Effect of Tillage Operations on Soil Moisture Contents in the Southern Guinea Savanna Ecological Zone of Nigeria
Affiliation(s)
1 Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. 2 Department of Geography, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria.
1 Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. 2 Department of Geography, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
An experimental farm plot was set up at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), kilometer 12 Ilorin-Idofian Road to investigate the effect of various agronomic operations (mound, ridge and plough tillage) on soil moisture content of varying depth intervals of 0 - 15 cm, 15 - 30 cm, 30 - 45 cm and 45 - 60 cm respectively. The experiment was conducted between year 2007 and 2009. Samples were taken on weekly basis from various depths using hand screw auger. The percentage moisture was determined by oven drying oil sample to a constant weight at the temperature of 105°C. The difference between the initial weight and weight after oven drying was calculated and the percentage determined. Weekly data generated were grouped on monthly basis and the means calculated. Seasonal values were also calculated. ANOVA and the Post Hoc multiple comparison were employed to investigate variations in soil moisture content between tillage systems and within the four soil depths. The result showed mound tillage to be the driest and ridge was then wettest of all the tillage system considered. The difference between varying intervals of seach tillage became more pronounced between depth intervals of 0 - 15 cm and 15 - 30 cm. Generally, the result of ANOVA indicates seasonal variation in soil moisture between the three tillage methods at all depths considered. Again the result of the Pos Hoc multiple comparison shows that variation in soil moisture content between the 3 tillage systems in wet and in dry season in not significant because the p value > 0.05. Suggestions were made on the way forward towards achieving a self sufficient food production status.
An experimental farm plot was set up at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), kilometer 12 Ilorin-Idofian Road to investigate the effect of various agronomic operations (mound, ridge and plough tillage) on soil moisture content of varying depth intervals of 0 - 15 cm, 15 - 30 cm, 30 - 45 cm and 45 - 60 cm respectively. The experiment was conducted between year 2007 and 2009. Samples were taken on weekly basis from various depths using hand screw auger. The percentage moisture was determined by oven drying oil sample to a constant weight at the temperature of 105°C. The difference between the initial weight and weight after oven drying was calculated and the percentage determined. Weekly data generated were grouped on monthly basis and the means calculated. Seasonal values were also calculated. ANOVA and the Post Hoc multiple comparison were employed to investigate variations in soil moisture content between tillage systems and within the four soil depths. The result showed mound tillage to be the driest and ridge was then wettest of all the tillage system considered. The difference between varying intervals of seach tillage became more pronounced between depth intervals of 0 - 15 cm and 15 - 30 cm. Generally, the result of ANOVA indicates seasonal variation in soil moisture between the three tillage methods at all depths considered. Again the result of the Pos Hoc multiple comparison shows that variation in soil moisture content between the 3 tillage systems in wet and in dry season in not significant because the p value > 0.05. Suggestions were made on the way forward towards achieving a self sufficient food production status.
Cite this paper
Olanrewaju, R. and Abubakar, A. (2015) Effect of Tillage Operations on Soil Moisture Contents in the Southern Guinea Savanna Ecological Zone of Nigeria. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 7, 183-196. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2015.73015.
Olanrewaju, R. and Abubakar, A. (2015) Effect of Tillage Operations on Soil Moisture Contents in the Southern Guinea Savanna Ecological Zone of Nigeria. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 7, 183-196. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2015.73015.
References
[1] Nwajiuba, C. (2012) Does Agriculture Have a Future in Southeast Nigeria? Imo State University, Owerri. [2] Ayoade, J.O. (2004) Introduction to Climatology for the Tropics. Ibadan Spectrum Books Limited. [3] Wolkowski, D. (2014) Tillage Effect on Soil Moisture: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development 2004-2014. [4] Chukwu, G.O. and Madu, T.U. (2010) Crop Water Requirement: 29 Years’ Reseach at NRCRI Umudike in Climate Change and Nigeria Environment. In: Anyadike, R.N.C., Madu, I.A. and Ajaero, C.K., Eds., Climate Change and Nigeria Environment, Department of Geography University of Nsukka Conference Proceedings, 185-199. [5] Pearson, K. (2014) How and When Does Water Stress Impact Plat Growth and Development? Montana State University, Bozeman. [6] Lindwall, C.W. (1984) Minimizing Tillage Operations. Soil Conservation—Providing for the Future. Christian Farmers Federation, Lethbridge. [7] Machelle, W. and Joel, G. (2008) Soil Management NRCS National Soil Survey, ARS National Laboratory Agriculture and Environment, NCERA-59 Scientists and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Ilinois. [8] Saied, K.D. and Narob, M.C. (2013) The Effects of 4 Types of Tillage Operations on Soil Moisture and Morphology and Performance of 3 Varieties of Cotton. European Journal of Experimental Biology, 3, 694-698. [9] Mackay, A.D. and Barber, S.A. (1985) Effect of Soil Moisture and Phosphate Level on Root Hair Growth of Corn Root. Journal of Plant and Soil, 86, 321-331.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02145453 [10] Shiwachi, H., Komoda, M. and Takahashi, H. (2008) Tillage Effect on Soil Moisture, Sress on the Growth of Corchorus olitorius L. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 4, 279-293. [11] Odjugo, A.P. (2003) An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Traditional Techniques of on Farm Micro Climate Improvement in Mid-Western Nigeria. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
[1] Nwajiuba, C. (2012) Does Agriculture Have a Future in Southeast Nigeria? Imo State University, Owerri. [2] Ayoade, J.O. (2004) Introduction to Climatology for the Tropics. Ibadan Spectrum Books Limited. [3] Wolkowski, D. (2014) Tillage Effect on Soil Moisture: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development 2004-2014. [4] Chukwu, G.O. and Madu, T.U. (2010) Crop Water Requirement: 29 Years’ Reseach at NRCRI Umudike in Climate Change and Nigeria Environment. In: Anyadike, R.N.C., Madu, I.A. and Ajaero, C.K., Eds., Climate Change and Nigeria Environment, Department of Geography University of Nsukka Conference Proceedings, 185-199. [5] Pearson, K. (2014) How and When Does Water Stress Impact Plat Growth and Development? Montana State University, Bozeman. [6] Lindwall, C.W. (1984) Minimizing Tillage Operations. Soil Conservation—Providing for the Future. Christian Farmers Federation, Lethbridge. [7] Machelle, W. and Joel, G. (2008) Soil Management NRCS National Soil Survey, ARS National Laboratory Agriculture and Environment, NCERA-59 Scientists and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Ilinois. [8] Saied, K.D. and Narob, M.C. (2013) The Effects of 4 Types of Tillage Operations on Soil Moisture and Morphology and Performance of 3 Varieties of Cotton. European Journal of Experimental Biology, 3, 694-698. [9] Mackay, A.D. and Barber, S.A. (1985) Effect of Soil Moisture and Phosphate Level on Root Hair Growth of Corn Root. Journal of Plant and Soil, 86, 321-331.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02145453 [10] Shiwachi, H., Komoda, M. and Takahashi, H. (2008) Tillage Effect on Soil Moisture, Sress on the Growth of Corchorus olitorius L. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 4, 279-293. [11] Odjugo, A.P. (2003) An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Traditional Techniques of on Farm Micro Climate Improvement in Mid-Western Nigeria. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.