Submitted by Celso Magalhaes (celsomagalhaes@ufrrj.br) on 2018-08-14T12:35:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2017 - Cristiana Maia de Oliveira.pdf: 3631492 bytes, checksum: d4d9d115590b3750ed24bebb16823dea (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-14T12:35:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2017 - Cristiana Maia de Oliveira.pdf: 3631492 bytes, checksum: d4d9d115590b3750ed24bebb16823dea (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-25 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / Among the main diseases which affects tomato plants there is Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL). Control of this disease is difficult due to the farmer?s specialization in the crop, pathogen ability to survive in the soil for long periods and physiological specialization of the pathogen in races. Three races of the pathogen have been described in Brazil, 1, 2 and 3, being the 3 of more restricted occurrence. The main strategy to control this disease is the use of resistant cultivars to the races present in the region. Nova Friburgo, RJ, an important tomato producing region during the summer, shows serious problems with plant diseases caused by common soil pathogens and soil management. For this reason, the present work was developed based on the collection of soil and plants samples in 41 farm family units, aiming to study different aspects related to Fusarium wilt in the region. The presentation of the work and the results obtained was divided into four chapters. In Chapter 1, a survey on the occurrence of the disease in the farm unities and identification of the predominant races was presented. In Chapter 2, studies on the incidence and distribution of the disease, as well as, evaluation of the most planted cultivars for resistance to the three races of FOL was presented. In the Chapter 3, we have showed studies on the management practices adopted by the farmers and their relations with soil fertility, plant nutrition and disease severity. Finally, in Chapter 4, 100 tomato accessions were evaluated regarding cultivar resistance to the three races of the pathogen. The accessions were obtained in the germplasm collection of the Department of Crop Science of the UFRRJ. Among the main results, we could identify the generalized occurrence of race 3 of FOL in the region, as well as, that most of the planted cultivars are susceptible to this race. The management practices adopted by the farmers contribute to the dissemination and survival of the pathogen the selection of race 3 due to the use of resistant cultivars to races 1 and 2 only. Finally, from the tomato accessions evaluated, five were resistant to races 1 and 2 of FOL and no resistant access to race 3 was identified / Dentre as principais doen?as do tomateiro est? a murcha-de-fus?rio causada por Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL). O seu controle ? dificultado pelo cultivo sucessivo do tomateiro (Solanum lycopersicum L.) por produtores especializados na cultura, pela capacidade de sobreviv?ncia do pat?geno no solo por longos per?odos e pela presen?a de ra?as do pat?geno. At? ent?o j? foram descritas tr?s ra?as do pat?geno no Brasil (1, 2 e 3) sendo a ra?a 3 de ocorr?ncia mais restrita. A principal estrat?gia para controle da doen?a ? o uso de cultivares resistentes ?(s) ra?a(s) presentes na regi?o. O munic?pio de Nova Friburgo, RJ, importante regi?o produtora de tomate no ver?o, apresenta s?rios problemas com doen?as causadas por pat?genos habitantes do solo, que se intensificam devido a pr?ticas inadequadas de manejo de solo. Diante disto, desenvolveu-se o presente trabalho tendo como base a coleta de amostras de solo e de plantas em 41 unidades familiares visando estudar diferentes aspectos relacionados ? murcha-de-fus?rio na regi?o. A apresenta??o do trabalho e dos resultados obtidos foi dividida em quatro cap?tulos. No Cap?tulo 1, s?o apresentados estudos com o levantamento sobre a ocorr?ncia da doen?a nas propriedades e de identifica??o das ra?as predominantes. No Cap?tulo 2, s?o apresentados estudos sobre a incid?ncia e distribui??o da doen?a e avalia??o das cultivares mais plantadas quanto a resist?ncia ?s tr?s ra?as de FOL. No Cap?tulo 3, s?o apresentados os estudos sobre as pr?ticas de manejo adotadas pelos produtores e as suas rela??es com a fertilidade do solo, nutri??o das plantas e severidade da doen?a. E finalmente, no Cap?tulo 4 ? descrita a avalia??o de cerca de 100 acessos de tomateiro da cole??o de germoplasma do Departamento de Fitotecnia da UFRRJ quanto ? resist?ncia ?s tr?s ra?as do pat?geno. Entre os principais resultados obtidos pode-se destacar a constata??o de ocorr?ncia generalizada da ra?a 3 de FOL na regi?o e a confirma??o de que a maioria das cultivares plantadas s?o suscet?veis a esta ra?a. Constatou-se, ainda, que as pr?ticas de manejo adotadas pelos produtores contribuem para a dissemina??o e sobreviv?ncia do pat?geno e para sele??o da ra?a 3 devido ao uso de cultivares resistentes ?s ra?as 1 e 2. Por fim, na avalia??o dos acessos de tomateiro da UFRRJ, identificaram-se cinco acessos resistentes ?s ra?as 1 e 2 de FOL e nenhum acesso resistente ? ra?a 3.

