Browsing by Author "Kunda, Andrew Mathew Yohane"

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Evaluation of Kilombero estate soils with respect to their potential and constraints to sugarcane production
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1996) Kunda, Andrew Mathew Yohane
A study was carried out in Kilombero Sugar Estate in to order sugarcane determine soil the production. This which limit through soil constraints was done characterization and evaluation of fertility status of the soils. Soil characterization was based on morphological, physical, chemical and mineralogical properties. In addition, soil and sugarcane leaf samples were sampled from 16 cane fields under second ratoon crop and analysed for N, P, K. Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu. uptake by sugarcane was also carried out Nutrient from field fertilizer trials. A soil morphology study revealed that the cultivated soils in section 1 to 3 are young (AC) profiles, very deep alluvial deposits. The virgin soils showed relatively more advanced profile development (ABC profile) when compared to the cultivated soils. Generally, soils were kaolinite, illite, of mixed clay mineralogy with smectite and goethite in varying proportions. Total nitrogen in all soils was low (0.08 to 0.15%) and therefore a limiting factor for sugarcane production Poor soil aeration, poor drainage and flooding effects limit sugarcane production in sections 2 and 3. Exchangeable K in soils ranged from 0.52 to 2.68 cmol(+)/kg (very high). Exchangeable Mg ranged from mediumii to high (1.53 to 6.22 cmol(+)/kg) while exchangeable Ca was low to medium (2.99 to 7.02 cmol(+)/kg). Available P was very low to medium (2.18 to 18.2 mg/kg). DTPA extractable micronutrients are in good supply Mean values in topsoils are: Zn, 1.13 mg/kg; Mn, 28.9 mg/kg; and Fe, 131.0 mg/kg. The cultivated soils of sections 1, classified as Eutric Fluvisol (KLP3), and 3 were 2, Mollie Fluvisol (KLP1) and Mollie Gleysol (KLP2) respectively according to FAO-UNESCO (KLP4) system of classification. The was classified as Eutric Cambisol. virgin soil According to USDA Soil Taxonomy, the soils were classified as follows: Section 1, Typic Ustifluvent; section 2, Typic Haplaquoll; section 3, Fluventic Haplaquoll; and the virgin soil as Typic Tropaquept. Field fertilizer trials indicated that different levels of NPK applied in the soil did not affect nutrient uptake by sugarcane to significant level. These results were expected as there were appreciable amounts of native P and K in these soils, and synergism effect among the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Irrigation and underground water was found to be of good quality.