Effect of Tillage Methods and Foliar Fertilization (Boost ExtraTM) on Soil Physical Properties, Weed Dry Matter and Grain Yield of Sorghum in Ejiba, Kogi State, Nigeria
Affiliation(s)
1 College of Agriculture, Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. 2 Department of Crop and Soil Science, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria.
1 College of Agriculture, Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. 2 Department of Crop and Soil Science, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
An experiment was carried out for two consecutive growing seasons (2012 and 2013) at the Research Site of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Ejiba, Nigeria, to examine the response of sorghum to tillage methods and foliar fertilizer (Boost ExtraTM) application. A split plot experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates to randomize the tillage methods (main plots) and foliar fertilizer application (sub-plots), respectively. The experiment comprised of three tillage methods: No Tillage (NT), Manual Tillage (MT) and convectional tillage (Ploughing, Harrowing and Ridging, PHR) and three foliar fertilizer rates: 0, 2 and 4 liters of foliar fertilizer per hectare. The parameters taken on soil physical properties and weed characters are soil moisture content (%), soil temperature (℃), weed species and weed dry weight (g). Growth and yield parameters taken are: average plant height (cm), stem girth (cm), leaf area (m2), days to 50% flowering, root dry weight (g), shoot dry weight (g), weight of 1000 seeds and grain yield per land area. Weeds were identified and harvested, and their dry weights were taken and recorded. Data were also collected from ten randomly selected plants in each plot. The data were statistically analyzed using GENSTAT. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out to find out the significance of variation among the treatments while the significant differences between mean treatments were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of probability. The results obtained from this study indicated that tillage methods and foliar fertilizer application significantly affected growth and yield parameters of sorghum, consequently the yield per unit area. The results also indicated that “Manually Tilled” seedbed (MT) improved soil physical properties better than either plots with PHR or No Till plots in the study area. Foliar fertilizer application at 2 l/ha performed best in terms of growth and yield. It is therefore recommended that manual tillage should be used as a method of seedbed preparation for sorghum production. However, better and stable grain yield of sorghum could be obtained with the practice of manual tillage (MT) in combination with foliar fertilization at rate of 2 litres/ha. It is recommended that different tillage methods should be combined with foliar fertilizer application for higher grain yield in the study area.
An experiment was carried out for two consecutive growing seasons (2012 and 2013) at the Research Site of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Ejiba, Nigeria, to examine the response of sorghum to tillage methods and foliar fertilizer (Boost ExtraTM) application. A split plot experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates to randomize the tillage methods (main plots) and foliar fertilizer application (sub-plots), respectively. The experiment comprised of three tillage methods: No Tillage (NT), Manual Tillage (MT) and convectional tillage (Ploughing, Harrowing and Ridging, PHR) and three foliar fertilizer rates: 0, 2 and 4 liters of foliar fertilizer per hectare. The parameters taken on soil physical properties and weed characters are soil moisture content (%), soil temperature (℃), weed species and weed dry weight (g). Growth and yield parameters taken are: average plant height (cm), stem girth (cm), leaf area (m2), days to 50% flowering, root dry weight (g), shoot dry weight (g), weight of 1000 seeds and grain yield per land area. Weeds were identified and harvested, and their dry weights were taken and recorded. Data were also collected from ten randomly selected plants in each plot. The data were statistically analyzed using GENSTAT. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out to find out the significance of variation among the treatments while the significant differences between mean treatments were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of probability. The results obtained from this study indicated that tillage methods and foliar fertilizer application significantly affected growth and yield parameters of sorghum, consequently the yield per unit area. The results also indicated that “Manually Tilled” seedbed (MT) improved soil physical properties better than either plots with PHR or No Till plots in the study area. Foliar fertilizer application at 2 l/ha performed best in terms of growth and yield. It is therefore recommended that manual tillage should be used as a method of seedbed preparation for sorghum production. However, better and stable grain yield of sorghum could be obtained with the practice of manual tillage (MT) in combination with foliar fertilization at rate of 2 litres/ha. It is recommended that different tillage methods should be combined with foliar fertilizer application for higher grain yield in the study area.
