A study was conducted at a sawah site in Ghana to examine the relationship between landscape
position and some selected soil properties with the aim of generating adequate data for modeling
landscape relationships and to aid both researchers and farmers in taking critical management
decisions. Soil properties namely total porosity, moisture content, infiltration rates, hydraulic
conductivity, sand content, silt content, clay content, gravel concentration, bulk density, soil pH, total
nitrogen, soil organic matter and cation exchange capacity were collected and analysed. Data were
collected at the foot slopes, middle slopes and at the upper slopes from four major landuses (maize, oil
palm, natural vegetation and plantain) in the study area. Simple statistical parameters such as mean
and standard deviation were used to analyse the data. Moisture content, total porosity, soil pH, organic
matter and carbon and total nitrogen increased downslope whilst sand content, clay content, bulk
density occurred at upper slopes decreased downslope. Management practices appeared to have
influenced infiltration rate, hydraulic conductivity and silt content.
Variability in the physicochemical properties of soils of different land uses form from the same lithology was studied. Soil samples were collected from surface (0 – 20 cm) and subsurface (20 – 40 cm) depths from three land use namely fallow land, continuous cultivated land and mechanic village land. The soils were air dried, sieved with 2 mm sieve and subjected to routine laboratory analysis. Results obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant treatment means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 0.05 probability level. Relationship between selected soil properties were determined using correlation analysis. Results showed that the textures of the studied soils were not affected by land use practices. Bulk density increased with increase in depth with fallow land recoding the lowest values of 0.86 g/cm3 (0.-20 cm depth) and 1.06 g/cm3 (20 – 40 cm depth). Land use types significantly (P = 0.05) affected soil chemical properties such as soil pH, soil organic carbon, total N, available P and exchangeable cations with the highest values recorded in fallow land, followed by palm plantation and the least was continuous cultivated land. There were slight variations among soil properties in the three land use types studied. Significant positive and negative correlations existed and some soil properties. Good soil management practices such as organic fertilization, zero tillage and mulching is recommended especially in continuous cultivated lands.
DOI: 10.21276/ijlssr.2016.2.3.14
ABSTRACT- The physico-chemical properties of four lands use types in Akokwa of Ideato North, Imo State, Nigeria
were determined. The land use patterns were fallow land (FL), cassava continuously cultivated land (CL), Oil palm
plantation (OPL) and Yam plot (YL). Composite samples were collected from various depths (0 -15 cm, 15 – 30 cm,
30 – 45 cm) across these land use patterns and analyzed in the laboratory. Data generated were subjected to analysis of
variance. Results obtained showed significant difference (P≤0.05) in soil bulk density, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen
(TN), available phosphorus (Av. P) and ECEC across the four land use types. The bulk density value was highest at
30 – 45 cm depth by CL (1.93 g/cm3), followed by YL (1.89 g/cm3), OPL (1.70 g/cm3) and FL (1.68 g/cm3). The TN
content of the soil was highest in the FL at 0 – 15 cm depth (0.25%) while the lowest was found in the CL plot (0.03%).
The soil Av. P content was highest in the FL at 0 – 15 cm depth (9.63 mg/kg) while the lowest value was obtained in CL
plot (1.16 mg/kg). The values of OC at the depths of 0 – 15 cm, 15 – 30 cm and 30 – 45 cm in the FL (1.03%, 0.49%.
0.45%) were found to be significantly different (P≤0.05) from the CL (0.39%, 0.15%, 0.13%) land use type. Results
obtained showed that different land use types have varying effects on soil physical and chemical properties. The fallow
land had on the surface (0 – 15 cm) the highest content of soil chemical properties and lowest bulk density. Therefore,
farmers may periodically fallow their lands to build up organic matter, stabilize soil aggregates, improves nutrient cycles
for sustainable productivity.
Key-words- Land use, Soil chemical properties, Bulk density, Fallow land, Cassava land, Yam land, Oil palm land
Abstract— This study was conducted in Gunugo watershed at Wolayitta zone to assess the amount of some soil chemical properties affected by traditional agroforestry practices and along different elevation gradients. The dominant agroforestry practices (homegarden, parkland and woodlot), and three elevation gradients (upper, middle and lower) were used to collect soil samples. One composite sample was taken from each sampling point from each soil depths, under three agroforestry practices and three elevation gradient with three replications to have a total of 54 soil samples at 20 x 20 m plot. Then the selected soil chemical properties among agroforestry practices and along elevation gradient was determined at p<0.05. The EC, pH and CEC of the top soil was significantly higher on homegarden than parkland and woodlot while EC, pH and total nitrogen of the sub soil were significantly higher on homegarden than parkland and woodlot. Further, only the top soil EC and CEC were significantly higher on lower elevation than upper and middle elevation and there was no significant difference in sub soil chemical parameters among elevation levels. In relation to this, most of the soil chemical properties show as the study area is being degraded. Therefore, are recommended for sustainable soil chemical property management. Hence, homegarden is suggested as a better agroforestry practice for rehabilitation of the area in a sustainable manner through enhanced accumulation of total nitrogen, good EC and CEC at all elevation gradients.
Determination of Some Mechanical And Hydraulic Properties Of Biu Clayey Soils...IJMER
International Journal of Modern Engineering Research (IJMER) is Peer reviewed, online Journal. It serves as an international archival forum of scholarly research related to engineering and science education.
Variability in the physicochemical properties of soils of different land uses form from the same lithology was studied. Soil samples were collected from surface (0 – 20 cm) and subsurface (20 – 40 cm) depths from three land use namely fallow land, continuous cultivated land and mechanic village land. The soils were air dried, sieved with 2 mm sieve and subjected to routine laboratory analysis. Results obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant treatment means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 0.05 probability level. Relationship between selected soil properties were determined using correlation analysis. Results showed that the textures of the studied soils were not affected by land use practices. Bulk density increased with increase in depth with fallow land recoding the lowest values of 0.86 g/cm3 (0.-20 cm depth) and 1.06 g/cm3 (20 – 40 cm depth). Land use types significantly (P = 0.05) affected soil chemical properties such as soil pH, soil organic carbon, total N, available P and exchangeable cations with the highest values recorded in fallow land, followed by palm plantation and the least was continuous cultivated land. There were slight variations among soil properties in the three land use types studied. Significant positive and negative correlations existed and some soil properties. Good soil management practices such as organic fertilization, zero tillage and mulching is recommended especially in continuous cultivated lands.
DOI: 10.21276/ijlssr.2016.2.3.14
ABSTRACT- The physico-chemical properties of four lands use types in Akokwa of Ideato North, Imo State, Nigeria
were determined. The land use patterns were fallow land (FL), cassava continuously cultivated land (CL), Oil palm
plantation (OPL) and Yam plot (YL). Composite samples were collected from various depths (0 -15 cm, 15 – 30 cm,
30 – 45 cm) across these land use patterns and analyzed in the laboratory. Data generated were subjected to analysis of
variance. Results obtained showed significant difference (P≤0.05) in soil bulk density, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen
(TN), available phosphorus (Av. P) and ECEC across the four land use types. The bulk density value was highest at
30 – 45 cm depth by CL (1.93 g/cm3), followed by YL (1.89 g/cm3), OPL (1.70 g/cm3) and FL (1.68 g/cm3). The TN
content of the soil was highest in the FL at 0 – 15 cm depth (0.25%) while the lowest was found in the CL plot (0.03%).
The soil Av. P content was highest in the FL at 0 – 15 cm depth (9.63 mg/kg) while the lowest value was obtained in CL
plot (1.16 mg/kg). The values of OC at the depths of 0 – 15 cm, 15 – 30 cm and 30 – 45 cm in the FL (1.03%, 0.49%.
