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).

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