EFFECT OF LEVELS OF WOOD ASH ON SOIL ACIDITY AND AVAILABLE PHOSPHORUS
| Format: Ms Word | 1-5 Chapters | Table of Content|
INSTANT PROJECT MATERIAL DOWNLOAD
Study Level: BTech, BSc, BEng, BA, HND, ND or NCE
Amount: ₦5,000.00
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
In South Eastern Nigeria, the majority of the soils are acidic (Owolabi et al. 2003). The primary causes of this are weathering processes, severe leaching, and the nature of the parent minerals (Fitz Patrick, 1994). According to Werthrann et al. (2003), soil acidification is a continuous and natural process. Increased soil acidity, according to Mayz and Cartwright (1984), causes low pH, increases the availability of aluminum or manganese to the point of toxicity, and results in phosphorus, calcium, copper, and molybdenum deficiencies. In most humid tropical soils, phosphorus is the second most limiting nutritional element (Aim, 1977). The soils in South Eastern Nigeria have been discovered to have a widespread phosphorus deficit (Enwezor, 1976; Igbokwe et al., 1979; and Nnoke, 1980). This could be due to overcultivation and insufficient replenishment of phosphorus absorbed from the soil. Phosphorus has a unique influence on leguminous crops like cowpea. It promotes nodule formation and rhizobial activity. Excess phosphorus promotes vigorous root growth, particularly of the lateral and fibrous rootlets, whereas a lack of p causes restricted root and shoot growth as well as early flowering (Wortrnann et al. 2003). Because of the strong fixing power of most tropical soils, phosphorus fertilizers are rendered unavailable to crops when applied (Osodeke et al. 1993).
Liming procedures should be implemented to improve soil conditions for greater crop performance on these soils while also ensuring phosphorus availability. Lickacz (2003) identified liming materials, specifically wood ash, as having a significant impact on nutrient availability. Wood ashes are known to contain calcium and magnesium, and they have been shown to be helpful in decreasing soil acidity and so making phosphorus available to crops (Obi and Eperigin, 2001). Investigation on the use of local sources of liming materials in Nigeria soils have been carried out by soil researchers like Owolabi et at (2003) who worked on the effects of wood ash on soil fertility and crop yield in south west Nigeria, Obi and Akinsola (1995) who investigated the effect of lime application on the yield of tomatoes and chemical properties of IWO soils in south west Nigeria and Opara-Nadi (1987), who worked on interaction of liming and organic matter in two Nigeria Typic Kandiudults. Wood ash has a liming effect on the soil Comfort and Frank (2000). Liming also has an ameliorating effect on acid soils thereby making phosphorus available Lickacz (2003). Because reducing soil acidity increases available phosphorus, it is vital in this current effort to investigate the influence of wood ash on reducing soil acidity and accessible phosphorus. Ash is the most often used liming material for increasing soil pH and phosphorus release in soils; it acts faster than limestone.
USE THIS MATERIALS AS A GUIDE FOR YOUR PERSONAL RESEARCH WORK (IF PROPERLY CITED)