0.45%) were found to be significantly different (P≤0.05) from the CL (0.39%, 0.15%, 0.13%) land use type. Results
obtained showed that different land use types have varying effects on soil physical and chemical properties. The fallow
land had on the surface (0 – 15 cm) the highest content of soil chemical properties and lowest bulk density. Therefore,
farmers may periodically fallow their lands to build up organic matter, stabilize soil aggregates, improves nutrient cycles
for sustainable productivity.
Key-words- Land use, Soil chemical properties, Bulk density, Fallow land, Cassava land, Yam land, Oil palm land
Abstract— This study was conducted in Gunugo watershed at Wolayitta zone to assess the amount of some soil chemical properties affected by traditional agroforestry practices and along different elevation gradients. The dominant agroforestry practices (homegarden, parkland and woodlot), and three elevation gradients (upper, middle and lower) were used to collect soil samples. One composite sample was taken from each sampling point from each soil depths, under three agroforestry practices and three elevation gradient with three replications to have a total of 54 soil samples at 20 x 20 m plot. Then the selected soil chemical properties among agroforestry practices and along elevation gradient was determined at p<0.05. The EC, pH and CEC of the top soil was significantly higher on homegarden than parkland and woodlot while EC, pH and total nitrogen of the sub soil were significantly higher on homegarden than parkland and woodlot. Further, only the top soil EC and CEC were significantly higher on lower elevation than upper and middle elevation and there was no significant difference in sub soil chemical parameters among elevation levels. In relation to this, most of the soil chemical properties show as the study area is being degraded. Therefore, are recommended for sustainable soil chemical property management. Hence, homegarden is suggested as a better agroforestry practice for rehabilitation of the area in a sustainable manner through enhanced accumulation of total nitrogen, good EC and CEC at all elevation gradients.
Determination of Some Mechanical And Hydraulic Properties Of Biu Clayey Soils...IJMER
International Journal of Modern Engineering Research (IJMER) is Peer reviewed, online Journal. It serves as an international archival forum of scholarly research related to engineering and science education.
Effect application of sea sand, coconut and banana coir on the growth and yie...NurdinUng
The research was aimed to study effect application of sea sand (SS), coconut coir (CC) and banana coir (BC) on the growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) planted at Ustic Endoaquert soil. The pot experiment was carried out using a factorial design with 3 factors. The first factor was SS consisted of three levels i.e.: 0%, 25%, and 50%. The second and third factors were CC and BC, each consisted of three levels i.e.: 0, 10, and 20 Mg ha-1. Application of SS and BC significantly increased leaf length where the highest increasing percentage was 16.47% which was achieved at 25% SS application. Their effect on leaf numbers and tiller numbers were relatively not similar pattern where leaf number only increased about 65.52% by BC application, while tiller numbers only increased about 10.77% by SS application. Furthermore, the application of CC and BC significantly increased panicle numbers to 29.53% and 29.05%, respectively compared to control. All ameliorants significantly increased panicle numbers, but the best was CC with the increasing up to 46.49% at 20 Mg ha-1 CC compared to SS or BC application. However, only coconut coir significantly increased the rice grain numbers.
Investigation of Soil Status in Degraded Soils from Tantalum Mining in Gatumb...Premier Publishers
Different soil properties from Gatumba Mining Area were assessed to characterize them and contribute in setting up practices for soil restoration. The present study was conducted to assess the soil status in degraded soils from tantalum mining in Gatumba. Nine soil profiles which were prepared in 2009 during dry season were sharpened and soils from all visible horizons were sampled. Soil analysis was performed in the soil laboratory at National University of Rwanda. Results showed that the active soil pH was lower in technosol developed on schist (4.8) and higher in technosol composed by pegmatite dump (5.61) and ranged from slightly acid (5.61) to acidic (4.73). Acid saturation was lower in strongly disturbed fluvisol (3.4%) and higher in technosol composed by pegmatite (10.78%) while base saturation was lower in cambic-fluvisol (37.5%) and higher in technosol composed by pegmatite (89.3%). However, a significant difference (p=0.012) only observed in base saturation between soil profiles. In general, soils affected by mining had low base saturation and higher acid saturation than unaffected. Therefore, recommendation of more soluble amendment such as lime and dolomite would improve the soil pH and provide macronutrients like Ca2+ and Mg2+.
Land Use / Land Cover Classification of kanniykumari Coast, Tamilnadu, India....IJERA Editor
The land use/ land cover details of Kanniyakuamri coast which is Located in the southern part of Tamil Nadu (India) is studied. Satellite imagery is used to identify the Land use/ Land cover status of the study area. The software like ERDAS and Arc GIS are used to demarcate the land use / Land cover features of Kanniyakuamari coast. Remote sensing and GIS provided consistent and accurate base line information than many of the conventional surveys employed for such a task. The total area of Kanniyakumari coast is 715 sq.km. The land use / land cover classes of the study area has been categorized into thirteen such as Plantation, Sandy area, Water logged area, Scrub forest, Crop Land, Water bodies, Land with scrub, Reserve forest, Land without Scrub, Salt area, Beach Ridge, Settlement and Fallow land on the basis NRSA Classifications. Among these categories, land with scrub land is predominantly found all over the study area, It is occupied about 336.36 sq.km (44.61 percent), Crop Land 273.82 sq.km(38.29 percent), water bodies lands sharing about 20.44 sq.km (2.85 percent ), settlement occupied with 6.96 sq.km (0.97 percent), and Fallow land was occupied 13.98 sq.km ( 1.95 percent ).
Determination of Erodibility Index (K) Of Soil in Michael Okpara University o...theijes
The International Journal of Engineering & Science is aimed at providing a platform for researchers, engineers, scientists, or educators to publish their original research results, to exchange new ideas, to disseminate information in innovative designs, engineering experiences and technological skills. It is also the Journal's objective to promote engineering and technology education. All papers submitted to the Journal will be blind peer-reviewed. Only original articles will be published.
The papers for publication in The International Journal of Engineering& Science are selected through rigorous peer reviews to ensure originality, timeliness, relevance, and readability.
Theoretical work submitted to the Journal should be original in its motivation or modeling structure. Empirical analysis should be based on a theoretical framework and should be capable of replication. It is expected that all materials required for replication (including computer programs and data sets) should be available upon request to the authors.
The International Journal of Engineering & Science would take much care in making your article published without much delay with your kind cooperation
Impact of Land Use Systems and Parent Materials on Soil Quality Indicators in...BRNSS Publication Hub
A study on the impact of parent materials and land use on soil quality indicators in soils of Akwa Ibom State was conducted. The aim was to evaluate the impact of parent materials and land use systems on soil quality indicators. Three parent materials (coastal plain sand, sandstone/shale, and beach ridge sand) and three land use types (cultivated land, fallow land of 3–5 years, and oil palm plantation) were selected for the study. In each land use type per parent material, six composite soil samples were collected from the representative location within the three land use types using soil auger within 0–30 cm soil depth. Undisturbed core samples were also collected for bulk density and saturated hydraulic conductivity determinations. A total of 52 soil samples were generated for laboratory analysis. Results showed that among the parent materials, coastal plain sand soil had the highest silt + clay fraction, organic matter, total N, available P, and exchangeable K, followed by sandstone/shale while beach ridge sand soil had the least. Among the land use types, oil palm plantation had the highest silt + clay fraction, organic matter, exchangeable Ca and K, followed by fallow land while cultivated land had the least. The combination of parent material and land use indicated that cultivated, fallow and oil palm plantation of coastal plain sand soils had the highest water and nutrient holding capacity, high rooting volume, good aeration status, less erosion threat, higher exchange sites, more available nutrients for plant uptake, more biological activity, etc., followed by sandstone/shale while beach ridge sand had the least in the study area. The application of more organic and less inorganic fertilizers will improve the soil quality of the study area.
