SOIL AND ASH: PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES



INTRODUCTION
Soil which has over the years been a basic resource for agricultural production and the most important possession and asset of farmers, is made up of different features and characteristics, that make, it unique (Brady 1999). Under a natural condition, the level/rate at which soil build up is anchored on the differences that exist between the additions and losses of organic matter and many other variable that form soil. These additions could be from animal and plant decay while losses are enhanced or caused by immobilization and to a certain degree leaching beyond the root zone.
The soil organic matter is also a characteristics constituent of the soil ecosystem and it controls the soil physicochemical and biological properties (Olayinka 1990). Although soil amendment with ash addition to soil seems a good ecological solution, there are potential problems associated with its use in soil system, which are more complex than those in Agriculture.
Soil amendment with lime helps to increase the soil basic cations such as Ca2, and K which aid in the neutralization of acid soils. It also improves the soil aggregation and infiltration capacity; reduce bulk density and increase aggregation stability and porosity (Madejon and Gennchten, 2004).
To stabilize soil for agricultural use there is need to reduce or make the soil less acidic through application of lime to agricultural soil. However, the unavailability and high cost of lime materials lead to the invention and research into low cost, affordable and adoptable organic materials like wood ash (Igbokwe et al, 1981).
In area were intensive crop production is carried out, good soil management practices are expedient to avoid crop failure owing to low soil pH and degraded organic matter. The main objective of this study is to determine the effect of ash from different sources on soil physico-chemical properties and dry matter yield.

THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
          Determine the effect of ash from different sources on soil physical properties.
          Determine the effect of ash from different sources on soil chemical properties.
          Determine the effect of ash from different sources on the growth and shoot dry matter yield.          
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