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Abstract
Effect of slash and burn operation an agricultural soil quality in Egbema was assessed for 4
months. The soil properties were modified. pH changed from 6.4 to 9.2 (week 4) and 8.9 (week
8) and decreased till 8.1 in wk 16. Soil phosphate, K and Ca increased from 13.2, 0.30 and
3.1mg/g in week 0 after burning to 17.7, 0.68 and 4.9mg/g respectively in week 8 after burning
before decreasing gradually though still above the control values. Only nitrate and soil moisture
remained low. Microbial populations which were initially adversely affected increased above
control levels by week 8. Of all the microbial groups assessed, the most affected were the
nitrifying bacteria (NB), followed by the fungi, the phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) before
the total hetrotrophic bacteria (THB). All of them recovered above control level on week 8 and
remained above control level till week 16. Activities of soil enzymes correlated positively with
soil microbial dynamics. Dehydrogenase and alkaline phosophatase activities which were
initially adversely affected increased above the control (unburnt soil) values. Acid Phosphatese
activity correlated negatively with soil pH values as its activities remained very low. When the
soil pH increased in all the parameters assessed the affects of the burning was more on the top
soil (0-15cm) then the sub soil (16-30cm). It is adviceable to avoid the operation on already
alkaline soil and to supplement soil nitrate at the initial period after burning to help plant and
microbial growth.
enzymes. Several researchers including Li et obtained from two depths of the soil top soil
al., (2005), Parham et al., (2003), Nwaugo (0-15cm) and sub soil (16-30cm) using soil
et al., (2006, 2008b) have explained that the auger according to Pansu and Gautheryrou
assessment of soil quality should include the (2006). The samples were put into sterile
activities of soil enzymes whose activities plastic containers and taken to the laboratory
cause the biogeochemical transformations for analysis within 2-3 hours of collection.
experienced in mineralization. This is The soil temperature was assessed
buttressed by the assertion of Prescott et al., in-situ using mercury in bulb thermometer
(2002) and Pelczar et al., (2003) that only a while the pH was determined using the
very small percentage (3-6%) of soil micro- Jenway HANNA 1910 multipurpose tester
organisms are culturable. This leaves over (HANNA instruments, Moonsuket Rhodes
90% of soil organisms unobserved by the Island, USA). The soil nitrate and phosphate
traditional microbiological cultural were determined according Pansu and
techniques. Gautheryrou (2006) while the moisture
The slash and burn operation for content was done by the evaporation method
farming purposes has been an age long (Li et al., 2005). The soil K and Ca were
practice especially in the tropics, but the determined as described by Pansu and
attendant affects on soil microbial dynamics Goutherpyrou (2006).
and enzyme activities are not clearly Microbiological Analysis
understood. This work therefore was The soil microbial dynamics was
designed to assess the effects of the assessed using cultural techniques involving
operation in relation to time. various culture media. While Pikovskayas
Material and Methods media was used to determined the
The study area is a portion of farm population of phosopahte solubilizing
land in Okwuzi-Egbema in Ogba-Egbema bacteria (PSB), modified mineral salt agar
Ndani Local Government Area of Rivers was used for nitrifying bacteria (NB) and
State specifically mapped out for the nutrient agar was used for total heterotrophic
purpose and undisturbed, all through the bacteria (THB). Sabouround dextrose agar
research. Egbema lies in the rain forest zone was used for fungal count. The
of the tropical climatic region of southern microbiological loads of the various soil
Nigeria. The people are mainly farmers and samples were determined aften ten-fold
fishermen. However, the presence of serial dilutions with 0.2ml of the desired
several oil prospecting and producing dilution inoculated on the prepared culture
companies have modified the occupational media using spread plate technique
structure of the people. (Chessbrough, 2002). Counting of observed
Sample Collection bacterial colonies was done after 24-48
Soil preparation: This was done by hours incubation at 350C, while fungal count
mapping out two equal portions in the was taken after 2-4 days incubation at room
acquired farmland which were only ten temperature. Only bacterial plates with 20-
meters (10m) apart. While one portion was 150 colonies were accepted for use in the
slash and burnt the other was left untouched counts.