Effect application of sea sand, coconut and banana coir on the growth and yie...NurdinUng
The research was aimed to study effect application of sea sand (SS), coconut coir (CC) and banana coir (BC) on the growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) planted at Ustic Endoaquert soil. The pot experiment was carried out using a factorial design with 3 factors. The first factor was SS consisted of three levels i.e.: 0%, 25%, and 50%. The second and third factors were CC and BC, each consisted of three levels i.e.: 0, 10, and 20 Mg ha-1. Application of SS and BC significantly increased leaf length where the highest increasing percentage was 16.47% which was achieved at 25% SS application. Their effect on leaf numbers and tiller numbers were relatively not similar pattern where leaf number only increased about 65.52% by BC application, while tiller numbers only increased about 10.77% by SS application. Furthermore, the application of CC and BC significantly increased panicle numbers to 29.53% and 29.05%, respectively compared to control. All ameliorants significantly increased panicle numbers, but the best was CC with the increasing up to 46.49% at 20 Mg ha-1 CC compared to SS or BC application. However, only coconut coir significantly increased the rice grain numbers.
Investigation of Soil Status in Degraded Soils from Tantalum Mining in Gatumb...Premier Publishers
Different soil properties from Gatumba Mining Area were assessed to characterize them and contribute in setting up practices for soil restoration. The present study was conducted to assess the soil status in degraded soils from tantalum mining in Gatumba. Nine soil profiles which were prepared in 2009 during dry season were sharpened and soils from all visible horizons were sampled. Soil analysis was performed in the soil laboratory at National University of Rwanda. Results showed that the active soil pH was lower in technosol developed on schist (4.8) and higher in technosol composed by pegmatite dump (5.61) and ranged from slightly acid (5.61) to acidic (4.73). Acid saturation was lower in strongly disturbed fluvisol (3.4%) and higher in technosol composed by pegmatite (10.78%) while base saturation was lower in cambic-fluvisol (37.5%) and higher in technosol composed by pegmatite (89.3%). However, a significant difference (p=0.012) only observed in base saturation between soil profiles. In general, soils affected by mining had low base saturation and higher acid saturation than unaffected. Therefore, recommendation of more soluble amendment such as lime and dolomite would improve the soil pH and provide macronutrients like Ca2+ and Mg2+.
Land Use / Land Cover Classification of kanniykumari Coast, Tamilnadu, India....IJERA Editor
The land use/ land cover details of Kanniyakuamri coast which is Located in the southern part of Tamil Nadu (India) is studied. Satellite imagery is used to identify the Land use/ Land cover status of the study area. The software like ERDAS and Arc GIS are used to demarcate the land use / Land cover features of Kanniyakuamari coast. Remote sensing and GIS provided consistent and accurate base line information than many of the conventional surveys employed for such a task. The total area of Kanniyakumari coast is 715 sq.km. The land use / land cover classes of the study area has been categorized into thirteen such as Plantation, Sandy area, Water logged area, Scrub forest, Crop Land, Water bodies, Land with scrub, Reserve forest, Land without Scrub, Salt area, Beach Ridge, Settlement and Fallow land on the basis NRSA Classifications. Among these categories, land with scrub land is predominantly found all over the study area, It is occupied about 336.36 sq.km (44.61 percent), Crop Land 273.82 sq.km(38.29 percent), water bodies lands sharing about 20.44 sq.km (2.85 percent ), settlement occupied with 6.96 sq.km (0.97 percent), and Fallow land was occupied 13.98 sq.km ( 1.95 percent ).
Determination of Erodibility Index (K) Of Soil in Michael Okpara University o...theijes
The International Journal of Engineering & Science is aimed at providing a platform for researchers, engineers, scientists, or educators to publish their original research results, to exchange new ideas, to disseminate information in innovative designs, engineering experiences and technological skills. It is also the Journal's objective to promote engineering and technology education. All papers submitted to the Journal will be blind peer-reviewed. Only original articles will be published.
The papers for publication in The International Journal of Engineering& Science are selected through rigorous peer reviews to ensure originality, timeliness, relevance, and readability.
Theoretical work submitted to the Journal should be original in its motivation or modeling structure. Empirical analysis should be based on a theoretical framework and should be capable of replication. It is expected that all materials required for replication (including computer programs and data sets) should be available upon request to the authors.
The International Journal of Engineering & Science would take much care in making your article published without much delay with your kind cooperation
Impact of Land Use Systems and Parent Materials on Soil Quality Indicators in...BRNSS Publication Hub
A study on the impact of parent materials and land use on soil quality indicators in soils of Akwa Ibom State was conducted. The aim was to evaluate the impact of parent materials and land use systems on soil quality indicators. Three parent materials (coastal plain sand, sandstone/shale, and beach ridge sand) and three land use types (cultivated land, fallow land of 3–5 years, and oil palm plantation) were selected for the study. In each land use type per parent material, six composite soil samples were collected from the representative location within the three land use types using soil auger within 0–30 cm soil depth. Undisturbed core samples were also collected for bulk density and saturated hydraulic conductivity determinations. A total of 52 soil samples were generated for laboratory analysis. Results showed that among the parent materials, coastal plain sand soil had the highest silt + clay fraction, organic matter, total N, available P, and exchangeable K, followed by sandstone/shale while beach ridge sand soil had the least. Among the land use types, oil palm plantation had the highest silt + clay fraction, organic matter, exchangeable Ca and K, followed by fallow land while cultivated land had the least. The combination of parent material and land use indicated that cultivated, fallow and oil palm plantation of coastal plain sand soils had the highest water and nutrient holding capacity, high rooting volume, good aeration status, less erosion threat, higher exchange sites, more available nutrients for plant uptake, more biological activity, etc., followed by sandstone/shale while beach ridge sand had the least in the study area. The application of more organic and less inorganic fertilizers will improve the soil quality of the study area.
Inland valleys are being used under the Sawah technology for rice production to reduce rice imports to
Ghana. Sawah technology is assumed to benefit from geological fertilization. However, there is no
quantitative information on runoff and sediment flows in the agricultural watershed of Ghana. This
study was carried out at Biemso in the southern part of the country. The aim was to estimate runoff and
sediment transport using the water erosion prediction project (WEPP) model (version 2006.500), from
hillslope to the valley bottom where rice is cultivated using the Sawah technology. A digital elevation
model (DEM) was created from ground survey and used to select the various plots (hillslopes) and to
select slope input parameters. Four plots (hillslopes) were selected for the model simulation. Data on
local daily values of rainfall and on minimum and maximum temperatures were used to set a CLIGEN
model station file to determine climate input parameters for the model. Rainfall characteristics (erosivity
and distribution) were analysed. Soil erodibility was also determined. Soil and crop management input
parameters required by the model were identified and or estimated from field measurements and
secondary sources. The model was run for two management scenarios: Fallow and continuous maize
systems. The results of the simulation showed that 2.9 to 3.9 and 6.8 to 10.2 t/ha/year of sediments were
eroded from upper catchment to valley bottom under fallow system and maize, respectively. The range
of values for runoff produced under fallow was 17.4 to 40 mm whereas that under maize system is 158.7
to 233.62 mm. The study has shown that land use system in the study area has a great influence on
geological fertilization. In addition, the valley bottom where rice is produced under the Sawah system is
enriched with organic matter from upslope.
