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CHARACTERIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS OF KWARA STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING AND RESEARCH FARM, MALETE, NIGERIA

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Proper soil use is inched on understanding its physical and chemical properties. To this end, the soils of Kwara State University Teaching and Research farm, Malete, situated in the Southern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria were characterized and classified according to the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA, 2014) Soil Taxonomy and Food and Agriculture Organization- World Reference Base (FAO – WRB, 2006). Soil survey was done to establish mapping units. Three profiles (0 -147 cm, 0-156 cm and 0-156 cm) were dug in each established mapping units along the toposequence of the area (upper, middle and lower slopes). Soil samples (0-19, 19-35, 35-86, 86-147 cm), (0-21, 21-41,41-61,61-156 cm), (0-40, 40-61, 61-91, 91-156 cm) were collected from the pedogenic horizons for soil characterization. The soils were deep (0-147 cm, 0-156 cm, depth) and well drained. The soil physical parameters like the textural classes identified ranged from sandy loam to sandy clay loam. The soils were moderately acidic to slightly acidic (pH 5.47 - 6.31). The macro nutrients (N, P), organic carbon (OC) and CEC of the soils were generally low with high base saturation (>50%). All the pedons had varying quantities of mottles and iron- manganese concretions. All pedons were classified as Alfisol, having ustic moisture regime and plinthite occupied more than half volume of soils within 150 cm depth. Therefore, they were classified as Typic Plinthustalfs (USDA) and as Plinthosol (FAO). At the soil series level, they were classified as Gambari series (Local classification by Smyth and Montgomery, 1962).
... Generally, weathering is accompanied with high rate of erosion which leads to loss of exchangeable bases. The inherent poor fertility status of the Malete experimental site soils as observed in this study was earlier reported by Alabi et al. (2017). Malete study location soils are very low in available phosphorus compared the relatively high level at Olla (Enwezor et al., 1989). ...
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Enormous quantity of table-size yams that are capable of guaranteeing national food security are used as seeds in yam cultivation annually, which negatively impact yam availability for consumption. Hence, there is need for effective production of yam minisett, in order to reduce the dependence on wareyams for seeds, towards sustainable yam production necessary for food security. Therefore, field trials were carried out at two contrasting ecological zones during 2019 planting season at Teaching and Research Farm, Malete and Olla, both in Kwara State, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to evaluate the vegetative growth and tuber yield of white yam cultivars (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) as influenced by minisett size. Three commonly grown white yam cultivar [O dara bi iyawo (ODA), Aamula (AMA), Omi-efun (OMF)] and four minisett sizes (50, 100, 150 and 200 g) of each cultivar were factorially combined in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) using split-plot arrangement replicated three times. Significant variations were observed among the yam sett sizes and cultivars. Tuber yield also varied significantly with ODA>AMA>OMF regardless of location. The sizes of harvested minisett tubers increased in descending order (200>150>100>50). Although leaf production rate, vine length, leaf area index, and number of leaves per plant were poor for the 50 and 100 g minisett sizes, but tuber multiplication rate and tuber weight were higher in these minisett sizes than the other sizes. Particularly for cultivars ODA and AMA, the multiplication rate of 50 g size minisett was significantly higher than for the larger size minisetts. Based on the results obtained in this study, 50-100 g, 100 g, and 100-150 g minisett sizes for ODA, AMA and OMF, respectively, is found suitable for minisett production. In fact, further increase from 150 to 200 g minisett for the evaluated cultivars will produce wareyam above desired seed-yam size for commercial production.
... A secured organic fertilizer source as an alternative and planting appropriate maize, a food security crop, are essential in ending poverty (SDG -1), hunger (SDG 2), and improving health (SDG 3) (Campbell et al., 2018). From the present study, experimental soils of the sites (pot and field) were sandy loam and it which is 7 suitable for maize cultivation (Alabi et al., 2017) and with adequate soil pH (Adesemuyi et al., 2014). While exchangeable bases were in the class of medium soil fertility, available P was high and total N was however low under both conditions (Ayodele and Omotoso, 2008). ...
