Department of Soil Science

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Department of Soil Science

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Browsing Department of Soil Science by Author "Aina, P. O."

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    Compaction and Moisture Suction Effects on Soil Strength and Crop Emergence
    (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1985) Aina, P. O.; Fapohunda, H. O.; Idowu, J.
    Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effects of four levels of soil compaction and five moisture suctions on the relationship between penetrometer soil strength and emergence of maize and cowpea seedlings for five contrasting soils of Western Nigeria. Compaction (bulk density) and moisture suction accounted for 75-- 88% of observed variation in soil strength and affected seedling emergence at specified soil strengths. The effect of compaction or moisture suction on the relation of seedling emergence to soil strength depended on 5oil and crop species. The rate of cowpea seedling emergence, which was about two-thirds that of maize, was more adversely affected by compaction than by high moisture suction. Cowpea emergence ceased when soil strengths exceeded 8 kg/cm2 in the clay loam or 10 kg/cm2 in the sandy clay loam and sandy loams, while corresponding values for maize were 14 kg/cm2 for the clay loam and 18 kg/cm2 for the other soils
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    Tillage, seed bed configuration and mulching: effects on soil physical properties, and responses of cassava, cowpea and maize
    (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Aina, P. O.
    The influence of tillage, and 2 seed bed configurations on soil physical properties and responses of cassava (Manihot esculenta), cowpea (Vignia unguiculata L. Walpa), and maize (Zea mays L.) was studied for two cropping seasons in 1978 under mulch and no-mulch conditions. The study was conducted on an Alfisol at the Ife (Nigeria) University teaching and Research Farm. Tillage reduced soil bulk density at planting (1.43 g/cc) by 23%. Six weeks after seeding, the bulk density of ridges and mounds had increased by 24% compared to 3.5% increase for no-tillage plots under bare conditions. Mulching reduced soil compaction of tilled plots by 50% while compaction was negligible on the mulched no-tillage plots. Soil moisture reserve, 3 weeks after planting was higher by 5 and 8 percent (of cumulative rainfall) respectively for no-tillage and ridged plots compared to mounds under unmulched conditions. In the same correspondent order soil temperature was respectively, lower by 3oC and 1oC than in mounds during the period. Mulch effect on soil moisture and temperature was more significant with no-tillage compared to ridges and mounds. Yield of cassava was reduced by only 13% when grown with no-tillage plus mulch, compared to 40% with no-tillage without mulch. There was no significant effect of tillage on cowpea yield. Yield results reflected differences in soil moisture and temperature regimes which influenced seedling germination, stand and subsequent plant development.