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Mukiibi Edward
05/U/339
June 2008
ediemukiibi ‘08 i
Acknowledgements
This study was entirely sponsored by my parents to whom am so grateful for their
contribution towards the success of this work up to this stage. I would also like to extend my
appreciation to the staff of Soil Science Department for providing the laboratory space and
other related logistics and support during the period of study. Special thanks go to Mr.
Balikuddembe Bonny of Soil Science Analytical Laboratories of the Soil Science
Department for your kind help to me at no monetary cost during laboratory analysis through
out the study period.
I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Professor Moses M. Tenywa for your
advice and guidance through out the study period. Your methods of work and constructive
criticisms indeed helped me to discover the science of organizing field generated figures and
numbers into a well organized and sought out scientific document like this. From you I learnt
to be thorough in what ever I do.
Lastly my immeasurable appreciation goes to Dr. Twaha Ateenyi of Soil Science Department
for your encouragement during hard times through the study. I pray that God the almighty
reward you accordingly.
ediemukiibi ‘08 ii
Table of contents
Dedication.................................................................................................................................. i
Acknowledgements................................................................................................................... ii
List of tables ............................................................................................................................. v
List of figures........................................................................................................................... vi
Acronyms................................................................................................................................ vii
Abstract..............................................................................................................................viiviii
CHAPTER ONE 1
1.0 Background and setting ................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Problem statement ........................................................................................................ 2
1.2 Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Significance of the Study.............................................................................................. 3
CHAPTER TWO 4
2.1 Over view of Soil degradation in Sub Saharan Africa ................................................. 4
2.2 Soil productivity and soil degradation in Uganda ........................................................ 5
2.3 Enhancing Soil Productivity for Increased Agricultural Production............................ 5
2.4 Organic Soil Amendments and Soil Productivity Management................................... 6
2.5 Role of mulches in soil productivity management ....................................................... 8
CHAPTER THREE 10
3.1 Study area ................................................................................................................... 10
3.2 Experimental design and treatment ............................................................................ 10
3.3 Data analysis............................................................................................................... 11
3.3.1 Soil analysis ................................................................................................................ 11
3.3.2 Plant analysis .............................................................................................................. 11
3.3.3 Statistical analysis....................................................................................................... 12
CHAPTER FOUR 13
4.1 Effects of saw dust Application on soil properties ..................................................... 13
4.1.1 Soil pH ........................................................................................................................ 13
4.1.2 Soil Organic matter..................................................................................................... 14
ediemukiibi ‘08 iv
List of tables
Table 1: Soil properties before planting and application of saw dust in the first season-------13
Table 2: Soil response to application of saw dust in the first growing season-------------------18
Table 3: Soil response to application of saw dust in the second growing season---------------18
Table 4: effect of saw dust application on maize plant height (cm) ------------------------------19
ediemukiibi ‘08 v
List of figures
Figure 1: Response of Maize Leaf Width to Saw Dust Application ------------------------ 20
Figure 2: Relationship between Maize Plant Height (Cm) and the Number of Leaves -- 21
Figure 3: Maize Plant Height (Cm) – Soil pH Relationship---------------------------------- 22
Figure 4: Maize Plant Height (Cm) – Organic Matter Relationship ------------------------ 23
Figure 5: Maize Plant Height (Cm) – Soil Nitrogen (%) --------------------------------------23
ediemukiibi ‘08 vi
Acronyms
In their transition to certified organic agricultural production, farmers in Ntenjeru sub county
use saw dust as an organic soil amendment. The use of saw dust has been reported to cause
problems like nitrogen immobilization and pH variations due to the high C/N ratio associated
with saw dust which also affects plant growth. So the major objective of the study was to
improve on the understanding of the effects of saw dust on soil conditions. The study was
carried out for two maize growing seasons on farm trials established at Kisoga village,
Ntenjeru Sub County in Mukono district from September 2007 to June 2008. The treatments
were; mulching with saw dust, Incorporation of saw dust into the soil and the control plot (no
saw dust) in a completely randomized block design with maize as a test crop.
