Potassium Thermodynamics as Affected by Irrigation, Organic and Inorganic Amendments in an Eutric Cambisol Sown to Maize in Kano, Nigeria

• M.U. Dawaki

  Department of Soil Science, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

  Author

• S.M. Shehe

  Kano State Ministry of Agriculture, Kano, Nigeria.

  Author

• A. Lado

  Department of Agronomy, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

  Author

• B.A. Lawan

  Department of Soil Science, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

  Author

• U.F. Galadanci

  Department of Soil Science, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

  Author

• A.A. Mustapha

  Department of Soil Science, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

  Author

A Trial under irrigation was conducted at Kano, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of irrigation and soil amendment type on K thermodynamics in Maize field. Split plot design was used with a factorial arrangement of 12 treatments in 3 m x 2 m plots. The experimental factors were irrigation intervals at 3 days (I3), 5 days (I5) and 7 days(I7); and soil amendments (5 tha-1 equivalent of Biochar or Compost; NPK at the equivalent of 120:60:60 and Control. Bulk soil (root-free soil) was sampled at seedling and tasseling between maize stands and subjected to analyses. K thermodynamics were determined using Quantity/Intensity approach. Linear curves with high significant correlation coefficient values (r = 0.98 – 0.99) were obtained from the Q/I experiment which is an indicator of the less significant role that high K affinity sites have in K exchange in the amended soils. The effect of the soil amendments on K Q/I parameters such as labile K, ARKe, PBCK, and pF were varied but statistically significant at 5% level of significance. The effect of irrigation interval, was varied but not statistically significant. The results portrayed the potency of especially organic soil amendments to enhance K availability and exchange within a season.

1. M.U. Dawaki, Department of Soil Science, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

   Department of Soil Science, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

2. S.M. Shehe, Kano State Ministry of Agriculture, Kano, Nigeria.

   Kano State Ministry of Agriculture, Kano, Nigeria.

3. A. Lado, Department of Agronomy, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

   Department of Agronomy, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

4. B.A. Lawan, Department of Soil Science, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

   Department of Soil Science, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

5. U.F. Galadanci, Department of Soil Science, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

   Department of Soil Science, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

6. A.A. Mustapha, Department of Soil Science, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

   Department of Soil Science, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria.

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