Third REFORUM Biennial Meeting 24 - 28 September 2012, Entebbe, Uganda
This study was conducted in the districts of Rusizi, Korongi
and Musanze districts, Rwanda in areas where travertine is
found. The objective of the study was to characterize the
chemical compositions of travertine for use in amending soil
acidity for crop production. Thirty two samples of travertine
from different deposits at Mashyuza (Rusizi), Gishita (Karongi)
and Mpenge and Rwaza (Musanze) were analysed to establish
their CaO and MgO contents. Percentages by weight of CaO
and MgO in samples were determined using X-ray
fluorescence. Results revealed that travertine from Mashyuza
and Rwaza has the highest CaO wt% content followed by
Gishyita. Mpenge deposits had the lowest content CaO% . There
was no significant difference among sites for MgO contin
travertine. The tratio of CaO:MgO in Mpenge, Mashyuza
and Gishita was within a range required to prevent deficiency
of Ca and Mg in acid soils where maize and beans are grown.