EFFECTS OF HARROW OPERATIONS ON SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES IN RELATION TO CROP PRODUCTION

Publication Date : 01/02/2015


Author(s) :

Shanono, N.J., Nasidi, N.M., Abubakar, M.S., Zakari, M.D..


Volume/Issue :
Volume 10
,
Issue 1
(02 - 2015)



Abstract :

A study was conducted to determine the effect of harrow operation on soil physical properties in relation to crop production at the Agricultural Engineering Departmental Farm, Bayero University Kano, situated in Sudan Savannah zone of Northern Nigeria. The harrow operations evaluated were harrow using tractor (Ht), harrow using animal (Ha) and no-harrow (Hn). The results showed that there is a significant difference in soil physical parameters (p < 0.05) among the harrow operations. The harrow operations using tractor resulted in the most favorable soil environment for crop growth followed by harrow using animal and no-harrow operations respectively. The significant favourable soil conditions ensure lower bulk density, higher water holding capacity, infiltration rate, hydraulic conductivity and porosity which are expected to increase crop root proliferation and optimize utilization of soil nutrients. Hence, harrow operation using tractor (Ht) and animals (Ha) have the capability to increase crop production while no-harrow (Hn) is better under long term production for sustainable land use (minimizes erosion).


No. of Downloads :

4


About BayeroJet

The new Bayerojet Journal is designed to be able to manage the increasing number of published articles. The new system will allow the publishers as well as the Bayerojet team to make publishing more efficient. If you wish to publish an article it will be very easy. All you have to do is to submit your paper online and wait to the review before it will be finally published. You can manage your articles and send new versions at any time. Browse through our page to find out more.