as control. Soil Enzyme Activities
Soil samples were collected from The activities of the enzymes in the
both burnt and unburnt portions at two soil were assessed. These were
weeks internals for 16 weeks (test soil) and dehydrogenase, acid phosphate and alkaline
8 weeks (control soil). The samples were phosphate. The activity of the
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only rose to 2.4 in the same week 8 (Table Observations also showed that these
3). However, the activities began to decrease parameters later decreased but remained
gradually thereafter. The top soil had higher slightly above the control. This could be
values than the subsoil. attributed to the activities of increased
Discussion microbial actions.
The effect of slash and burn The effects of slash and burn on soil
operations on soil in traditional farming was observed be more on the top soil (0-15)
system in Egbema showed extensive than the subsoil (16-30cm). All the
modifications of the soil physiochemical parameters analyzed showed such trend.
parameters. From the values obtained, while This observation could be attributed to the
nitrate and moisture content decreased extent of heat involved. Slash and burn
immediately after burning, pH, phosphate, operation could be described as prescribed
and the alkaline earth metals (Ca, K) fire/controlled fire which was not too
increased statistically (P < 0.05). The soil intensive, so could not last long on a spot to
becomes alkaline. This could be from the affect the soil underneat. Arocena and Opio
ash, which is alkaline and affected the soil in (2003) and Choromanska and Deluca (2001)
that order. The ash also had high Ca and K stated that prescribed fire only affects top
content including phosphates, which are all soil changing its properties temporarily.
products of the plant materials burnt. On the Though there were changes in the properties
other hand, nitrate is decompose and of the subsoil, such changes were not in the
evaporated due to the heat of burning, just same magnitude with those of the topsoil.
like the soil moisture. Burnt soil often cakes In the microbial spectrum analyzed,
in relation to the amount of heat applied. the most prevalent was the THB group,
These observations agree with Adeniyi followed by the PSB and then the fungal
(2010), Hubta (2001), DeBano (2000) and group. The least was the NB. This trend had
Certini (2005). been reported earlier Nwaugo et al.,
However, results showed that the (2008a), and Pelczar et al., (2002). After the
depreciated nitrate and soil moisture began fire, the rate of decrease in population was
to appreciate from week 2 with the other highest in NB, followed by the fungi and
parameters analyzed. The soil pH, phosphate then the PSB. Nwaugo et al (2001), Pelczar
and metals (Ca K) continued to increase in et al., (2002) and Prescott et al., (2002) and
values till week 8 which had the highest that NB are very sensitive to changes in soil
values. This observation could be attributed parameters. Again NB are obligate aerobes,
to the gradual solubilization of the burnt hence could not survive the fire which made
materials (ash and other residual use of the available oxygen. Fungi and most
components). Adeniyi (2010) reported a PSB are also found in the top soil hence
similar observation but stated that it were more affected than the THB which
continue till week 10. Martinez and Moody could equally be found slightly below the
(2001), Mataix Solera and Doerr (2007) soil surface. Though the microbial
and Badia and Marti (2003) also reported populations decreased immediately after the
this gradual solubilization of materials in fire, no microbial group was completely
fire-affected soil. This work therefore agrees eliminated.
that burning of plant materials on soil affect Observations also showed rapid
soil properties which increase above the recovery from week 2, which got to the peak
control values with time. by week 8 in all the groups. The increase in
microbial population could be attributed to
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the increase in soil nutrient and who stated that heating modified soil
environmental factors favouring their enzyme and microbial activities. The effect
proliferation and survival. of the fire on enzymes is direct since the
The activities of the enzymes in the enzymes are microbial metabolites and
affected soil followed the pattern of whatever affects the microorganisms affects
microbial populations. Immediately after the their products. Again, the micro-oganisms
fire, there was a general increase in activities and soil enzymes are mainly proteins which
by the three enzymes. However, while the are denatured by heat. However results
activities of dehydrogenase and alkaline showed that both dehydrogenase and
phosphatese increased rapidly and peaked alkaline phosphatase activities rose above
by week 8, acid phosphates had a very slow the control by week 8 and even at week 16.
