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ABSTRACT
The investigation of ammonification process in garden soil obtained from Alode, Eleme L.G.A, Rivers State was carried out. Samples were collected from sampling sites treated with biomasses and sites treated with no wastes and labelled accordingly. Physical parameters of the evaluated soil samples were pH, moisture, bulk density, porosity, and the biology characteristics were colony counts, microbial shape and structure while the chemical characteristics was ammonia content. The pH, moisture, bulk density, porosity of the control samples for day1 were 7.1, 9.2 %, 5.1g/cm3, but ammonia was no detected. The pH, moisture, bulk density, porosity of samples obtained from point A were 6.6, 10.7%, 6.4g/cm3, and the presence of ammonia was not detected. The pH, moisture, bulk density, porosity of samples obtained from point B was; 6.9, 11.1%, 6.0g/cm3, and the presence of ammonia were not detected. After an interval of 12 days, (sampling day 4) the test process was repeated. The pH, moisture, bulk density, porosity of the control samples were; 7.4, 9.3 %, 6.3g/cm3, but ammonia was no detected. The pH, moisture, bulk density, porosity of samples obtained from point A were 8.2, 10.9%, 6.9g/cm3, and the presence of ammonia was detected. The pH, moisture, bulk density, porosity of samples obtained from point B were 7.4, 11.6%, 7.2g/cm3, and the presence of ammonia was slighted detected. Similar situation was observed for day 5 and 6. Microbial colonies observed were whitish, oval in shape, some organisms were moist while others were dry with either flat or raised parts. Some reacts on gram staining why some doesn’t. The probable microorganisms associated with the degrading of the biomass used in the soil treatment were Bacillus sp, Clostridium sp, Pseudomonas sp. Addition to biomass to the soil should be controlled as this process affects soil ammonification
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Declaration i
Certification ii
Acknowledgement iii
Dedication iv
Abstract
Table of contents
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study 1
1.2 Statement of Problem 4
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study 4
1.4 Scope of the Study 5
1.5 Significance of the Study 6
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Soil Fertility and Soil Ammonification 8
2.2 Soil Ammonification and Soil Microbiology 10
2.3 Soil Ammonifiers and Soil Ammonification 11
2.4 Soil Nitrogen Cycle and Ammonification 14
2.5 Soil Ammonia and Mineral Fertilization 16
CHAPTER 3
MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Study Area 18
3.2 Methods 18
3.2.1 Sample Collection 19
3.2.2 Sample Preparation 19
3.2.3 Determination of Soil pH 19
3.2.4 Soil Bulk Density 20
3.2.6 Ammonia Soil Content 20
3.6 Microbial Evaluation 21
3.6.1 Preparation of Media 21
3.6.2 Sterilization and Pour Plating 22
3.6.3 Serial Dilution 22
3.6.3 Identification of Microorganism 22
3.6.4 Gram Staining 22
CHAPTER 4
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Results 23
4.2 Discussions 36
CHAPTER 5
RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Recommendations 39
5.2 Conclusions 40
REFERENCES
CHAPTER 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Soil acts as an industrial medium, a habitat for soil organisms, a recycling system for nutrients and organic wastes, a regulator of water quality, a modifier of atmospheric composition, and a medium for plant growth, making it a critically important provider of ecosystem services (Aislabieet al. 2005).
When a plant or animal dies or an animal expels waste, the initial form of nitrogen is organic. Bacteria or fungi convert the organic nitrogen within the remains back into ammonium (NH+4), a process called ammonification (Smil 2000).
Ammonification is therefore the process by which the organically bound nitrogen of microbes, plant, and animal biomass is recycled after their death. This process is carried out by a diverse array of microorganisms that perform ecological decay services, and its product is ammonia or ammonium ion (Willey 2011).
Ammonium is a suitable source of nutrition for many species of plants, especially those living in acidic soils. However, most plants cannot utilize ammonium effectively, and they require nitrate as their essential source of nitrogen nutrition (Horzet al. 2004).
Nitrate is synthesized from ammonium by an important bacterial process known as nitrification. The first step in nitrification is the oxidation of ammonium to nitrite; a function carried out by bacteria in the genus Nitrosomonas. Once formed, the nitrite is rapidly oxidized further to nitrate, by bacteria in the genus Nitrobacter (Smith et al. 2005).