Markkinointi vuonna 2017: tee edes nämä Julia Saarter
W3 Group Finland Oy:lla 5.1.2017 pitämäni asiakastilaisuus, jossa asiakkailla hyvin erilaiset lähtötasotiedot markkinoinnista ja hyvin erilainen tekemisen taso yrityksessään.
The study examined the characteristics of the Sumanpa stream’s Flow-Duration-Frequency Curve statistics for a period of 25years (1985-2009) and compared the 1990-1999 and 2000-2009 Flow-Duration-Curves. The high, low and mean Flow-Duration-Curves were also analysed. The discharge records were analysed to develop a general quantitative characterization of the stream’s flow variability. Streamflow data was generated from daily stage data using the rating curve model developed at the stream’s gauge station. Flow-Duration-Frequency-Curves were developed using the Weibull plotting position and used to analyse the catchment’s surface and groundwater storage and stream’s flow characteristics. The approach placed the midpoints of the moist, mid-range, and dry zones of the curves at 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles, respectively. The high zone was centered at the 5th percentile, while the low zone was centered at the 95th percentile. For 95% of the time, the streamflowequalled or exceeded 0.14 m3s-1, at 5% it equalled or exceeded 45 m3s-1 and at 50% flow equalled or exceeded 5.53 m3s-1.
In the agroecological zone of the Biemso basin in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, soil erodibility
and rainfall erosivity patterns were estimated. The study aimed at investigating the temporal
variability of rainfall erosivity using the Fournier Index Method and assessing the soil
erodibility parameters of a Sawah site using the WEPP model. Four plots representing the
major land uses in the area for maize, oil palm, natural vegetation and plantain cultivation
were selected. Results showed that soil organic matter content ranged from 1.95 to 5.52%;
sand ranged from 14.34 to 31.86 %; silt ranged from 31.63 to 68.77%; clay ranged from 16.04
to 20.08% and very fine sand from 3.38 to 8.84%. The derived interrill erodibility (Ki) values
ranged from 44.26 to 51.70 kg s m-4 under all land uses considered at the study site and soils
in the study area were moderately resistant to erosion by raindrops. The derived rill erodibility
(Kr) values ranged from 0.005 to 0.012 s m-1 under all land uses considered at the study site.
Rill erodibility values were higher at the foot slopes under all land uses except under Oil Palm
land use. Rainfall values exceeded the 20-25 mm threshold value for erosive rains. Erosivity
values determined for the study site revealed a moderate erosion risk in the major rainy season
(April-July); low erosion risk in the minor rainy season (August-October ) and very low erosion
risk in the dry season (November-March). It is recommended that soil and land management
practices that would reduce water erosion during the major rainy season should be implemented
such as bunding, mulching and contour farming.
The present study focused on the assessment of soil quality in South Sinai, an arid to extremely arid
region, particularly the effect of landform type and vegetation on some of the studied soil properties.
Vegetation and soil surveys were carried out in 200 plots selected in 8 different landforms. Soil
productivity was evaluated using corn Zea mays seed plantation in greenhouse pot experiment. Some soil
properties in addition to nutrients uptake in shoots and roots of corn were analyzed. The obtained results
showed a variation in soil texture, water holding capacity, and nutrient elements among different
landforms and vegetative cover categories. Soil pH, EC, silt and clay content, water holding capacity, and
soil organic matter are the most important soil parameters or driving variables that influence the
availability of soil nutrients and control coverage and structure of vegetation. Soil quality index was
constructed based on rating of these driving variables. The provided model of soil quality index is
specific for surface soil and it could be useful in evaluation and management of soil resources in arid
ecosystems. Water availability is shown to be the key variable in controlling soil productivity. Total plant
cover and vegetation structure are considered the easy visual indicators for preliminary inspection of soil
properties, soil productivity, and soil quality
Morphological And Physical Properties Of Four Soils Profiles Developed On Bas...IJRES Journal
The morphological and physical properties of soils were examined in Mazimbu farm Southwestern Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, the study was undertaken to investigate the morphological and important physical properties of the soils of Mazimbu farm. Four soil pedons were dug to represent the study area. Soil profiles were described as per FAO 2006 and soil survey staff (2010) soil profile description guidelines. Samples were collected from the four pedons according to the pedogenic horizons identified and analyzed for some physical properties. Soil colour varied from brown (7.5YR 4/2) through dark brown (7.5YR 4/4) to reddish brown (2.5YR 4/6). Soil structure varied from being weak to moderate sub angular blocky with dominant sand texture. The soil textural class was predominantly sandy clay loam/loamy sand/sand clay. The general characteristics of the soils were high sand and low silt contents. Most of the profiles had greater than 60 % sand, 20 % clay and less than 5 % silt. The bulk density (BD) values were generally low and ranged between 1.4 and 1.78 cm-3 with values increasing with soil depth gradually from surface to subsurface horizons. Soil moisture value generally varied from 1.42 to 5.77 % in the surface horizon and from 3.38 to 312.51 % in the subsurface horizon of all the profiles. Best soils management strategies such as crop rotation, planting cover crops, reduce overgrazing, burning and complementary use of organic and inorganic manure were suggested to improved soil condition on the farm for sustainable agricultural practice.
Development and rainfed paddy soils potency derived from lacustrine material ...NurdinUng
Rainfed paddy soils that are derived from lacustrine and include of E4 agroclimatic zone have many unique properties and potentially for paddy and corn plantations. This sreseach was aimed to: (1) study the soil development of
rainfed paddy soils derived from lacustrine and (2) evaluate rainfed paddy soils potency for paddy and corn in Paguyaman. Soil samples were taken from three profiles according to toposequent, and they were analyzed in laboratory. Data were analyzed with descriptive-quantitative analysis. Furthermore, assessment on rainfed paddy soils potency was conducted with land suitability analysis using parametric approach. Results indicate that all pedon had evolved with B horizons structurization. However, pedon located on the summit slope was more developed and intensely weathered than those of the shoulder and foot slopes.The main pedogenesis in all pedons were through
elluviation, illuviation, lessivage, pedoturbation, and gleization processes. The main factors of pedogenesis were climate, age (time) and topography factors. Therefore, P1 pedons are classified as Ustic Endoaquerts, fine, smectitic,
isohypertermic; P2 as Vertic Endoaquepts, fine, smectitic, isohypertermic; and P3 as Vertic Epiaquepts, fine, smectitic,
isohypertermic. Based on the potentials of the land, the highest of land suitability class (LSC) of land utilization type (LUT) local paddy was highly suitable (S1), while the lowest one was not suitable with nutrient availability as the limiting factor (Nna). The highest LCS of paddy-corn LUT was marginally suitable with water availability as the limiting factor (S3wa), while the lower LSC was not suitable with nutrient availabily as the limiting factor (Nna).
