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Title: | Evaluation of Nitrogen Mineralization Dynamics Following Amendments Application under Cropping Systems on a Ferric Acrisol in Ghana |
Authors: | Logah, V. Safo, E.Y. Quansah, C. |
Keywords: | Amendments cropping systems mineralization nitrogen |
Issue Date: | 2011 |
Publisher: | International Journal of Enviromental Science and Development |
Citation: | International Journal of Enviromental Science and Development, Vol. 2, No. 2, April 2011 |
Abstract: | Published information on the dynamics of
nitrogen mineralization under different amendments and
cropping systems on the field is lacking. Earlier studies focused
on nitrogen mineralization under laboratory conditions, results
of which may be of limited importance under field conditions.
To bridge this gap in knowledge, a field experiment was
conducted on a Ferric Acrisol in 2006 and 2007 in the semi –
deciduous forest zone of Ghana. The experiment was arranged
in a split – plot with three replications. Three different
amendments (poultry manure, poultry manure + chemical
fertilizer, chemical fertilizer and a control (no amendment)
constituted the sub-plots whereas selected cropping systems
(continuous maize, maize/soybean intercrop and maize/cowpea
rotation) were assigned to the main plots. The experiment was
conducted in three consecutive cropping seasons and the rate of
nitrogen mineralization monitored at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks after
application of amendments (WAA) within each season. The
results indicated changes in the level of NO3- and NH4+ over
time. Nitrate- nitrogen was generally low and rose to higher
levels at the occurrence of ‘Birch effect’ when the control
registered higher values (19.32 - 80.89 mg NO3- kg-1 soil) than
amended plots (12.83 - 80.49 mg NO3- kg-1 soil). Unlike NH4+ -
N, NO3- - N showed immobilization in amended plots as PM
and PM + CF plots recorded -0.11 mg/kg each at 9 WAA in
2007 major season. The ratios of NH4+ -N: NO3- -N varied
considerably in the seasonal cycles with generally least values
(0.1 - 1.3) recorded at the occurrence of Birch effect. Cropping
systems significantly (P < 0.05) influenced NH4+ -N: NO3- -N
ratios in all seasons of study. The study has established that
‘Birch effect’ is characterized by immobilization of nitrate
under amendments and lower NH4+: NO3- ratios. Crop
removal of NO3- - N and NH4+ - N was generally different for
the cropping systems considered. |
Description: | Article published in International Journal of Enviromental Science and Development, Vol. 2, No. 2, April 2011 |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1531 |
Appears in Collections: | College of Agric and Natural Resources
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