Impact of Iron and Aluminum on the Aggregate Stability of Some Latosols in Central and Southern Liberia (West Africa)
Georges Martial Ndzana *
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
Louise Marie Bondje Bidjeck
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Primus Azinwi Tamfuh
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon and Department of Mining and Mineral Engineering, National Higher Polytechnic Institute, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon.
Alex Dortie Kolleh
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Sustainable Development, Cuttington University Suakoko, Bong County, Republic of Liberia.
Damien Henri Odigui Ahanda
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Etienne Bekoa
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Kashif Ali Kubar
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, Uthal, Balochistan, Pakistan.
Thierry Mamert Abodo Koa
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Abdoulaye Amadou
Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, P.R. China.
Monique Abossolo-Angue Abane
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Lucien Dieudonné Bitom
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Problem: Latosols of Liberia are marked by intense surface leaching, strong acidity, low soil organic matter (SOM) content, and low nutrients status, caused by low aggregate stability, which are limiting factors to crop production.
Aim: to evaluate the effect of soil organic carbon (SOC) different forms of Fe and Al on the aggregate stability of latosols.
Methodology: Composite surface (0-20 cm depth) samples of four latosols at different localities in Liberia (Lat1, Phebe; Lat2, Felela; Lat3, Salala; Lat4, Todee) were collected and analyzed for aggregate stability parameters and factors by standard laboratory methods.
Results: the studied soils are sandy clayey, very acidic and poor in SOC. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) ranges from 10.28 to 14.80 mmol.kg−1. Dominant forms of Al and Fe are free Fe (Fed) and Al [1], followed by amorphous Fe (Feo) and Al (Alo) and chelated Fe (Fep) and Al (Alp). The highest levels of water dispersible clay (WDC) and clay dispersible index (CDI) in Lat1 and Lat2 implied that these two soils are less stable compared to Lat3 and Lat4. The Fe and Al in all forms seem to contribute to soil aggregate stability. The SOC, although very low, also contributes to soil aggregate stability. SOC correlated positively with WDC, CDI and ASC, indicating the impact of SOC both as an aggregating agent and as a dispersing agent, in contrast to previous studies.
Conclusion: The study reveals that Fe, Al and SOC are cementing materials which impact the aggregate stability in Latosols.
Keywords: Latosol, Aggregate stability, soil organic carbon, erosion, iron, aluminum, Liberia