Rapid deforestation in Sumatra, Indonesia is presently occurring due to the expansion of palm oil and rubber production, fueled by an increasing global demand. Our study aimed to assess changes in soil-N cycling rates with conversion of forest to oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) plantations. In Jambi Province, Sumatra, Indonesia, we selected two soil landscapes - loa...

In this work TF values for Sr and Cs were measured for reference plants grown in lysimeters containing soils representative of large agricultural areas in Brazil: Ferralsol, Nitisol and Acrisol. These results were discussed in the light of pedological analyses and results from the follow sequential chemical extraction protocol: 1) slightly acidic phase containing readily bioavailable elements; ...

Abstract Aims Rural-urban dynamics are leading to agricultural intensification practices, which affect microbial ecosystem functions in a soil-specific way. This study aimed investigate what effects has on soil communities. Methods The of N fertilization level (low and high) crop type (maize finger millet) communities were investigated, using two-factorial split-plot design, at two fields (irri...

Agricultural management alters physical and chemical soil properties, which directly affects microbial life strategies and community composition. The microbial community drives important nutrient cycling processes that can influence soil quality, cropping productivity and environmental sustainability. In this research, a long-term agricultural experiment in a subtropical Acrisol was studied in ...

Abstract Background : Diversified food crop production systems with high‐value vegetable crops are increasingly replacing conventional rice–wheat rotations across Nepal. These newly emerging likely to enhance the demand for micro‐nutrients boron (B) and zinc (Zn), which already widely deficient throughout in However, B Zn fertilizers often either unavailable rural areas, not available a timely ...

A laboratory microcosm incubation was conducted to study the influence of mixed cowpea-maize residues on N2O emission and N mineralization in a tropical acrisol. The soils were incorporated with different ratios of cowpea:maize mixtures on weight basis: 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100, and a control treatment in which there was no residue incorporation. The results show that N2O and CO2 em...

The adsorption of DNA by an andosol was much greater than that by a fluvisol or acrisol. The decrease in soil organic matter on treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) little affected DNA adsorption per weight of the particles, implying that the organic matter is not involved in the adsorption. The acid oxalate treatment of the H(2)O(2)-treated soils decreased DNA adsorption. Among soil con...

The adsorption of DNA by an andosol was much greater than that by a fluvisol or acrisol. The decrease in soil organic matter on treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) little affected DNA adsorption per weight of the particles, implying that the organic matter is not involved in the adsorption. The acid oxalate treatment of the H2O2-treated soils decreased DNA adsorption. Among soil constituent...

Low soil fertility and high weed infestation are the main culprits for the declining maize production inWestern Kenya. Technology packages to address these constraints exist, but their effectiveness is likely to be influenced by variability in soil types and farm management practices in the region. Trials were conducted during the 2008/2009 cropping seasons to investigate the nutrient use e...