Cite this paper
Ogundare, S. , Aduloju, M. , Ayodele, F. and Olorunfemi, S. (2015) Effect of Tillage Methods and Foliar Fertilization (Boost ExtraTM) on Soil Physical Properties, Weed Dry Matter and Grain Yield of Sorghum in Ejiba, Kogi State, Nigeria. Natural Science, 7, 338-345. doi: 10.4236/ns.2015.76037.
Ogundare, S. , Aduloju, M. , Ayodele, F. and Olorunfemi, S. (2015) Effect of Tillage Methods and Foliar Fertilization (Boost ExtraTM) on Soil Physical Properties, Weed Dry Matter and Grain Yield of Sorghum in Ejiba, Kogi State, Nigeria. Natural Science, 7, 338-345. doi: 10.4236/ns.2015.76037.
References
[1] IFPRI (1983) Research Prospective Demand Consideration for Polices Affecting Traditional Food Grain Production in Semi-Arid West Africa. IFPRI Report 5(1) and (4), International Food Policy Research Institutes, Washington DC. [2] Rooney, L.W., Miller, F.R. and Rosenow, D.T. (1987) The Use and Characteristic of Sorghum for Human Food. Proceeding of the 42th Annual Corn and Sorghum Industry Research Conference, Chicago, 10-11 December 1987, 31-47. [3] Nicou, R., Qattara, B. and Some, L. (1990) Effects des Techniques Deconomie De l’eau a la Parecellesur les cultures Cerealieres (Sorghum mill) au Burkina Faso. Agronomy of Tropic, 45, 43-59. [4] NAERLS (1977) Prospects and Problems of 1977 Cropping Season. National Agricultural Extension Research and Liason Services, ABU, Zaria, 1977 Annual Report. [5] Abimiku, O.E., Yohanna, J.K. and AzaGaku, E.D. (2002) The Effect of Varying Tillage Methods on the Severity of Striga and Growth and Yield of Sorghum in the Southern Guinea Savanna. Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, Owerri, 20-24 October 2002, 1-3. [6] Lal, R. (1986) Soil Surface Management in the Tropic for Intensive Land Use and High and Sustained Production. Advance in Soil Sciences, 5, 1-109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8660-5_1 [7] Qin, R., Stamp, P. and Richmer, W. (2006) Impact of Tillage on Maize Rooting in a Cambisol and Luvisol in Switzerland. Soil and Tillage Research, 85, 50-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2004.12.003 [8] Singh, B. and Malhi, S.S. (2006) Response of Soil Physical Properties to Tillage and Residue Management on Two Soils in a Cool Temperate Environment. Soil and Tillage Research, 85, 143-153. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2004.12.005 [9] Mweso, E. (2003) Evaluating the Importance of Soil Water Availability (as a Land Quality) on Selected Rainfed Crops in Serowe Area, Botswana. http://www.itc.nl/library/Papers_2003/msc/nrm/mweso.pdf [10] Arsyid, M.A., Camacho, F.T. and Guo, P. (2009) Corn Basics: Corn Crop Management. http://www.dekalb-asia.com/pdf/CB2_CornCropManagement.pdf [11] Girma, K., Martin, K.L., Freeman, K.W., Mosali, J., Teal, R.K., Raun, W.R., Moges, S.M. and Arnall, D.B. (2007) Determination of Optimum Rate and Growth for Foliar-Applied Phosphorus in Corn. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 38, 1137-1154. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00103620701328016 [12] Higgins, G.M. (1957) Preliminary Report on the Detailed Land, Soil and Contours Survey of Riverine Area of School of Agriculture, Kabba. Soil Survey Bulletin No. 31, 28 p. [13] Babalola, T.S. (2010) Land Evaluation Studies of Two Wetland Soils in Nigeria. Master’s Thesis, the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ado Ekiti, 141. [14] Bremner, J.M. (1982) Total Nitrogen. In: Page, A.L., Miller, R.H. and Keeny, D.R., Eds., Methods of Soil Analysis, Part-2, 2nd Edition, Agronomy Monograph No. 9, ASA and SSSA, Madison, 915-928. [15] Olsen, S.R. (1982) Phosphorus. In: Page, A.L., Miller, R.H. and Keeny, D.R., Eds., Methods of Soil Analysis, Part-2, 2nd Edition, Agronomy Monograph No. 9, ASA and SSSA, Madison, 403-430. [16] Nelson, D.W. and Sommers, L.E. (1982) Total Carbon, Organic Carbon and Organic Matter. In: Page, A.L., Miller, R.H. and Keeny, D.R., Eds., Methods of Soil Analysis, Part-2, 2nd Edition, Agronomy Monograph No. 9, ASA and SSSA, Madison, 539-579. [17] Nangju, D. and Wanki, S.B.C. (1980) Estimating Leaf Area of Cowpea and Soybean Using Dry Weights of Terminal Leaf Lets. Experimental Agriculture, 16, 149-151. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0014479700010838 [18] McKeys, E. (1985) Soil Cutting and Tillage. Elsevier Science Publishers B. V., Amsterdam. [19] Blaise, D. and Ravindran, C.D. (2003) Influence of Tillage and Residue Management on Growth and Yield of Cotton Grown on a Vertisol over 5 Years in a Semi-Arid Region of India. Soil and Tillage Research, 70, 163-173. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0167-1987(02)00153-8 [20] Scornpoon, W. and Jayasuriya, H.P.W. (2013) Effect of Different Tillage and Residues Management Practices on Growth and Yield of Corn Cultivation in Thailand. Agricultural Engineering International: CIGR Journal, 15, 86-94. [21] Nakamoto, T., Yamagishi, J. and Miura, F. (2006) Effect of Reduced Tillage on Weeds and Soil Organisms in Winter Wheat and Summer Maize Cropping on Humic Andosols in Central Japan. Soil and Tillage Research, 85, 94-106. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2004.12.004 [22] Rasmussen, K.J. (1999) Impact of Ploughless Soil Tillage on Yield and Soil Quality: A Scandinavian Review. Soil & Tillage Research, 53, 3-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0167-1987(99)00072-0 [23] Aikins, S.H.M. and Afuakwa, J.J. (2010) Effect of Four Different Tillage Practices on Cowpea Performance. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 6, 644-651. [24] Kombiok, J.M., Safo, E.Y. and Quansah, C. (2005) Yield and Nitrogen Fixation of Cowpea as Affected by Tillage and Cropping Systems in the Northern Savanna Zone of Ghana. West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 7, 95-108. [25] Ojeniyi, S.O. and Adekayode, F.O. (1999) Soil Conditions and Cowpea and Maize Yield Produced by Tillage Methods in the Rainforest Zone of Nigeria. Soil and Tillage Research, 51, 161-164. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0167-1987(99)00018-5 [26] Olaoye, J.O. (2002) Influence of Tillage on Crop Residue Cover, Soil Properties and Yield Components of Cowpea in Derived Savannah Ectones of Nigeria. Soil & Tillage Research, 64, 179-187. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0167-1987(01)00261-6 [27] Adeyemo, A.J. and Agele, S.O. (2010) Effect of Tillage and Manure Application on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Yield of Maize Grown on a Degraded, Intensively Tilled Alfisol in Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management, 1, 205-216. [28] Agbede, T.M. (2006) Effect of Tillage on Soil Properties and Yam Yield on an Alfisol in Southwestern Nigeria. Soil and Tillage Research, 86, 1-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2005.01.012 [29] Ojeniyi, S.O. and Dexter, A.R. (1977) Soil Structural Changes during Multiple Pass Tillage. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 22, 1068-1072. http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/2013.35157 [30] Agbede, T.M. (2007) Response of Soil Properties and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor. L.) to Tillage and Poultry Manure in the Forest-Savanna Transitional Zone of Nigeria. Ph.D. Thesis, the Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, 155-157. [31] Soleimani, R. (2006) The Effects of Integrated Application of Micronutrient on Wheat in Low Organic Carbon Conditions of Alkaline Soils of Western Iran. Proceedings of the 18th World Congress of Soil Science, Philadelphia, 9-15 July 2006, 22. [32] Alston, A.M. (1979) Effects of Soil Water Content and Foliar Fertilization with Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Late Seasons on the Yield and Composition of Wheat. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 30, 577-585. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/AR9790577 [33] Kolota, E. and Osinska, M. (2002) Efficiency of Foliar Nutrition of Field Vegetables Grown at Different Nitrogen Rates. Acta Horticulturae, 563, 87-91. [34] Zahran, F.A. and Abdoh, A.E. (1998) Nitrogen Fertilization of Onion in Sandy Soils. Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 76, 903-911. [35] Zeidan, M.S. (2003) Effect of Sowing Dates and Urea Foliar Application on Growth and Seed Yield of Determinate Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) under Egyptian Conditions. Egyptian Journal of Agronomy, 24, 93-102.
[1] IFPRI (1983) Research Prospective Demand Consideration for Polices Affecting Traditional Food Grain Production in Semi-Arid West Africa. IFPRI Report 5(1) and (4), International Food Policy Research Institutes, Washington DC. [2] Rooney, L.W., Miller, F.R. and Rosenow, D.T. (1987) The Use and Characteristic of Sorghum for Human Food. Proceeding of the 42th Annual Corn and Sorghum Industry Research Conference, Chicago, 10-11 December 1987, 31-47. [3] Nicou, R., Qattara, B. and Some, L. (1990) Effects des Techniques Deconomie De l’eau a la Parecellesur les cultures Cerealieres (Sorghum mill) au Burkina Faso. Agronomy of Tropic, 45, 43-59. [4] NAERLS (1977) Prospects and Problems of 1977 Cropping Season. National Agricultural Extension Research and Liason Services, ABU, Zaria, 1977 Annual Report. [5] Abimiku, O.E., Yohanna, J.K. and AzaGaku, E.D. (2002) The Effect of Varying Tillage Methods on the Severity of Striga and Growth and Yield of Sorghum in the Southern Guinea Savanna. Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, Owerri, 20-24 October 2002, 1-3. [6] Lal, R. (1986) Soil Surface Management in the Tropic for Intensive Land Use and High and Sustained Production. Advance in Soil Sciences, 5, 1-109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8660-5_1 [7] Qin, R., Stamp, P. and Richmer, W. (2006) Impact of Tillage on Maize Rooting in a Cambisol and Luvisol in Switzerland. Soil and Tillage Research, 85, 50-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2004.12.003 [8] Singh, B. and Malhi, S.S. (2006) Response of Soil Physical Properties to Tillage and Residue Management on Two Soils in a Cool Temperate Environment. Soil and Tillage Research, 85, 143-153. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2004.12.005 [9] Mweso, E. (2003) Evaluating the Importance of Soil Water Availability (as a Land Quality) on Selected Rainfed Crops in Serowe Area, Botswana. http://www.itc.nl/library/Papers_2003/msc/nrm/mweso.pdf [10] Arsyid, M.A., Camacho, F.T. and Guo, P. (2009) Corn Basics: Corn Crop Management. http://www.dekalb-asia.com/pdf/CB2_CornCropManagement.pdf [11] Girma, K., Martin, K.L., Freeman, K.W., Mosali, J., Teal, R.K., Raun, W.R., Moges, S.M. and Arnall, D.B. (2007) Determination of Optimum Rate and Growth for Foliar-Applied Phosphorus in Corn. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 38, 1137-1154. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00103620701328016 [12] Higgins, G.M. (1957) Preliminary Report on the Detailed Land, Soil and Contours Survey of Riverine Area of School of Agriculture, Kabba. Soil Survey Bulletin No. 31, 28 p. [13] Babalola, T.S. (2010) Land Evaluation Studies of Two Wetland Soils in Nigeria. Master’s Thesis, the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ado Ekiti, 141. [14] Bremner, J.M. (1982) Total Nitrogen. In: Page, A.L., Miller, R.H. and Keeny, D.R., Eds., Methods of Soil Analysis, Part-2, 2nd Edition, Agronomy Monograph No. 9, ASA and SSSA, Madison, 915-928. [15] Olsen, S.R. (1982) Phosphorus. In: Page, A.L., Miller, R.H. and Keeny, D.R., Eds., Methods of Soil Analysis, Part-2, 2nd Edition, Agronomy Monograph No. 9, ASA and SSSA, Madison, 403-430. [16] Nelson, D.W. and Sommers, L.E. (1982) Total Carbon, Organic Carbon and Organic Matter. In: Page, A.L., Miller, R.H. and Keeny, D.R., Eds., Methods of Soil Analysis, Part-2, 2nd Edition, Agronomy Monograph No. 9, ASA and SSSA, Madison, 539-579. [17] Nangju, D. and Wanki, S.B.C. (1980) Estimating Leaf Area of Cowpea and Soybean Using Dry Weights of Terminal Leaf Lets. Experimental Agriculture, 16, 149-151. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0014479700010838 [18] McKeys, E. (1985) Soil Cutting and Tillage. Elsevier Science Publishers B. V., Amsterdam. [19] Blaise, D. and Ravindran, C.D. (2003) Influence of Tillage and Residue Management on Growth and Yield of Cotton Grown on a Vertisol over 5 Years in a Semi-Arid Region of India. Soil and Tillage Research, 70, 163-173. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0167-1987(02)00153-8 [20] Scornpoon, W. and Jayasuriya, H.P.W. (2013) Effect of Different Tillage and Residues Management Practices on Growth and Yield of Corn Cultivation in Thailand. Agricultural Engineering International: CIGR Journal, 15, 86-94. [21] Nakamoto, T., Yamagishi, J. and Miura, F. (2006) Effect of Reduced Tillage on Weeds and Soil Organisms in Winter Wheat and Summer Maize Cropping on Humic Andosols in Central Japan. Soil and Tillage Research, 85, 94-106. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2004.12.004 [22] Rasmussen, K.J. (1999) Impact of Ploughless Soil Tillage on Yield and Soil Quality: A Scandinavian Review. Soil & Tillage Research, 53, 3-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0167-1987(99)00072-0 [23] Aikins, S.H.M. and Afuakwa, J.J. (2010) Effect of Four Different Tillage Practices on Cowpea Performance. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 6, 644-651. [24] Kombiok, J.M., Safo, E.Y. and Quansah, C. (2005) Yield and Nitrogen Fixation of Cowpea as Affected by Tillage and Cropping Systems in the Northern Savanna Zone of Ghana. West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 7, 95-108. [25] Ojeniyi, S.O. and Adekayode, F.O. (1999) Soil Conditions and Cowpea and Maize Yield Produced by Tillage Methods in the Rainforest Zone of Nigeria. Soil and Tillage Research, 51, 161-164. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0167-1987(99)00018-5 [26] Olaoye, J.O. (2002) Influence of Tillage on Crop Residue Cover, Soil Properties and Yield Components of Cowpea in Derived Savannah Ectones of Nigeria. Soil & Tillage Research, 64, 179-187. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0167-1987(01)00261-6 [27] Adeyemo, A.J. and Agele, S.O. (2010) Effect of Tillage and Manure Application on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Yield of Maize Grown on a Degraded, Intensively Tilled Alfisol in Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management, 1, 205-216. [28] Agbede, T.M. (2006) Effect of Tillage on Soil Properties and Yam Yield on an Alfisol in Southwestern Nigeria. Soil and Tillage Research, 86, 1-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2005.01.012 [29] Ojeniyi, S.O. and Dexter, A.R. (1977) Soil Structural Changes during Multiple Pass Tillage. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 22, 1068-1072. http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/2013.35157 [30] Agbede, T.M. (2007) Response of Soil Properties and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor. L.) to Tillage and Poultry Manure in the Forest-Savanna Transitional Zone of Nigeria. Ph.D. Thesis, the Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, 155-157. [31] Soleimani, R. (2006) The Effects of Integrated Application of Micronutrient on Wheat in Low Organic Carbon Conditions of Alkaline Soils of Western Iran. Proceedings of the 18th World Congress of Soil Science, Philadelphia, 9-15 July 2006, 22. [32] Alston, A.M. (1979) Effects of Soil Water Content and Foliar Fertilization with Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Late Seasons on the Yield and Composition of Wheat. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 30, 577-585. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/AR9790577 [33] Kolota, E. and Osinska, M. (2002) Efficiency of Foliar Nutrition of Field Vegetables Grown at Different Nitrogen Rates. Acta Horticulturae, 563, 87-91. [34] Zahran, F.A. and Abdoh, A.E. (1998) Nitrogen Fertilization of Onion in Sandy Soils. Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 76, 903-911. [35] Zeidan, M.S. (2003) Effect of Sowing Dates and Urea Foliar Application on Growth and Seed Yield of Determinate Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) under Egyptian Conditions. Egyptian Journal of Agronomy, 24, 93-102.