Thesis (MScAgric (Soil Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The soils of north-west Zambia are largely unexplored and are regarded by local residents as problematic in providing sufficient nutrients for the staple crop of maize in the area. The area is semi-tropical, with an average rainfall of 1300mm annum-1 falling predominantly in the summer. The undulating landscape is dominated by miombo woodland interspersed with savanna grassland. Little work has been done on these soils and further information is required to understand their origin and their fertility status. The main objectives of this thesis were: 1) to classify and sample soils from a large number of small-scale agricultural lands, 2) to develop a better understanding of these soils chemical characteristics, 3) to determine the effect of vegetation clearance on soil fertility by sampling adjacent uncultivated land, and 4) to test locally derived rock dust as a soil ameliorant in pot trial. Soils from 100 agricultural and adjacent bush/forest sites were classified and analysed to determine their fertility status. They were tentatively classified according to the WRB system and are dominated by Arenosols, Acrisols and Ferralsols with infrequent occurrences of Lixisols. Most of these soils have a sandy texture. The clay fraction comprises of gibbsite, kaolinite and hydroxyl-Al interlayered vermiculite (HIV), with a few soils also having some mica present. The soils are consistently acidic with 42% of soils sampled having a pH (KCl) <4.3. Furthermore, the subsoils proved to be equally if not more acidic than the topsoils. Low nutrient levels are invariably associated with the soil acidity, with 84% of soils having <15mg/kg P, 59% of soils <50 mg/kg K, 80% soils <300 mg/kg Ca, and 44% soils <80 mg/kg Mg. Comparisons between cultivated and bushland soils showed no consistent changes to the soil acidity and fertility. This is contrary to research that was reviewed but is likely to have been affected by the spatial variability of these soils arising from the termite dominated landscape and the soils having been derived from different parent materials. Amelioration of these soils is required in order to increase yields. It is thought that lime, used with an N, P, K, Zn and B fertilizer, will best remedy the deficiencies found in these soils. Using these nutrients could raise the yields of <1t.ha-1 to in excess of 5 t.ha-1. Local soil ameliorants of crushed rock, ash, compost, green manure and termite mounds were also considered with pulverised granite being tested through factorial pot trials to determine its usefulness as a source of K and alkalinity. It raised both soil pH and K levels but is of limited value as these rises were not significant enough to affect yield. It is recommended that future research should: 1) strategically sample across the district, classify soils and determine their fertility status; 2) compile a soil yield potential map and 3) undertake field trials to test the quantities and effectiveness of fertilizers alongside local soil ameliorants.

<p>Nutrient concentrations in plant tissues are directly correlated with the nutritional status and productivity of fruit trees. Plant tissue testing is one of the most effective and accurate methods to determine nutritional status of perennial plants. Tissue test analyses were performed on tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) and peach (Prunus persica) leaves to validate tissue sufficiency levels used in Utah and to determine optimal timing of tissue sampling for prediction of harvest nutrient status, focusing on phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn). Sufficiency limits that were adopted in Utah were developed in the 1960s from research data accumulated from the primary fruit growing regions in the United States. Limited research has been conducted under Utah growing conditions. Tissue nutrient concentrations over time correlated well with current sufficiency limits and observed nutrient deficiencies in the field. Tissue concentrations of P, K, Fe, and Zn were found to be chronically low in Utah orchards. Plant tissue data demonstrates that mid-season sampling can predict nutrient status at harvest. Mid-season sampling also allows time for corrective adjustments to maintain sufficiency levels and reach optimal fruit production. Nutrient management practices are commonly applied annually to increase yield, fruit quality, and overall health of an orchard. Yield was measured on previously treated tart cherry orchards to determine residual effect on tree nutrient status. Orchards were treated 2 to 3 years prior with rate-response formulations of P and K; one has since adopted recommended fertilizer rates for optimizing tart cherry production in Utah and the other continued with their less aggressive management practices. The less aggressively managed orchard showed trends across treatments, but differences were not significant. Annual fertilizer applications may not immediately show effect during year of application, but long term management is essential for overall productivity of orchards.