Treatments where saw dust was applied as mulch significantly reduced soil nitrogen level
and soil pH. This also had a significant reduction in the growth of maize characteristics like
Height, leaf number and width. Incorporation of saw dust also inhibited the spply of soil
nitrogen but unlike in mulching, incorporation of saw dust significantly increased the supply
of calcium, potassium, which significantly increased the soil pH and hence favoured the
growth of maize as compared to the mulched plots. Soil organic matter levels were
significantly higher in saw dust applied treatments than in the control plots but the
application of saw dust did not have any significant influence on the soil phosphorus levels
and soil aggregation through out the study period.
This study concluded that in Ntenjeru Sub County it is better to use saw dust incorporated
into the soil than applying it on the surface as mulch. Samples of saw dust should be sent to
soil testing laboratory to analyze the C/N ratio and nutrient contents prior to its application as
a soil amendment by farmers.
Agriculture as the main source of livelihood and food security in the Sub Saharan Africa
(SSA) region, and in Uganda specifically, is facing a challenge of matching food, fodder,
fuel and fibre production with population growth. For the period 1994 to 1998, 70% of SSA
population lived in areas where the average population growth rate exceeded the average
growth rate in per capita food production (FAO, 1999), Uganda inclusive. Although by the
year 2003, Uganda’s average annual growth rate in food production and population stood at
4.1 and 3.0%, respectively (FAO, 2006), it is important to note that the country’s arable land
area is limited, yet qualitatively diminishing under the forces of widespread soil degradation
(Lufafa et al., 2003). It is imperative therefore that resource productivity be increased in
order to bridge the gap between per capita food production and population growth. This calls
for increased use of inputs such as clean irrigation water, organic manures fertilizers and
crop protection techniques, which impact on the economics of agricultural production,
environmental quality as well as Soil fertility.
The fertility of soils is central to the sustainability of both natural and managed ecosystems.
(Wasswa et al, 2003). This is because it is the medium from which terrestrial production
emanates (Scholes et al 1994. soil organic matter (SOM) plays an important role in
maintaining soil texture, water holding capacity, the micro biomass and in nutrient cycling
among others (Angers and Caron 1998). It also helps in improving the drainage and aeration
properties of the root zone and acts as a great source of nutrients to the growing plants
(Starbuck, 1994).
The decline of Soil Organic Matter with cropping is a major factor affecting sustainability of
many cropping systems in sub Saharan Africa (Buyanovzky et al 1984). Nutrients have been
depleted by crop harvest removals, leaching, volatilization and soil erosion to the extent to
which soil fertility replenishment has been recommended by Izac, (1997) as a necessary
investment in natural resource capital. Studies also indicate that soil physical, biological and
ediemukiibi ‘08 1
chemical properties can sustainably be improved through the improvement of SOM (Paul
1984). This can be done through practices like mulching and addition of organic manures
(Unger 2001). One of such important soil amendments is Sawdust mulch. That is currently
used in Ntenjeru Sub County. Saw dust is mainly surface applied mulch used in ginger and
garlic organic gardens. According to Unger (2001), surface applied mulches serve to reduce
soil water evaporation thus enhancing the potential for increased soil water conservation.
This is highly important for improving crop production in tropical rain fed agriculture. (Jacks
et al 1955). The use of these inputs in agricultural production needs to be optimized in
relation to economic and environmental quality considerations. This necessitates thorough
understanding of the system response to applications of such inputs, which can only come
from long-term experiments with the inputs in the farming system.
