Markus Anda

Growth of Cocoa Planted on Highly Weathered Soil as Affected by Application of Basalt and/or Compost

Oxisols, which are highly weathered, occupy a large area of Malaysia. These soils are infertile because of low pH, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K) levels but high aluminum (Al) content. The infertility can be ameliorated by applying soil amendments. A study was conducted to determine the effects of basalt and/or rice husk compost application on cocoa growth planted on an Oxisol. The results showed that either basalt or rice husk compost and their combinations were effective ameliorants. Basalt application increased soil pH and exchangeable Ca and Mg while decreasing exchangeable Al. Accordingly, soil solution Ca, Mg, and K increased and Al and manganese (Mn) concentrations decreased. Silicate released from basalt was able to lower the pHo (the pH at which the net charge of the variable charge minerals is zero), indicating a negative charge was being generated, which led to increase in the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the Oxisol. The improvement in soil fertility because of application of the amendments had improved cocoa growth. Leaf K and P of the cocoa planted on the basalt-treated soils were within the sufficient range for cocoa growth. Rice husk compost applied at a rate of less than 20 t ha−1 in this trial was not able to supply sufficient N to the cocoa. Basalt application at an appropriate rate effectively ameliorates acidic soil infertility, but it takes time to realize the positive effects of application as it slowly dissolves under field conditions.

Pore Space And Specific Surface Area Of Heavy Clay Oxisols As Affected By Their Mineralogy And Organic Matter

Pores and specific surface area (SSA) play a major role in controlling transport systems and potential reactivity of soils, but they have received little attention for heavy clay Oxisols. The objectives of this study were: (i) to study the pore sizes and SSA of heavy clay Oxisols as affected by their mineralogy and soil organic matter (SOM); and (ii) to determine the mechanism of SOM stabilization in a dark-colored Oxisol (Kuantan soil). The mineralogy of the clay fraction was studied by X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy, whereas soil organic C was determined by combustion technique. Pores and SSA were measured by N2 adsorption-desorption technique. Results showed that the clay fraction of the three Oxisols studied varied from 73% to 82%. The minerals in this soil fraction were kaolinite, goethite, hematite, and gibbsite in varying amounts. Under natural conditions (SOM was not removed by hydrogen peroxide), the pores were dominated by mesopores (2-50 nm). Partitioning the mesopores into various sizes showed that the cumulative small mesopore (2-20 nm) volume was considerably higher for Kuantan (63%-73%) than the S. Mas or Segamat (25%-35%) soils. This is caused by the lower crystallinity and smaller size of minerals in the former. The values of SSA were compatible with those of the soil pores as exhibited by the SSA with and without SOM, which were 1.6 to 1.9 and 2.0 to 2.2 times higher, respectively, in Kuantan than in S. Mas or Segamat soils. Stabilization of SOM in Kuantan soil occurred through physical protection in the mesopores and cation bridging, as revealed by the increase in mesopore volume (from 58% to 92%) after SOM removal and the high Fep and Alp contents, respectively. The less crystalline and smaller clay size particles present in the heavy clay Oxisols have a positive impact on soil carbon sequestration and stabilization.

Changes in Properties of Composting Rice Husk and Their Effects on Soil and Cocoa Growth

