Soil Properties and Rainfed Maize Yield as Influenced by Tillage Practices Integrated With Soil Conservation Practices in Makurdi, Nigeria

This research was conducted at Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi during 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons to assess the effect of different tillage practices combined with some agronomic soil conservation practices on soil physical properties and maize yield. The experiment consisted of twelve treatments namely: zero tillage + soybean, zero tillage + cowpea, zero tillage + mulch, zero tillage + maize-only, surface-hoeing + soybean, surface-hoeing + cowpea, surface-hoeing +mulch, surface-hoeing + maize-only, manual ridging + soybean, manual ridging + cowpea, manual Ridging + mulch and manual Ridging + maize-only. These treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data collected were analyzed using ANOVA and the significant means were separated using F-LSD. Tillage and agronomic practices significantly affect soil physical properties and maize seed yield during 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons. Tilled plots lowered surface soil bulk density and increase soil porosity compare to the untilled plots. The magnitude of variations of results obtained however depends on the agronomic practice involved. Tilled plots combined with either soybean or cowpea gave better maize seed yield compare to untilled plots. Soybean or cowpea should therefore be inter-cropped with maize as the combinations will improve soil fertility and increased yield of maize.