Effect of wood ash (WA)-amended soil on some nutritional and non-nutritional constituents of Telfairia occidentalis (pumpkin) was evaluated. WA obtained from Dialiumguineense(velvet tamarind) tree was used to amend the soil samples. Pumpkin seeds were planted on the soils after allowing for soil mineralization. Results obtained after the pumpkin plants were harvested and processed for analysis showed that cyanogenic glycosides and tannins increased against the control. Moisture and crude fats reduced against the control while carbohydrate increased when compared to the control. Pumpkin grown on WA amended soil samples had reduced vitamin A but increased vitamins C and D. Potassium and calcium minerals increased in pumpkin grown on WA amended soil samples. These observations could be related to the ability of WA to stimulate mineralization which may have influenced some non-nutritional composition such as phytochemicals and nutritional compositions such as proximate contents and minerals. In conclusion, WA amended soil had effect on some nutritional and non-nutritional constituents of Telfairia occidentalis (pumpkin).
Author(s) Details:
Chima-Ezika, O. R
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
Ibegbulem, C.O
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
Nwaogu, L. A
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
Iheme, C. I.
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
Recent Global Research Developments in Wood Ash: Effects on Soil Fertility and Plant Growth
Effects of Wood Ash and N Fertilization on Soil Properties and Zelkova serrata Growth:
Wood ash (WA), a by-product of biomass combustion, can counteract soil acidification and nutrient deficiencies.
Researchers studied Zelkova serrata growth across different soil types (landfill saline, forest infertile, and forest acidic).
WA improved soil pH, organic matter, available P, and exchangeable cations (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+).
N fertilizer enhanced plant growth, especially in saline and infertile soils.
Lower WA doses without N can counteract soil acidity and improve plant growth, while N fertilizer corrects nutrient deficiencies in other soils [1] .
Wood Ash Application and Plant Performance:
Properly applied wood ash can enhance soil fertility by stimulating soil microbial activity.
It has been reported to improve crop yield, especially for maize.
However, caution is needed to avoid negative effects at high ash doses [2] .
Tree Nutrition and Soil Dynamics:
Low rates of biomass ash can improve fertility and plant growth.
High ash rates may increase soil pH excessively, leading to micronutrient deficiencies and base imbalances[4] .
Common Bean Productivity with Wood Ash:
Wood ash was compared to mineral fertilizer (Diammonium phosphate) and liming (CaCO3) for common bean productivity.
The study examined soil pH, nutrient content, and plant performance[4] .
References
- An, J. Y., & Park, B. B. (2021). Effects of wood ash and N fertilization on soil chemical properties and growth of Zelkova serrata across soil types. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 14489.
- Romdhane, L., Ebinezer, L. B., Panozzo, A., Barion, G., Dal Cortivo, C., Radhouane, L., & Vamerali, T. (2021). Effects of soil amendment with wood ash on transpiration, growth, and metal uptake in two contrasting maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids to drought tolerance. Frontiers in Plant Science, 12, 661909.
- Leonardo Packer de Quadros, Henrique Almeida Santos Ducheiko, Shizuo Maeda, Stephen Arthur Prior, Eloá Moura Araújo, João Bosco Vasconcelos Gomes, Itamar Antonio Bognola, Marcia Toffani Simão Soares, Ederlan Magri, Cleiton Frigo, Alberto Kawasaki, Antônio Carlos Vargas Motta, Effects of Wood Ash Application on Tree Nutrition and Soil Dynamics in a Pinus taeda System, Forest Science, Volume 67, Issue 5, October 2021, Pages 618–628, https://doi.org/10.1093/forsci/fxab030
- Wiklund, J. (2017). Effects of wood ash on soil fertility and plant performance in southwestern Kenya.
To Read the Complete Article See Here