Poucos municípios brasileiros têm estações de tratamento de esgoto (ETEs), sendo que uma grande parte do esgoto ainda não é tratada, causando forte impacto ambiental devido ao seu despejo ?in natura? nos cursos de água. O processo de tratamento de esgoto gera grande quantidade de lodo cujo destino final deve ser bem planejado, pois acarreta além de conseqüências ambientais, conseqüências de caráter econômico, social e sanitário. Um destino ecologicamente desejável seria a utilização desse resíduo, depois de tratado (biossólido), em plantios florestais como fertilizante e condicionador de solo. Mas, ainda são poucos os conhecimentos disponíveis para que a sua utilização seja realizada em larga escala. Recentemente, o Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente (CONAMA), através de resolução específica estabeleceu critérios e procedimentos para o uso de lodo de esgoto em áreas agrícolas, visando benefícios à agricultura e evitando riscos à saúde pública e ao ambiente. Conseqüentemente, amplia-se agora a necessidade de estudos mais aprofundados sobre o assunto. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo aprofundar os conhecimentos sobre a influência da utilização de lodo de esgoto nas plantações florestais. Em abril de 2003, foi implantado um experimento na Estação Experimental de Ciências Florestais da ESALQ/USP em Itatinga com a finalidade de estudar o crescimento das árvores de Eucalyptus grandis tratadas com doses crescentes dos lodos úmido (torta) e seco (granulado) e, principalmente, a ciclagem de nutrientes no ecossistema, através de observações relacionadas com os processos de produção, acúmulo e decomposição da serapilheira nas parcelas experimentais dos diferentes tratamentos. Supõe-se que a aplicação dos lodos de esgoto úmido e seco nas linhas de plantio dos eucaliptos altere de maneira positiva a fertilidade do solo, incrementando significativamente o volume de madeira produzida pelos eucaliptos, servindo como fontes de nutrientes, portanto, o uso do lodo permitiria a substituição das adubações nitrogenada e fosfatada, usualmente aplicadas nos plantios florestais, e poderia suprir também a necessidade da aplicação de micronutrientes (exceto o boro). Também a aplicação dos lodos úmido e seco deve refletir de maneira positiva na ciclagem de nutrientes, alterando a quantidade e a velocidade da transferência dos diferentes elementos entre os compartimentos do sistema Árvores - Serapilheira - Solo. / Several Brazilian cities have sewer treatment stations, but a lot of cities do not treat the sewage yet, causing a strong environmental impact, mainly in water courses. The sewer treatment process generates a big amount of sewage sludge, so the final destination must be well studied, because it involves environmental, economic, social and sanitary consequences. A good destination of this residue would be its application, after treated (biosolids), in forest stands for fertilizing and conditioning of soil. Recently, CONAMA (National Advice of the Environment) established procedures and criteria for the use in agricultural areas of sewage sludge for benefits to agriculture and preventing risks to the health and the environment. Consequently, more scientific information will be necessary for sewage sludge application on a large scale. The aim of this study was to extend the knowledge about the influence of sewage sludge (humid and dry) on eucalypts plantations. So in April 2003, an experimental stand of Eucalyptus grandis was planted in the Experimental Station of Itatinga (ESALQ/USP). The purpose was to study the growth of the eucalypts, treated with increasing doses of humid and dry sewage sludge, and also the nutrients cycling in the forest plantation ecosystem through the production, accumulation and decomposition of the leaf-litter in the different treatments. It is expected that application of humid and dry sewage sludge in the rows of planting may modify positively soil fertility, wood volume produced by eucalypts, and nutrient cycling in the ecosystem.

