scholarly journals Recent advances towards understanding and managing Kenyan acid soils for improved crop production

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (31) ◽  
pp. 2397-2408 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. O Kisinyo ◽  
P. A. Opala ◽  
S. O. Gudu ◽  
C. O. Othieno ◽  
J. R Okalebo ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Esther Mwende Muindi

Liming and phosphorus (P) applications are recommended practices for improving crop production in acid soils of the tropics. Although considerable work has been done to establish liming rates for acid soils in many parts of the world, information on the effects of lime on the forms of aluminium which actively sorb P in such soils is minimal. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted at Waruhiu Farmers Training Centre, Githunguri to evaluate the effect of liming on oxalate and dithionate extractable aluminium in acid soils. Extremely (pH 4.48) and strongly (pH 4.59) acidic soils were evaluated. Four liming (CaO) rates namely 0, 2.2, 5.2 and 7.4 tonnes ha-1 for extremely acidic and 0, 1.4, 3.2, and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 for  strongly acidic soils were evaluated. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data collected included: initial soil chemical properties, oxalate (Alo) and dithionate (Ald) aluminium levels. The tested soils had high exchangeable Al (> 2 cmol Al kg-1), Al saturation of (> 20% Al) and low extractable P values (< 15 mg P kg-1 soil). Liming significantly (p=.05) reduced Alo by 70% and 68% in extremely and strongly acidic soils respectively and Ald by 78% in both extremely and strongly acidic soils compared to control. Use of 7.4 tonnes ha-1 of lime in extremely acidic soils and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 of lime in strongly acidic soils significantly (p=.05) reduced both Alo and Ald by > 68% compared to no lime. It was, therefore, concluded that liming contributes to the reduction of soluble Alo and Ald in acid soils of the Kenya highlands leading to increased soluble P availability. Studies are required to provide short and long term optimal liming rates that reduce Alo and Ald without distabilizing availability of other nutrients in field conditions under wide range of acid soils.


2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. Li ◽  
K. R. Helyar ◽  
M. K. Conyers ◽  
B. R. Cullis ◽  
P. D. Cregan ◽  
...  

A long-term trial, known as ‘managing acid soils through efficient rotations’ (MASTER), commenced in 1992 to develop and demonstrate a cropping system that is economically viable on the highly acid soils of the traditional permanent pasture region in south-eastern Australia, so that their fertility is sustained or improved. There were 2 permanent pasture systems and 2 pasture–crop rotations, each with and without lime. This paper reports the effect of lime on crop production over the first cycle (6 years). On annual pasture–crop rotations, lime significantly increased the dry matter production at anthesis and grain yields of wheat (cv. Dollarbird) compared with the unlimed treatments. Averaged across years from 1992 to 1997 (excluding the severe drought year 1994), wheat crops produced 1.6 t/ha more grain on the limed treatments than on the unlimed treatments (3.6 v. 2.0 t/ha). On perennial pasture–crop rotations, the lime effects varied with crops grown at each phase and year. For example, despite being tolerant of acidity, oats (cv. Yarran) responded to lime in 1996. Likewise, triticale (cv. Abacus) responded to lime in 1997. Wheat (cv. Dollarbird) that is moderately tolerant to acidity responded to lime in phase 6 from 1992 to 1997 excluding 1994 (3.5 v. 1.7 t/ha). Acid-tolerant wheat varieties, triticale, and narrow-leaf lupins are considered the most viable crops for the soil and climatic conditions encountered in this high rainfall (5000—800 mm per annum) area of south-eastern Australia.


Author(s):  
S. Suthipradit ◽  
L. Nualsri ◽  
P. Sophanodora ◽  
Y. Limchitti ◽  
N. Kungpisdan

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 4080
Author(s):  
Yang Liu ◽  
Jiameng Xu ◽  
Siyi Guo ◽  
Xianzheng Yuan ◽  
Shan Zhao ◽  
...  

Aluminum (Al) stress is a major limiting factor for plant growth and crop production in acid soils. At present, only a few transcription factors involved in the regulation of Al resistance have been characterized. Here, we used reversed genetic approach through phenotype analysis of overexpressors and mutants to demonstrate that AtHB7 and AtHB12, two HD-Zip I transcription factors, participate in Al resistance. In response to Al stress, AtHB7 and AtHB12 displayed different dynamic expression patterns. Although both AtHB7 and AtHB12 positively regulate root growth in the absence of Al stress, our results showed that AtHB7 antagonizes with AtHB12 to control root growth in response to Al stress. The athb7/12 double mutant displayed a wild-type phenotype under Al stress. Consistently, our physiological analysis showed that AtHB7 and AtHB12 oppositely regulate the capacity of cell wall to bind Al. Yeast two hybrid assays showed that AtHB7 and AtHB12 could form homo-dimers and hetero-dimers in vitro, suggesting the interaction between AtHB7 and AtHB12 in the regulation of root growth. The conclusion was that AtHB7 and AtHB12 oppositely regulate Al resistance by affecting Al accumulation in root cell wall.


2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (20) ◽  
pp. 6512-6523
Author(s):  
Liyuan Wu ◽  
Yiyi Guo ◽  
Shengguan Cai ◽  
Liuhui Kuang ◽  
Qiufang Shen ◽  
...  