The bacteria responsible for nitrification are very sensitive to acidity, so this process does not occur at significant rates in acidic soil or water. This is the reason why plants of acidic habitats must be capable of utilizing ammonium as their source of nitrogen nutrition (Bouillonet al. 2008).
The nitrogen in most plants and animals exists in the form of protein. Most of the nitrogen in soil exists in the form of organic molecules, mostly proteins derived from the decomposition of dead plant and animal tissue (Bauza et al. 2002).
When an organism dies, its proteins are attacked by the proteases of soil bacteria to produce polypeptides (peptones) and amino acids, this process is called peptonization. Then, the amino groups on the amino acids are removed by a process called deamination, producing ammonia (NH3). In most soils, the ammonia dissolves in water to form ammonium ions (NH4+) (Miller 2008).
Ammonia is a compound containing nitrogen and hydrogen as its basic constituents, with the formula NH3. Ammonia is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent smell. It is a common nitrogenous waste, particularly among aquatic organisms, and it contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to food and fertilizers (Bhuyan et al., 2014).
According to Giblinet al., (2013), many soil microorganisms such as bacteria possess the enzyme called urease, which catalyses conversion of fertilizing agents such as urea to ammonia (NH3) or ammonium ion (NH4+) and bicarbonate ion (HCO3−).
In addition to the ammonification of amino acids, other compounds such as nucleic acids, urea, and uric acid go through the ammonification process. The bacteria that accomplish it such as Bacillus, Clostridium, Proteus, Pseudomonas, and Streptomyces are called ammonifying bacteria (Willey 2011).
According to Morfordet al. (2011), ammonification of organic compounds is a very important step in the cycling of nitrogen in soils, since most autotrophs are unable to assimilate amino acids, nucleic acids, urea, and uric acid and use them for their own enzyme and protoplasm construction.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Intensive cultivation, which leads to depletion of soil nutrients, is a major constraint on food production. Making research, targeted at measures to solving these problems very important.
Bacteria are responsible for the process of nitrogen fixation, which is the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen-containing compounds (such as ammonia) that can be used by plants, thus making appropriate use of agricultural land very important.
Autotrophic bacteria derive their energy by making their own food through oxidation, like the Nitrobacters species, rather than feeding on plants or other organisms. These bacteria are responsible for nitrogen fixation.
Ammonification,whichis the process by which the organically bound nitrogen of microbes, plant, and animal biomass is recycled after their death is a very important process in the soil that promotes soil fertility and productivity.
This process is carried out by a diverse array of microorganisms that perform ecological decay services, and its product is ammonia or ammonium ion.
Other than being an important nutrient for plant, excessive ammonia in the soil has been associated with ground water pollution and therefore monitoring it process of addition to the soil becomes an issue of greater importance hence the study.
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
AIM OF THE STUDY
The aim of this research is to investigate the ammonification processes in sample of garden soil, using Alode farmland, Eleme Rivers State, as a case study.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This research has the following objectives;
- Evaluate the various processes of ammonification of garden soil of Alode farmland, Eleme Rivers State.
- Identification the various conditional changes during the processes of ammonification of garden soil of Alode farmland, Eleme Rivers State
iii. Evaluate the ammonia content of the soil at intervals during this observations
- Relate the observed changes to the obtainable quantity of ammonia from analysis
- Make possible suggestions on the basis of the observed changes as it relates to the ammonia content of the investigated soil sample
- Recommend the use of strategies as regard soil ammonification based on the conditional change and soil ammonia content.
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research is limited to the investigation the ammonification processes in sample of garden soil, using Alode farmland, Eleme Rivers State, as a case study.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research will provide the following benefits;
- It will provide basic knowledge about ammonification of soil
- It will provide a knowledge of the various conditional changes during the processes of ammonification of soil
iii. It will from its result provide a clear idea of soil ammonia content during the process of ammonification
- It will help to understand the relationship between microorganisms and soil ammonia content
- It will help to understand ways to handle issues regarding soil ammonification