soil npk requirements for irish potatoes under fadama
Post on 27-Jan-2022
4 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
International Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 2016; 1(1): 1-7
http://www.openscienceonline.com/journal/ijaes
Soil Npk Requirements for Irish Potatoes Under Fadama Irrigation Management in Rugu Rugu Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria
Umar I. A.1, Yusuf M. A.
2, Ahmed M.
2, *, Murtala U. Mohammed
2, Adamu G. K.
3
1Department of Geography, Faculty of Earth and Environmental Science, Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano
State Nigeria 2Department of Geography, Faculty of Earth and Environmental Science, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria 3Department of Geography & Regional Planning, Faculty of Social Science, Federal University Dutsin-Ma Katsina, Nigeria
Email address
ma7766554@gmail.com (Ahmed M.) *Corresponding author
To cite this article Umar I. A., Yusuf M. A., Ahmed M., Murtala U. Mohammed, Adamu G. K. Soil Npk Requirements for Irish Potatoes Under Fadama
Irrigation Management in Rugu Rugu Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences. Vol. 1, No. 1, 2016, pp. 1-7.
Received: May 20, 2016; Accepted: May 31, 2016; Published: June 22, 2016
Abstract
This study targeted at NPK requirement for Irish potato cultivation under fadama irrigation management in Rugu- Rugu
district, Tudun- Wada Local Government Area, Kano state. Random sampling method was used in collections of soil samples
in each mapping units. Three soil mapping units were identified on the basis of moisture regime, topography and soil colour,
the Recessional land (RA), the Lower fadama land (LF) and the Upper fadama land (UF) were identified in the area with the
total land area of 203 Ha. These were evaluated with respect to their qualities and characteristics which are then matched with
agronomic requirements for NPK using potato. The results revealed that N contents in the soils of the study area was medium
to low which indicated marginal value for Irish potato, while mapping unit RA and LF are found to be in an optimum amount
for the production of the crop. However, mapping unit UF require little improvement for P for optimum yield. Hence, units RA
and LF are found to be moderate for K whereas unit UF is within marginal. Generally, pH in the area is generally acidic.
Therefore, the study recommends for the need to supply more K carrying materials to improve the soils and also both organic
and inorganic fertilizers should be incorporated in a complimentary manner.
Keywords
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Irish Potato, Soil Mapping Unit
1. Introduction
Irish potato being an economic crop in the fadama land of
Rugu-Rugu area is an opportunity for increase production
and creating more economic returns to the farmers in the area
and hence as a means for poverty reduction. The choice of
the crop was behind the fact that, it produces remarkable
quantities of calories when compared with other crops, it is
indispensable for its high quality proteins substituting other
unaffordable sources of proteins to poor people, its
production require very little inputs with corresponding
higher profitability than many other crops as it was reported
by [1]. Although its production in Nigeria is mainly in some
parts of the country- the advantaged areas (Jos, Mambila etc),
cultivation is also possible during the cooler period of the
year (harmattan) in other areas under irrigation management
system [2].
According to International Potato Centre, stated that in
2008 Irish Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) in Nigeria was
introduced by Europeans in the year 1920’s. Its production
was limited to small garden plots until the Second World
2 Umar I. A. et al.: Soil Npk Requirements for Irish Potatoes Under Fadama Irrigation Management in Rugu Rugu Tudun Wada Local
Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria
War. Potato is the main root and tuber crop and the fourth
most important food crop in the World after rice, wheat, and
corn, which grows in over 125 countries and is consumed by
over a billion people. As a vegetable, potato is indispensable
for its high quality proteins, substantial amounts of essential
vitamins, minerals, trace elements, very low fat contents and
even medicinal properties [3, 4]. Irish potato production in
Nigeria has been on the increase in recent times as a result of
the introduction of better adopted and high yielding varieties
and its introduction into other northern states with favorable
weather conditions [2].
Few studies particularly on NPK for potato were presented
like the study of [5] studied four varieties in Samaru
irrigation plots, Zaria aimed at finding variety of high yield,
low unmarketable tubers and responses to NPK fertilizer, the
most yielding among the four varieties was RC767-2 and
WC732-1 variety 20-31 tons per hectare and mature in 80-
110 days. The study couldn’t show the spatial distribution of
these elements.
Application of NPK fertilizer increases the tuber sizes and
reduces the proportion of unmarketable tubers. High yield is
achieved at 600kg NPK per hectare. Therefore, there is need
to know the distribution of these elements (NPK) so as to
have certain information on what amount of NPK fertilizers
to apply which will help in controlling soil pollution and
degradation.
