Amelioration of sandy soils in drought stricken areas through use of Ca-bentonite

Soil moisture shortage is a major limiting factor to agricultural production in eastern Africa, in view of increased drought incidences and seasonal rainfall variability. This study evaluated the potential for Ca-bentonite (a 2:1 clay mineral) as a possible amendment for increased moisture retention by sandy soils in drought stricken/prone areas in Uganda. The study was conducted both in the greenhouse at NARL-Kawanda and in the field, Nakasongola district. In the greenhouse (27-30 o C), Ca-bentonite was mixed with a sandy soil in proportions of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% by weight, replicated three times. The mixtures were watered to field capacity (30% water) then maize (Longe V) planted and left to grow for 5 weeks without any additional water application. Under field conditions, Ca-bentonite was applied on sandy soils in the drought-prone Lwabiyata sub county, Nakasongola district in central Uganda. Treatments included: Ca-bentonite applied at 0, 1.25 and 2.5 t ha -1 ; DAP at 0, 62.5 and 125 kg ha -1 ; urea at 0 and 60 kg ha -1 ; and farmyard manure (FYM) at 0, 1.25 and 2.5 t ha -1 , arranged in a randomised block design with three replicates. Under greenhouse conditions, Ca-bentonite application significantly (P<0.05) increased the soil moisture retention, pH, N, P, Ca and Mg content, and subsequently, maize dry matter yield. Averaged over 2 seasons, field application of 2.5 t Ca-bentonite ha -1 increased maize grain yield by 37.6%. Yields were significantly (P<0.05) higher (79.8 to 82.0% above the control) where bentonite (2.5 t ha -1 ) was combined with DAP (62.5 kgha -1 or FYM (2.5 tha -1 ). The results suggest that Cabentonite has potential as a soil amendment for moisture conservation, neutralising acidity, and improving N, P, Ca and Mg content in sandy soils, and consequently support crop growth and yield. Thus calcium bentonite presents a possible amelioration for sandy soils of low fertility in drought stressed environments. It is thus a promising technology for climate change adaptation in drought prone areas. Keywords: Climate change adaptation, drought mitigation, moisture stress, soil moisture conservation, soil fertility management