O uso agrícola é uma interessante alternativa de disposição do lodo de esgoto por representar aportes de nitrogênio, fósforo e matéria orgânica ao solo. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o uso do lodo de esgoto como fonte de nitrogênio e fósforo para a cultura da cana-de-açúcar (cana-planta e soqueira) e rendimentos da cultura. Para tanto foram conduzidos dois experimentos à campo entre os anos de 2002 a 2004. Em um dos experimentos sob um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico, foi cultivada a variedade RB855536 (soqueira de segundo corte), avaliando-se durante dois anos agrícolas (2002/2003 e 2003/2004), a resposta da cultura à aplicação de lodo de esgoto (14 e 16 t ha-1, base seca, respectivamente em 2002/03 e 2003/04) com e sem adubação nitrogenada mineral (nitrato de amônio) em doses equivalentes a 0, 50 e 100% da dose de N recomendada (120 kg ha-1 de N). No outro experimento, foi utilizada a cultivar SP83-2847 (cana-planta cultivada por cerca de 16 meses) num Argissolo Amarelo eutrófico e avaliada a resposta da cultura à aplicação de lodo de esgoto (8,2 t ha-1 em base seca) com e sem superfosfato triplo em doses equivalentes a 0, 25, 50, 75 e 100% da dose de P2O5 recomendada (180 kg ha-1 de P2O5). Os dados obtidos mostram que o lodo de esgoto constituiu-se numa fonte eficiente de N para as soqueiras, não sendo necessária a aplicação adicional de fertilizantes nitrogenados para a obtenção de produção de colmos (TCH) e de açúcar (TAH) similares ao do tratamento com adubação mineral convencional. Por outro lado, na cana-planta, foi necessário aplicar, adicionalmente ao lodo de esgoto, 75% da dose de fósforo recomendada para obter rendimentos similares aos da adubação mineral. A aplicação de LE, nas doses calculadas em função do teor de N, tanto nas soqueiras quanto na cana-planta, não causaram efeitos deletérios na qualidade do solo e da matéria prima produzida. Os teores de metais pesados no solo, nas folhas e no caldo da cana não foram alterados com a aplicação do resíduo em comparação à adubação mineral. / The use of sewage sludge on land can improve soil fertility considering nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter inputs. The aim of these experiments was to evaluate the effect of sewage sludge on soil, sugarcane plants and sugarcane yield in substitution to nitrogen and phosphorus from mineral fertilizers. The effect of the sewage sludge as a source of nitrogen was evaluated by an experiment carried in an Ultisol (Argissolo Amarelo) planted with the cultivar RB855536 during 2002/03 (first harvesting) and 2003/04 (2nd harvesting). The level of sewage sludge used in this experiment was 14 and 16 t ha-1, dry weigh basis, respectively on the yield 2002/03 and 2003/04. The application of N fertilizer was made, in treatments, after the sludge application, at rates of 0, 50 e 100% of the recommended level to sugarcane plantation (120 kg ha-1 of N). The other experiment, to evaluate the effectiveness of sewage sludge as phosphorus source to cane plants, was carried in an Ultisol (Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico), and the cultivar used was the SP83-2847. The level of sewage sludge applied in all treatment, but control, in this experiment was 8,2 t ha-1, dry weight basis with the mineral-P fertilizer being applied in rates corresponding to 0, 25, 50, 75 e 100% of the total amount recommended to cane plants (180 kg ha-1 of P2O5). The data allows to conclude that sewage sludge application can supply the N requirement of sugarcane ratoons. The sewage sludge could only supply 25% of the total P recommendation for cane plants. There was not observed any harmful effects on soil, plants or juice quality due to the sewage sludge applied to soils.