TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page
Abstract
Table of contents
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of Problems
1.3 Justification of Problems
1.4 Aim and Objectives
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Saline Definition
2.2 Ecology of Sugarcane
2.3 Sugarcane Production Trends in Nigeria
2.4 Sugarcane Growth and Development
2.5 Managing Yield Decline in Sugarcane Cropping Systems
2.6 Benefits of a Changed Sugarcane Cropping System
2.7 Criteria of Salt Tolerance
2.7.1 Measurement of salt tolerance
2.8 Factors Influencing Salt Tolerance
2.8.1 Plant factors
2.8.2 Soil –water and aeration
2.8.3 Environmental factors
2.8.4 Soil factors
2.9 Soil Requirement of Sugarcane
2.10 Salt Tolerance in Sugar
2.11 Management of Sugarcane Under Acid Soils
2.12 Management of Soil Salinity and Sodicity
2.13 Irrigation Water Quality
2.14 Effect of Salt on Soil Properties
2.14.1. Effect of salinity on soil physical properties
2.14.2 Effects of sodicity on soil physical properties
2.15 Relationship between (EC/SAR)
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 INTRODUCTION
3.1 Description, General Characteristics of the Study Area
3.2 Field and Laboratory Experimentation
3.3 Field Problems Identification
3.4 Soil Sample Collection
3.5 Soil Chemical Properties
3.5.1 pH and EC determination
3.5.2 Exchangeable Bases (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+)
3.6 Organic Matter Content
3.7 Particle Size Distribution
3.8 Determination of CEC, ESP and SAR
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Chemical Contents of the Soil Sample
4.1.1 pH and EC of the soil samples
4.1.2 Soil sodicity contents
4.2 Physical Properties of the Soil
4.3 Organic Matter Content
4.4 Trend of Sugarcane Yield
4.5 Other Causes of Sugarcane Yield Reduction
4.5.1. Technical factors
4.5.1.1 Importation of environmentally non-comparative seedlings
4.5.1.2 Over aged cane
4.5.1.3 Worn-out and obsolete equipment
4.5.2 Managerial factor
4.5.2.1Inadequate workforce
4.5.2.2 Non payment and delay of salaries of workers
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
ABSTRACT
This study was undertaken to identify the factors responsible for declining of sugarcane production in Savannah Sugar Company (Dangote Group). Soil samples were collected from the field within the irrigated plots P1, G2 and K2. The pH and EC were determined using the pH meter and EC meter, respectively while Ca,Mg and OM were determined using titration methods. Na and K were determined by flame photometry method. The results of the analysis showed that the range of pH values were from 5.56-7.6, indicating the soil pH from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. The pH values obtained by Kenting Africa Resource Service Division LTD (1975) from a depth of 0-60cm range from 5.2-7.6 which also showed that the soil was slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. The average mean value of EC was 0.45-0.81 dS/m indicating low concentration of soluble salts. The Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) of the soil on the average ranged between 0.028-0.029 (2.8-2.9%) which was below the threshold of 15% (Mohsen et.al, 2009).These indicate that the soil is low in salinity and sodicity.
The study reveals that, the reason for the decline in sugarcane production was not soil quality, but rather due to two factors deduced from the checklist administered during the study. The factors are categorized into two; Technical and Managerial Factors. These were importation of environmentally non-compactible seedlings, over ageing of the sugarcane, worn-out and obsolete equipment and inadequate workforce.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Brady and Weil (1999) defined soil quality as the capacity of a specific soil to function, within natural or managed ecosystem boundaries, to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and support human health and habitation. Thus, soil quality assessment reflects biological, chemical, physical properties, and engineering processes, and their interactions within each resource unit (Karlen et al., 2001).
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