Classification and Assessment of Soil Compaction Level in Amassoma, Bayelsa S...Premier Publishers
Soil compaction is essential in construction. The failure to displace air from between particles when constructing buildings, roads, parking lots, dams, walls, swimming pools, or utility trench inevitably leads to unwanted soil movement and water penetration into the earth beneath construction projects.Soil compaction is one of the most important aspects of any earthwork construction. Assessing the level of compaction of soil in Amassoma is to ascertain the compatibility or rate of compaction of the underlining earth materials (soils).Nine (9) samples were collected at regular intervals of 1m, 2m, 3m, 4m, 5m, 6m, 7m, 8m and 9m which were used for the analyses. The samples collected were subjected to different laboratory test to determine the index properties and the level of compaction of the soil. Sieve analysis result of the samples shows that the percentage of fines and sands are in the range of 21.57%-63.20% and 36.80% and78.73%, respectively.Atterberg result also shows that the soil liquid limit (LL) is in the range of 48.51%-54.90% plastic limit (PL) ranges from 29/13%-36.51% and 14.78%-25.18% for plastic index (PI). Another experiment shows that the value of maximum Dry Density (MD) and Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) are 1.70g/cm3 and 18 40%. The analysis done for this work reveals that the soil in the area (Amassoma) can be classified as medium to high plastic soil (unified soil classification system) and that the soil in moderately compacted. Comparing the CBR test results with the Nigeria standard, the soils found in Amassoma can be used as sub-grade materials for construction.
In this study, the spatiotemporal changes in the land cover system within a Himalayan wetland and its catchment were assessed and correlated using a time series of satellite, historical, and field data. Significant changes in the spatial extent, water depth, and the land system of the Hokersar wetland were observed from the spatiotemporal analysis of the data from 1969 to 2008.
Sedimentology and Paleoenvironment of Deposition of the Deba-Fulani Member of...AZOJETE UNIMAID
The sedimentology and paleoenvironment of the Deba-Fulani Member of the Pindiga Formation were investigated on the basis of their grain size distribution. Granulometric analysis has indicated that the samples are generally well to moderately sorted with skewness values ranging from negatively to positively skewed which may indicate influence of both marine and fluvial conditions. Bivariate plot relationships of standard deviation vs. mean, standard deviation vs. skewness, first percentile vs. mean also indicated both fluvial and marine setting for the middle part of the Pindiga Formation member. However, most of the bivariate plot showed dominance of fluvial environment. The probability curve plot shows a prevalence of three-sand population curves which are usually associated with wave processes indicating marine conditions for most part of the Deba-Fulani Member.
The study determined and analysed morphometric characteristics of the Sumanpa catchment in the Forest-
Savannah Transitional zone of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Quantitative morphometric parameters were determined
using remote sensing and GIS techniques to assess the requirements for ecological and hydrological conservation,
planning, development and management of the catchment landscape. Results indicated that the total length of stream
segments was highest under the first order streams and decreased as the stream order increased. The catchment has an area
of 38 km2with channel closeness of 0.934 km km-2 indicating permeable sub-soil. The catchment has a relief of 137m and
a total length of stream network of 36.51km out of which 61% was ephemeral, 38.9 % was second and third order streams.
The catchment has 44 % of its area located on slopes between 5-10o with generally good vegetation cover. There are 31
streams linked to a 3rd order trunk stream forming a trellis drainage pattern. The catchment’s morphometric features
suggest a general fragile topographic condition which needs strategic approach for soil and water conservation measures
and urban landuse planning.
This pdf is about the Schizophrenia.
For more details visit on YouTube; @SELF-EXPLANATORY;
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAiarMZDNhe1A3Rnpr_WkzA/videos
Thanks...!
This presentation explores a brief idea about the structural and functional attributes of nucleotides, the structure and function of genetic materials along with the impact of UV rays and pH upon them.
Richard's entangled aventures in wonderlandRichard Gill
Since the loophole-free Bell experiments of 2020 and the Nobel prizes in physics of 2022, critics of Bell's work have retreated to the fortress of super-determinism. Now, super-determinism is a derogatory word - it just means "determinism". Palmer, Hance and Hossenfelder argue that quantum mechanics and determinism are not incompatible, using a sophisticated mathematical construction based on a subtle thinning of allowed states and measurements in quantum mechanics, such that what is left appears to make Bell's argument fail, without altering the empirical predictions of quantum mechanics. I think however that it is a smoke screen, and the slogan "lost in math" comes to my mind. I will discuss some other recent disproofs of Bell's theorem using the language of causality based on causal graphs. Causal thinking is also central to law and justice. I will mention surprising connections to my work on serial killer nurse cases, in particular the Dutch case of Lucia de Berk and the current UK case of Lucy Letby.
Comparing Evolved Extractive Text Summary Scores of Bidirectional Encoder Rep...University of Maribor
Slides from:
11th International Conference on Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering (IcETRAN), Niš, 3-6 June 2024
Track: Artificial Intelligence
https://www.etran.rs/2024/en/home-english/
Cancer cell metabolism: special Reference to Lactate PathwayAADYARAJPANDEY1
Normal Cell Metabolism:
Cellular respiration describes the series of steps that cells use to break down sugar and other chemicals to get the energy we need to function.
Energy is stored in the bonds of glucose and when glucose is broken down, much of that energy is released.
Cell utilize energy in the form of ATP.
The first step of respiration is called glycolysis. In a series of steps, glycolysis breaks glucose into two smaller molecules - a chemical called pyruvate. A small amount of ATP is formed during this process.
Most healthy cells continue the breakdown in a second process, called the Kreb's cycle. The Kreb's cycle allows cells to “burn” the pyruvates made in glycolysis to get more ATP.
The last step in the breakdown of glucose is called oxidative phosphorylation (Ox-Phos).
It takes place in specialized cell structures called mitochondria. This process produces a large amount of ATP. Importantly, cells need oxygen to complete oxidative phosphorylation.
If a cell completes only glycolysis, only 2 molecules of ATP are made per glucose. However, if the cell completes the entire respiration process (glycolysis - Kreb's - oxidative phosphorylation), about 36 molecules of ATP are created, giving it much more energy to use.
IN CANCER CELL:
Unlike healthy cells that "burn" the entire molecule of sugar to capture a large amount of energy as ATP, cancer cells are wasteful.
Cancer cells only partially break down sugar molecules. They overuse the first step of respiration, glycolysis. They frequently do not complete the second step, oxidative phosphorylation.
This results in only 2 molecules of ATP per each glucose molecule instead of the 36 or so ATPs healthy cells gain. As a result, cancer cells need to use a lot more sugar molecules to get enough energy to survive.
Unlike healthy cells that "burn" the entire molecule of sugar to capture a large amount of energy as ATP, cancer cells are wasteful.
Cancer cells only partially break down sugar molecules. They overuse the first step of respiration, glycolysis. They frequently do not complete the second step, oxidative phosphorylation.
This results in only 2 molecules of ATP per each glucose molecule instead of the 36 or so ATPs healthy cells gain. As a result, cancer cells need to use a lot more sugar molecules to get enough energy to survive.
introduction to WARBERG PHENOMENA:
WARBURG EFFECT Usually, cancer cells are highly glycolytic (glucose addiction) and take up more glucose than do normal cells from outside.
Otto Heinrich Warburg (; 8 October 1883 – 1 August 1970) In 1931 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology for his "discovery of the nature and mode of action of the respiratory enzyme.
WARNBURG EFFECT : cancer cells under aerobic (well-oxygenated) conditions to metabolize glucose to lactate (aerobic glycolysis) is known as the Warburg effect. Warburg made the observation that tumor slices consume glucose and secrete lactate at a higher rate than normal tissues.
