Effects of Tillage Practices on Soil Properties under Maize Cultivation on Oxic Paleustalf in South Western Nigeria

Bola A. Senjobi, Olufunmilayo T. Ande, A. E. Okulaja

Department of Crop Production, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria.
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Institute of Agric Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Apata, Ibadan.

DOI: 10.4236/ojss.2013.33019                

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effect of tillage practices on soil properties under maize cultivation in savanna ecosystem of South Western Nigeria. The tillage systems evaluated were zero, convectional and traditional tillage systems. The results showed that there is a significant difference in soil parameters and crop morphologies at p < 0.05 among the tillage systems. The traditional tillage system resulted to the most favorable soil environment, for crop growth and best performance of crop followed by conventional and no-tillage system in the area are studied respectively. The significant difference in yields adduced to lower bulk density, higher water holding capacity and porosity which increased plant root proliferation and optimal utilization of soil nutrients under tilled methods. Hence tillage methods have the capability to increase production while no-tillage is better under long term production for sustainable land use.

Keywords

Tillage Practices; Soil Properties; Maize; Sustainable Production

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	J. H. Davies, “Tillage Research and Development in Nigeria,” Proceedings of the First National Tillage Symposium of the NSAE, 1983, pp. 15-20.
[2]	G. A. Makanjuola, “Appropriate Machines for Tillage in Nigeria,” Proceedings of the First National Tillage Symposium of the NSAE, 1983, pp. 21-34.
[3]	T. I. Ashaye, “Suitability of Nigerian Soils to Mechanical Cultivation,” Proceedings of the First National Tillage Symposium of the NSAE, 1983, pp. 57-69.
[4]	R. Lal, “Importance of Tillage System in Soil and Water Management in the Tropics, in Soil Tillage and Crop Pro duction,” In: R. Lal, Ed., IITA Proc. Series, No. 2, 1979, pp. 25-32.
[5]	R. Lal, “Soil Tillage and Crop Production,” IITA, Ibadan, 1979.
[6]	R. Lal, “Mechanized Tillage System, Effects on Proper ties of a Tropical Alfisoil in the Watershed Cropped to Maize,” Soil Tillage Research, Vol. 6, 1985, pp. 149-162.
[7]	N. R. Hulugalle, R. Lal and O. A. Opara-Nadi, “Effect of Spatial Orientation of Mulch on Soil Properties and Growth of Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) and Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagitifolium) on an Ultisol,” J. Root Crops, Vol. 12, 1986, pp. 37-45.
[8]	P. Unger, “Conservation Tillage Systems,” Advances in Soil Sciences, Vol. 13, 1990, pp. 27-68.
[9]	R. Lal, “Effect of Slope Length on Erosion of an Alfisol in Western Nigeria,” Geoderma, Vol. 31, No. 3, 1983, pp. 185-193. doi:10.1016/0016-7061(83)90012-5
[10]	G. H. Bouyoucous, “A Recalibration of the Hydrometer Method for Making Mechanical Analysis,” Agronomy Journal, Vol. 43, No. 9, 1951, pp. 434-438. doi:10.2134/agronj1951.0002196200430009 0005x
[11]	E. O. Mclean, “Aluminium: In Methods of Soil Analysis,” In: C. A. Black, Ed., 1965.
[12]	M. L. Jackson, “Soil Chemical Analysis,” Prentice Hall, New York, Agronomy No. 9, Part 2, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, 1962, pp. 978-998.
[13]	R. H. Bray and I. T. Kurtz, “Determination of Total Organic and Available Forms of Phosphorus in Soils,” Soil Science, Vol. 59, No. 1, 1945, pp. 39-46.
[14]	A. Walkley and C. A. Black, “Determination of Organic Matter in the Soil Science,” Vol. 37, 1934, pp. 540-556.
[15]	G. Osuji, “Zero-Tillage for Erosion Control and Maize Production in the Humid Tropics,” Journal of Environ mental Management, Vol. 23, 1990, pp. 193-201.
[16]	J. O. Akinyemi, O. E. Akinpelu and A. O. Olaleye, “Performance of Cowpea under Three Tillage Systems, on an Oxic Pareustaff in South Western Nigeria,” 2003.
[17]	D. Nangju, “Effect of Density, Plant Type and Season on Growth and Yield of Cowpea,” Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, Vol. 104, No. 4, 1979, pp. 466-470.
[18]	Singh and Rachiee, International Symposium on Pests of Grain Legumes, Ibadan, 8-13 November 1976.
[19]	H. S. Nitant and P. Singh, “Effect of Deep Tillage on Dry Land Production of Red Grain (Cajanus cajan L.) in Central India,” Soil and Tillage Research, Vol. 34, No. 1, 1995, pp. 17-26. doi:10.1016/0167-1987(94)00454-M
[20]	S. O. Ajuwon, “Intrinsic Deficiencies of Zero Tillage,” Proceedings of the 1st National Tillage Symposium, Ilorin, 22-25 November 1983, 25 p.
[21]	W. L. Lindsay, P. L. G. Vlek and S. H. Chien, “Phosphate Minerals,” In: J. B. Dixon and S. B. Weed, Eds., Minerals in Soil Environment, 2nd Edition, Soil Science Society of America, Madison, 1989, pp. 1089-1130.