In their transition to certified organic agricultural production, farmers in Ntenjeru sub county
use saw dust as an organic soil amendment. The use of sawdust has been reported to perform
poorly when used in different environments. (Starbuck, 1994). McDonald (1953) found out
that if used under uncontrolled conditions, sawdust whether used as mulch or incorporated
into the soil, could result into problems like soil nitrogen immobilization. Also Starbuck
(1994) justified that saw dust contains 50% carbon, 6% hydrogen, 44% oxygen and perhaps
0.1% nitrogen. This is generally because soil microbes use nitrogen to break down the
complex materials in sawdust since it is composed of about 70% carbohydrates (cellulose
and hemicellulose) and 27% lignin (Starbuck 1994, Mc Donald 1953). This utilization of
nitrogen by the microbes leads to a quick depletion of the entire supply of nitrogen in the soil
(White et al 1934). Hence it is important to assess the effects sawdust imparts to the soil
physical and chemical properties prior to its application in an area. So optimizing of the use
of saw dust as a soil amendment in Ntenjeru Sub County is dependent on predicting the
efficiency of transfer of nutrients and the subsequent effects to the plants and the soil system
in the area. Although there is substantial literature on the response of soil and crops to such
ediemukiibi ‘08 2
organic soil amendments (Swift 1994), there are very few studies that separate the variety of
effects involved.
1.2 Objectives
The general objective of this study is to improve on the understanding of the effects of
sawdust on soil conditions. The specific objectives are;
a) To find out the effects of sawdust on soil nutrients like N, P, K, and Ca
b) To establish the influence of sawdust on soil pH, soil aggregation, and soil
organic matter
As stated by Kirsch (1959), the value of saw dust and other wood wastes as mulches or soil
amendment has received considerable study. How ever a need exists for more complete
information to farmers regarding the effects of these materials on both physical and chemical
properties of soils to which they are added. (Kirsch, 1959). There fore since the major
obstacle hindering the efficient utilization of saw dust by the farmers is the lack of adequate
understanding on the effects of this soil amendment on the nature of resultant soil organic
matter and other soil properties. This study is important to farmers and decision makers in
soil management to understand and evaluate the changes in selected soil physical and
chemical properties as influenced by the application of saw dust either as mulch on the
surface or incorporated into the soil.
ediemukiibi ‘08 3
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Soil degradation among other factors has the largest impact on agricultural productivity in
Sub-Saharan Africa. According to Oldeman, (1998), the productivity loss in Africa from soil
degradation since Second War World has been estimated at 25% for cropland and 8-14% for
crop land and pasture together. Similarly, Dragne (1990) estimated that irreversible soil
productivity losses of at least 20% were due to soil erosion which occurred over the past
century in parts of twelve S.S.A countries including Uganda. It is worrying to see that in
originally fertile lands, under continuous cropping without nutrient inputs and better soil
management, cereal grain yields declined from 2 to 4 tons ha-1 to under one ton ha-1 (Sanchez
et al, 1997). The effect of soil degradation was best reviewed by Lal (1995) who emphasized
that in the absence of such causes and components of soil degradation, 3.6 millions tons
ediemukiibi ‘08 4
more of cereal, 6.5 million tones more of root tubers and 0.4 million tons more of pulses
would have been produced in 1989.
To combat soil degradation and improve soil productivity, Semana (1994) points out the role
played by some farmer but other stake holders like politicians have put in very little effort in
solving this problem. This is due to constitutional, cultural or social economic and technical
constraints in most cases.
ediemukiibi ‘08 5
lack of capital by smallholder farmers to purchase soil amendments and other inputs
including fertilizers and coffee husks or hire labour to spread mulching materials. On the
other hand Zake et al. (1994) indicated that some farmers who adopt some sustainable soil
management practices such as use of organic manures and mulches of various types realized
high levels of production.
