Open Soil Science and Environment

Response of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) to Different Soil Amendments in Rainforest Ecology of Southern Nigeria

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Background: In Nigeria, cassava is considered one of the primary crops for ensuring food security, however the soil fertility be one of major problem.
Aims: The experiment aimed to evaluate the effect fertilization on growth and yield of cassava.
Methods: The field experiment was conducted at Akwa Ibom State University, Teaching and Research, Obio Akpa Campus. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design, replicated three times. Growth and yield data were collected. All growth and yield data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Significant means were tested with LSD at 5% probability level.
Result: Among the fertilizer treatments, the treatment of 5t/h PM produced significant storage root yield of 32.18 and 31.16t/ha. Application of 5t/ha of EFBA produced 25.17 and 25.23t/ha of storage root yield in 2024 and 2025 cropping seasons, respectively. The treatment of 400kg/ha of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer produced 27.24 and 28.80 t/ha storage root yield. The result showed that the treatment of poultry manure produced 15-43% and 9-47% higher storage root yield compared to the other treatments in both cropping seasons. PM treatment generated the highest economic returns across both cropping seasons, yielding N 4,020,700 and N 4,119,000 for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, respectively. The cost-benefit ratio for the PM treatment was recorded at 3.12 and 3.09, while the CD treatment had benefit ratios of 2.54 and 2.83.
Conclusion: For high yield and economic returns to management. The study therefore recommended the application of poultry manure, followed by Cow Dung (CD) and oil palm empty fruit bunch ash (EFBA).

The Effect of Empty Oil Palm Fruit Bunch Compost on the Growth and Production of Romaine Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

M Rifki Gunawan, Ade Sumiahadi — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Background: Excessive use of inorganic fertilizers can degrade soil quality and the environment, highlighting the need for alternative fertilization strategies. Organic fertilizers, such as compost derived from empty oil palm fruit bunches (Empty Fruit Bunches/EFB), a solid by-product of the palm oil processing industry, offer potential benefits for sustainable vegetable cultivation. EFB compost is considered a promising organic fertilizer due to its nutrient content and ability to improve soil properties.
Aims: This study aimed to determine the effect of empty oil palm fruit bunch (EFB) compost application on the growth and production of romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia).
Methods: The study was conducted from August to October 2023 at the Faculty of Agriculture's experimental garden at Muhammadiyah University of Jakarta. The experiment employed a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with five treatments: NPK fertilizer at 0.75 g per polybag as the control, and EFB compost at 50, 100, 150, and 200 g per polybag. Growth and yield parameters were observed to evaluate the response of romaine lettuce to the different fertilization treatments.
Result & Conclusion: The results showed that EFB compost at all tested doses produced effects comparable to those of the NPK treatment across all observed parameters. Among the treatments, the application of EFB compost at a dose of 100 g per polybag was identified as the most effective in supporting the growth and production of romaine lettuce plants.

Land Degradation and Community Response to Environmental Management: The Case of Wayu Tuka Woreda, East Wollega Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Tasfaye Fayera, Gadisa Teshome — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Background: In Ethiopia, land degradation is a common environmental problem. Land Degradation is a critical issue resulting from prolonged soil erosion, deforestation, and farmers’ lack of awareness of its impacts and of environmental management. With a growing population and global climate change, the problem is exacerbated, and communities are suffering from food shortages and famine. There is limited information on the impact of land degradation and the Community Response to Environmental Management in Wayu Tuka Woreda, in general, and in Kebele in particular.
Aims: The study aimed to examine land degradation and community responses to environmental management in the Wayu Tuka district of the Oromia region.
Methods: Primary data were collected using a household survey. Secondary data was collected from materials like published books and unpublished books. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, such as means, frequencies, and percentages, and qualitative data were analysed using narrative and explanatory methods. The survey data were collected from 350 sample respondents through interviews. The study identified the following as the main causes of land degradation: deforestation, population growth, overgrazing, and lack of awareness.
Result & Conclusion: The respondents pointed out that lack of awareness and knowledge of land degradation and Causes of Land Degradation deals more deforestation; overgrazing, population increase and lack of awareness are the major causes for land degradation. And the soil conservation mechanism that is available in study area was traditional method of soil erosion mitigation which is filling the sack with soil or crop residue to protect the soil erosion in bar and step slop farmland. Generally, findings from the study recommended that the government should introduce an effective forest conservation mechanism through public participation to inform everyone about the effectiveness of conserving the forest and to design appropriate land use policy and strategy to protect the land from degradation and community response to environmental management, to recommend to farmers and local government agents how to curb the problems.