Effect of gypsum and calcium carbonate on plant yield and chemical composition and calcium availability in a non-saline sodic soil
SummaryThe availability of Ca from different levels of gypsum and calcium carbonate in a non-saline sodic soil has been investigated. Different levels of tagged gypsum (Ca45SO4.2H2O) and calcium carbonate (Ca45CO3) (i.e. 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 per cent of gypsum requirement) were mixed thoroughly in 3.5 Kg of a non-saline alkali soil (ESP, 48.4; ECe, 2.68 millimhos/cm). Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) — a legume and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) — a cereal were taken as test crops. Increasing levels of gypsum caused a gradual increase in the yield of dry matter, content of Ca and K in the plant tops and Ca:Na and (Ca+Mg):(Na+K) ratios in both the crops. Application of calcium carbonate caused a slight increase in the dry matter yield, content of Ca and Mg and Ca:Na and (Ca+Mg):(Na+K) ratios in barley, however, in case of dhaincha there was no such effect. Gypsum application caused a gradual decrease in the content of Na and P in both the crops. Total uptake of Ca, Mg, K, N and P per pot increased in response to gypsum application. The effect of calcium carbonate application on the total uptake of these elements was much smaller on dhaincha, but in barley there was some increasing trend.Increasing application of tagged gypsum and calcium carbonate caused a gradual increase in the concentration and per cent contribution of source Ca in both the crops, although, the rate of increase was considerably more in dhaincha. The availability of Ca from applied gypsum was considerably more than that from applied calcium carbonate. Efficiency of dhaincha to utilize Ca from applied sources was considerably more (i.e. about five times) than that of barley
Effect of H2SO4, HCl and Al2(SO4)3 on the yield, chemical composition and Ca uptake from applied Ca45CO3 by dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata Pers.) in a saline alkali soil
SummaryApplication of CaCO3 and a lime-solubilizing agent (viz H2SO4, HCl, and Al2(SO4)3) to a saline-alkali soil caused a significant increase in the dry matter yield of dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata Pers). The extent of yield enhancement by these amendments was in the decreasing order: HCl, H2SO4 and Al2(SO4)3. Calcium content in the plant increased significantly with the application of these amendments and it was in the decreasing order: H2SO4, Al2(SO4)3 and HCl. The uptake of Ca from native CaCO3 was much less than that from the added Ca45CO3. Phosphorus content in the plant increased with the HCl and H2SO4 treatments and decreased with the Al2(SO4)3 treatments. Nitrogen and Na contents decreased with the addition of these amendments. re]19730521
Study of Biogas for Power Generation at Pesantren Saung Balong Al-Barokah, Majalengka, West Java
Utilization of biogas from cow manure as a fuel alternative for power plants is done through an anaerobic process. A pilot plant with biogas production of 7 m 3 /day has been installed at Pesantren Saung Balong. Biogas is used for everyday purposes such as cooking and lighting, and used as pure biogas with 2.500 Watt scale generator. Biogas produced with the rate of 0.080 m 3 /hr. Biogas produced during the measurement (450 minutes) is 0.604 m 3 . With these data it is predicted that within a day (24 hours) biogas which can be generated is equal to 1.92 m 3 . Meanwhile, consumption of biogas to the generator with 1.047 W load is 0.019 m3/minutes, the generator will operate for approximately 101.05 minutes or 1.68 hours. Thus electricity that can be saved is 1.759 kWh per day or 52.77 kWh per month and electricity cost that can be saved that is equal to Rp.40.896/month.