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Soil Science)) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / The study was conducted to assess the impact of mining activities on selected soil physical, chemical and microbial properties on farmlands around three selected mining sites. Nine soil samples were collected from each of the following farms : Hans Merensky, Mogoboya and Leon Tom, Foskor Mine and JCI mining sites, respectively. Additional nine soil samples were collected from non-polluted Waterbok farm that serves as a control for the purpose of comparison. The samples were taken at 0–15, 15–30, 30–45 cm depths at three sampling points on each farm for physical, chemical and biological studies. However, soil samples collected for microbial (fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes) counts were surface (0–15 cm) soil samples. Soil chemical properties determined include pHw, electrical conductivity (ECe), exchangeable acidity (EA), organic carbon, available phosphorous, exchangeable cations as well as heavy metal (i.e. Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, As and Sb) concentrations. The physical parameters determined include texture (sand, silt and clay) as well as bulk density. Soil pHw and ECe values decreased with depth; and ranged from 6.94 to 6.50 and from 12.24 to 10.76 mS cm-1, respectively. Exchangeable acidity showed a gradual increase with depth and ranged from 0.72 to 0.80 cmol(+)(kg), while percent organic carbon decreased with depth ranging from 1.41 to 2.19 %. Exchangeable cations, particularly K and Mg increased with depth while Ca decreased marginally with soil depth. Available phosphorous content decreased following increases in distance from the pollution source while heavy met.al contamination decreased with soil depth but increased further away from the pollution source. Significantly high loads of Pb, As and Sb were recorded at all depths on the three farms around the mining sites, which were largely responsible for the pollution but worse on the Leon Tom farm; with Pb constituting the greatest pollutant. The concentration of extractable heavy metals in the studied areas was in the order: As >Sb>Pb>Zn>Cu >Mn >Cd. Cadmium level appeared generally very low in all samples while elevated levels of Mn, Cu and Zn were detected at all depths in the polluted soils.Significant differences in microbial levels were detected at the various sampling points. The highest count of 3.82 and 6.20 CFU g-1 for fungi and actinomycete, respectively were both from the Leon Tom farm, while 6.46 CFU g-1 counts for bacteria was obtained from Mogoboya farm. Interestingly, fungal and actinomycetes activities were more sensitive to heavy metal contamination than bacteria that were significantly increased following soil pollution. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Graduation date: 1993

Water treatment residues (WTRs) are the by-product from the production of potable water. They consist mainly of the precipitated hydrous oxides of the treatment chemicals, and materials removed from the raw water. This study investigated the range of treatment processes and residues produced in South Africa, and two WTRs were selected for testing on selected soils and mine materials. A questionnaire was developed and sent to water treatment authorities across South Africa. Information on the treatment chemicals, dosages, volumes and current disposal practices, and a sample of WTR from each treatment plant were requested. Eleven, of 21 authorities, returned completed questionnaires, representing 37 water treatment facilities. Organic polymers were the most commonly used treatment chemical, with most plants also using lime. Other less frequently used chemicals and additives were Alz(S04)3.14I-hO, Fe2(S04)3, FeC!), sodium aluminate, activated silica, activated charcoal, CO2 and bentonite. Information given regarding residue thickening and disposal was poor. Samples from Rand Water, Umgeni Water (Midmar), Midvaal Water Company, Amatola Water and Cape Metropolitan Council (Faure) were received or collected. An additional sample from Faure was also received, representing a change in the treatment process. These samples were analysed for a range of chemical and physical characteristics. These analyses showed that the WTRs had the potential to supply some plant nutrients (Ca, Mg, Fe, S) but that metal toxicity may be a problem, in particular Mn in the Faure WTR, and that P adsorption may be severe. The samples selected to test the potential for land disposal were from Rand Water and Faure. A pot experiment tested the growth of Eragrostis tefJ, Cenchrus ciliaris and Digitaria eriantha in mixtures of Rand WTR and material from a coal mine i.e., a sandy soil material, spoil material and coal combustion ash, at rates of 