Impact of Tillage Practices and Soil Amendments on Soil Strength and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) in Nigeria

Authors

  • Kabiru A Shittu Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Production and Management, College of Agriculture, Osun State University, PMB 4494, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
  • Omotayo B Adeboye Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, P.M.B. 13, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
  • Funke V. Oladiran Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Production and Management, College of Agriculture, Osun State University, PMB 4494, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
  • Musibau O. Azeez Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, P.M.B. 13, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
  • Kayode S. Are Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, P.M.B. 5029, Moor Plantation, Apata, Ibadan, Nigeria
  • Kazeem F Adisa Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Osun State College of Technology, P.M.B. 1011, Esa Oke, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v51i2.10

Abstract

The combined effects of tillage, soil strength and organic soil amendment influence crop yield. The study evaluated the effects of tillage and different soil amendment sources on soil strength, moisture content and okra yield in the Osun State University Teaching and Research Farm. There were 12 treatment combinations: i. TRP (Plough + Poultry dung) ii. SPP (Spray + Poultry dung) iii. TCD (Plough + Cow dung) iv. TRF (Plough + NPK 15 15 15) v. SPC (Spray + Cow dung) vi. SLC. (Slash + Cow dung) vii. SPF (Spray + NPK 15 15 15) viii. TRO (Plough Only) ix. SLP (Slash + Poultry dung) x. SLF (Slash + NPK 15 15 15) xi. SPO (Spray Only) xii SLO (Slash Only). Results revealed that soil strength averaged across TRF (1.91 MPa), SLC (1.7 MPa), SPP (1.53 MPa) and TCD (1.59 MPa) in the year 2021 has been reduced to TRF (1.1 MPa), SLC (1.19 MPa), SPP (1.25 MPa) and TCD (1.25 MPa) in the year 2022, approximately 42.41 %, 30 %, 22.88 % and 21.36 % respectively. Experimental plots with TRP (2.86 t ha-1) and SPP (1.88 t ha-1) had the highest okra yield and were significantly different from TRO (0.60 t ha-1), SPO (0.31 tons ha-1), and SLO (0.25 t ha-1) in the year 2022. Organic soil amendment practices can lower soil strength, enhance moisture storage and promote good root growth characteristics.

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Published

2025-06-27

Issue

Vol. 51 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Biological Sciences Section