Restoring biological soil crusts (biocrusts) in degraded drylands can contribute to recovery of ecosystem functions that have global implications, including erosion resistance and nutrient cycling. To examine techniques for restoring biocrusts, we conducted a replicated, factorial experiment on recently abandoned road surfaces by applying biocrust inoculation (salvaged and stored dry for two ye...

Yield reduction in okra production is mostly associated with cultivation of marginal lands or continuous land cultivation. Hence, the need for sustainable approach to resuscitating soil fertility through Tithonia diversifolia manure application may alter microbial population. Two depths [Topsoil (0-15 cm) and Subsoil (15-30 cm)], three levels applications (control, half recommended at 120 kg N/...

Topsoil is the preferred substrate for areas requiring rehabilitation after bauxite mining. However, topsoil is sometimes lacking and so there is a need to test the suitability of other, locally available substrates. In an abandoned bauxite mine in Southeastern Brazil, small patches of native vegetation spontaneously established in shallow depressions over weathered laterite, suggesting that gr...

Acha is a potential food security crop that contributes significantly to people’s diet, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria. The suitability of acha-cowpea composite flour and sweet potato starch the production extruded snacks was investigated. (ACF), cowpea (CPF)and (SPS),were mixed various proportions percentage weights (ACF:CPF:SPS)and were used produce totaling 7 samples: 100...

The incidence of contamination of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk samples collected from the Jordanian market was investigated by using the competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. A total of 175 samples were collected during 2014-2015. All tested samples were contaminated with various levels of AFM1 ranging from 9.71 to 288.68 ng/kg. The concentration of AFM1 in 66% of fres...

Abstract Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) can help replenish available (N) in cropland and reduce the use of chemical N fertilizers, with diazotrophs playing an important role. However, response diazotroph community BNF activity biochar amendment soil, especially deep soil horizon, are poorly understood. In this study, samples were collected from topsoil (0–20 cm) subsoil (20–40 field experim...

Abstract Variation of Nitrogen mineralization (Nm) and its relationship to physicochemical factors in soils an irrigation district the North Colombia was evaluated. Physicochemical parameters were measured topsoil (0–30 cm) samples taken from 22 points agricultural lands (10 dry season, 12 wet season). Nm estimated organic matter (OM) content. Soil study area are suitable for crop development, ...

Three hypotheses were tested relating to Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis (Beetle and Young) revegetation on coal-mined land in Wyoming: (1) that fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.) seeded > 2.2 kg pure live seed (pls)/ha would exclude sagebrush, (2) the contrasting view that the saltbush, as a "pioneer plant", facilitated sagebrush stand deve...

The importance of subsoil features for phosphorus (P) leaching is frequently mentioned, but subsoil effects are still poorly documented. This study examined whether the subsoil of four agricultural Swedish soils (two sand and two clay) functioned as a source or sink for P leaching by measuring P leaching from intact soil columns with topsoil (1.05 m deep) and without topsoil (0.77 m deep) over ...