Effects of Disc Ploughing on the Morphological and Physical ...

<strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Disc</strong> <strong>Ploughing</strong> on the Morphological and PhysicalProperties <strong>of</strong> Soils in Mubi South Local Government Area,Adamawa State, NigeriaM. Ahmed 1 , A.I. Zata 2 and M.S. Abubakar 31. Department <strong>of</strong> Crop Science, Adamawa State University, P.M.B 25 Mubi, AdamawaState2. Department <strong>of</strong> Soil Science, Federal University <strong>of</strong> Technology, P.M.B 2076, Yola,Adamawa State3. Department <strong>of</strong> Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology, FederalPolytechnic, P.M.B 35, Mubi, Adamawa Statemabubakar46@gmail.comABSTRACTThe study was conducted to determine the effects <strong>of</strong> disc ploughing on the morphological andphysical properties <strong>of</strong> soils in Mubi South Local Government area <strong>of</strong> Adamawa State. Purposefulsampling techniques were used to select twenty (15) farms in three (3) Adamawa State AgriculturalDevelopment Programme cells during the onset <strong>of</strong> the cropping season <strong>of</strong> 2010 (June - July).Theresults showed that, single disc ploughing have little effects on soil colour and soil consistence but,there were no significant effects (p ≤ 0.05) on soil textural classes, soil structure, bulk density,particle density, percentage pore size, infiltration rate and water holding capacity on the furrowslice. The results further showed that, there was no significant effects (p ≤ 0.05) interaction amongparticle density, infiltrability and bulk density, but high significant effects (p ≤ 0.01) was recordedbetween percentage pore size, water holding capacity and bulk density both <strong>of</strong> which are inverselyrelated.Keywords: Disk plough, furrow slice, morphological and physical properties <strong>of</strong> soils, soilconsistence, threshold bulk densities1.0 INTRODUCTIONIncreasing demand for food by the ever growing human population has placed highpressure on farmers to produce large quantity <strong>of</strong> food to meet this demand. One <strong>of</strong> themeans by which to increase the output is through the employment <strong>of</strong> modern Agriculturalmachineries like ploughs, harrows, planters, harvesters etc. These machineries lead to highoutput per unit area, timely and efficient operations and reduction <strong>of</strong> drudgery associatedwith crop production.Primary tillage such as ploughing is one <strong>of</strong> the labour intensive operation (Ogban etal, 2006) in crop production that require machinery intervention and consequently, morefarmers are relying on tractor and disc ploughs for primary tillage <strong>of</strong> their farms, moreespecially in Tropical countries.In the past, little attention was paid to the effects <strong>of</strong> farm implements on the soil dueto the desire to maximise output, evidently, the intensive use <strong>of</strong> farm machineries havenegatively affected the structure <strong>of</strong> otherwise healthy soils to the extent that crop yields havedecreased (Hamza and Anderson, 2005).Over the decades, more attention has been drawn to the impact <strong>of</strong> the morphologicaland physical properties <strong>of</strong> soil in relation to crop and implements performance (Ahmed, et al,2009; Azhar et al, 2001; and Toole, 2009). Brady and Weil (2007) observed that the physicalproperties <strong>of</strong> soil pr<strong>of</strong>oundly influence how the soils function in an ecosystem and how best

