ABSTRACT
The impact of short term no-till cultivation on infiltration rate and dry aggregate stability in mararraban daware, Girei local government area, Adamawa state were evaluated to compare some soil properties as affected by some tillage operations. The no-till cultivation was started in June 2015 and in January 2017 measurements of soil infiltration rate, dry aggregate stability, pH (soil reaction), organic carbon, electrical conductivity (EC), and soil texture were made. Sixty (60) Samples were collected, 30 samples in the No-till site and 30 in the adjacent conventionally tilled sites at depth of 0-20cm and 20-50cm respectively. Samples were prepared and the standard laboratory technique was used for laboratory analysis. Two infiltration test per site were also carried out. Using dry sieving method, sieves at apertures of 2mm, 1.18mm, 600µm, 425µm, 300µm, 150µm and 75µm was used and the aggregate of each class was determined by weighing the various soils being retained at each sieve and the relationship between them on each site was examined. The results obtained shows that pH was near neutral on both sites, EC was normal, OC and OM were generally low in all the soils of the study area. MWD (mean weight diameter) was higher in the CT site than in NT site, infiltration test was faster on the CT site than NT.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENT
Abstract 4
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION 5
1.1 Background of the study 5
1.2 Statement of problem 6
1.3 Significance of the study 6
1.4 Aims and Objectives 6
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 No-till cultivation 7
2.2 Benefits of No-Till. 8
2.3 The effect of No-tillage on Infiltration rate 9
2.4 The effect of No-tillage on soil bulk density 10
2.5 Effect of No-tillage on soil aggregate and soil structure. 11
2.6 The effect of No-tillage on soil porosity 13
2.7 The effect of No-tillage on soil temperature 14
2.8 The effects of No-tillage on crop growth 15
2.9 Effects of No-Tillage on Available Water Capacity/Total Soil Water. 15
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS AND METHOD
3.1Experimental site 18
3.2 Climate 18
3.3Field work 18
3.4Laboratory Analysis 19
3.4.1 Particle size distribution 19
3.4.2Soil Reaction (pH) 19
3.4.2Electrical conductivity (EC) 19
3.4.3Organic carbon (OC) 19
3.4.4Dry Aggregate Analysis 19
3.4.5Wet Aggregate Analysis 20
3.4.6Infiltration Studies 20
3.4.6 Statistical Analysis 20
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1 Some soil properties of the study site. 21
4.3 Aggregate stability and mean weight diameter (MWD) 23
4.3 Infiltration rate 25
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary/Conclusion 28
5.2 Recommendation 28
REFERENCE. 29
Appendices 35
