INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT TILLAGE PRACTICES ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND GROWTH OF MAIZE VARIETIES ON TYPIC PLINTHUSTALF SOIL
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Date
2018-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Agriculture and Environment
Abstract
It is of upmost importance to understand soil properties in order to adopt most
appropriate tillage practice as a soil management option for sustainable crop
production. For this purpose, a study was conducted to determine influence of
tillage practices on soil properties under maize cultivation in 2016 and 2017
cropping seasons on Typic Plinthustalf soil in Malete, Kwara State. Tillage
practices evaluated were No-till, Single plough and Plough + harrow. The
results showed that bulk density of entire surface samples under the three
tillage practices were desirable for agricultural use (1.5 – 1.7 g/cm3
) while their
total porosity ranged from 36 – 43 %. Soil inherent capacity indicators: texture,
permeability and bulk density of study area reflected a suitable agricultural soil
regardless of soil manipulation processes. Preference was in order of
plough+harrow>plough>No till in growth parameters. Also, physical and
chemical properties of surface soil from No-till plots greatly influenced maize
performance evidenced in lateness to 50 % anthesis and silking. Soil dynamic
properties variability such as CEC, pH, OC, macro and micro nutrients were
in order of No till>plough>plough+harrow. However, considering results
obtained from this study, tillage practice centered on Plough+harrow can
successfully promote sustainable management of Typic Plinthicustalf soil of
Malete, in Kwara State under maize cultivation