Examining the Impact of Polyacrylamide and Other Soil Amendments on Soil Fertility and Crop Yield in Contrasting Agroecological Environments

Mulualem, Temesgen; Adgo, Enyew; Meshesha, Derege Tsegaye; Tsunekawa, Atsushi; Haregeweyn, Nigussie; Tsubo, Mitsuru; Kebede, Birhanu; Mamedov, A. I.; Masunaga, Tsugiyuki; Berihun, Mulatu Liyew

doi:10.1007/s42729-021-00482-4

Cited by 15 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…In contrast, charcoal‐amended soils showed no change (Beshir et al., 2022; Mastrolonardo et al., 2019) or a significant decrease (Donovan et al., 2021; Kerré et al., 2017) in pH, compared with the adjacent reference sites. The increased pH at kiln sites could be attributed to the high pH of biochar used (Li et al., 2021; Mulualem et al., 2021; Zhu et al., 2014) and the addition of ashes formed from burnt materials during the carbonization process which release basic cations in oxide or carbonate forms (Domingues et al., 2017; Glaser et al., 2002; Goulding, 2016). A. decurrens wood biochar had a pH of 9.84 (Table 1) exhibiting its alkalinity nature which reflects the positive effect of its application to ameliorate soil acidity by raising the pH of acidic soils (Elias et al., 2020; Zhu et al., 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In situ charcoal production in Acacia decurrens‐based taungya system improved soil properties and productivity of three agricultural crops in the highlands of Ethiopia

Tadele,

Adgo

2024

Soil Use and Management

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Short‐term in situ charcoal production‐induced changes in soil properties and crop productivity of acidic soil in Acacia decurrens‐based taungya system were assessed in the Guder watershed of northwestern Ethiopia. Data were collected through field study, pot experiment and interviews with local farmers. The field study involved a survey of 36 paired charcoal production kiln sites and adjacent reference sites in 18 croplands to analyse soil physicochemical properties and productivity of tef (Eragrostis tef), barley (Hordeum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum aestivum). A pot experiment was undertaken with wheat to investigate seed germination and chemical fertilizer needs at charcoal production sites. Local farmers were interviewed for their perceptions and management practices. The production and short‐term presence of charcoal in kiln sites significantly increased sand fraction, pH, organic carbon, available phosphorous, exchangeable Mg2+ and exchangeable K+ compared with the reference sites. Charcoal production practice raised pH by 0.83 units, organic carbon, available P and exchangeable K+ by 40%, 92% and 303%, respectively. Exchangeable acidity and exchangeable Al3+ were lowered by over 80% at kiln sites. Both aboveground biomass and grain yield of tef, barley and wheat were, on average, 135% higher at kiln sites than at the reference sites. Furthermore, crops grown at kiln sites were taller and had greener and larger leaves. Farmers' responses indicated higher crop productivity and reduced inorganic fertilizer application at kiln sites. Results from the pot experiment provided evidence of faster seed germination, enhanced crop productivity and reduced inorganic fertilizer needs in charcoal‐treated soils. The study suggests that the inclusion of charcoal remnants and heating can increase carbon storage, improve soil properties which promote crop productivity and reduce the need for inorganic fertilizer in degraded, acidic agricultural soil.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In situ charcoal production in Acacia decurrens‐based taungya system improved soil properties and productivity of three agricultural crops in the highlands of Ethiopia

Tadele,

Adgo

2024

Soil Use and Management

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“…Runoff volume was measured manually by using a plastic bucket (volume = 10 L), and correspondingly the sediment load was also measured by collecting runoff samples (volume = 0.5 L) from the collector trenches and then passes the filtration, drying and weighing processes at Bahir Dar University's soil laboratory. Details of the plot runoff and sediment measurements are given in Mulualem et al (2021b).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The monthly samples of each plot were allowed to settle; then 1 L of tap water (filtered through Whatman 42 filter paper) and about 50 g of the air-dried settled sediment were analyzed for their N and P contents (Figure S4c & d). A detailed description of this procedure is given in Mulualem et al (2021b).…”

Section: Loss Of Nutrients To Surface Runoffmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dual benefits of polyacrylamide and other soil amendments: Mitigation of soil nutrient depletion and improvement of use‐efficiency in midland agro‐ecology, Ethiopia

et al. 2022

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Polyacrylamide (PAM) mitigates soil nutrient depletion and increases nutrient utilization; however, the effect of PAM combined with other amendments have not been tested much under field condition. The objective of our study was, therefore, to identify the best combination of amendments that can improve soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) balances while maximizing utilization efficiency and profitability under teff cultivation. A field experiment was carried out for 2 years in the midland agroecology of Ethiopia. A total of 24 experimental plots were designed using RCBD with three replications. The treatments were PAM (40 kg ha À1 ), biochar (B = 8 t ha À1 ), lime (L = 4 t ha À1 ), gypsum (G = 5 t ha À1 ), PAM+B, PAM+L, PAM+G, and a control.N and P inflows from atmospheric deposition, biological fixation, and fertilizers; and outflows by water erosion, leaching, gaseous emissions, and harvested products were monitored in all plots via NUTrient MONitoring approach. Results showed that all the applied soil amendments improved nutrient balances (8-134%) compared with the control. Of the measured outflows, harvested products (43-60%) and water erosion (14-31%) were the major contributors to N depletion, followed by leaching (15-23%) and gaseous emissions (11-13%). Among the soil amendments, PAM+L appreciably reduced P loss from water erosion (61%); and N losses from erosion, leaching, and emissions by 55, 10, and 3%, respectively; and increased N use efficiency by 31% compared with the control. Moreover, PAM+L provided a net benefit much higher compared with others. Thus, application of PAM+L would be an effective strategy for sustainable agriculture, especially in acidic and degraded dryland areas.

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Soil Amendments

Blanco,

Lal

2023

Soil Conservation and Management

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Examining the Impact of Polyacrylamide and Other Soil Amendments on Soil Fertility and Crop Yield in Contrasting Agroecological Environments

Cited by 15 publications

References 48 publications

In situ charcoal production in Acacia decurrens‐based taungya system improved soil properties and productivity of three agricultural crops in the highlands of Ethiopia

In situ charcoal production in Acacia decurrens‐based taungya system improved soil properties and productivity of three agricultural crops in the highlands of Ethiopia

Dual benefits of polyacrylamide and other soil amendments: Mitigation of soil nutrient depletion and improvement of use‐efficiency in midland agro‐ecology, Ethiopia

Soil Amendments

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