increase in activity. The slow recovery of In conclusion, slash and burn
acid phosphatese could easily be attributed operation in traditional farming system had
to the change in pH occasioned by the only transient effects on soil
produced ash. The ash made the soil physicochemical and microbiological
alkaline which was not condusive for acid properties. However, since the soil become
phosphatese but favoured alkaline alkaline, the process is not appropriate on
phosphates. Similarly dehydrogenase is already alkaline soil as it may become too
produced by all micro organisms, so its alkaline for microbial activities and
activity could increase as long as there is mineralization. Again, a supplementary
increase in microbial populations. Reverodo nitrogen source could be provided to aid
and Melo (2007), Nwaugo et al., (2010), Li plant growth at the initial period after
et al., (2005) and Boerner and Brinkman burning.
(2003) had earlier observed a similar
situation. Choromanska and Deluca (2002)
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b = subsoil (16-30cm)
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Group of Wk 0 Wk 2 Wk 4 Wk 8 Wk 16
bacteria A b a b a b a b A b
THB 2.1 x 104 2.10 x 103 4.9 x 104 6.3 x 103 3.4 x 106 2.1 x 104 4.7 x 106 2.5 x 105 4.4 x 106 2.2 x 105
PSB 1.2 x 103 1.1 x 102 2.6 x 103 1.7 x 103 3.1 x 105 4.3 x 104 4.4 x 105 4.2 x 104 4.2 x 105 4.0 x 104
NB 1.1 x 102 2.3 x 101 2.4 x 102 7.1 x 101 2.9 x 104 1.2 x 102 3.9 x 104 4.9 x 103 3.4 x 104 4.1 x 103
FC 1.7 x 102 1.4 x 101 3.1 x 103 2.1 x 102 3.1 x 104 2.0 x 103 3.7 x 105 2.7 x 103 3.2 x 105 2.5 x 103
Control soil samples
Group of Wk 0 Wk 2 Wk 4
bacteria A b a b A b
THB 4.3 x 106 2.3 x 105 4.1 x 106 2.1 x 105 4.2 x 106 2.2 x 105
PSB 3.8 x 108 3.7 x 104 3.9 x 105 3.6 x 104 3.8 x 105 3.4 x 104
NB 3.5 x 104 4.4 x 103 3.2 x 104 4.5 x 103 3.4 x 103 3.2 x 103
FC 2.3 x 105 2.1 x 103 2.5 x 105 2.2 x 103 2.4 x 103 2.2 x 103
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Table 3 Effect of burning on soil dehydrogenase and phosphatase activities (Test soil)
Wk 0 Wk2 Wks 4
A b a b a B
Dehyd 27.3 16.8 29.2 16.9 28.4 16.6
Acid P. 3.4 2.1 3.6 2.0 3.5 2.2
Alk. P. 3.8 2.4 3.9 2.1 3.8 2.2
a Top soil
b Sub soil
Dehyd = Dehydrogenase; Acid P. = Acid phosphatase; Alk. P = Alkaline phosphatase.
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2362
Panham, J.A., Deng, S.P., Da, H.N and Sun,
D.A.Y. (2002) long term cattle
manure application in soil I. Effect
on soil, microbial, populations and
community structure Biol. Fertil.
Soil. 38: 209-215.
Parham, J.A., Deng, S.P., Raun W.R and
Johnson G.V. (2002). Long term
cattle manure application in soil I.
Effect on soil Phosphorus level,
Microbial biomass C
dehydrrogenase and Phosphatase
activities. Biol.Fertil. Soil. 35: 328-
337.
Reverodo, M.D and Melo, W.J. (2007)
Enzyme activities and Microbial
biomass in an Oxisol amended with
sewage sludge contaminated with
nickel Sci. Agric. 64 (1) 61-67.
Sharma, S.K. and Kaira, N. (2006) Effects of
fly ash incorporation on soil
properties and productivity of crops.
A review.
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