The 2012 RUFORUM Biennial Conference is the third in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholders in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. The third Biennial Conference was attended by 657 participants. This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme Enhancing Natural Resource Management
Chemical Properties of Travertine from Different Sources in Rwanda with Regards to Their Calcium Oxide and Magnesium Oxide Contents
Abstract:
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.
Cette étude a été menée dans les districts de Rusizi, Korongi et
Musanze, au Rwanda dans les zones où on a trouvé le travertin.
L’objectif de cette étude était de caractériser les compositions
chimiques du travertin dans son utilisation pour modifier l’acidité
du sol dans le cadre de la production agricole. Trente-deux
échantillons de travertin de différents dépôts à Mashyuza
(Rusizi), Gishita (Karongi) et Mpenge et Rwaza (Musanze)
ont été analysés pour déterminer leur teneur en CaO et MgO.
Les pourcentages en poids de CaO et de MgO dans les
échantillons ont été déterminés à l’aide de la fluorescence des
rayons X. Les résultats ont révélé que le travertin de Mashyuza
et Rwaza avaient la plus haute teneur en CaO, suivi de Gishyita.
Les dépôts de Mpenge avaient la plus faible teneur en CaO. Il
n’y avait pas de différence significative entre les sites pour le
MgO contenu dans le travertin. La concentration en CaO:MgO
à Mpenge, Mashyuza et Gishita se situait dans un intervalle requis pour prévenir une carence en Ca et Mg dans les sols
acides où les haricots et le maïs sont cultivés.
Language:
Extended abstract under Enhancing Natural Resource Management
Date of publication:
2012
Country:
Region Focus:
East Africa
Collection:
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Agris Subject Categories:
Agrovoc terms:
Additional keywords:
Licence conditions:
Open Access
Form:
Printed resource
Publisher:
Notes:
