Properties and Carbon Sequestration in a Degraded Paleustult in Agbani, Enugu Southeast Nigeria
Journal Title: International Journal of Plant & Soil Science - Year 2016, Vol 13, Issue 3
Abstract
A field trial was conducted at Enugu Southeast Nigeria (6°29'N; 7°14 54'E), during the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons to quantify short-term effects of soil improving legumes [groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean L), Soybean (Glycine max) and Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)] on soil properties and carbon sequestration in a degraded Typic Paleustult. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four legumes as treatments and six replications. Some soil quality attributes, plant shoot and root biomass, and soil carbon sequestration of the legumes were measured at 90 days after planting (DAP). Results show that soil dry bulk density (1.41-1.46 Mg m-3) and gravimetric water content (GWC) (23.16 - 26.00%) in pigeon pea and Bambara groundnut plots were lower than that in other plots by about 10-14% whereas soil saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) was higher in pigeon pea and Bambara groundnut plots (23.45 - 33.10 Cm hr-1) by 14-28% for both seasons. The soil organic carbon content (SOC) (0.75 - 0.83%) and Total N (0.074 - 0.091%) in pigeon pea and Bambara groundnut plots were higher than that in soybean and groundnut plots by about 17 and 5-6% respectively for both seasons. The highest carbon sequestration was obtained in fields of Pigeon pea and Bambara groundnuts. These results depict that the legumes used improved soil quality, increased above- and below-ground biomass and improved carbon sequestration. Pigeon pea and Bambara groundnut exerted the most positive influence on soil carbon sequestration in the study area. Efficient cropping systems can be used to optimize carbon sequestration which in turn enhances soil productivity, reduces the enrichment of atmospheric CO2 and mitigates climate change in soils.
Authors and Affiliations
M. A. N. Anikwe, J. C. Eze, C. G. Chikelu, E. E. Ikenganyia
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP351450
- DOI 10.9734/IJPSS/2016/30001
- Views 70
- Downloads 0
Forms of Phosphorus in Some Acidic Entisols of Subtropical Eastern India
Information about the phosphorus (P) forms in soils of Terai agro-ecological region of Cooch Behar (where P fertilizers have been applied for a long time), and their influence on the availability of P in soils is meagre....
Rhizoctonia solani Control in Field Grown Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Using Moringa oleifera Extracts, Beatrice, Zimbabwe
Aims: To determine the antifungal activity of Moringa oleifera leaf, seed, and bark extracts in suppressing Rhizoctonia solani disease in field grown cabbage (Brassica oleracea). Study Design: The experimental design wa...
Effects of Deficit Irrigation and Mulching on Seed Yield and Water Use of Onion (Allium cepa L.)
The effects of deficit irrigation and mulch on seed yield, water use and water productivity of onion was studied through a field experiment during 2012 - 2013 and 2013 - 2014 winter season at the experimental field of B...
Wheat Yield as Influenced by Nitrogen Rates, Sources and Tillage Systems
Conservation tillage systems present a challenge for integrating an efficient fertilizer program in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. A 2-year (2011–2013) field experiment was conducted to evaluate wheat response...
Wood Ash in Canavalia ensiformis L. Cultivation on Highly Weathered Soil in Brazil
The aim of study was to avaliate the productive and structural features of Canavalia ensiformis L. resulting from the wood ash acting as a soil corrective and fertilizer in the Oxisol. The experiment was performed in a g...