Description
ABSTRACT
This work is on effect of tillage practices on soil properties. This study was conducted to determine the effect of tillage practices on soil properties under maize cultivation in Rumuji in Emuoha, Rivers, 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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER PAGE
TITLE PAGE
APPROVAL PAGE
DEDICATION
ACKNOWELDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
- PROBLEM STATEMENT
- AIM/OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
- PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT
- SCOPE OF THE STUDY
- METHODOLOGY
- PROJECT ORGANISATION
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
- OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY
- REVIEW OF TILLAGE PRACTICES
- CONSERVATION TILLAGE VERSUS CONVENTIONAL TILLAGE: DEFINITIONS AND BASIC CONCEPTS
- FACTORS AFFECTING THE CHOICE OF TILLAGE PRACTICES
- CONSERVATION TILLAGE – THE EFFECTS ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND CROP YIELD
CHAPTER THREE
- MATERIALS AND METHODS
- STUDY AREA
- SAMPLING PROCEDURES
- EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
- LABORATORY ANALYSES
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULT ANALYSIS
- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
CHAPTER FIVE
- CONCLUSION
- REFERENCES
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The ever-increasing population scenario of Nigeria makes it a necessity for more land to be opened up and efficiently managed for increased food production. The Nigerian traditional tillage method involves the use of hoes to make mounds size of which depends on the crop to be grown on. This method is gradually being replaced by conventional method of plough and harrow. Considering the fragile nature of Nigeria savannah soils, this method has further impoverished the soils due to erosion, increased loss of soil moisture by evaporation and compaction. Tillage, according to J. H. Davies [1983], is a terminology that is applied to the creation of enabling environment for the germination and growth of crops. Technically according to G. A. Makanjuola [1983], tillage refers to the mechanical stirring of soil to provide a suitable soil environment for growth of crops. Ashaye [1983] affirmed that the productivity of any soil depends on the way and how it is managed through cultivation practices imposed on it. Appropriate tillage practices are those that avoid the degradation of soil properties but maintain crop yields as well as ecosystem stability. In recent years, the interest in conservation tillage systems has increased in response to the need to limit erosion and promote water conservation. This has been considered to provide the best opportunity for halting degradation and for restoring and improving soil productivity. Conservation tillage is being adopted by local farmers in order to protect the soils from adverse effects of climate. However, the effects of this method need to be examined further in savanna soils of Nigeria characterized with limited rainfall, high temperature and fragile soils prone to erosion (P. Unger.1990).
The major stable crop grown widely in south western savanna is maize which cultivation and utilization have increased due to greater demands for consumption and for industrial purposes. Hence more land is being opened up yearly to sustain increase demands. An understanding of the climate and soil environment is necessary in order to select appropriate management practices such as till- age practices, fertilization, irrigation etc., as well as modification of the soil nutrients to optimize maize yield. This has necessitated the use of modern implements for tillage practices to facilitate farming operations. However, poor choice of implements and soil management practices, inappropriate tillage systems, seed bed types have often been identified as major constraints to cereal crop production in the savannah agro-ecological zones of South-Western, Nigeria. Lal [1985], therefore advocated that in tropical countries, soil tillage practices that have significant effects compared to zero tillage should be encouraged since mechanized tillage appeared to be in- dispensable in large scale farming. This is necessary, since a granular structure does not only encourage rapid infiltration and good retention of rainfall but also pro- vides adequate moisture, air exchange capacity within the soil and minimizes resistance to root penetration.
Hence, the objectives of this study were to estimate the effect of minimum tillage, conventional tillage and deep tillage strategies on the movement of nitrate (NO3–) in the soil profile and how some selected physical properties of soil (bulk density, particle density, porosity, infiltration rate, and soil saturated hydraulic conductivity) respond towards tillage.
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
The primarily purpose of tillage is to mix the soil with organic residues and fertilizer, to loose the upper layer of soil, to check weeds and to create a suitable seedbed for germination and plant growth (Rasmussen 1999). Soil physical and biological characteristics are influenced by tillage practice, which in turn lead to alter plant growth and yield (Wasaya et al., 2011, Rashidi and Keshavarzpour 2007). This study was carried out to know the effective and appropriate tillage practice(s) for sustainable maize production
1.3 AIM/OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
This study was carried out to examine the influence of tillage practices on properties of soils under a maize cultivation and to determine the effective and appropriate tillage practice(s) for sustainable maize production in Rumuji Emuoha, Rivers, Nigeria.
1.4 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The main purpose of this study is to examine how soil properties and maize crop respond to different tillage strategies.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
Therefore, currently, different tillage techniques are being used without evaluating their effects on physical, chemical and mechanical properties of soil. So there is a substantial interest and emphasis on the shift to conservation and no-tillage methods. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the effect of tillage strategies on the movement of nitrate in the soil profile and to check response of some selected physical and mechanical properties of soil under a maize cultivation.
1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
In the course of carrying this study, numerous sources were used which most of them are by visiting libraries, consulting journal and news papers and online research which Google was the major source that was used.
1.7 PROJECT ORGANISATION
The work is organized as follows: chapter one discuses the introductory part of the work, chapter two presents the literature review of the study, chapter three describes the methods applied, chapter four discusses the results of the work, chapter five summarizes the research outcomes and the recommendations.
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