Deep Behavioral Phenotyping in Systems Neuroscience for Functional Atlasing a...Ana Luísa Pinho
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) provides means to characterize brain activations in response to behavior. However, cognitive neuroscience has been limited to group-level effects referring to the performance of specific tasks. To obtain the functional profile of elementary cognitive mechanisms, the combination of brain responses to many tasks is required. Yet, to date, both structural atlases and parcellation-based activations do not fully account for cognitive function and still present several limitations. Further, they do not adapt overall to individual characteristics. In this talk, I will give an account of deep-behavioral phenotyping strategies, namely data-driven methods in large task-fMRI datasets, to optimize functional brain-data collection and improve inference of effects-of-interest related to mental processes. Key to this approach is the employment of fast multi-functional paradigms rich on features that can be well parametrized and, consequently, facilitate the creation of psycho-physiological constructs to be modelled with imaging data. Particular emphasis will be given to music stimuli when studying high-order cognitive mechanisms, due to their ecological nature and quality to enable complex behavior compounded by discrete entities. I will also discuss how deep-behavioral phenotyping and individualized models applied to neuroimaging data can better account for the subject-specific organization of domain-general cognitive systems in the human brain. Finally, the accumulation of functional brain signatures brings the possibility to clarify relationships among tasks and create a univocal link between brain systems and mental functions through: (1) the development of ontologies proposing an organization of cognitive processes; and (2) brain-network taxonomies describing functional specialization. To this end, tools to improve commensurability in cognitive science are necessary, such as public repositories, ontology-based platforms and automated meta-analysis tools. I will thus discuss some brain-atlasing resources currently under development, and their applicability in cognitive as well as clinical neuroscience.
Introduction:
RNA interference (RNAi) or Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing (PTGS) is an important biological process for modulating eukaryotic gene expression.
It is highly conserved process of posttranscriptional gene silencing by which double stranded RNA (dsRNA) causes sequence-specific degradation of mRNA sequences.
dsRNA-induced gene silencing (RNAi) is reported in a wide range of eukaryotes ranging from worms, insects, mammals and plants.
This process mediates resistance to both endogenous parasitic and exogenous pathogenic nucleic acids, and regulates the expression of protein-coding genes.
What are small ncRNAs?
micro RNA (miRNA)
short interfering RNA (siRNA)
Properties of small non-coding RNA:
Involved in silencing mRNA transcripts.
Called “small” because they are usually only about 21-24 nucleotides long.
Synthesized by first cutting up longer precursor sequences (like the 61nt one that Lee discovered).
Silence an mRNA by base pairing with some sequence on the mRNA.
Discovery of siRNA?
The first small RNA:
In 1993 Rosalind Lee (Victor Ambros lab) was studying a non- coding gene in C. elegans, lin-4, that was involved in silencing of another gene, lin-14, at the appropriate time in the
development of the worm C. elegans.
Two small transcripts of lin-4 (22nt and 61nt) were found to be complementary to a sequence in the 3' UTR of lin-14.
Because lin-4 encoded no protein, she deduced that it must be these transcripts that are causing the silencing by RNA-RNA interactions.
Types of RNAi ( non coding RNA)
MiRNA
Length (23-25 nt)
Trans acting
Binds with target MRNA in mismatch
Translation inhibition
Si RNA
Length 21 nt.
Cis acting
Bind with target Mrna in perfect complementary sequence
Piwi-RNA
Length ; 25 to 36 nt.
Expressed in Germ Cells
Regulates trnasposomes activity
MECHANISM OF RNAI:
First the double-stranded RNA teams up with a protein complex named Dicer, which cuts the long RNA into short pieces.
Then another protein complex called RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex) discards one of the two RNA strands.
The RISC-docked, single-stranded RNA then pairs with the homologous mRNA and destroys it.
THE RISC COMPLEX:
RISC is large(>500kD) RNA multi- protein Binding complex which triggers MRNA degradation in response to MRNA
Unwinding of double stranded Si RNA by ATP independent Helicase
Active component of RISC is Ago proteins( ENDONUCLEASE) which cleave target MRNA.
DICER: endonuclease (RNase Family III)
Argonaute: Central Component of the RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC)
One strand of the dsRNA produced by Dicer is retained in the RISC complex in association with Argonaute
ARGONAUTE PROTEIN :
1.PAZ(PIWI/Argonaute/ Zwille)- Recognition of target MRNA
2.PIWI (p-element induced wimpy Testis)- breaks Phosphodiester bond of mRNA.)RNAse H activity.
MiRNA:
The Double-stranded RNAs are naturally produced in eukaryotic cells during development, and they have a key role in regulating gene expression .
Multi-source connectivity as the driver of solar wind variability in the heli...Sérgio Sacani
The ambient solar wind that flls the heliosphere originates from multiple
sources in the solar corona and is highly structured. It is often described
as high-speed, relatively homogeneous, plasma streams from coronal
holes and slow-speed, highly variable, streams whose source regions are
under debate. A key goal of ESA/NASA’s Solar Orbiter mission is to identify
solar wind sources and understand what drives the complexity seen in the
heliosphere. By combining magnetic feld modelling and spectroscopic
techniques with high-resolution observations and measurements, we show
that the solar wind variability detected in situ by Solar Orbiter in March
2022 is driven by spatio-temporal changes in the magnetic connectivity to
multiple sources in the solar atmosphere. The magnetic feld footpoints
connected to the spacecraft moved from the boundaries of a coronal hole
to one active region (12961) and then across to another region (12957). This
is refected in the in situ measurements, which show the transition from fast
to highly Alfvénic then to slow solar wind that is disrupted by the arrival of
a coronal mass ejection. Our results describe solar wind variability at 0.5 au
but are applicable to near-Earth observatories.
A brief information about the SCOP protein database used in bioinformatics.
The Structural Classification of Proteins (SCOP) database is a comprehensive and authoritative resource for the structural and evolutionary relationships of proteins. It provides a detailed and curated classification of protein structures, grouping them into families, superfamilies, and folds based on their structural and sequence similarities.
2. index soil property as texture in adjudging inland valleys
suitable or not for rice cultivation in the West African
setting has earlier been highlighted (Carsky and Masajo,
1992). In Nigeria for instance, Olaleye et al. (2008)
reported that the major constraint to lowlands for rice cul-
tivation in the western region is unfavourable soil texture
and that this provokes sub-optimal water and nutrient
status. Similarly, bulk density is considered the most
important index of soil structure in sawah-managed fields.
It is important to state that even though Toure et al.
(2009) documented the importance of toposequence in
the hydrology and drainage of the inland valley
ecosystems of West Africa. However, most of the
available research information about soil conditions in the
West African inland valleys focused mainly on fertility
and/or pedo-mineralogy (Issaka et al., 1996, 1997; Buri et
al., 1999, 2000; Annan-Afful et al., 2004, 2005; Abe et al.,
2006, 2007, 2009; Udo et al., 2009). The physical aspect
has been sparingly studied, with little or no emphasis on
the effects of topography (Annan-Afful et al., 2004; Abe et
al., 2009)
Thus, the objective of the study was to examine how
some selected soil physico-chemical properties varies
and among landscape positions at a sawah site. Results
generated in the study will provide useful information to
researchers and farmers in modeling landscape
relationships and in taking critical management decisions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Description of study site
The study was conducted at a sawah experimental site located at
Biemso of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study area (Figure 1)
is located in the Ahafo Ano South district of Ashanti Region. Its
geographic location is within N 06°, 52’ 53.2” and W 001°, 50’ 47.3”.
The mean annual precipitation in the region is 1301 mm (averaged
for the period from 1974 to 2004). The rainfall pattern in the area is
bimodal (with two peaks). The geology of the study site consists of
rock of the Lower Birimian formation comprising phyllites,
greywackes, schists and gneiss whiles the soils fall under the
Akumadan –Bekwai/Oda Complex association (Adu, 1992). The
topography of the area is high to moderate steep slopes with the
highest point having a slope not greater than 20%. The terrain
gradually slopes towards the valley where rice is cultivated under
sawah technology and then finally to the Biem River. The uplands
were under cultivation with crops such as maize, plantain and oil
palm.
Field studies
Field studies were conducted January to March, 2009. Four
hillslopes representing the major land use structure of the site were
selected. A transect was used to link all land uses and landscape
positions. The method of Brubaker et al. (1993) was used as a
guide in the soil sampling. In this method, six categories of
landscape positions were identified as upper interfluve, lower
interfluve, shoulder, upper linear, lower linear, and foot slope. Each
of the hillslopes were divided into three landscape positions, upper
slope (US), middle slope (MS) and foot slope (FT). The US position
represents the upper interfluve and lower interfluve and receives
Ofori et al. 3647
little or no overland flow but may contribute runoff to downslope
position. The MS position comprises shoulder, upper linear and
lower linear and receives overland flow from the upper slope and
contribute runoff to the FS slope. The FS represents the base of the
hillslope. Water and sediments running off the FS enter the sawah
rice fields. The landuses for the study were maize, oil palm, natural
vegetation and plantain fields.
Soil samples were collected from all landscape positions in the
study site. Twelve sampling points were selected from every
hillslope (plot). The top soil (0 to 20 cm depth) was sampled with a
cylindrical metal sampler of 5 cm diameter and 5 cm height. From
the same sampling position and depth, 200 g of soil was also
collected, bagged in plastic bags and taken to the laboratory for soil
physical and chemical analysis.
At each sampling point, hydraulic conductivity test was carried
out using a minidisk infiltrometer (Decagon Devices, 1998) with a
suction of 0.5 cm and radius of 1.59 cm. The readings were
recorded at every 30 s during the experiment. Data collected were
used to calculate the water infiltration rates of the soil. A total of 96
infiltration tests were performed with 24 tests on each plot. The
hydraulic conductivity of soil was calculated using the method of
Zhang (1997), which works well for measurements of infiltration into
dry soil. The method requires measuring cumulative infiltration
against time and fitting the results with the function:
(1)
Where C1 and C2 are parameters relating to hydraulic conductivity
and sorptivity respectively.
The hydraulic conductivity of the soil (K) was computed using the
relationship
A
C
K 1
(2)
Where A is a constant calculated according to Van Genuchten
(1980) as
1.9n
)(
])9.1(5.7exp165.11
91.0
0
0
1.0
r
hnn
A
(3)
Here n and α are the retention parameters according to Van
Genuchten (1980); r0 is the radius of the infiltrometer; ho is the
suction at the disk surface. The Van Genuchten soil parameters
were obtained from Carsel and Parrish (1988) as cited by Decagon
Devices (1998).
Laboratory studies
Soil samples were air dried for 3 to 5 days and then passed through
a 2-mm sieve. Gravels which did not pass through the sieve, after
removal of any adhering material were weighed and their content
was recorded as a percentage of the whole sample. The particle
size distribution was determined by the method proposed by Van
Reeuwijk (2002). Bulk density was determined by the metal core
sampler method (Blake and Hartge, 1986) whilst the particle density
was assumed to be 2.65 g cm‐3
. The Walkley-Black procedure as
described by Nelson and Sommers (1996) was used to determine
organic matter. The total Nitrogen content of the soil was
determined using the Kjeldahl digestion and distillation method
(Bremner and Mulvaney, 1982). The cation exchange capacity
(CEC) was obtained by a method described by Black (1965). Soil
pH was measured potentiometrically in 1:1 soil-water ratio
(Hendershot et al., 1993). Soil organic matter (SOM) was then
𝐼 = 𝐶1 𝑡 + 𝐶2√𝑡
3. 3648 Afr. J. Agric. Res.
Figure 1. Location of the study site.
obtained by multiplying soil organic carbon values by a factor of
1.724. The total porosity (TP) was calculated using the equation
and relationship developed by Danielson and Sutherland (1986) as:
3-
-3
gcm2.65
)(gcmdensity1 Bulk
TP
(4)
Soil moisture content (Mc) was also calculated as:
soildriedovenofmass
soildriedovenofmass-soilwetofmass
cM
(5)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Landscape position and soil hydraulic properties
Table 1 shows the average values of some hydraulic
properties obtained from the study in relation to the
position on the landscape. The values of soil moisture
content were highest at the foot slopes (FS) under all
land use. This is very much expected and is an indication
of seepage and the concentration of runoff from upper
slopes as was found by Tsegaye et al. (2006). This also
indicates that soil mosture content is highly influenced by
slope position. Total porosity (TP) values ranged from
45.10 to 59.65%. Except for plantain land use, total
porosity values were highest at the foot slopes (FS). This
could be explained by the higher sand content as observed
from the study (Table 2). Sand particles have large
macropores which have direct effect on total porosity
(USDA, 2001). With respect to the soil moisture content
and total porosity, Obalum et al. (2011) reported similar
observation in the same district where this study was
conducted.
Infiltration rates and hydraulic conductivity were highly
variable as shown by their standard deviation in Table 1.
This explains the temporal and spatial variability of both
infiltration and hydraulic conductivity (Antonio et al., 2001;
Zhang, 1997; Bagarello and Iovino, 2003). Both factors
under fallow land and oil palm land uses were highest at
the MS position. This may be due to higher water content
at the foot slope which reduces water intake. However,
infiltration rates and hydraulic conductivities under maize
and plantain cultivation recorded relatively higher values
at the foot slopes than at the upper slopes. This may be
partly due to the low total porosity at the upper slopes. In
general, the fluctuation in infiltration rates and hydraulic
conductivity is partly due to differences in soil physical
and chemical properties such as particle size distribution,
antecedent moisture content, organic matter, and cation
exchange capacity as reported by Messing and Jarvis
(1993) and Shelton (2003).
The results from the study indicate that water content
and total porosity are both influenced by landscape
position. However, the response of infiltration rates and
hydraulic conductivity to landscape position is variable
implying that both factors are also affected by other soil
properties.
4. Ofori et al. 3649
Table 1. Average values of soil hydraulic properties in relation to landscape position.
Land use Landscape position Parameter TP (%) Mc (%) If (mm/h) K (mm/h)
Fallow
FS
Mean 59.65 0.41 425.33 42.43
Std. Dev. 8.70 0.28 35.07 3.19
MS
Mean 49.69 0.28 601.78 60.06
Std. Dev. 3.90 0.13 191.71 15.65
US
Mean 48.90 0.15 332.70 29.30
Std. Dev. 0.72 0.10 18.45 2.59
Maize
FS
Mean 53.71 0.27 542.89 33.68
Std. Dev. 1.62 0.01 255.71 14.70
MS
Mean 45.10 0.14 182.00 31.43
Std. Dev. 2.64 0.04 89.16 9.50
US
Mean 46.40 0.08 327.09 46.54
Std. Dev. 1.90 0.02 20.91 3.18
Oil palm
FS
Mean 53.32 0.35 215.56 23.60
Std. Dev. 3.42 0.09 77.75 8.43
MS
Mean 47.91 0.27 419.78 43.49
Std. Dev. 2.86 0.04 101.67 4.25
US
Mean 49.17 0.14 397.77 31.03
Std. Dev. 1.31 0.06 21.66 2.87
Plantain
FS
Mean 50.88 0.32 249.11 10.87
Std. Dev. 5.44 0.22 89.77 9.43
MS
Mean 54.32 0.23 41.78 4.11
Std. Dev. 6.27 0.10 14.49 1.22
US
Mean 52.52 0.16 312.63 23.87
Std. Dev. 3.08 0.04 111.16 13.41
Mc=Soil moisture content; If= infiltration rate; K= hydraulic conductivity; US=upper slope; MS = middle slope; FS= foot slope.
Landscape position and soil physical properties
The average values of soil physical properties on the
slope are shown in Table 2. Generally, highest values of
clay occurred at the MS position. This observation did not
conform to expectation that clay content are commonly
higher at foot slopes due washing away of clay-rich
materials from upper slopes as explained by Babalola et
al. (2007). However, observations similar to this study
were reported by Malo et al. (1974).
Observed sand content and bulk density values
appeared to be highest at the upper slopes. Percentage
gravel content was also highest at US position for all land
uses.
The low bulk density and gravel content at FS position
indicates low level of soil compactness and associated
improvement in root penetration (Ogban and Babalola,
2003), and hence favourable root activity (Ogban and
Babalola, 2009). In addition, changes in gravel content
may explain why there were changes in soil physical
properties (Fasina et al., 2007). Highest values of sand
content at US position could also be explained by the
effect of soil erosion. According to Ovales and Collins
(1986), sand particles due to their size are normally
deposited at the upper slopes.
Generally silt content at the study site were high. This
is an indication of the soils in the site to form stable
aggregate. The results from the study have also shown
that silt content at the catchment is variable. This could
be explained by the fact that silt content at the study site
is not only affected by factors such as the landscape
position but on others such as porosity and hydraulic
conductivity.
In general, properties, such as percentage sand, clay,
gravel and bulk density were affected by topographic
position. However, the fluctuations in silt content as
observed from Table 2 suggests that topographic
position does not wholly affected silt content.
Landscape position and soil chemical properties
Table 3 presents average values of soil chemical
properties in relation to landscape position under the four
5. 3650 Afr. J. Agric. Res.
Table 2. Average values of soil physical properties in relation to landscape at site.
Land use Landscape position Parameter Sand (%) Silt (%) Clay (%) Gravel (%) γ(g/cm
-3
)
Fallow
FS
Mean 20.34 61.63 18.03 0.00 1.07
Std. Dev 1.47 1.67 0.82 0.00 0.23
MS
Mean 23.68 56.24 20.08 43.22 1.33
Std. Dev. 0.68 2.83 0.61 5.60 0.10
US
Mean 34.00 55.00 11.00 35.33 1.35
St. Dev. 1.02 0.90 0.50 2.56 0.02
Maize
FS
Mean 27.02 54.94 18.04 0.00 1.23
Std. Dev. 0.97 0.46 0.67 0.00 0.04
MS
Mean 31.86 48.13 20.01 60.65 1.45
St. Dev. 1.23 1.94 0.47 1.80 0.07
US
Mean 38.00 49.00 13.00 71.81 1.42
Std. Dev. 1.52 1.49 0.70 6.53 0.05
Oil palm
FS
Mean 18.74 61.21 20.05 0.00 1.24
St. Dev. 1.29 2.03 0.56 0.00 0.09
MS
Mean 22.16 61.80 16.04 49.18 1.38
Std. Dev. 0.60 0.85 1.23 7.83 0.08
US
Mean 40.00 51.00 9.00 57.41 1.35
Std. Dev. 1.30 1.03 0.50 5.12 0.03
Plantain
FS
Mean 15.01 68.89 16.1 0.00 1.30
Std. Dev. 0.60 0.77 0.65 0.00 0.14
MS
Mean 14.34 63.59 22.07 49.44 1.21
Std. Dev. 0.57 1.05 1.11 5.74 0.17
US
Mean 38.00 51.00 11.00 59.46 1.26
Std. Dev. 1.50 1.41 1.32 7.23 0.08
main landuse. Soil nutrients (SOM and TN) were quite
moderate. Highest concentration of SOM and TN
occurred at the FS position whiles least concentrations
occurred at US position. The high concentrations of these
nutrients at foot slopes suggest that overland flow and
surface runoff may have transported these soil nutrients
to the foot slope. This observation is consistent with
findings made by Wang et al. (2003), Chen (1987),
Khormali et al. (2007), Babalola et al. (2007) and
Onweremadu (2007). The values of these soil nutrients
under plantain land use at the foot slope were almost the
same as those at the upper slope. The slightly higher
values at the foot slope may be partly due to vegetation
cover.
Soil pH values were in the range of 4.2 to 6.73 and
increased down the slope. The least values of soil pH at
the US positions indicate that acidity decreases down the
slope. It must be stated that the prevalence of acidity at
the upper slopes is an indication of strong chemical
weathering and leaching of plants nutrients as reported
by Babalola et al. (2007).
Agronomically, increased pH up to 8.5 is good for soils
at foot slopes. Onweremadu (2007) reports that increased
pH at foot slopes account for high total nitrogen, cation
exchange capacity and organic matter. This means soils
at foot slopes have high capacity for supporting crop
growth. The increased pH at foot slopes account for
increased cation exchange capacity (CEC). According to
Kamprath (1970) and Tsegaye et al. (2006) when rainfall
percolates through the soil, it most likely leaches basic
cations such as Ca and Mg and replaces them with acid
forming cations such as H
+
, Al
3+
and Fe
2+
, making the
soils in upper slope acidic.
Conclusion
The study assessed the influence of landscape position
on soil properties as well as the relationship between
infiltration rates with aim of generating enough soil data
for erosion modeling. The study has revealed that soil
properties such as water content, total porosity, sand
content, clay content, bulk density, soil pH, organic
matter and carbon and total nitrogen are influenced by
topographic position. On the other hand, responses of
soil properties such as infiltration rate, saturated hydraulic
6. Ofori et al. 3651
Table 3. Average values of soil nutrients in relation to landscape position.
Land use Landscape position Parameter pH(1:1)H2O OrgC(%) TN(%) SOM (%) CEC
Fallow
FS
Mean 5.64 2.61 0.25 4.5 14.04
Std. Dev. 1.17 1.28 0.19 0.81 1.32
MS
Mean 6.45 2.38 0.12 4.1 14.24
Std. Dev. 1.29 0.32 0.07 1.35 0.6
US
Mean 4.7 0.5 0.1 0.86 6.06
Std. Dev. 0.71 0.12 0.05 0.12 0.72
Maize
FS
Mean 6.39 3.2 0.19 5.52 15.19
Std. Dev. 1.23 1.06 0.09 1.3 2.3
MS
Mean 5.73 1.64 0.15 2.83 12.01
Std. Dev. 1.52 0.39 0.1 0.73 1.04
US
Mean 4.8 1.4 0.1 2.41 4.06
Std. Dev. 2.23 0.45 0.06 0.88 1.25
Oil palm
FS
Mean 6.73 2.26 0.27 3.9 14.02
Std. Dev. 2.08 1.45 0.12 1.2 2.3
MS
Mean 6.60 1.72 0.22 2.97 13.78
Std. Dev. 1.39 0.47 0.12 1.1 1.4
US
Mean 4.60 0.06 0.1 0.10 3.04
Std. Dev. 1.21 1.12 0.11 0.02 2.34
Plantain
FS
Mean 7.75 1.13 0.15 2.95 14.81
Std. Dev. 1.35 1.04 0.06 0.61 2.02
MS
Mean 4.73 1.44 0.11 2.48 5.67
Std. Dev. 1.55 0.21 0.08 1.2 1.06
US
Mean 4.20 0.7 0.1 1.20 1.91
Std. Dev.. 0.5 0.02 0.03 0.68 0.34
conductivity and silt content to landscape position were
variable. These changes may be attributed management
practices. There is the need for further and more detailed
study on soil and soil-related properties to generate
sufficient data for modelling soil nutrient transfer from
upper catchments to the valley.
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