Effects of Tractor Wheel Passes-induced Compaction and Organic Amendments on Soil Properties and Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Warp) in an Alfisol of the Rainforest Zone of Nigeria
Journal Title: International Journal of Plant & Soil Science - Year 2016, Vol 13, Issue 4
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted to examine the effects of tractor wheel passes and organic amendment on soil physico-chemical properties and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) in an Alfisol of the rainforest zone of Nigeria. Varying degrees of penetration resistances were imposed on the seed bed via multiple tractorised wheel passes (4, 8 and 12) and the ploughed and harrowed only seed bed were imposed using Messy Ferguson tractor. Treatments which were laid out using split-plot design, consisted of 3 x 4 factorial combinations of tractor wheel passes and organic manure application and replicated 3 times on field plots of 60 x 12 m. The multiple tractor wheel passes increased soil strength (penetration resistance) and affected growth and seed yield of cowpea. The results show high soil strength was obtained within the plough layer and the active portion of crop root zone (10 - 30 cm) while there was increasing trends in values of soil strength from planting to crop maturity especially at depth (30 – 50 cm soil depth). Shoot biomass, pod and seed weight were lower for 8 and 12 tractor wheel passes compared with ploughed and harrowed seedbed and plots treated to 4 wheel passes. Application of organic manures ameliorated compaction effects on soil properties and enhanced growth and yield of cowpea. Organic amendment of the variously tractorized seedbed decreased bulk density thus alleviated the consequences of compaction especially within the plow layer on root development, growth and yield characters of cowpea. Close relationships among soil moisture status (content), mechanical impedance and cowpea seed yield characters obtained indicate strong interactions among soil moisture status, mechanical impedance and cowpea performance.
Authors and Affiliations
Agele Samuel, Aiyelari Peter, Famuwagun Babadele, Oluwasola Olufunke
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP351483
- DOI 10.9734/IJPSS/2016/27665
- Views 90
- Downloads 0
Soil Water Conservation Methods Affected Growth of Sorghum Intercropped with Cowpea in Different Locations of Western Sudan
Place and Duration of Study: Farmers practice different cropping systems with different cultural practice to increase productivity and sustainability. Field experiments were conducted in two locations (Elfoula and Babano...
Biofertilization of Tifton 85 with Sludge from Sewage Treatment Station of Whey Industry
The high concentration of N, P and other components present in sludge from wastewater treatment plants make it economically interesting the application in agricultural crop, as soil biofertilizer. The objective of this s...
Testing Selected Soils from Bamyan Center Agricultural Research Farms for Initial Macro and Micro Nutrients with Focus on Phosphorus Availability
Phosphorus (P) and micronutrients deficiencies are common in alkaline soils. Alkaline soils make up some of the most productive agricultural lands in the Bamyan center of Bamyan province in central Afghanistan and little...
Morphology, Genesis, Physico-chemical Properties, Classification and Potential of Soils Derived from Volcanic Parent Materials in Selected Districts of Mbeya Region, Tanzania
This study clarifies the morphology, genesis, physico-chemical properties and classification of soils developed from volcanic parent materials of Mbeya Region, Tanzania. Six typical pedons (MWK 01, IFIG 02, MKY 03, MWZ 0...
Integrated Farming System -An Approach towards Livelihood Security, Resource Conservation and Sustainable Production for Small and Marginal Farmers
Per capita land holding has been reducing day by day due to fragmentation of land and farmers concentrate mainly on cropping systems approach rather than farming system approach. Integrated farming system (IFS) is consi...