Abstract Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major abiotic stress that restricts crop production in acid soils. Plants have evolved internal and external mechanisms of tolerance, and among them it is well known that AtSTOP1 and OsART1 are key transcription factors involved in tolerance through regulation of multiple downstream genes. Here, we identified the closest homolog of these two proteins in barley, namely HvATF1, Al-tolerance Transcription Factor 1, and determined its potential function in Al stress. HvATF1 is expressed in the nucleus, and functions in transcriptional activation. The transcription of HvATF1 was found to be constitutive in different tissues, and was little affected by Al stress. Knockdown of HvATF1 by RNAi resulted in increased Al sensitivity. Transcriptomics analysis identified 64 differently expressed genes in the RNAi lines compared to the wild-type, and these were considered as candidate downstream genes regulated by HvATF1. This study provides insights into the different molecular mechanisms of Al tolerance in barley and other plants.


Genome ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 54 (11) ◽  
pp. 923-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiangfeng You ◽  
Hongmei Zhang ◽  
Ning Liu ◽  
Lingling Gao ◽  
Lingnan Kong ◽  
...  

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is the primary limitation to crop production and plant growth in acid soils. Soybean has multiple mechanisms of Al resistance including the complexing and exclusion of Al in root apices by Al-induced citrate secretion. Microarray analysis is available for the identification of genes in soybean. In the present study, Affymetrix soybean genome array was used to identify the Al-induced differentially expressed genes in Al-resistant genotype Jiyu 70. With a cutoff of >2.0-fold (p < 0.05) between non Al-treated and Al-treated root apices, 561 genes were upregulated and 78 genes were downregulated when roots were exposed to 30 µmol/L AlCl3 for 4 h. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to test the microarray data. The analysis showed that nearly half of the Al-responsive genes were of unknown biological function. A higher proportion of genes related to transcription regulation and cell wall processes were observed in Al-induced up- and downregulated genes, respectively. Some genes homologous to the citrate transporter MATE family gene or C2H2 family transcription factor gene, STOP1, were detected in our analysis. Some genes related to lignin deposition were upregulated, which might be related to Al-induced root elongation inhibition.


Author(s):  
Bulti Merga ◽  
Abdulatif Ahmed

Ethiopia’s agricultural production has been challenged by waterlogging, salinity, acidity, parasitic weed, and irrigation scheduling problems which has resulted in lower yields than the potential. Waterlogging is the main drainage problem in the small scale irrigation schemes in the Vertisols dominated highland areas while salinity and salinization is a common phenomenon in the large and medium scale irrigation schemes located in the lowlands of the country’s major river basins with predominantly salt affected soils. Soil acidity and associated low nutrient availability is one of the constraints to crop production on acid soils. Lime requirement for crops grown on acid soils is determined by the quality of liming material, status of soil fertility, crop species and varieties, crop management practices, and economic considerations. A considerable loss in growth and yield of many food and fodder crops is caused by root-parasitic flowering plants. Globally, Striga and Orobanche have a greater impact on human welfare than any other parasitic angiosperms because their hosts are subsistence crops in areas marginal for agriculture. In irrigated agriculture, efficient water management is an important element. Such practices can help bust sustainable production and maintain farm profitability in which there is limited water resource.


2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joann K Whalen ◽  
Chi Chang ◽  
George W Clayton

Crop production on acid soils can be improved greatly by adjusting the pH to near neutrality. Although soil acidity is commonly corrected by liming, there is evidence that animal manure amendments can increase the pH of acid soils. Fresh cattle manure and agricultural lime were compared for their effects on soil acidity and the production of canola (Brassica napus L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a greenhouse study. Canola and wheat yield, the nutrient content of grain and straw, and selected soil properties were determined on a Gray Luvisol (pH 4.8) from the Peace Region of Alberta. Soil pH increased with lime and manure applications, and canola and wheat yields were higher in limed and manure-amended soils than unfertilized, unlimed soils. Macronutrient uptake by canola and wheat was generally improved by liming and manure applications, and micronutrient uptake was related to the effects of lime and manure on soil pH. An economic analysis compared the costs of using cattle manure and lime to increase soil pH to 6.0. The costs of applying lime and fresh cattle manure to increase soil pH were compared, based on the fees for purchasing and applying lime or loading, hauling and applying manure. The nutrient value of manure was calculated based on the quantities of plant-available N, P and K in fresh manure. At distances less than 40 km, it is economical to substitute fresh cattle manure for agricultural lime to increase soil pH of acidic soils. However, good manure management practices should be followed to minimize the risk of nutrient transport and environmental pollution from agricultural land amended with cattle manure. Key words: Agricultural economics, canola production, cattle manure, lime, soil pH, wheat prodution


2010 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Ryan ◽  
S. D. Tyerman ◽  
T. Sasaki ◽  
T. Furuichi ◽  
Y. Yamamoto ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 1013-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseila Maldaner ◽  
Fernando Teixeira Nicoloso ◽  
Luciane Almeri Tabaldi ◽  
Denise Cargnelutti ◽  
Etiane Caldeira Skrebsky ◽  
...  

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a limiting factor for crop production in acid soils, which cover approximately 60% of the Brazilian territory. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Al on growth and tissue Al concentration of two Pfaffia glomerata accessions (BRA and JB/UFSM). Plantlets were grown in a hydroponic system with five Al concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200mg L-1) for 7 days. Most of the evaluated parameters presented significant interaction between both P. glomerata accessions and Al levels in nutrient solution and, in general, Al treatments negatively affected plant growth, especially roots. Moreover, BRA accession showed higher Al accumulation in its tissues than JB/UFSM and, consequently in BRA accession the growth was impaired substantially. Furthermore, the results suggest that, between P. glomerata accessions studied, BRA is less appropriated for medicinal uses when grown in soils with high Al levels, due to the higher accumulation of tissue Al content.


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