IMPACT OF TILLAGE PRACTICES ON PROPERTIES OF SOIL, EVAPOTRANSPIRATION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF COWPEA IN NIGERIA

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Background: Tillage is one of the major threats to soil health which often results into soil physical degradation if not properly managed. Zero tillage is an alternative option from both economic and environmental protection of our soil resources points of view. Objective. To evaluate responses of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) yield and evapotranspiration to different tillage practices. Methodology. The study was conducted in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Osun State, Nigeria using a replicated randomized complete block design with treatments consisting of Zero-tillage (ZT), Reduced tillage (RT), Conventional tillage + Mulch (CT + ML) and Conventional tillage (CT). Results. Soil penetration resistance (SPR) increased with the degree of soil manipulation during tillage practices. Penetration resistance (PR) across 15-30 cm in 2019 alone resulted in higher PR of 2.26 MPa for RT compared to 0.71, 0.72 and 0.79 MPa for ZT, CT + (ML and CT), respectively, approximately 218 %, 213 % and 186 % greater in RT than ZT, CT + ML and CT respectively. Implications. Cowpea production on sandy loam soil can be optimized with Zero tillage. Conclusion. Over a period of two years, ZT practice had the highest profit margin of $ 573, among the practices.

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