Effect of exchangeable calcium and magnesium as essential for soil chemistry and plant nutrition in organic manures- treated soils for sustainable agriculture.
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Calcium and magnesium are important secondary nutrients that contribute to soil fertility, nutrient balance, and sustainable crop production. This study evaluated the mineralization of soil exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+. The study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replications. Cured cattle, goat and poultry manures were applied at 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 120 and 150 t ha-1 once at first cycle and N15P15K15 at 0.4 t ha-1 per cycle. At two weeks intervals, soil samples were collected and analyzed for exchangeable calcium and magnesium. Pretreatment soil and manures were analyzed for Electrical Conductivity (EC), pH, ammonium-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, total phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium, using standard procedures. Across cycles, soil Ca2+ and Mg2+ values were not increase consistently according to increase in manures rates. High Mg2+ contents were observed between 8 – 10 WAI for cattle and poultry manure treatments while goat manure treatment was between 10 - 14 WAI during the experiment at first, second and third cycles of planting, respectively. Addition of cattle, goat and poultry manures at 6 WAP improved the soil Ca2+ and Mg2+ with highest values during first and second cycles and 4 WAP during third cycle which could be due to solubilization. The lowest values of Ca2+ and Mg2+ during third cycle could suggest uptake by plant and leaching.
Source: Nigerian Journal of Soil Science
Institution: Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Zero hunger, Life on land
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7204451291