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Background. Low soil nutrient limit maize production in Nigeria, and inorganic fertilizer used in augmenting yield are expensive and hazardous. Objective. In search for a sustainable alternative, the effect of methods of application (foliar and incorporated) of different levels of moringa-banana peel-maize stalk fertilizer (MBPF) on the growth and yield of different maize varieties was investigated. Methodology. Pot and field experiments were conducted. Each experiment consisted of 2 x 4 x 6 factorial combinations. In the pot experiment, the treatments were laid out in CRD while RCBD was used in the field experiment. All treatments were replicated three times. Data collected on agronomic, aesthetic and yield traits were subjected to ANOVA using SAS 9.4 version. PCA was done, thereafter, structural equation model (SEM) was constructed, and GGE biplot used to cluster treatment interaction using GEAR 4.1 version. Result. The results of both pot and field experiments had similar trend except that pot experiment had reduced height, poor phenotypic appeal and reduced grain yield. The result showed that mode of application, fertilizer treatments and maize varieties had significant (p<0.05) mean square for grain yield. 120N+50P+40K and 100N+40P+30K rate of MBPF applied to single cross hybrids (SCH) with grain yield of 1.85 t/ha clustered with standard national recommended rate of NPK fertilizer. Grain yield was in the order of SCH LY1312-11 > SCH check > Doublecross hybrid > Three-way hybrid > Top-cross hybrid > OPV-STR. Implication. MBPF was most effective when incorporated into the soil a week before planting. Conclusion. Therefore, MBPF at 120N+50P+40K and 100N+40P+30K are sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to inorganic fertilizer. keywords: Fertilizer; grain-yield; hybrids; maize; moringa-banana peel-maize stalk; sustainable alternative. RESUMEN Antecedentes. Los bajos niveles de nutrientes del suelo limitan la producción de maíz en Nigeria, y los fertilizantes inorgánicos utilizados para aumentar el rendimiento son costosos y peligrosos. Objetivo. En la búsqueda de una alternativa sustentable, se investigó el efecto de los métodos de aplicación (foliar e incorporado) de diferentes niveles de fertilizante de cáscara de moringa-banano (MBPF) sobre el crecimiento y rendimiento de diferentes variedades de maíz. Metodología. Se llevaron a cabo experimentos en macetas y en el campo. Cada experimento consistió en combinaciones factoriales de 2 x 4 x 6. En el experimento de maceta, los tratamientos se colocaron en un diseño completamente al azar (CRD) mientras que en el experimento de campo se utilizó el diseño de bloques completos al azar (RCBD). Todos los tratamientos se repitieron tres veces. Los datos recopilados sobre características agronómicas, apariencia y de rendimiento se sometieron a ANOVA utilizando la versión SAS 9.4. Se realizó un análisis de componentes principales (PCA), a partir de entonces, se construyó el modelo de ecuación estructural (SEM) y se usó el biplot GGE para agrupar la interacción del tratamiento usando la versión GEAR 4.1. Resultados. Los resultados de los experimentos en maceta y en el campo tuvieron una tendencia similar, excepto que el experimento en maceta tuvo una altura reducida, un atractivo fenotípico deficiente y un rendimiento de grano reducido. El resultado mostró que el modo de aplicación, los tratamientos de fertilizantes y las clases de maíz tenían un cuadrado medio cuadrática significativo (p <0.05) para el rendimiento de grano. Las dosis de 120N + 50P + 40K y 100N + 40P + 30K dosis de MBPF aplicadas a híbridos cruzados simples (SCH) con rendimiento de grano de 1,85 t / se agruparon con la dosis estándar nacional recomendada de fertilizante NPK. El rendimiento de grano fue en el orden siguiente SCH LY1312-11> single cross hybrid SCH> híbrido de doble cruzamiento> híbrido de tres vías> †
... A secured organic fertilizer source as an alternative and planting appropriate maize, a food security crop, are essential in ending poverty (SDG -1), hunger (SDG 2), and improving health (SDG 3) (Campbell et al., 2018). From the present study, experimental soils of the sites (pot and field) were sandy loam and it which is 7 suitable for maize cultivation (Alabi et al., 2017) and with adequate soil pH (Adesemuyi et al., 2014). While exchangeable bases were in the class of medium soil fertility, available P was high and total N was however low under both conditions (Ayodele and Omotoso, 2008). ...
Article
Full-text available
p> Background . Low soil nutrient limit maize production in Nigeria, and inorganic fertilizer used in augmenting yield are expensive and hazardous. Objective. In search for a sustainable alternative, the effect of methods of application (foliar and incorporated) of different levels of moringa-banana peel-maize stalk fertilizer (MBPF) on the growth and yield of different maize varieties was investigated. Methodology. Pot and field experiments were conducted. Each experiment consisted of 2 x 4 x 6 factorial combinations. In the pot experiment, the treatments were laid out in CRD while RCBD was used in the field experiment. All treatments were replicated three times. Data collected on agronomic, aesthetic and yield traits were subjected to ANOVA using SAS 9.4 version. PCA was done, thereafter, structural equation model (SEM) was constructed, and GGE biplot used to cluster treatment interaction using GEA-R 4.1 version. Result. The results of both pot and field experiments had similar trend except that pot experiment had reduced height, poor phenotypic appeal and reduced grain yield. The result showed that mode of application, fertilizer treatments and maize varieties had significant ( p<0.05 ) mean square for grain yield. 120N+50P+40K and 100N+40P+30K rate of MBPF applied to single cross hybrids (SCH) with grain yield of 1.85 t/ha clustered with standard national recommended rate of NPK fertilizer. Grain yield was in the order of SCH LY1312-11 > SCH check > Double-cross hybrid > Three-way hybrid > Top-cross hybrid > OPV-STR. Implication . MBPF was most effective when incorporated into the soil a week before planting. Conclusion . Therefore, MBPF at 120N+50P+40K and 100N+40P+30K are sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to inorganic fertilizer.</p
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