Engineering and Agronomic Properties as Influenced by Vegetable Cultivation in Obubra, Nigeria

Engineering and agronomic properties of soil as influenced by vegetable cropping in Obubra, Nigeria was considered. An experimental site measuring of 336 m 2 was used. Four treatments with three replicates each were laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatments included, T = Cultivation of Tomato, O = Cultivation of Okra, F = Cultivation of Fluted Pumpkin, N = No cultivation (Control). A total of 12 sub-plots were laid on the field. Each subplot measured 4 m x 4 m with a distance of 1m inter-blocks and 1m in-between the plots and within the replication. Soil samples were collected randomly at 10 points before cultivation and on each of the 12 plots at three months after cultivation using soil cores and auger for soil analysis. The soil samples were air-dried, sieved with 2 mm mesh and were subjected to standard laboratory analysis to obtain physical and chemical properties. Data on growth of the vegetables were collected based on the following parameters – height, width, number of branches and of leaves. Treatment N with no cropping plots had the highest cone index and bulk density and lowest porosity. This is closely followed by treatments T and O respectively. Treatment F had the lowest cone index and bulk density; and highest porosity. Analysis of variance for effects of vegetable cropping on engineering and agronomic properties of soil showed that all the treatments were significant at p-value of 0.97. Farmers should ensure that they plant their vegetables also in rotation. Creeping vegetables like fluted pumpkin should be planted followed by vegetables like okra and others which does not creep on the soil. This practice will ensure proper conservation and utilization of engineering and agronomic properties for enhanced agricultural production.