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 g kg" with a uniform fertiliser treatment applied to all mixtures. The grass was harvested on three occasions and the mean total yield (dry mass) determined, as well as nutrient uptake. The pots were leached after each harvest and the pH and electrical conductivity determined. The soil, spoil and ash were characterised and pH, EC and water retention characteristics of the mixtures determined. Growth of the grasses in the ash treatments was poor and these were terminated. Eragrostis tefJ grown in the soil showed a decrease in mean total yield with increasing WTR application rate, but yield was good up to the 200 g kg" treatment at the first harvest, declining substantially by the second harvest. In general C. ciliaris and D. eriantha grown in the soil showed a decrease in mean total yield for all harvests with increasing WTR application. The yield of E. /ejJ, grown in the spoil, increased up to 100 g kg,l WTR addition, but decreased thereafter. Digitaria eriantha showed a decrease in yield, and C. ciliaris an increase, with increasing WTR application rate , but for all treatments the differences were non-significant. The pH and EC of the leachates generally increased with increasing WTR addition. The concentration of nutrients in the grasses did not indicate any deficiencies or toxicities. As the growth of grass was poor in the ash treatments, another pot experiment was established to test the growth of two creeping grass species grown in the Rand WTR as a cover over the ash material. Cynodon dactylon and Stenotaphrum secundatum were grown in 20, 40 and 60 mm layers of Rand WTR, with and without a fertiliser treatment. Both species performed best in the 60 mm layer with fertiliser, and C. dactylon performed better than S. secundatum. The former species was more tolerant of the high pH, but both have potential as cover vegetation on the ash dumps when these are covered with Rand WTR. A further glasshouse study investigated the effect of Faure WTR mixed with a nutrient poor sandy soil on the nutrient uptake and seed yield of common dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). The WTR was added to the soil at 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 g kg" each with five levels of fertiliser (0, 25, 50, 100 (recommended optimum) and 150 %). Bean pods were harvested once the plants had senesced. The number of pods and mass and number of seeds per treatment were determined. The seeds were analysed for nutrient uptake. Interveinal chlorosis and necrotic lesions were evident on cotylendonous and new leaves in the WTR treated soils, the severity of the symptoms increasing with increasing rate of WTR. Additional pots were established at the 400 g kg" rate (without fertiliser) and leaf material collected for chemical analysis. This showed that Mn toxicity was the cause, with leaf concentrations about 12 times the recommended 100 mg kg" upper limit. However, mass of bean seed was highest in the 400 g kg" Faure WTR treatment with 150 % fertiliser. Nutrient translocation to the seed seemed to be relatively consistent regardless of treatment, with little accumulation ofMn. The data collected illustrated the range of conditions and types of WTRs produced in South Africa, and that in some instances these residues have favourable characteristics for land application. The use of the Rand WTR showed that it could be applied to the spoil medium at relatively high concentrations without severely negatively impacting on grass growth, but more caution should be used when applying this material to the soil medium. While the grass did not grow in the ash treatments, it would seem that with suitable species the Rand WTR could be beneficially applied to ash material as a cover layer. The use of the Faure WTR on a sandy soil seemed to potentially improve the yield of the indicator crop, but caution should be exercised due to the possibility of Mn toxicity. The use of additional fertiliser would seem to be essential. Further research would require that field scale investigation of both WTRs be conducted, as well as further studies of applicat ion rates and techniques in laboratory and glasshouse investigations. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

No description available.