The main aim of this paper is to analyse and map out NPK
for potato requirement in Rugu Rugu of Tudun Wada LGA of
Kano State.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Location of the Study Area
Rugu-Rugu area is one of the important districts in Tudun
Wada LGA which comprises of Rugu-Rugu, Yalwa and
Shuwaki villages. The areas are 11 Km in the North western
part of the local government headquarter. Its description
would be mere description of the entire T/wada LGA because
of their similarity of climatic and environmental
characteristics. Its therefore located between Latitude
11°00’N – 11° 301N of the Equator and Longitude 8° 15
1E –
8° 451E of Green which Meridian, bounded by Kiru and
Bebeji Local Governments to the North, Rano and Kibiya
Local Governments to the Northeast, Garko and Sumaila to
the East, Bauchi State to the southeast, Doguwa to the South
and Kaduna State (Ikara L.G.A) to the southwest and west
respectively. It covers some portion within the spatial extent
1,204km2 of the entire LGA (see figure, 1). The area is
situated very close to Tiga dam along river Gishirya, near
Yalwa village and is the largest area with total land area of 79
Ha, the second largest is the mapping unit LF which is
located near Rugu-Rugu village having total land area of 75
Ha and the last and the smallest is mapping unit UF which is
located near Shuwaki village- the extreme south of river
Gishirya and it cover a total land area of 49 Ha.
Figure 1. Tudun-Wada local government showing the Study area.
Tudun – Wada being geographically positioned in the early
Sudan climate (transitional Zone) Zone enjoys the influence of
North – easterly from October to April. Despite the diurnal and
monthly variation, it received average annual rainfall of about
800mm to 1000mm in Five (5) month of a year [6 in 7-10]
Specifically in Rugu-Rugu area the areas were laid by alluvial
channel, in which many river systems create alluvial channel
complexes consisting of both old and current flats. The old
flats are muddy, abandoned flood plain originating from the
migration of rivers over very extensive storm channel.
International Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 2016; 1(1): 1-7 3
There is also succession of recent accumulation of
sediments from adjacent interfluves that makes most of the
fadama soils along the Kano river. The agricultural potential
of soils in the Kano Region is rated as low to marginal. The
exceptions to this are the hydromorphic soils found in valley
bottoms and flood plains of rivers (fadama) in the Region.
The poor nutrient status of soils in the Region is largely
responsible for this low agricultural potential. Efforts at
raising the agricultural potential of the soils must aim at
increasing their fertility levels. This could be achieved by the
application of fertilizers (both organic and inorganic in a
complementary manner) and soil management practices
aimed at soil conservation [11].
2.2. Soil Nutrients Requirements for Irish
Potatoes
Potato requires high amount of nitrogen (N), phosphorus
(p) and potassium (K) in the soil in order to achieve high
yield [12, 2, 22]. Each of these nutrients has specific
functions for plant growth and development. Lack of any or
combination of these nutrients can result in retarded growth
[12, 22].
The major constrains to potato production in the cool high
land of Kenya is the rapid decline in soil fertility occasioned
by continuous cultivation without adequate replenishment of
mined nutrients [13, 14]. In part of Kenya shows that soil
phosphorus of 2.9 ppm, total nitrogen of 0.15% and with a
pH values of 4 to 5 indicated a low nutrient [13, 14]. While a
study conducted at Samaru, Zaria, despite the fact that, the
soil had low N, P and K the crop recorded a significant yield.
The analysis of the soil indicated the soil to be loam with
0.02 to 0.03% nitrogen, 5.29 to 6.34 ppm available
phosphorus with the pH of 4.7 to 5.10.
2.3. Mapping Units
Land or soil evaluation information particularly field
measurable variable data, soil fertility parameters and other
observable data were considered as primary sources for this
research which includes; N, P and K. While the secondary
data consists of both published and unpublished materials
such as academic journals and articles, text books, the
internet, conference proceedings, government agencies
publications, private organisation’s report, undergraduate
project and post graduate’s thesis and dissertations. Others
include satellite imagery from Google Earth.
Three mapping areas were identified based on moisture
regime, topography and soil colour; three were identified the
Recessional Land- where recessional farming is being carried
out and is labelled with index (RA), the Lower Fadama
Land- where irrigated farming is carried out and the soils are
darker in colour and indexed as (LF) and the Upper Fadama
Land where- irrigated farming is also at a full scale and the
soils are brown in colour and thus indexed as (UF) (figure 2).
