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.