Water treatment residues (WTRs) are the by-product from the production of potable water. They consist mainly of the precipitated hydrous oxides of the treatment chemicals, and materials removed from the raw water. This study investigated the range of treatment processes and residues produced in South Africa, and two WTRs were selected for testing on selected soils and mine materials. A questionnaire was developed and sent to water treatment authorities across South Africa. Information on the treatment chemicals, dosages, volumes and current disposal practices, and a sample of WTR from each treatment plant were requested. Eleven, of 21 authorities, returned completed questionnaires, representing 37 water treatment facilities. Organic polymers were the most commonly used treatment chemical, with most plants also using lime. Other less frequently used chemicals and additives were A12(SO4)3.14H2O, Fe2(SO4)3, FeC1), sodium aluminate, activated silica, activated charcoal, CO2 and bentonite. Information given regarding residue thickening and disposal was poor. Samples from Rand Water, Umgeni Water (Midmar), Midvaal Water Company, Amatola Water and Cape Metropolitan Council (Faure) were received or collected. An additional sample from Faure was also received, representing a change in the treatment process. These samples were analysed for a range of chemical and physical characteristics. These analyses showed that the WTRs had the potential to supply some plant nutrients (Ca, Mg, Fe, S) but that metal toxicity may be a problem, in particular Mn in the Faure WTR, and that P adsorption may be severe. The samples selected to test the potential for land disposal were from Rand Water and Faure. A pot experiment tested the growth of Eragrostis teff, Cenchrus ciliaris and Digitaria eriantha in mixtures of Rand WTR and material from a coal mine i.e., a sandy soil material, spoil material and coal combustion ash, at rates of 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 g kg-1 with a uniform fertiliser treatment applied to all mixtures. The grass was harvested on three occasions and the mean total yield (dry mass) determined, as well as nutrient uptake. The pots were leached after each harvest and the pH and electrical conductivity determined. The soil, spoil and ash were characterised and pH, EC and water retention characteristics of the mixtures determined. Growth of the grasses in the ash treatments was poor and these were terminated. Eragrostis teff grown in the soil showed a decrease in mean total yield with increasing WTR application rate, but yield was good up to the 200 g kg-1 treatment at the first harvest, declining substantially by the second harvest. In general C. ciliaris and D. eriantha grown in the soil showed a decrease in mean total yield for all harvests with increasing WTR application. The yield of E. teff, grown in the spoil, increased up to 100 g kg-1 WTR addition, but decreased thereafter. Digitaria eriantha showed a decrease in yield, and C.ciliaris an increase, with increasing WTR application rate, but for all treatments the differences were non-significant. The pH and EC of the leachates generally increased with increasing WTR addition. The concentration of nutrients in the grasses did not indicate any deficiencies or toxicities. As the growth of grass was poor in the ash treatments, another pot experiment was established to test the growth of two creeping grass species grown in the Rand WTR as a cover over the ash material. Cynodon dactylon and Stenotaphrum secundatum were grown in 20, 40 and 60 mm layers of Rand WTR, with and without a fertiliser treatment. Both species performed best in the 60 mm layer with fertiliser, and C. dactylon performed better than S. secundatum. The former species was more tolerant of the high pH, but both have potential as cover vegetation on the ash dumps when these are covered with Rand WTR. A further glasshouse study investigated the effect of Faure WTR mixed with a nutrient poor sandy soil on the nutrient uptake and seed yield of common dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). The WTR was added to the soil at 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 g kg-1 each with five levels of fertiliser (0, 25, 50, 100 (recommended optimum) and 150 %). Bean pods were harvested once the plants had senesced. The number of pods and mass and number of seeds per treatment were determined. The seeds were analysed for nutrient uptake. Interveinal chlorosis and necrotic lesions were evident on cotylendonous and new leaves in the WTR treated soils, the severity of the symptoms increasing with increasing rate of WTR. Additional pots were established at the 400 g kg-1 rate (without fertiliser) and leaf material collected for chemical analysis. This showed that Mn toxicity was the cause, with leaf concentrations about 12 times the recommended 100 mg kg-1 upper limit. However, mass of bean seed was highest in the 400 g kg-1 Faure WTR treatment with 150 % fertiliser. Nutrient translocation to the seed seemed to be relatively consistent regardless of treatment, with little accumulation of Mn. The data collected illustrated the range of conditions