Predictor variables for soil organic carbon contents in the Miombo woodlands ecosystem of Kitonga forest reserve, Tanzania

Shelukindo, H. B.; Semu, E.; Msanya, B. M.; Singh, B. R.; Munishi, P. K. T.

dc.creator	Shelukindo, H. B.
dc.creator	Semu, E.
dc.creator	Msanya, B. M.
dc.creator	Singh, B. R.
dc.creator	Munishi, P. K. T.
dc.date	2016-12-15T14:54:30Z
dc.date	2016-12-15T14:54:30Z
dc.date	2014-07
dc.date.accessioned	2022-10-25T08:53:36Z
dc.date.available	2022-10-25T08:53:36Z
dc.identifier	https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/1112
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/93912
dc.description	International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 4 (7), pp. 222-231, July, 2014.
dc.description	Few studies have established the variables which adequately predict SOC storage in the Miombo woodlands. Multiple regression analysis was used to establish the variables which could predict SOC contents in dominant soils of the Miombo woodlands of Kitonga Forest Reserve, Tanzania. Thirty soil minipits located at different elevations across a topographical gradient were selected, geo-referenced, excavated and samples from the natural horizons were collected for physico-chemical analysis. A total of 85 samples were collected, each representing a natural soil horizon. The results indicated that total nitrogen (TN), (P< 0.001, R2 = 0.97) and TN in combination with calcium (Ca) (P< 0.001, R2 = 0.99) were important predictor variables of SOC contents. The combination of cation exchange capacity, Zinc, Copper, clay and iron together with TN and Ca predicted well the SOC contents (P< 0.001, R2 = 0.999). Considering time and cost implications for field and laboratory analysis in predicting SOC stocks, the combination of TN and Ca that predicted the SOC contents by 99% provided equally strong prediction when compared to the combination of all the variables. Thus, proper land management strategies which enhance conservation of TN and Ca in concert would provide adequate prediction of SOC contents in soils.
dc.format	application/pdf
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	International Journal of Agricultural Sciences
dc.subject	Miombo woodland
dc.subject	Predictor variables
dc.subject	Soil organic carbon contents
dc.subject	Multiple regressions
dc.subject	Kitonga Forest Reserve
dc.subject	Tanzania.
dc.title	Predictor variables for soil organic carbon contents in the Miombo woodlands ecosystem of Kitonga forest reserve, Tanzania
dc.type	Article