These mapping units were demarcated for easy classification
of the area according to suitability of potato cultivation.
However, mapping unit RA is located very close to Tiga dam
along river Gishirya, near Yalwa village and is the largest
area with total land area of 79 Ha, the second largest is the
mapping unit LF which is located near Rugu-Rugu village
having total land area of 75 Ha and the last and the smallest
is mapping unit UF which is located near Shuwaki village-
the extreme south of river Gishirya and it cover a total land
area of 49 Ha. The areas cover a total of 203 Ha of land along
the river (figure 2). The suitability of all the mapping units
was determined using a suitability table for Irish potato and
NPK (see table 1).
Figure 2. Mapping units and Sampling points.
4 Umar I. A. et al.: Soil Npk Requirements for Irish Potatoes Under Fadama Irrigation Management in Rugu Rugu Tudun Wada Local
Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria
Table 1. NPK suitability for Irish Potatoes.
Chemical soil
properties
Highly
suitable
Moderately
suitable
Marginally
suitable
Currently
not suitable
N (%) > 1.0 0.5-1.0 0.2-0.5 < 0.2
P(ppm) > 10 6.5-10 2.5-6.5 < 2.5
K(ppm) > 50 40-50 20-40 < 20
Source: [15], [2], [16], [14], [20] and [22]
3. Laboratory Analysis
The samples were taken to the laboratory, air dried and
gently crushed with porcelain pestle and mortar; and then
passed through a 2mm sieve to remove coarse fragments. The
dispersed samples were shaken on a reciprocating shaker
after which particle size distribution was determined with the
aid of Bouyoucous hydrometer at progressive time intervals.
The textural classes were determined with the aid of USDA
textural triangle.
Total nitrogen was determined using the macro – kjedhal
method. Soil available phosphorus was determined using the
Bray I method calorimetrically. While K was extracted with
1m ammonium acetate (1M NH4OAc) solution buffered at
pH 7.0 as described by [17]. Potassium was read on a pye
unicam model SP 192 atomic absorption spectrophotometer
(AAS) at 423 and 285nm wavelength.
The map of the area (soil units) was extracted from the
Google earth image which was geo-referenced in the Arc GIS
9.3 environment. Database of each soil units of the area was
entered (average) which was used for the mapping of the
entire element (NPK). Symbolisation was used based on
colours.
4. Data Analysis
The laboratory analyses were categorized for NPK and pH
(Table 2). The result indicated that the mean values of
potassium (K) in the study area were generally measured to
be 30.133ppm-44.467ppm. This shows medium K contents in
the Recessional Area (RA) area having the mean value of
44.467ppm, the mean values in the soil mapping unit LF
(Lower Fadama Land) was 39.778ppm and that of soil
mapping unit Upper Fadama (UF) with 30.133ppm and K
contents of unit RA been the highest.
Phosphorous possibly has the most complicated chemistry
in the soils, at least as per as assessment of P- level and P-
fertilizers requirements are concerned. It occurs in soils in
both organic and inorganic form, the latter being the most
important for crops nutrition [18]. The range of values of
phosphorous contents for all the mapping units in the area are
generally low to medium which is 8.731ppm-17.811ppm and
with the average values of 13.740ppm, 17.811ppm and
8.731ppm were measured for soil mapping units RA
(Recessional Land), LF
Table 2. Summary of analysis for NPK.
Mapping Units N (%) P (ppm) K (ppm) pH
Recessional (RA) 0.134 13.74 44.467 5.04
SD 0.097 1.902 13.706 0.44
CV 0.723 0.138 0.308 0.087
Lower Fadama (LF) 0.072 17.811 39.778 5.467
SD 0.047 5.797 12.441 0.245
CV 0.653 0.325 0.313 0.045
Upper Fadama (UF) 0.062 8.731 30.133 5.82
SD 0.019 1.176 14.79 0.46
CV 0.305 0.135 0.491 0.079
Sources: Data analysis (2015)
(Lower Fadama Land) and UF (Upper Fadama Land)
respectively. Mapping unit LF was found to be the highest
and unit UF been lower. The P contents for tropical soils are
classified as; greater than 10ppm (high), 6ppm-10ppm
(medium) and less than 6ppm (low) [19].
