Litter input potential of Piliostigma reticulatum at varying planting densities on SOM pools of degraded soils using MidDRIFTS.
- Beschreibung
Agroforestry is widely known for promoting soil C sequestration and could serve as a key strategy for improving food security and sustainable agricultural management. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on assessing the carbon sequestration potential of Piliostigma reticulatum, a native evergreen agroforestry shrub found in the West Africa Sahelian agroecological landscape. Piliostigma reticulatum exhibits faster growth rates and higher planting densities compared to many trees. Its aboveground biomass (AGB) is frequently utilized as in situ mulch, directly contributing to soil carbon inputs. The belowground biomass (BGB) on the other hand displays a dimorphic growth pattern i.e., fibrous roots primarily found in the topsoil, while taproots are present at greater depths within the soil. The BGB litter inputs are also crucial to soil C sequestration, especially at deeper rooting depths. Both the AGB and BGB litter inputs of Piliostigma reticulatum offer the potential to improve soil organic matter (SOM) through the cycling of organic matter back into the soil, which is key to the predominantly degraded soils in the Sahel. Inputs of organic materials play a dominant role in soil fertility management in the tropics through their short-term effects on nutrient supply and longer-term contribution to SOM formation. This study will evaluate SOM pools (labile and non-labile) under varying planting density (0, 500 and 2000 shrub ha-1) and tillage (zai and no zai) management system of Piliostigma reticulatum using Mid–infrared Diffuse Reflectance Fourier Transformed Spectroscopy (MidDRIFTS) and thus, assess their contribution to SOM stabilization and nutrient release.
- Beschreibung des interdisziplinären Teils des Projekts
- This study will investigate the link between agroforestry systems (shrubs and crops) and their contribution to improving soil fertility, in particular, soil organic matter (SOM) cycling. Thus, interdisciplinary research is established between plant production (shrubs and crops), soil science (SOM) and organic chemistry (SOM pool identification with Mid-infrared Spectroscopy).
- Projektzeitraum
- Sommersemester 2024
- Bewerbungszeitraum
- 01. bis 14.04.2024
- Durchführung
- semesterbegleitend
- Details zu Projektzeitraum und Durchführung
The project starts immediately after the participants have been selected. The following tasks are to be worked on in detail (together with the supervisors):
1. Scanning of soils for their spectra using mid-infrared spectroscopy;
2. Pre-processing of spectra and peak integration;
3. Identification of soil organic matter pools;
4. Data evaluation.
- Studienfach
-
Agrarbiologie
Agrarwissenschaften - Betreuende
- Dr. Eric Koomson
- Institut
- Institut für Tropische Agrarwissenschaften (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institut) (490) (Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant production, Modelling)
- Sprache
- englisch
- Teilnehmendenanzahl
- min. 1, max. 3
- Arbeitsaufwand
-
ca. 90 Stunden pro Teilnehmende:r
| 3
ECTS-Punkte
Arbeitsaufwand (Stunden und ggf. ECTS) sind ungefähre Angaben. Die tatsächlich vergebenen ECTS-Punkte ergeben sich aus der tatsächlich geleisteten Arbeit.
- Für dieses Projekt ist kein Motivationsschreiben des Studierenden erforderlich
- Projektart
- experimentell
- Lernziele
-
Die Teilnehmende lernen in diesem Projekt:
The participants learn in this project:
- Soil preparation for spectra measurement
- Soil spectra processing and analysis using OPUS software
- Introduction to Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transformed (DRIFT) technique to assess soil organic matter quality and chemical composition of soil.
- Anmerkungen für Studierende
This study will present an opportunity for students to practically learn how to use mid-infrared spectroscopy to study and assess the mineral and organic composition of soils that have been under agroforestry systems for over 10 years.
- Schlagworte
- soil quality, Agroforestry, Pflanzen