The worldwide production of rice husk, a by‐product and agrowaste that causes serious environmental problems, may reach 116 million t y−1. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine the physicochemical changes of rice husk and its structural chemistry during composting using 13carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) and (ii) to determine the effect of the composted rice husk (CRH) on the properties of Oxisol and cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) growth under glasshouse conditions. Results showed an active composting phase occurred at the first 53 days as revealed by high carbon dioxide (CO2)‐C (40–71 µg g−1 h−1) production, followed by a matured composting phase occurring at 54–116 days as revealed by decreasing in CO2‐C production (10 µg g−1 h−1). The active composting was accompanied by increases in electrical conductivity (EC), pH, ammonium (NH4 +), and nitrate (NO3), whereas during the matured composting phase, the EC and cation exchange capacity increased but pH, NH4 +, and NO3 −1 decreased. The ash of the produced compost contains mainly calcium (Ca), potassium (K), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) as essential nutrients. The CP/MAS 13C NMR spectra before and after various composting times indicated the dominance of sharp and well‐resolved signal peaks at O‐alkyl C and di‐O‐alkyl C regions (67–73%), which are characteristic of cellulose. The percentage of N‐alky/methoxyl was 23–26% whereas phenolic, carboxyl, and alkyl C types were less than 3% each. The application of the CRH to an Oxisol significantly increased soil pH and Ca, Mg, K, sodium (Na), and silicon (Si) ions of in situ soil solution but decreased the amounts of toxic ions [aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe)]. The CRH was found to increase cocoa growth up to 37%.

Changes in Chemistry of Rice Husk Compost and Its Effect on Negative Charge and Nutrient Content of a Chemically Degraded Oxisol

Rice husk application and its long-term effects on charge characteristics and elemental composition of a chemically degraded Oxisol have not been rigorously studied. The objective of the study was to determine the ability of composted rice husk (CRH) to preserve organic carbon (C), generate negative charge, and release various ions in heavy clay Oxisol. The topsoil and subsoil, representing natural and erosion conditions, respectively, were incubated with CRH for 24 months. Results showed carbon types of CRH, as revealed by solid-state cross-polarization magic angle spinning 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (CP/MAS 13C NMR) spectroscopy, were relatively unchanged from months 5 to 12 after incubation, indicating limited decomposition. Carbon types were dominated by O-alkyl and di-O-alkyl C with small proportions of alkyl, methoxyl, aromatic, phenolic, and carboxyl C. After 24 months of incubation, O-alkyl and di-O-alkyl C decreased, indicating susceptibility, whereas alkyl, methoxyl, aromatic, and phenolic C increased, indicating resistance to decomposition. Values of pH0 and point zero net charge (PZNC) were measured using potentiometric titration and ion adsorption indices, respectively. Values of pH0 and PZNC decreased during CRH incubation for both topsoil and subsoil, suggesting the increase of soil negative charge. Total negative charge for topsoil and subsoil increased from 2.7 to 3.5 cmolc/kg and 2.5 to 3.2 cmolc/kg, respectively. This reflects that CRH was able to mask soil positive charge to increase negative charge. In situ soil solution study indicated CRH could release various elements in the order of potassium (K) > sulfur (S) > natrium (Na) > silicon (Si) > magnesium (Mg) > calcium (Ca). In addition, toxic elements, aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn), were significantly suppressed. The implication of the study is that CRH offers a means to increase cation exchange capacity and nutrient content of highly weathered soils while preserving organic C, thereby reducing CO2 emission from agriculture.

Restoring Properties of Artificially Degraded Ultisols and Oxisols and the Effect on Crop Yields under Tropical Conditions

Upland agriculture in Indonesia mainly relies on Ultisols and Oxisols, which have serious problems resulting from severe erosion and low organic‐matter content. The objectives of the study were (i) to assess the effect of long‐term rehabilitation techniques on soil organic carbon (SOC) and maize yields of a desurfaced Ultisol and (ii) to assess the effect of short‐term rehabilitation techniques on desurfaced Oxisol properties and soybean yields. A 7‐year field experiment was conducted on artificially desurfaced Ultisol grown with maize (Zea mays L.). The results showed that rehabilitation techniques using cattle manure, rice straw mulch or Mucuna sp. mulch were successful in restoring SOC content of degraded Ultisol to its initial natural state. All sources of organic‐matter rehabilitations significantly increased maize yields on an Ultisol. Rehabilitations of degraded Oxisol under glasshouse conditions using phosphorus (P) fertilizer, organic matter, basic slag, and lime could increase cation exchange capacity (CEC) and nutrient availability and suppress Al toxicity. At the same time, soybean yields increased 11–14, 2–10, 1–5, and 1–3 times, respectively.