TITLE:
Effect of Tillage Operations on Soil Moisture Contents in the Southern Guinea Savanna Ecological Zone of Nigeria
AUTHORS:
R. M. Olanrewaju, A. S. Abubakar
KEYWORDS:
Agronomic Operation, Soil Moisture, Soil Depth, Oven Drying
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.7 No.3,
February
13,
2015
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.