The use of mineral fertilizers and synthetic soil amendments has been recommended for long
and popularized by farmers but the adoption of these external inputs based technologies for
soil productivity enhancement is mainly constrained by high costs, relative to the low farm
returns and the inaccessibility of such inputs to the resource poor farmers in SSA (Micheni
1996, Micheni et al, 2004). Most farmers apply insufficient or no soil productivity
enhancement inputs to refurnish the degraded soil (DAREP, 1995). However, a number of
farmers in SSA have adopted, through indigenous knowledge, a number of low cost
sustainable soil productivity management practices and in some places these are operational.
ediemukiibi ‘08 6
Farmers in Africa utilize a wide range of locally derived organic and inorganic material for
soil productivity management (Swift 1994). These include crop residues, saw dust, litter and
prunings from trees, green – cut herbage, green manures, farm yard manures, House hold and
industrial wastes and many others (Lles and Dosman 1999).
The use organic soil amendments such as farming and manure, compost and plant residues
are known to improve soil fertility in many cropping system (Verma and Bhagat 1992,
Sharma et al 1995). These help improve soil productivity through building up of soil organic
matter (Micheni et al, 2004; Lles and Dosman, 1999; Wasswa et al, 2003). The organic
nutrient sources may be alternative to mineral fertilizers but it is preferred that are used
jointly with chemical fertilizers formation benefits as far as soil productivity enhancement is
concerned.
To effectively improve the level of SOM in degraded and over used soil, De Ridder and Van
Keulen (1990), recommend that large quantities of the organic inputs are continuously
applied on erosion free cultivated fields. These materials are readily available in quantities
that can be of great importance to farmers and easy to apply (Verma and Sharma, 2000).
They can either be incorporated into the soil or applied on the surface as mulch. Whether
used as mulch or incorporated into the soil organic amendments provide a number of benefits
as far as soil productivity is concerned (Wasswa et al 2003; Verma and Sharma 2000)
However the choice for method of application significantly depends on the C/N ratio of the
material (Karl and Johannes, 1992; white et al 1934) and even the environment where it is
applied (Thomas, 1975).
On that note, Jagnow (1967) therefore recommend that for most parts, materials having a
high C/N ratio for example saw dust with more than 500:1 (Starbuck 1994) should be used as
mulch in humid tropics. The C/N ratio of organic materials has a great effect on their rate of
decomposition. Materials with a low C/N ratio decompose relatively quicker than the ones
with a higher C/N ratio. So in case nutrient release is urgent in some farming systems with
short growing seasons, the latter should be incorporated into the soil (Sanders 1953). The
time of application of the organic soil amendments also vary from one amendment to
ediemukiibi ‘08 7
another, but Lal (1975) recommends that whenever possible, organic materials whether
applied as mulch or incorporated into soil be applied before or at the beginning of the first
heavy rains. This is because numerous experiments in various climatic zones of SSA have
demonstrated that organic materials especially mulches are considerably more effective when
applied at this time (Ramaswami, 1979).
As emphasized earlier on, soil organic inputs can effectively act as alternatives to mineral
fertilizers, however, the low quality high labour requirements and low production levels are
the major constraints to the use of these valuable nutrient sources (Kihanda, 1998). Zake et al
(1994) also adds that on being bulky, mulching and other organic materials may harbour
pests and diseases which may be part of the ecology to be conserved. Other limitations
ediemukiibi ‘08 8
include bulkiness, alternative uses like feeds and beddings to livestock and sources of
energy. These materials are required in tones per hectare for example large quantities 5-10
tons ha-1 of farm yard manure are required to provide fraction of what would be needed to
maintain soil productivity at a desired level (Kihanda 1998, Micheni et al 2004).
ediemukiibi ‘08 9
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Study area
A field experiment was conducted at Kisoga central village, Ntenjeru Sub County, Mukono
district for two planting seasons (September-December 2007 and March-June 2008.)
Ntenjeru Sub County is located in the southern part of Mukono district near the lake shores
of Lake Victoria. The climate is influenced by Mabira forest reserve and Lake Victoria. The
sub county has two rainy seasons (March - June and august -December) and two dry seasons
(June – July and January) which greatly influence the activities in the farming system.
