EFFECT OF TILLAGE AND MULCHING ON SOIL MOISTURE STORAGE AND YIELD OF OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) ON AN INCEPTISOL IN MAKURDI, SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA
Agber, P. I., Wuese, S. T. and A, Ali
Department of Soil Science
University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2373 Makurdi, Makurdi-Nigeria.
E-mail: kumedula@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
This study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi in the year 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons to determine soil moisture storage and yield of okra as influenced by tillage and mulching. The field moisture content determination was a weekly field-to-laboratory soil water content determination that gave an idea of the soil moisture available for the crop on the field vis-à-vis the rainfall received within the same duration. Improved okra variety NHAe47-4 was planted within three (3) tillage methods with five (5) sawdust-mulching rates, replicated three (3) times and arranged factorially in an RCBD to monitor variation in crop yield in response to varying soil moisture storage in the different treatments. Among the tillage methods, Tied ridging gave the highest crop yield of 5,370kg/ha, followed by Flat cultivation with 4,830 kg/ha and least by Open ridging with 4,620 kg/ha. Soil moisture storage-wise, Tied ridging accumulated the highest average soil moisture of 214.75 mm, followed by Flat cultivation with 213.16mm and least by open ridging with 209.63mm. Of the mulching rates, 4 – 8 t/ha regardless of tillage method produced significantly higher yield of Okra, and also had the higher moderating effect on soil moisture storage than their respective controls. The performance of either 6 or 8 t/ha was not significantly different at 5% level of probability, but was significantly higher than 4 t/ha. It is recommended that 6 t/ha mulch with Tied ridging is most suitable for overall improved soil condition and profitable okra production on the soil of the study area (inceptisol).
