EFFECT OF ORGANIC MULCHES ON SOIL PRODUCTIVITY AND MICROBIAL ACTIVITIES IN ACID SANDS OF UYO, NIGERIA
Akpan1, Godwin U. & Iliyasu2, Mohammad
1Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, University of Uyo, Uyo
2Department of Soil Science, University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria
Email: agumoren1@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to assess the effects of three mulching materials; Chromoalaenaodorota(CH), Elusineindica (EI) and Saw dust (SD) on soil properties and microbial activity in acid sands of Uyo ,Nigeria. The trial was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications between April, 2012 and October, 2013. The experimental plot measured 96m2 was cleared manually and the three mulching materials chopped into pieces, cured before each worked into each experimental plot at the rate of 10t/ha with minimum tillage. Soil samples were collected at 6 and 12 weeks after mulch application for determination of soil properties and 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks after mulch applications for determination of microbial populations. Results revealed that the three mulching materials increased physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Effect of the mulching material son nitrogen, phosphorous organic carbon and basic captions (Na+ K+ Mg2+ and Ca2+) were however highly dependent on their C:N ratios. Mulching with CH and EI with low C:N rates of 13:1 and 17:1 significantly increased the soil properties and biological activities and reduced soil bulk density in all the treatments. On the other hand, mulching with saw dust with high C:N ratio of 20.75:1 stimulated microbial growth and added little nitrogen to the soil. Microbes immobilized a high proportion of the limited nitrogen pool. This study demonstrates that organic mulches can have major effect on soil fertility and that.
Keywords: Microbial activity, Acid sands Organic molecules, soil productivity