No description available.

<p> Root Zone Soil Moisture (RZSM) data have both drought monitoring and seasonal forecasting applications. It is the lifeblood of vegetation, an integral component of the hydrologic system, a determining factor in irrigation requirements, and works to govern the means by which energy imbalances are settled between land and atmosphere. The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) has worked in conjunction with the Colorado Climate Center to improve regional drought early warning through enhanced monitoring and understanding of RZSM. The chief goals of this research have been as follows: 1. Examine regional drought monitoring in the Upper Colorado River Basin and eastern Colorado with specific inquiry as to soil moisture&rsquo;s role in the process. 2. Develop operational products that can be used to improve the weekly drought monitoring process in the Upper Colorado River Basin and eastern Colorado with an emphasis on utilization of soil moisture data. 3. Review in-situ soil moisture data from high elevation Snow Telemetry measurement sites in Colorado in order to understand the descriptive climatology of soil moisture over the Colorado Rockies. 4. Compare output from soil sensors installed by the Snow Telemetry and Colorado Agricultural Meteorological Network using current calibration methods in order to better understand application of direct comparison between output from the two different sensor types. Engineer a soil moisture core measurement protocol that is reliable within ten percent of the true volumetric water content value. This protocol, if successful on a local plot, will be expanded to alpha testers around the United States and used by the USDA for drought monitoring as well as NASA for ground validation of the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Satellite. 5. Expose the seasonality and spatial variability of positive feedbacks that occur between RZSM and the atmosphere across the Upper Colorado River Basin and western High Plains using reanalysis data from the North American Land Data Assimilation System Phase-2 (NLDAS). </p><p> Regional drought monitoring was found to involve assimilation of data from a bevy of sources. The decision-making process includes assessment of precipitation, soil moisture, snowpack, vegetative health, streamflow, reservoir levels, reference evapotranspiration, surface air temperature, and ground reports from the regional agricultural sector. Drought monitoring was expanded upon in this research through the development of several products intended for future Colorado Climate Center use. In-situ soil moisture timeseries are now being created from select SNOTEL and SCAN measurement sites. Reservoir monitoring graphics are being produced to accompany spatial analyses downloaded from the bureau of reclamation. More soil moisture data is being used, and now come from an ensemble of models rather than just the VIC model. </p><p> While only ten years of data were collected in analyzing the descriptive soil moisture climatology of the Colorado Rockies, these data were telling in terms of the expected seasonal cycle of soil moisture at high elevations. SNOTEL measurements reveal that soil moisture levels peak prior to snowmelt, large decreases in soil moisture are expected in June and early July, a slight recovery is anticipated in association with the North American Monsoon, and the sign of near-surface water balance flips back to positive in the first two weeks of September before soils freeze. Seasonal variance and distribution of volumetric water content varies in ways that are useful to understand from a drought monitoring standpoint. The data show that measurements are affected when soil freezes. </p><p> Comparing output from soil sensor relays using sensor types and calibration methods consistent with current SNOTEL and CoAgMet specifications revealed large differences in output regardless of being subject to the same meteorologic conditions. </p><p> Soil moisture measurement protocol development proved to be a trial and error process. The data collected at Christman Field was not sufficient proof that soil coring results did come within ten percent of ground truth perhaps due to microscale variations in infiltration. It was possible to develop a protocol of an acceptable standard that could be followed by citizen scientist for an estimated cost of $50. </p><p> Results from statistical modeling of post-processed NLDAS data from the last 30 years point primarily to a time frame between May and July in which soil moisture anomalies become significantly correlated with seasonal temperature and precipitation anomalies. This time of year is partially characterized by a climatologic maximization of downwelling solar radiation and a northward recession of the polar jet, but also precedes the anticipated arrival of the North American Monsoon. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)</p>

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Science in Engineering

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Applied Geosciences / Master / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Science in Engineering

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy