Effect of Tillage Practices on Soil Properties Under a Maize Cultivation in a South Western Nigeria

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A study was conducted to determine the effect of different tillage practices on soil properties under maize cultivation in Ayetoro campus of Olabisi Onabanjo Univerity,located at Yewa North,South Western Nigeria.The tillage systems evaluated were zero, convectional tillage and traditional tillage. The results showed that traditional tillage system gave a bulk density lower than than the convectional and zero tillage systems.This resulted in higher water holding capacity which enhanced the pulverization of the soil and increased plant root proliferation and optimal uptake of soil nutrient.The result also showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) between the tillage systems in terms of plant girth,number of internodes,number of leaves,number of tillers,number of cobs/plant,fresh weight of cobs with bracts and fresh weight of bract.However,there were no significant difference (P<0.05) in the fresh weight of grain/cob and fresh weight of 10 grains between the tillage systems.The traditional tillage resulted in highest plant stem girth,leaf number,fresh weight of cob with bracts,fresh weight of cobs without bracts and total yield.The cost of operation was also lower in the traditional tillage system.This made it economically suitable for local farmers.Maize production in this area will be most economically suitable for local farmers.Maize production in this area will be most economical under the traditional system compared with the other two tillage systems.This also has an added advantage of more efficient soil conservation,through reduction of erosion process.

Stream: Environmental Sustainability

Paper: A paper has not yet been submitted.

Bolarinwa Senjobi holds a Phd in Agronomy(Soil Science) from the University of Ibadan,Nigeria.He teaches courses in Soil and Environmental Sciences at Olabisi Onabanjo University,Nigeria.He has published in both local and international journals on soil and environmental related issues.He is at present the Head of Department of Soil Science and Farm Mechanisation at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria