Effect of filter press mud application on nutrient availability in aquert and fluvent soils of Wonji/Shoa sugarcane plantation of Ethiopia
Book Chapter
Fantaye, A, Fanta, A, Melesse, AM. (2015). Effect of filter press mud application on nutrient availability in aquert and fluvent soils of Wonji/Shoa sugarcane plantation of Ethiopia
. 549-563. 10.1007/978-3-319-18787-7_25
Fantaye, A, Fanta, A, Melesse, AM. (2015). Effect of filter press mud application on nutrient availability in aquert and fluvent soils of Wonji/Shoa sugarcane plantation of Ethiopia
. 549-563. 10.1007/978-3-319-18787-7_25
Effect of filter press mud (FPM) application on nutrient availability in Aquert and Fluvent soils at Wonji-Shoa Sugarcane Plantation, located at central part of the East African Rift Valley, was studied during the 2003/04 growing season. The rate of FPM application was 0, 60 and 120 ton/h. Field monitoring was made for ninety days. As per the management practice of the Sugar Estate, the Aquert soil was green manured with Crotalarea junceae prior to the treatment application. Soil samples were collected and analyzed every fortnight for organic carbon (OC) and available N. Available P, exchangeable bases, Fe, and Mn content of the soil were monitored at the beginning and end of the experiment. Incorporation of FPM significantly increased the OC content in both soils. Nonetheless, the accumulation of OC was more in Aquert than Fluvent soils, due to the initial higher OC obtained from Crotalatea j., higher clay content and moist condition of the Aquert soil. The application of FPM promoted the available N though the availability of N ion, however, in both soils, the content declined during the first 45 days after application. Gradually, significant increase in the available N was observed (starting from 45th day of application up to the 90th day). This indicates that FPM having C/N ratio of 27 resulted in priming effect. The trend analysis made indicated that proportional increase in available P can be obtained with increasing rate of FPM application, though available K was found to be lower in FPM treated soils. The application of FPM buffered (reduced) the soil pH to 7.6. The highest rate of FPM application (120 ton/ha) slightly improved the soil electrical conductivity (EC). Furthermore, the study indicated that the application of FPM had the ability to reduce the soils exchangeable Na content. Thus, FPM has the potential to amend sodicity and abnormal pH of soils. However, it was noted that the application of FPM had reduced Fe/Mn ratio indicating its possible ability to slow down or reduce Fe uptake by plants. Therefore, prior checking for available K and Fe has to be made to ensure unnecessary consequences on sugarcane plants.
