Effect of Moisture at Tillage on Bulk Density and Soil Strength
1SHITTU, K.A., 1OYEDELE, D.J., 2BABATUNDE, K.M. AND ADELEKUN, M.F
1Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
2Department of Agricultural Technology, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Saki Campus, Oyo State, Nigeria.
E-mail: mbabatundekayode@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This study was aimed at investigating the changes in bulk density and soil strength in response to soil moisture contents at tillage and to manage the soil in relation to soil conservation. The experimental units were ploughed at different moisture content ranging from 19% MCI to 13% MC4 except control plots which were sprayed with systematic herbicide. The soil ranged between sandy loams to loamy sand in the profile. The experiment was carried out at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm (OAUT & R.F), Ile-Ife in 2011. The experimental field was 0.6ha and was laid out in a modified randomized complete block design RCBD. For the first cropping session, cone index was significantly lowest for MC2 treatment 1.35kg/cm2 followed by MC3 treatment 1.32kg/cm2 at 0-5 cm soil depth, no tillage which had the highest value 1.84kg/cm2. At 5-10cm soil depth, MC3 had significantly lowest cone index 1.57 kg/cm2 also no significant difference was also recorded for the bulk densities of the two seasons considered. However, there was a significant difference among the treatments for initial bulk density considered. MC3 had the highest bulk density value 1.48a glcm3 followed by MC1, 1.44ab glcm3 and MC4 1.43ab glcm3, the least value was recorded for MC2, 1.32b glcm3.