Nitrogen occurred in different forms in the soils and their
availability is contributing to the fertility and good structure
of the soil. The general nitrogen contents of the soils of the
study area have been found to be medium to low. [16]
recommended the broad rating of nitrogen measurements as;
greater than 1.0 (very high), 0.5-1.0 (high), 0.2-0.5 (medium)
and 0.2 and below (low). The nitrogen contents mean values
for the entire area was found to be 0.028%-0.322%. And
0.134%, 0.072% and 0.062% mean values were obtained
from mapping unit RA (Recessional land), LF (Lower
fadama land) and UF (Upper fadama land) respectively. As
for the total N, mapping unit RA was measured 0.134%,
mapping unit LF 0.072% and mapping unit UF is 0.062%.
These show the nitrogen contents in the soils of the study
area was medium to low contents. Nevertheless, [20] found
out that, potato thrive well in soils with %N 0.02%-0.03%
which is less than the mean values obtained in the study area
and thus, is marginally suitable for the crop in the three
mapping units.
The available phosphorous (P) in the area studied was
measured to as high as 13.740ppm, 17.811ppm and
8.731ppm in each of the mapping units RA, LF and UF
respectively. In similar work [13, 14] have stated that, the P
contents in major potato growing parts of Kenya is as low as
2.9ppm which is much lower than the threshold value of the
crop (greater than 10ppm) for a high yields. In this work
therefore, mapping unit RA and LF are found to be highly
suitable for the production of the crop however, mapping unit
UF require little improvement of P for optimum yield of Irish
potato.
International Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 2016; 1(1): 1-7 5
Figure 3. Showing phosphorus (P).
Figure 4. Showing nitrogen (N).
Figure 5. Showing potassium (K).
Figure 6. Showing pH.
The potassium (K) contents in the studied units was
measured and rated as medium to low. The mean values
6 Umar I. A. et al.: Soil Npk Requirements for Irish Potatoes Under Fadama Irrigation Management in Rugu Rugu Tudun Wada Local
Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria
obtained from mapping unit RA were found to be the highest
(44.467ppm), mapping unit LF recorded 39.778ppm and
mapping unit UF were measured to as low as 30.133ppm.
The threshold value required for potato K is between the
ranges of 66.3ppm-81.9ppm for optimum yield [22].
Therefore, there is need to supply more K-carrying materials
to improve the soil of the study area. Hence the mapping
units RA and LF are found to be moderately suitable whereas
unit UF is marginally suitable for the crop.
The pH of the soil affects the availability of most of the
nutrients required by plants. If the pH of the soil is too low or
too high the micro organisms in the soil will seriously be
affected [21]. Generally the pH of the area ranges from 4.2-6.4,
for all the samples collected from all the mapping units,
indicating the soils are generally acidic. The pH values of the
soil mapping unit RA (Recessional Land) was 5.04 on the
average, which indicates the soils are moderately acidic; the pH
value of the soil mapping unit LF (Lower Fadama Land) was 5.5
indicating the soils also being moderately acidic and for soil
mapping unit UF (Upper Fadama Land) which was 5.8 indicates
the soils as acidic. The pH value between soils mapping units
shows slight increase towards neutral. High pH value is recorded
in mapping unit UF (Upper fadama land) (5.8) and unit RA
(Recessional land) been the lowest (5.04) (table 2).
5. Conclusion
The research evaluates the rates of NPK requirement for
cultivating Irish potato under irrigation management in Rugu-
Rugu district, Tudun-wada LG, Kano state. This approach
simplified the conventional method of data collection and
analysis. The study concluded that the 3 mapping units indicated
a trend towards soils chemical properties deficiency in N, P, K
and this is due to low level of nutrient in the soils with
corresponding uptake by crops. These soils nutrients are been
depleted as the result of continues cropping without significant
effort of replenishment. Also, the soils experienced moderate
acidic which could be manage.
Recommendations
It is essential that, the lost nutrients be replenished by
artificial means to get normal yields. Therefore, the study
recommended for;
i. Application of both organic and inorganic fertilizers in a
complementary manner that is using both animal dung
and crop residues to improve fertility of the soil and
maintain its drainage.
ii. Inorganic fertilizers should also be applying in a
complimentary manner to replace lost nutrients.
iii. In case of areas that are front to erosion, ridges should
be made at cross direction to the slope while irrigated
channels should be properly constructed.
Acknowledgment
This paper is an extract from the Msc. Theses of Umar I.
A. The author is indebted to Mallam Murtala Uba
Mohammed for his scholarship and mentorship during the
programme also to include Dahiru Isa Abba of the CIT BUK
for his maximum support and assistance during mapping
(GIS analysis). Also, to includes Dr. Badamasi M. M. and
Ahmed M. of the Department of Geography BUK for their
guidance and contributions during the data anlysis. Special
thanks to Mallam Abubakar of the soil and water laboratory
Department of Geography Bayero University Kano for his
assistance during the soil analysis.
