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- ItemEFFECTS OF MAIZE – COWPEA INTERCROPPING PATTERNS ON YIELD AND PROPERTIES OF TYPIC PLINTHUSTALFS SOIL IN SOUTH GUINEA SAVANNA ZONE, NIGERIA(African Journals Online, 2024-10-23) K. O. ALABI; A. I. AFE; A.O. ADEWUMIOne of the factors preventing Nigeria’s agriculture from being more productive is its low soil fertility. Adoption of maize-cowpea intercropping system is being promoted as one of the options for improving soil fertility. A field experiment was carried out at Kwara State University Teaching and Research Farm in 2018 cropping season to assess the effect of maizecowpea intercropping patterns on yield and soil properties. The experiment was laid out in a 2×4 factorial split plot arrangement in a Randomized Complete Block Design. The spatial row arrangement was the main block while population density was assigned to subplot. The yields and physical-chemical properties of soils were examined after all crops were harvested. Sole crop of both maize and cowpea was found to be significantly higher in yield parameters than their intercrops. Intercropping had no significant influence on textural class, bulk density and saturated hydraulic capacity of the soil. Soil total Nitrogen content was slightly increased in 2:2 spatial arrangements except in 100M: 25C and sole cowpea compared to initial total nitrogen. Soil organic matter at the intercrop increased as the population increased in 1: 1 arrangement whereas, the value was not consistent in 2:2 row arrangement. Population density of (100M:100C) which produced (2151.94 for maize and 1813.64 kg/ha for cowpea) and 1:1 row spatial arrangement with superior Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) value can be recommended to the farmer. Also integrated fertility management strategy other than only intercropping should be advocated.
- ItemMining effluent impact on selected soil physical quality parameters in agricultural land Daba, Kwara State, Nigeria(Direct Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science, 2025-02-22) Wahab Adesina Abudlkabir; Alasinrin Sikiru Yusuf; Abioye Toyeeb Abayomi; Agboola Kola; Aina Oluseyi AbelThe study examined soils' physical, chemical, and selected soil water transmission properties in an unregistered mining community in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria. The assessed agricultural lands based on the reconnaissance survey were 400 m and 800 m away from the mine site, and 1200 m (forested area) away from the mine site. A 25 m x 25 m plot was demarcated and replicated three times in each farmland and mining site. Soil samples were obtained from the 0 to 15 cm soil layer at the 5 m x 5 m subplot level and analysed for particle size distribution, pH, organic C, total N, available P, exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+, total acidity and selected heavy metals (Zn and Cu). Infiltration tests were run using the double-ring infiltrometer. Sixty soil core samples were collected from the study area to determine the water-holding capacity, bulk density, and hydraulic conductivity. The study showed that soil particles at mining sites were loamier and contained a significantly higher concentration of heavy metals but lesser concentrations of some soil nutrients than in the farmlands and the forested areas. The study also revealed that hydraulic conductivity and bulk density trends vary between 400 and 800 m from the mining site but within the recommended range of the soil-water transmission pathway. As a result, the mining effluent seems to have little impact on the water retention capacity of the soil's water transmission system, and plants growing in that region will not suffer a distorted soil water flow.
- ItemEFFECT OF FARMER-HERDER CONFLICT ON FOOD SECURITY OF PASTORAL AND AGRO-PASTORAL HOUSEHOLDS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA(African Journals Online (AJOL), 2023-10-13) SALAU, S.A.; AYANDA, I.F.; AFE, I.A.; ADESINA, O.M.; NOFIU, N.B.Inspired by the low food security status and vulnerability among pastoral and agro-pastoral households, we es mated pastoral-farmer conflict, determined food security status, appraised the outcome of pastoral- farmer conflict on food security and describe the survival game plans adopted by pastoral and agro-pastoral households to alleviate the effect of food insecurity in Kwara State, Nigeria. Purposive and random sampling methods were deployed to choose 120 respondents. The main tools of analysis are descrip ve sta s cs, food safety index and logis c regression. The study showed that 37.2.5% of respondents were food secure while 62.8% were food insecure. In addi on, pastoral-farmer conflict, age, herd size, migra on, distance to grazing area, and number of animals sold to alleviate the outcome of food insecurity were the important drivers of food security in the area. Moreover, selling of animals, embracing li ga on, being industrious, herders’ experience, agro-pastoralism, sa sfying other par es and seeking for supports from friends, rela ves and government are the most effec ve survival game plans adopted by households. In view of the foregoing, government must encourage ranching and adop on of Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) to mi gate pastoral-farmer conflict. Schemes and game plans designed at increasing herd size should be supported.
- ItemNematode Population as Influenced by Different Tillage Practices in Maize-Cowpea Cropping System(2019-07-18) Adesina, A.W.; Alabi, K.O.; Afe, A.I.Nematode population varies with different cultural practices and soil manipulation techniques. For this purpose, a study was conducted to determine the effect of tillage practices on nematode population in a maize–cowpea cropping system. Tillage practices evaluated were plough (P), plough and harrow (PH), and traditional (heap) (T), while cropping patterns were sole-cowpea (SC), sole-maize (SM), and maize–cowpea intercrop (MC) at different spacing (60cm × 30cm; 60cm × 60cm; 60cm × 15cm). Parameters included plant height, number of leaves, number of branches (cowpea), leaf area index, nematode population, and yield parameters. There is no difference between growth parameters after statistical analysis but numerically, there is. The yield was analyzed in tons/ha where cropping pattern SM and cowpea in MC performed better (1.13 and 8.5 tons/ha respectively). SM yield was better on T (9.06 t/ha) while SC yield was better on plough and harrow (9.39 t/ha). Trend observed for cropping pattern: M > Mi in MC > Ci, nematode population fluctuated with crop age and tillage practice: maize M₂T > PH > P, cowpea PH > P > T. Generally, when subjected to land equivalent ratio (LER), MC recorded highest LER of (2.74) on a plough and harrow land.
- ItemEvaluating Water Requirements and Stress Effects on Sweet Corn (Zea mays saccharata) Cultivated on Loamy Sand Soil(Agricultural Science Digest, 2025-05-16) Wahab Adesina Abudlkabir; Aina Oluwaseyi Abel; Alasinrin Sikiru Yusuf; Agboola Kola; Abioye Toyeeb AbayomiBackground: This study examines the impact of water stress on sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata) growth and yields in loamy sand soil, Ilorin. It aims to elucidate the relationship between water stress and crop performance while identifying optimal water requirements for enhancing sweet corn development in this soil type. Methods: The study employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates, featuring four crop-environmental water demand (CEWD) treatments: 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% CEWD. Water application rates (90 litres per plot every 2 days) were calculated using 12 years of meteorological data (2011-2022) for Ilorin, based on FAO crop water needs and daily evapotranspiration. Sweet corn seeds (Ex-IITA) were planted at 75 cm by 25 cm spacing. Key parameters measured included plant height, leaf count, leaf area index, biomass, days to 50% flowering, grain count and yield. Statistical analysis was conducted using Genstat 17th edition. Result: Increased soil moisture significantly impacted plant development, with notable variations in growth rates across the four treatments. Sweet corn grain yield followed the order: 75% > 100% > 50% > 25% CEWD. No significant differences were found in flowering dates or leaf count. Mean plant height ranged from 0.627 m to 0.975 m, correlating with water application rates. The 75% CEWD treatment resulted in the highest total dry matter content and leaf area index, explaining its superior yield. The 75% CEWD level is optimal for sweet corn cultivation in Ilorin, loamy sand soil, Nigeria, promoting sustainable agriculture.