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No‐tillage Effects on Soil Properties under Different Crops in Western Nigeria
Author(s) -
Lal R.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1976.03615995004000050039x
Subject(s) - alfisol , tillage , agronomy , plough , cajanus , cropping system , conventional tillage , environmental science , crop , soil water , biology , soil science
Five years of no‐tillage vs. the conventional method of tractor plowing significantly affected the physical and chemical properties of an Alfisol in western Nigeria. Continuous cropping of maize for 3 consecutive years was followed by 4 seasons of cultivation with cropping sequences of maize‐maize ( Zea mays L.), maize‐cowpeas ( Vigna unguiculata L. walp.), pigeon peas ( Cajanus cajan Millsp.)‐maize, soybeans‐soybeans ( Glycine max Merr.), maize‐soybeans, and cowpeas‐cowpeas. The no‐tillage plots had higher organic matter contents in the surface soil horizons and higher concentrations of nitrate‐nitrogen, Bray‐1 available phosphorus, and ammonium acetate extractable cations such as Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and K + than the plowed plots. The infiltration rates of no‐tillage plots were higher than those of the plowed plots and, thus, runoff and erosion losses were minimal. Although maximum soil temperatures were higher in the plowed plots, the no‐tillage plots had higher soil moisture contents throughout the growing seasons. Greater earthworm activity in the no‐tillage plots reduced compaction and crust formation. Yields equal to those from the plowed plots were harvested from the no‐tillage plots under suitable crop rotations.