Ntenjeru sub-county lies in a banana – coffee vanilla intensive farming system. Towards the
shores of Lake Victoria at Katosi landing site, fishing is an important component of the
system. This farming system in Ntenjeru has been reached by many secondary stakeholders
who included individuals, NGOs like CIAT and UEEF, government departments,
cooperative societies like Kisoga savings and cooperative society and traders.
In the first season (September 2007), fresh fine saw dust from the near by saw mill (same
source with farmers) was applied to the plots and the next day an early maturing maize
variety longe 6H obtained from Ntenjeru sub county department of agriculture was planted at
a spacing of 60 x 30cm (one seed per hill). Weeding was done manually by uprooting the
weeds as they appeared.
ediemukiibi ‘08 10
The soil was sampled in the field covering all plots (0-15cm deep) for the pre-planting soil
properties prior to application of the treatments. The same plots were maintained throughout
the trial duration. For the second season, planting of maize was done without applying more
saw dust to the field as recommended by Starbuck (1994).
Twenty plants out of 44 from each of the 9 experimental plots were selected for data
collection in the trial. For the second season, recordings of the plant growth parameters were
taken twice that is at 2 weeks and 10 weeks (during anthesis) after germination and
application of treatment.
The soil pH was determined using the glass colomed electrode pH meter; Nitrogen was
determined by the Kjedahl approach, available Phosphorus by Bray 1 Extraction Method,
Organic Matter by Walkey-black oxidation method and the aggregate size distribution by dry
sieving using the mean weight diameter approach. The exchangeable potassium and Calcium
were extracted using the ammonium acetate and then determined on a flame photometer in
the soil science East laboratory.
ediemukiibi ‘08 11
number was obtained by manual counting of leaves on each plants starting with the first to
the last leaf.
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CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The pre planting soil tests are presented in table 1 above. The values of soil PH, % organic
matter, Ca, Phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium were all adequate for plant growth
(Kparmwang et al, 2004) because they were above the critical values indicated in table 1 as
presented by Okalebo et al 1993). This suggests that the favourable parameters could favour
maize growth in all the experimental units.
Table 1: Soil properties before planting and application of saw dust in the first season
Soil parameters tested
pH % OM %N P K Ca MWD
(mg/kg) Me/100g
Mean
5.8 3.22 0.205 65.687 0.695 6.619 2.126
values
Critical
5.5 3.0 0.2 15.00 0.4 0.8 2.0
values
4.1.1 Soil pH
In the first growing season, the plots in which saw dust was incorporated, the soil pH was
significantly higher (P<0.05) than the control and mulched plot (Table 2). This is in
agreement with findings by Owolabi et al (2003), where saw dust enhanced soil pH and
nutrient status of the soils in South West Nigeria. Generally saw dust application led to a
significant increase in soil Ph after the growing season. This increase in soil alkalinity with
the application of saw dust indicate an increasing supply of basic cations especially Calcium
ediemukiibi ‘08 13
and potassium (Awodun 2007). Also the elevated pH in plots treated with saw dust could
have resulted from the immobilization of ammonium from the decomposing organic matter
(Obi and Ekiperigin 2001). This is usually a short term pH effect because the pH will
decrease as ammonia is oxidized to nitrate by nitrifying bacteria in the soil in subsequent
growing seasons. (Awodun et al 2007)
Un like in the first season, saw dust application as mulch in the second season resulted into a
significant (p<0.05) reduction in the soil pH to 5.4 below the critical levels given in table 1.
The results presented in Table 3, show that the soil pH in mulched plots was significantly
lower than where saw dust was incorporated into the soil and in the control plots which did
not receive any saw dust (p<0.05). The soil pH was highest under the plots where saw dust
was incorporated into the soil, followed by the control plots and lowest in the mulched plots.
The difference among all treatments was highly significant (LSD=0.2). The highest pH level
in the incorporated plots in the second season could have resulted from the increased supply
of basic cations and exchangeable bases like potassium and calcium more than in the first
season. This finding implies that saw dust incorporated into the soil in humid tropics where
the rate of decomposition is high has a liming effect as explained by Owolabi et al (2003).