References
[1] International Potato Centre, (2008). The international year of potato. [http:/www.cipotato.org/pressroom/facts-figures/2008-international-year-ofpotato.asp].
[2] Okonkwo, J. C; Ene, L. S. O and Okoli, O. O (1995). Potato production in Nigeria. National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. Pp109.
[3] Khan, J (1993). Effects of different levels of NPK fertilizers on potato tuber yield. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture 9:543-550.
[4] Demo, p; Kuria, p; Nyende, A. B. and Kahangi, E. M. (2008). Table Sugar as an alternative low cost medium component for invitro micro- propagation of potato. African Journal of Biotechnology. Vol 7(15). pp 2578-2584. Nairobi, Kenya.
[5] Babaji, B. A. (2009). Unmarketable Tuber Yield and Other Agronomic Parameters of Four Varieties of Irish Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) as Influenced by NPK Fertilizer Rate and Type of Seed Tuber at Samaru, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Crop Science 1(1):26-33, 2009.
[6] Hocking R. R. (1976) - The analysis and selction of variables in linear regression. Biometrics, 32: 1-49. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2529336.
[7] Ahmed, K. (2006) The Physical Environment of Kano State, www.kanostate.net/physicalenvironment.html. 8th May, 2013.
[8] Marditech (2011), “Development of a GIS-Based Soil Suitability Classification for Rice Production in Kano State, Nigeria”, Unpublished Interim Report submitted to the Kano State Government, MARDITECH, Kualar Lumpur, Malaysia
[9] Maryam L., Halima A. Idris and Ummi K. Mohammed (2014) Weather and Climate. In A. I Tanko and S. B. Mumale (Eds.) Kano Environment, Society and Development. London and Abuja, Adonis and Abbey Publishers
[10] Usman A (2014) “Rainfall variability in Kano region”. Unpublished M Sc. Theses submitted to the Geography Department Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.
[11] Esseit U. E. (2013) Soils, In A. I. Tanko and SB Momale (Eds.) Kano Environment, Society and Development. London and Abuja, Adonis and Abbey
[12] Harris, P. (1992). The Potato crop. The scientific Basis for Improvement 2nd ed. Chapman and Hall, London. pp 909.
[13] Kiiya, W. W, Mureithi, JG and Kiama, JM (2006). Improving Production of Irish Potato in Kenya: The use of green manure legumes for soil fertility Improvement. KARI, 2006.
International Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 2016; 1(1): 1-7 7
[14] Muthoni, J. and Nyamongo, D. O (2009). A review of Constraints to ware Irish Potatoes Production in Kenya. Journal of Horticulture and Forestry. Vol 1(7). Pp 98-102.
[15] Dent, D. and Young, A. (1981) Soil Survey and Land Evaluation. Geoge Allen and Unwin inc. London.
[16] Metson A. J (1961) Method of Chemical analysis for soil survey samples. New Zealand DSIR. Soil Bur Bull Govt. Printer, Wellington New Zealand.
[17] Anderson, J. S. and Ingram, J. I. S. (1998). Tropical Soil Biology and Fertlity. A Handbook of Methods. 2nd Edition. Information Press, U. K. Pp. 221.
[18] Yusuf, M. A. (1994). The Influence of Agricultural Management on Present and Potential Soil Quality under Small holder Conditions. A Case Study of Tumbau. M. Sc. (Land Resource) Thesis, Department of Geography, Bayero University, Kano.
[19] FAO, (1976). A framework for land evaluation. Soil bulletin No: 32. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy.
[20] Babaji, B. A, Falaki, A. M, Abubakar, I. U, Ahmad, Y. S (2005). Contribution of some growth parameters to tuber yield of Irish potato (Solanum Tuberosum, L.). Journal of Tropical Bioscience, 5(1).
[21] Yusuf, M. A. (2009). Soil Quality and Sustainability of Agricultural Management under Small holder Conditions in the Kano Close-settled Zone, Kano State, Nigeria.
[22] Babaji, B. A; Mahmud, M; Jaliya, M. M and Mohammed, S. G. (2006). Evaluating the contribution of Soil NP and K Contents to Tuber Yield of Irish Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) at Samaru, Nigeria. Savannah Journal of Agriculture. Vol. 1(2). Pp 94-102.
top related