and types of WTRs produced in South Africa, and that in some instances these residues have favourable characteristics for land application. The use of the Rand WTR showed that it could be applied to the spoil medium at relatively high concentrations without severely negatively impacting on grass growth, but that more caution should be used when applying this material to the soil medium. While the grass did not grow in the ash treatments, it would seem that with suitable species the Rand WTR could be beneficially applied to ash material as a cover layer. The use of the Faure WTR on a sandy soil seemed to potentially improve the yield of the indicator crop, but caution should be exercised due to the possibility of Mn toxicity. The use of additional fertiliser would seem to be essential. Further research would require that field scale investigation of both WTRs be conducted, as well as further studies of application rates and techniques in laboratory and glasshouse investigations. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

This study develops a basis for a land information system for the 40 ha subtropical highland catchment of Wang Jia, Yunnan Province, China. Information, including meteorology, geology, geomorphology, biology, pedology and crop productivity, was integrated using a geomorphopedological approach and expressed as maps using GIS. The developed protocol is proposed as a generic system, applicable to agricultural land evaluation in subtropical highland catchments. The results demonstrate that Wang Jia Catchment is relatively representative of the region, in terms of geomorphological features and land cover. Catchment soils, developed from residual, colluvial and alluvial materials of sandstone, shale and dolomite on different landscapes, were still young and strongly influenced by their geological parent material. Soils were normally slightly acidic to neutral. Soil fertility varied from poor to very fertile. Maize yield was significantly correlated with soil pH, total N, available N, P and K and thus the Soil Fertility Index. In 2002, maize yield was significantly correlated with manure and urea applications. There was considerable potential to increase maize yield with modified and innovative cropping practices in the catchment. Adopted primarily as a soil conservation practice, contour cultivation did not increase maize yield compared to downslope cultivation. Polythene mulch tended to increase maize yield in most years. These results largely accord with the results from controlled research plots in the same catchment. Analysis of intra-plot variations showed that soil samples from planting pits had higher total soil organic matter, total N, available N, available P and available K than inter-row samples, but with higher standard deviations. Most soil fertility parameters for inter-row samples were more similar to traditional random composite samples. These results suggest if composite samples were taken only from inter-rows, the results would have been similar, but the risk of sampling error would have been reduced. The land information system established in this study is suitable for designing, evaluating and monitoring sustainable agricultural practices central to soil conservation and crop yield improvement and thus contributing to decision-making for sustainable agricultural land management in this region.

Two studies were carried out in the Morgan Arboretum of McGill University to explore the agroforestry potential of some native tree species of Southern Quebec. In the first study, soil chemical characteristics under basswood (Tilia americana L.), white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) and bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis Wang. K. Koch) in relation to sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) were assessed in natural stands. Soil pH was highest under white ash and was lowest under bitternut hickory. Soil NO$ sb3 sp-$ was low under basswood compared to white ash. Soil pH and exchangeable soil Ca$ sp{2+}$ and Mn$ sp{2+}$ decreased with an increase in basal area and exchangeable soil K$ sp+$ decreased (p = 0.07) with an increase in the proportion of sugar maple relative to total basal area. / In the second study, the effects of black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) on growth and nutrient content of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), kale (Brussica oleracea L.), parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.) in an alley cropping system were determined. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with repeated measures. All vegetables survived in the black walnut plantation and in the open field. The order of sensitivity to growth under black walnut was Swiss chard $>$ kale $>$ lettuce $>$ parsley. Low light intensity in the plantation likely decreased plant dry weights and nutrient content. Generally plant N, P and K concentrations were higher in the plantation while Ca, Mg and Mn concentrations were higher in the open field, possibly due to an antagonistic effect of high soil K$ sp+$ content in the plantation and to inhibitory effects of black walnut.