Comparing with results of the first season (Table 2), this result indicates that with time saw
dust application as a mulch to the soil induced soil acidity. This similar finding was also
reported by Lles and Dosman (1999) where mulching with wood wastes like saw dust and
bark led to a significant reduction in the soil pH. This saw dust mulch induced pH reduction
below the critical level could have resulted from addition or retention of high levels of
organic matter with organic acids produced from the decomposition of wood derived
materials which accumulates or leach into the soil as found out by Himelick and Watson
(1990)
ediemukiibi ‘08 14
While the control plots and incorporated plots averaged from 3.24% and 3.97% respectively,
the mulched plots averaged 4.035% which is significantly (p<0.005) higher than the rest of
the plots (LSD= 0.4). This was also true with the second season findings (Table 3) where the
soil organic matter content in mulched plots averaged 3.62% significantly higher than the
control plots (2.13%) but not significantly different (p>0.05) from the incorporated plots
(3.41%). The findings are consistent with Kirsch (1959). However, comparing with the
results in the first season, the results indicate that the level of soil organic matter in all
treatments dropped in the second season. This could be as a result of the increase
mineralization and decomposition of the organic matter common in tropical warm
environments which results into a decline in soil organic matter levels over time without
subsequent additions (Micheni et al 2004). In both seasons, the soil organic matter level was
highest in mulched plots as compared to other treatments. This could be due to the reduced
rates of organic matter mineralization by micro organisms when applied on surface (White et
al 1934) as compared to increased mineralization rates that occur when residues are
incorporated into the soil (Sanders 1953). The overall results indicate that the application of
saw dust as a soil amendment significantly improved the level of organic matter in the soil
which is an incentive to crop production.
ediemukiibi ‘08 15
be due to the immobilization of nitrogen by micro organisms acting on the carbonaceous saw
dust (Awodun et al 2007; Starbuck 1994; White et al 1934). Saw dust is known to have a
very high C / N ratio of 300 to 500 (Olayinka and Adebayo, 1984). Hence it is recommended
that to enhance release of nutrients from saw dust, the microbial action should be enhanced
by integrating the use of saw dust and urea or other nitrogenous fertilizer to reduce the C/N
ratio of the environment (Olayinka and Adebayo, 1989)
In relation to the above, the study findings on C/N ratio of the soil reveal that saw dust
application significantly statistically (p<0.05) influenced the C/N ratio of the soil in all of the
treatments (appendix 4). Saw dust application as mulch significantly (p<0.05) showed the
C/N ratio (19.22) followed by incorporation (12.68) and lastly the control plots with C/N
ratio as low as 4.92 (appendix 4). The high C/N ratio in the plots where saw dust was applied
is attributed to the high C/N ratio of fresh saw dust which ranges from 300 to 500 (Olayinka
and Adebayo, 1984).
Like wise, the second season results indicate that saw dust application did not have any
significant effect on the phosphorus level as earlier reported in the first season results. How
ever the results show that the application of saw dust to the soil decreased phosphorus levels
as reported by Kirsch (1959) where the incorporation of saw dust reduced the level of
sodium bicarbonate-extractable phosphorus in the soil. The individual treatments data shown
in Table 3 indicate that applied saw dust generally decreased soil phosphorus. An
ediemukiibi ‘08 16
explanation to this my primarily be because of the retarded microbial activity and an
accompanying decrease in carbon dioxide in the soil as saw dust is decomposing.
ediemukiibi ‘08 17
1992; Zake et al, 1994 and Wasswa et al, 2003. These results show that saw dust helped
stabilize soil aggregates, apparently through its decomposition and therefore affecting other
soil parameters relevant for plant growth. The second season results how ever show a general
reduction in soil aggregation as indicated by lower mean weight diameter values than in the
first season.
