Evaluation of Different Tillage Practices for Monocultural Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Production in Ibadan, South Western Nigeria
Year: 1997
Type: article
Abstract: A two-season (rainy and dry) study was conducted in 1993 at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ibadan, Nigeria to assess the most productive tillage practice for monocultural cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) production. Completely randomised block design with four replications was used and tillage treatments were : No till-Slash and Burn (NSB), No till-Herbicide applied (NH), Conventional-ploughed and harrowed (CT), and Minimum-ploughed only (MT). Results revealed that tillage practices had no significant effect on percentage emergence, leaf and branch number in both seasons. In the first season, plant height was significantly (P <0.05) influenced by tillage treatments at 2 and 4 weeks after sowing (WAS) with NH showing superiority over the other treatments. In the second season, plant height was significantly (P <0.05) higher in NSB and MT treatments at 6 and 8 WAS, respectively. Pod and grain yield (t ha-1) were not affected by tillage treatments in the first season but in the second season, NSB (1.84 t ha-1) and MT (1.53 t ha-1) showed significant superiority over other treatments. The highest cost of production was observed under NSB while CT produced the highest economie returns. Some soil properties were also influenced with NSB treatment having a higher soil bulk density at sowing and 6 WAS than the other treatments, while NH recorded a higher soil moisture content at 6 WAS than the other treatments. The study also suggests that with optimum precipitation, CT appears a better land preparation option for cowpea production.
Authors: Ndaeyo, NU., Aiyelari, EA.
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4399278073