Towards a more sustainable soil management through recycling of readily available weeds in Akure, Nigeria, different rates of Tithonia diversifolia (tithonia) were compared on a field trial to evaluate its effect on soil properties. The experiment was sited at two locations in South gate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Prior to the field establishment, a composite soil sample was collected and analyzed for physico-chemical properties. The sites were cleared and tilled. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The treatments consisted of three levels of tithonia application which are 0, 3 and 6 t ha-1. Each experimental unit size was 2 m x 2 m with 1 m alleyway. Maize (Zea mays L. var.TZB-SR) seeds were sown at a spacing of 75 cm by 25 cm and 10 were randomly sampled per plot for growth and yield parameters. Data were collected on maize yield and soil physical and chemical properties after harvest to ascertain sustainability of the mulch material after cropping. Application of tithonia mulch improved growth, and yield indices of maize as well as soil physical and chemical properties. The contents of soil total N, exchangeable cations, , CEC, Organic matter content, total porosity, moisture content and infiltration rate were found to significantly (p>0.05) increase in treatments with tithonia mulch. The best result was from the application rate 6 tha-1 because it improved and left the soil conserved after harvesting maize. Similar trends were observed at the two sites despite variation in inherent soil properties.
In a bid to evaluate the effect of selected organic residues and inorganic on the performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), a concurrent experiment was conducted using Gliricidia sepium and Aspilla africana as the source of organic residue while N: P: K and Urea were used as the sources of inorganic fertilizers. The materials were applied solely and in combinations to give a total of nine (9) treatments. The land area used was 28m by 11m partition into 9 plots and replicated three times to give a total of 27 experimental units. The experiment was laid out in a randomized Complete Black Design (RCBD). Okra variety lady finger was planted at a spacing of 60cm by 45cm at a rate of three seeds per hole which was later thinned to one plant per stand. The treatments were applied two weeks after planting. Ten plants were tagged to determine the growth and yield parameters. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using SPSS 16.00 version and mean separation was done using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). It was discovered that treatments containing a combination of N:P:K, urea and gliricidia sepium(T9), gave the best in terms of growth parameter and yield on site 1 while on site 2 a combination of NPK, urea and Aspilia africana (T8) gave the best. This shows the okra responds well to applications of organic residues together with inorganic fertilizers.
Investigating the nutrient composition in soil textural constituent as influenced by land use is a necessity towards a good soil conservative and management measure. In view of this, a laboratory experiment was conducted; soil samples were collected from different locations within and outside the Federal University of Technology, Akure and analyzed for basic chemical elements. The soil sampling was based on land use and six different soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-15cm. These samples included bare soil (BS), waterlogged soil (WS), maize cultivated soil (MS), cassava cultivated soil (CS), cassava-maize intercrop (CM), and mixed cropping of cassava, maize and cowpea (MC). The waterlogged soil was cultivated to rice while the bare soil was not cultivated. The soil samples were air-dried and crushed after which fractionation was carried out using a three-layer sieve to separate the soil particles into different size of 2mm to 0.5mm (Sand), 0.5mm-0.05mm (Silt) and
Adequate knowledge of soil processes is key to ensuring sustainability. Towards a better understanding of some thermal and hydrological processes that take place in the soil as a result of the growth period of maize and cowpea, a concurrent research was carried out in two different locations with soil textural variation (sandy clay loam and clay loam) at the Federal University of Technology, Akure. The treatment consisted of bare soil plot, cowpea plot, and maize plot arranged in a randomized complete block design in three replicates. The same weed management practice was carried out on all treatment plots throughout the duration of the study. Data were collected at 4 weeks after planting (WAP), 8 WAP, and 12 WAP, during which the dry bulk density, mass wetness, volumetric infiltration rate, saturated hydraulic conductivity, sorptivity, soil temperature, total energy emitted, wavelength of maximal radiation intensity, and energy flux were determined. The results showed that growing maize and cowpea had no significant influence (P > 0.05) on the soil properties measured in the SCL soil. However, significant difference was noticed in the CL soil at 8 WAP; the crops grown prevented the formation of excess soil seal and crust when compared to the bare soil plot. This study shows that soil textural property greatly influences hydrological and thermal processes in the soil during the maize and cowpea growth period.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.