10 research outputs found
Enhancing the Phytoremediation of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils in the Sudd Wetlands, South Sudan, Using Organic Manure
Phytoremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils is a challenging process. In an effort to enhance phytoremediation, soil was artificially contaminated with known concentration of light crude oil containing Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) at a concentration of 75âgkgâ1 soil. The contaminated soil was subjected to phytoremediation trial using four plant species (Oryza longistaminata, Sorghum arundinaceum, Tithonia diversifolia, and Hyparrhenia rufa) plus no plant used as control for natural attenuation. These phytoremediators were amended with concentrations (0, 5 and 10âgkgâ1 soil) of organic manure (cow dung). Results at 120 days after planting, showed that application of manure at concentrations of 5 and 10âgkgâ1 soil combined with an efficient phytoremediator can significantly enhance reduction of TPH compared to natural attenuation or use of either manure or a phytoremediator alone (p0.05). Therefore, the study concludes that use of phytoremediators and manure 5âgkgâ1 soil could promote the restoration of TPH contaminated-soils in the Sudd region of South Sudan
Precision of farmer-based fertility ratings and soil organic carbon for crop production on a Ferralsol
Simple and affordable soil fertility ratings are
essential, particularly for the resource-constrained farmers in sub-Saharan
Africa (SSA), in planning and implementing prudent interventions. A study was
conducted on Ferralsols in Uganda to evaluate farmer-based soil
fertility assessment techniques, hereafter referred to as farmers' field
experiences (FFE), for ease of use and precision, against more formal
scientific quantitative ratings using soil organic carbon (SQR-SOC). A total
of 30 fields were investigated and rated using both techniques, as low,
medium and high in terms of soil fertility â with maize as the test crop.
Both soil fertility rating techniques were fairly precise in delineating
soil fertility classes, though the FFE was inefficient in distinguishing
fields > 1.2 % SOC with medium and high fertility. Soil organic
carbon, silt and clay were exceptionally influential, accounting for the
highest percentage in grain yield of 50 % in the topsoil (0â15 cm) and 67 %
for the mean concentrations from 0 to 15 and 15 to 30 cm. Each unit increase in
SOC concentration resulted in 966 to 1223 kg ha<sup>â1</sup> yield gain. The FFE
technique was effective in identifying low-fertility fields, and this was
coherent with the fields categorized as low (SOC < 1.2 %). Beyond
this level, its precision can be remarkably increased when supplemented with
the SQR-SOC technique