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THE IMPACT OF MULCH BURNING AND TILLAGE METHODS ON SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES, GROWTH AND YIELD OF....

In Nigeria's southern Guinea Savanna zone, little is known about the impacts of mulch burning on no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) soil chemical characteristics. To close this information gap, a six-year study was conducted. The major plots were CT and NT, and the sub-plots were dry maize plant and vegetative residue mulch at 7 tha-1 in the plots, which received the following treatments: unburned residue mulch on CT, and burnt residue mulch on NT (UCT) BCT (burned residue mulch), UNT (unburned residue mulch), and NT (burned residue mulch) (BNT) Effects of treatment on soil chemical characteristics The following are the characteristics of maize growth and yield: In 2012, UNT had the highest soil pH (6.53) and BCT had the lowest pH (5.03). In both 2012 and 2013, UNT increased pH in BCT (5.03). UNT raised soil pH as the year of cultivation rose, whereas burning decreased soil pH as the year of cultivation increased. UNT had the most organic carbon (17.56gkg-1) while BCT had the least (2.02kg-1). They were statistically significant (P=0.05). For the past six years, the organic carbon trend has been UNT>BNT>UCT>BCT. (P<=0.05). NO3-N total N, accessible P, exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg all showed a similar pattern. Mulch burning had a negative impact on soil nutrients. Maize plant height, stem growth, and leaf area were also measured. The following is the trend in soil nutrient content as a consequence of the study: (P0.05) UNT>BNT>UCT>BCT The highest maize grain yield was obtained in UNT (3.01 t ha-1) and the lowest grain yield was obtained in BCT (0.57tha-1) in 2012, with the difference statistically at (P=0.05). In the ecological zone, NT with unburned plant residue mulch is a crucial factor in increasing soil chemical characteristics.



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