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The impact of
tillage systems on soil microclimate, growth and yield of
cassava (Manihot utilisima) in Midwestern Nigeria
Odjugo Peter A. O.
Department of Geography and Regional Planning, University of
Benin, P. M. B. 1154 Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. E-mail:
paoodjugo@yahoo.com. Tel: 08023718654 Or 08038587116.
Accepted 29 February, 2008 |
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Cassava is the most widely cultivated root crops among
traditional farmers in the Midwestern Nigeria. Majority of
the traditional farmers employ the zero tillage system. It
is unclear if zero tillage is the best practice for
optimizing yield? This study investigates the impact of
tillage types on soil microclimatic condition, growth and
yield of cassava in Midwestern Nigeria. An experimental area
that measured 17 by 47 m was established in Agbor, Delta
State, Nigeria for two planting seasons 1997/1998 and
1998/1999. The microclimatic parameters monitored include
air and soil temperatures and relative humidity while the
physiological parameters measured were emergence, growth
rate, leaf area accumulation and yield. Time series,
multiple correlation, chi-square., ANOVA and stepwise
regression analyses were the statistical tools employed in
analysing the data. The results showed that soil moisture at
0 - 15 cm depth was significantly higher in zero tillage,
followed by ridge and mound. The reverse is true with soil
temperature. Ridge tillage (9.6 t ha-1)
significantly produced more cassava tubers, followed by
mound tillage (7.5 t ha-1) and zero tillage (5.2
t ha-1). The conventional ridge tillage method is
recommended because it yielded more than the local practice
of the zero tillage by 46%.
Key words:
Nigeria, tillage types, microclimate, hydrothermal,
ethnoscience, cassava yield. |