Table 2: Soil response to application of saw dust in the first growing season
L.S.D(p=0.05) 0.2 0.4 0.6 (NS) 1.6 (NS) 0.09 63.9(NS) 0.2 (NS)
NS== Not Significant
Table 3: Soil response to application of saw dust in the second growing season
Treatment Soil Characteristics
pH O.M Aggregation Ca N (%) P K
(%) (MWD) (me/100g) (mg/kg) (me/100g)
ediemukiibi ‘08 18
(Very heavy rain fall that buried the seedlings before readings were taken and the few which
had survived were later severely affected by the prolonged dry period from October to
December 2007 there by causing lack of statistical significance. So the results presented in
this section apply to the second growing season.
As indicated in the table above, the application of saw dust had no significant influence
(p>0.05) on the maize plant height at 2 weeks after germination. On the other hand, at
Anthesis, saw dust applied as mulch had significant (p<0.05) adverse effect on maize plant
height. As indicated by the means in the table above, maize plants in the Control plots
attained the highest heights followed by the plots where saw dust was incorporated into the
soil. The plant heights in both incorporated and control plots were not significantly different
but highly significant from that attained under the mulched plots (p<0.05). This could be
attributed acidity induced by the saw dust mulch below the critical levels compared to
favourable pH and other favourable parameters in the control and incorporated plots. These
results therefore imply that for better maize plant heights and improved soil conditions like
organic matter, aggregation calcium and potassium, the incorporation of saw dust into the
ediemukiibi ‘08 19
soil is necessary. This is in line with what Awodun at al (2007) found out in southern Guinea
Savanna zone of Nigeria.
4.2.2 Effect of saw dust application on maize leaf width (cm) and number of leaves
At two weeks after germination, applied saw dust had no significant influence (p>0.05) on
the leaf width and number. How ever the results recorded (figure 1) show that the highest
leaf width was attained in the control plots (1.7cm), followed by the plots where saw dust
was incorporated into the soil (1.567cm) and lowest in mulched plots (1.367cm).
12 2 weeks
LSD
10
Maize leaf width (cm)
10 weeks
8 LSD
0
mulch incorporated none
At Anthesis, saw dust application significantly influenced (p<0.05) the maize leaf width. The
incorporation of saw dust into the soil resulted into significantly wider leaves than in the
mulched plots but not on the control plots (figure 1). This increase in leaf width has a number
of beneficial effects on the yield of maize. It greatly affects the amount of solar radiation
absorbed by the plant to effectively carry out processes like photosynthesis.
Saw dust mulch also significantly (p<0.05) reduced the number of leaves (appendix 1). The
difference was significant through out all treatments (LSD=0.4) with the highest number
recorded in control plots followed by the incorporated plots and lowest in the mulched plots.
This could be attributed to the low levels of nitrogen saw dust treated plots as compared to
ediemukiibi ‘08 20
the control plots. The leaf number and plant height were also strongly related (R2 = 1) as
presented in figure 2.
4.3 Relationship between maize plant height (cm) and number of leaves, soil pH,
Organic matter and soil nitrogen.
Figures 2, 3, 5 and 5 represent the relationship between maize plant height and number of
leaves, maize plant height and soil pH, maize plant height and Organic matter, and maize
plant height and soil nitrogen respectively.
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
2 4 6 8 10
Number of leaves
Figure 2: Relationship between Maize Plant Height (Cm) and the Number of Leaves
There was a strong relationship (R2=1) between maize plant height and the number of leaves
on the plant in each treatment recorded 10 weeks after germination. This was when maize
had attained a maximum canopy in terms of leaf area index, and above ground biomass. So it
is recommended that most of soil management practices for better maize yields like
application of organic matter, weeding, and fertilizer application, should be optimized up to
this stage, because any management intervention after the Anthesis stage will definitely
benefit the soil but may not increase plant growth characteristics like height and leaf number.
ediemukiibi ‘08 21
200
180
160
Maize Height (cm) 140
120
100
y = 54.91x - 157.61
80 2
R =1
60
40
20
0
5.2 5.4 5.6 5.8 6 6.2 6.4
Soil pH
Other regression analyses conducted between maize plant height and soil pH, (figure 3) soil
organic matter (figure 4) and nitrogen (figure 5) also showed a positive relationship. The
results of the regression analysis between maize plant height and soil pH (figure 3) showed a
very strong relationship (R2=1), figure 4 and 5 also followed a similar trend to depict the
relationship between maize plant height and soil organic matter (R2=0.5188) and maize plant
height and nitrogen level (R2=0.6056) respectively. Since plant height directly relates with
the yield of grain cereals, (Olupot 2002), it implies that better build up of these parameters as
influenced by saw dust application is important for attainment of higher maize plant height
and hence better maize grain yield.
ediemukiibi ‘08 22
200
180
Maize Height (cm) 160
140
120
100 y = -29.88x + 253.93
2
80 R = 0.5188
60
40
20
0
0 1 2 3 4
% Organic Matter
200
180
160
Maize Height (cm)
140
120
100 y = -29.88x + 253.93
2
80 R = 0.5188
60
40
20
0
0 1 2 3 4
% Organic Matter
ediemukiibi ‘08 23
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusion
Enhancement of soil productivity through maintaining favourable soil properties using the
locally available materials is essential for sustained agricultural production in Sub Saharan
Africa. This is particularly important to small holder farmers who are resource constrained to
access high external in puts. This study indicated the potential of saw dust as a locally
available soil amendment to improve the level soil organic matter which is central to the
productivity of any agricultural soil in Uganda. Organic matter levels were significantly
higher in saw dust applied plots than in the control plots where saw dust was not applied. The
soil aggregation was favourably affected by saw dust application however the effect was not
significant. Saw dust application did not have any significant effect on the phosphorus level
through out the study.
Saw dust with time significantly increased the supply of exchangeable bases when
incorporated into the soil and this partly explains the high soil pH in this treatment. In all
growing seasons saw dust application either as mulch or incorporated into the soil reduced
the nitrogen levels in the soil. So a combination of nitrogen immobilization effect and
reduced soil pH in the mulched plots severely inhibited maize plant growth characteristics
like Height, leaf width and number of leaves.
Generally, the application of sawdust as mulch had more adverse effects on soil properties
and hence maize plant growth than when saw dust was incorporated into the soil.
5.2 Recommendations
Basing on the adverse effects of saw dust application to the soil and plant growth, the study
recommends that when ever saw dust is to be used by farmers, a sample of saw dust should
be sent to a soil testing laboratory to determine the C/N ratio and nutrient contents prior to its
application as a soil amendment.
ediemukiibi ‘08 24
The study also recommends that since saw dust application results into nitrogen deficiencies,
it should be used with supplemental nitrogen sources like animal manure and poultry manure
or composting with afore mentioned manures prior to the growing of the crops to over come
this nitrogen inhibition.
More studies are needed to establish better ways on how to improve the performance of saw
dust saw dust under different agro ecological zones of Uganda.
ediemukiibi ‘08 25
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Appendices
Table 5: effect of saw dust on the number of leaves
Treatment Average Number of leaves on the maize plant
2 WAG 10 WAG
Mulch 3.67 6.7
Incorporated 3.67 8.0
None 4.0 8.9
LSD (p=0.05) 0.76(NS) 0.4
NS == Not Significant
200
180
160
Maize Height (cm)
140
120
100
80 y = 55.686x + 104.67
2
60 R = 0.2982
40
20
0
0 0.5 1 1.5
Soil Potassium (me/100g)
ediemukiibi ‘08 32
Table 6: Maize plant height (cm) – soil Phosphorus relationship
200
180
160
Maize Height (cm)
140
120
100 y = 1.6748x + 59.031
2
80 R = 0.3482
60
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80
Phosphorus level (mg/kg)
Treatment
ediemukiibi ‘08 33