Land capability classification of Katsina Central, Nigeria using remote sensing and GIS techniques

The main objective of this research was to make the land capability classification of rained farming for major crops. The study was conducted in Katsina Central, Nigeria. In this study five land units were identified based on topography. Soil survey was conducted to each land units for exploration of physical and chemical characteristics of the soil. The results of soil analysis reveals that the study area is characterized by susceptibility to erosion and low in soil fertility which limit the land capability for multiple uses. The land capability classification was employed based on USDA classification system. The results depict that four land units were rated capable for rain fed farming of major crops under different management practices which account 75.26% of the total land covered of the study area While 24.74% is not capable no matter whatever management practice applied as such it is recommended for forestry. The land capability of the area can be improved through adapting appropriate measures

Soil thermal properties affected by topsoil thickness in switchgrass and row crop management systems

Perennial systems, such as switchgrass have been shown to improve soil hydraulic properties on degraded soils relative to annual cropping systems; however, studies of the effects on thermal properties are limited. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the effects of topsoil thickness on soil thermal properties under switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and row crop production systems. The experiment was carried out at the University of Missouri South Farm Research Center (38°54′ N, 92°16′ W). Research plots were re-established in 2009 with selected topsoil thickness categorized into two treatments (shallow [4 cm] and deep [36 cm]) on a Mexico silt loam (Vertic Epiaqualfs). Plots were planted to either switchgrass or a corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) rotation with four replicates. Undisturbed soil cores (7.6 by 7.6 cm) and bulk soil were collected from two depths (10 cm increments) to determine thermal properties. Thermal conductivity (λ), vo-lumetric heat capacity (C v), and thermal diffusivity (D) were measured at 0, −33, −100 and − 300 kPa soil water pressures. In addition, soil organic carbon (SOC), bulk density (D b) and water content (θ) were also determined. The results showed that the switchgrass treatment had 23% higher SOC, 5-8% greater θ, and 11% lower D b than the row crop treatment. In turn, switchgrass plot exhibited a 5-7% reduction in λ, an 8-9% reduction in D, and a 2-3% increase in C v. Shallow topsoil thickness demonstrated increased thermal properties (λ, D and C v) relative to the deep topsoil thickness, likely due to higher clay content in the surface soil horizon and associated higher θ. This study contributes to a better understanding of the impact of topsoil loss and perennial vegetation on the thermal properties of soils in degraded landscapes

Combined application of biochar and silicon fertilizer for improved soil properties and maize growth

Biochar can be a good soil amendment to reduce the soil pH, increase crop growth rate, and improve the efficient use of fertilizer. Other than that, silicon fertilizer also would promote photosynthetic ability on plant development that would help to produce high yield. In this work, a series of experiments was conducted to observe the effect of rice husk biochar and silicon fertilizer on the maize growth rate and soil pH. A 45-day pot experiment in the greenhouse with three replicates of 9 experimental treatment combinations of RHB at two rates (5 and 2.5 t.ha-1) with silicon fertilizer at three rates (125%, 100%, 75%), sole biochar (10 t.ha t.ha-1), sole silicon fertilizer (100%) and control (NPK) to observe the best rate and combination to improve growth rate and change in soil chemical in acid soil. The result showed that the co-application of sole biochar and biochar with Silicon significantly improved growth development, increased photosynthesis rate, altered soil pH, and reduced Fe concentration compared to control. The plant height increased 88.35% from T4 (5 t.ha-1 RHB + 100% Si) compared to the control and the conductance was higher in T4 (0.53) followed by T8 (0.438) while T1 (0.071) recorded the lowest conductance. The shoot fresh weight was higher in T4 (127.83 g) followed by T8 (57.14 g). However, the weight increased by 343.7% at T4 followed by T8 (2.5 t.ha-1 RHB + 75% Si) at 98.33%. The highest pH increment of 1.24 units (T1 = 5.53, T4 = 6.77) of soil pH was noted from T4 (5 t.ha-1 RHB + 100% Si) compared to control (NPK), and the highest total Fe in soil was observed from T1 (442.30 mg.kg-1). The current study results showed that T4 (50% RHB + 100% Silicon) was the best treatment over the other rates of RHB and silicon increased plant height, photosynthetic rate, and biomass

Effect of Biochar and Silicon with Different Phosphorus Levels on Maize Yield and Soil Chemical Properties

Silicon fertilizer combined with biochar improved the utilization of phosphorus fertilization applications. The experiment was carried out with eight treatment combinations with varying proportions of rice husk biochar, silicon, and phosphorus in a completely randomized design with 75 days of growth in the greenhouse. To identify the optimum rate of phosphorus combined with rice husk biochar and Si for maximizing maize yield and soil chemical properties. This experiment showed that the application of biochar combined with silicon has the potential to reduce the amount of phosphorus fertilizer requirement. The application of 5 t ha-1 RHB + 100% Si + 25% TSP showed the highest pH compared to other treatments. While application of 2.5 t ha-1 RHB + 100% Si + 100% TSP showed the highest exchangeable K, Ca and Mg. Moreover, the application of 5 t ha-1 RHB + 100% Si + 100% TSP recorded the highest dry biomass compared to other treatments. Lastly, the application of 5 t ha-1 RHB + 100% Si + 50% TSP Showed the highest cob length(cm), cob weight(g), no of grain per cob, and grain yield (t.ha-1) compared to other treatments. The combined application of biochar and silicon, along with 50% phosphorus, is recommended for improving maize yield and soil health in greenhouse conditions

Combined Application of Biochar and Silicon Fertilizer for Improved Soil Properties and Maize Growth

Biochar can be a good soil amendment to reduce the soil pH, increase crop growth rate, and improve the efficient use of fertilizer. Other than that, silicon fertilizer also would promote photosynthetic ability on plant development that would help to produce high yield. In this work, a series of experiments was conducted to observe the effect of rice husk biochar and silicon fertilizer on the maize growth rate and soil pH. A 45-day pot experiment in the greenhouse with three replicates of 9 experimental treatment combinations of RHB at two rates (5 and 2.5 t.ha-1) with silicon fertilizer at three rates (125%, 100%, 75%), sole biochar (10 t.ha-1), sole silicon fertilizer (100%) and control (NPK) to observe the best rate and combination to improve growth rate and change in soil chemical in acid soil. The result showed that the co-application of sole biochar and biochar with Silicon significantly improved growth development, increased photosynthesis rate, altered soil pH, and reduced Fe concentration compared to control. The plant height increased 88.35% from T4 (5 t.ha-1 RHB + 100% Si) compared to the control and the conductance was higher in T4 (0.53) followed by T8 (0.438) while T1 (0.071) recorded the lowest conductance. The shoot fresh weight was higher in T4 (127.83 g) followed by T8 (57.14 g). However, the weight increased by 343.7% at T4 followed by T8 (2.5 t.ha-1 RHB + 75% Si) at 98.33%. The highest pH increment of 1.24 units (T1 = 5.53, T4 = 6.77) of soil pH was noted from T4 (5 t.ha-1 RHB + 100% Si) compared to control (NPK), and the highest total Fe in soil was observed from T1 (442.30 mg.kg-1). The current study results showed that T4 (50% RHB + 100% Silicon) was the best treatment over the other rates of RHB and silicon increased plant height, photosynthetic rate, and biomass