they can be managed effectively for agricultural purposes. Success or failure <strong>of</strong> agriculturalprojects hinges on the morphological and physical properties <strong>of</strong> the soil used. Theoccurrence and growth <strong>of</strong> many plant species are closely related to the physical properties <strong>of</strong>soils as in the movement over and through soils <strong>of</strong> water and its dissolved nutrients.The physical properties most closely connected to the development <strong>of</strong> crop root areporosity and bulk density. For many <strong>of</strong> the tropical Savannah soils <strong>of</strong> West Africa, thethreshold bulk densities above which roots fail to penetrate the soil are about 1.75 g /cm 3 forsandy soils, and from 1.46-1.63g/cm 3 for clays. Bulk densities <strong>of</strong> most <strong>of</strong> the soils range from1.50-1.60g/cm 3 , with an average porosity <strong>of</strong> 42% (Abubakar, et al 2009).While most studies in Nigeria focussed on the effects <strong>of</strong> compaction on crop field,effects <strong>of</strong> poultry droppings on physical properties <strong>of</strong> soils, comparison <strong>of</strong> different tillagepractices on crop yield, and the effect <strong>of</strong> the physical properties <strong>of</strong> soil on Ox-drawn plough(Ojeniyi and Adekayode,2002; Agbede et al, 2008; and Abubakar et al, 2009).There is littleor no interest is shown on the effects <strong>of</strong> disc ploughing on morphological and physicalproperties <strong>of</strong> the furrow slice which is one <strong>of</strong> the major consideration for conservation tillagefor sustainable agricultural production. This study is designed to unearth the effects <strong>of</strong> discploughing on the morphological and physical properties <strong>of</strong> soil in Mubi South LocalGovernment Area <strong>of</strong> Adamawa State, Nigeria.2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS2.1 The Study AreaThe study area covers Mubi South Local Government Area which is specificallylocated between latitudes 10 0 00 l & 10 0 10 l N <strong>of</strong> the Equator and Longitudes 13 0 10 l & 13 0 30 lE <strong>of</strong> the Greenwich meridian. It is situated in the Sudan Savannah zone with annual meanrainfall ranging from 700 to 900 mm and a wet season lasting for 3-4 months and themaximum temperature <strong>of</strong> the area can reach 40 0 C in April and a minimum <strong>of</strong> 18 0 C betweenDecember and January (Adebayo, 1999).Mubi South Local Government Area encompasses part <strong>of</strong> the hard crystallinecratonic basements which are ancient Precambrian rocks formed from series <strong>of</strong> oregeniccycles within the mobile belt <strong>of</strong> Central Africa. The rocks <strong>of</strong> these events are commonlyquartzite (Opeloye and Dio, 1999).2.2 Field WorkThe study was carried out at the beginning <strong>of</strong> the 2010 cropping season (June-July).The Adamawa State Agricultural Development Programme (ADADP) have divided the areainto eight (8) Agricultural wards or Cells (Dirbishi, Gella, Gude, Lamorde, Moduva, Mugulbu,Mujara and Sahuda cells respectively). This work purposively selected only three (3) cells(Lamorde, Moduva and Mugulbu) for the purpose <strong>of</strong> the research because mechanicalploughing is not popular in the remaining cells due to the hilly nature <strong>of</strong> the areas. In eachcell, five (5) farms that employed disc ploughing were selected. Three composite soilsamples were collected from each farm before and after ploughing at a depth <strong>of</strong> 15-20 cm atthe same spot. Also, undisturbed soil samples were collected for bulk density determination.The collected soil samples were air-dried in the laboratory and ground using woodenpestle and mortar; then sieved to pass through 2 mm sieve. Properly labelled samples werekept in clean and fresh polyethylene plastic bags for laboratory analysis2.3 Field Analyses (morphological and physical propertiesSoil analyses were conducted to determine some morphological and physical properties<strong>of</strong> the soil that can be done in the field, soil colour, consistence and soil structure weredetermined in the field.2.3.1 Soil ColourThe colour <strong>of</strong> the soil were determined using Munsell soil colour chart where a smallpiece <strong>of</strong> soil was compared to a standard colour chips in the soil colour book.

2.3.2 Soil consistenceThe feeling and manipulating method (Brady and Weil, 2007) was used to determine theconsistence <strong>of</strong> the soil.2.3.3 Soil StructureThe structures <strong>of</strong> soils were also determined in the Field under grade, class and type whenthe soil is well dry.2.4.0 Laboratory Analyses (physical properties)2.4.1Particles Size DistributionThe particles size distributed was determined by the Bouyoucous hydrometer method (Bradyand Weil, 2007).The textural classes <strong>of</strong> the soils were determined by applying the results <strong>of</strong>particles size distribution to the Marshal’s textural triangle2.4.2 Bulk densityThe soil bulk density was determined by obtaining a known volume <strong>of</strong> soil drying it to removethe water and weighing the dry mass (Brady and Weil, 2007)2.4.3 Particle densityThe particle density was determined and expressed as an oven-dry weight <strong>of</strong> a givenquantity <strong>of</strong> solid soil particles per unit volume <strong>of</strong> water displaced by the solid particles usinga .glass cylinder (Singer and Munns, 1999).2.4.4 Per cent pore space in soilThe per cent pore space was obtained by calculation using the data on bulk and particledensities. This is given by:% pore space = (1 - e b /e p ) x 100………………………………………………………….. (1)Where: e b = Bulk densitye p = Particle density2.4.5 Water holding capacityThe water holding capacity is calculated using the formula below:WHC = [ ( b – c/ c - a) x 100]…………………………………………………..…….……(2)Where: a =weight <strong>of</strong> empty canb = weight <strong>of</strong> can and saturated soilc = weight <strong>of</strong> can and oven dry soil2.4.6 Infiltration rateThe rate at which water enters the soil pore spaces and became soil water wasdetermined using the formula for calculating the infiltrability <strong>of</strong> the soil (Brady and Weil,2007), using the formula; I = Q/A x t……………………………………………..………. (3)Where I = Infiltrability (rate <strong>of</strong> water infiltration)Q = volume quantity <strong>of</strong> water (m 3 )A = area <strong>of</strong> soil surface (m 2 )t = time (s)2.5 Statistical toolThe analysis <strong>of</strong> variance (ANOVA) was employed to analyse the data and Duncanmultiple range test (DMTR) generated in accordance with the generalised linear modelprocedures SAS (Statistical Analysis System, 1999).

3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONThe result <strong>of</strong> the effects <strong>of</strong> the treatment on the morphological and physical propertiessoil <strong>of</strong> furrow slice is presented in Tables 1, 2 and 3.There was no significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) among the variables. The effect <strong>of</strong> thedisc on parameters as obtained in Table 1, show no significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) betweenbefore and after disc ploughing on the soil samples studied. The bulk densities at the threesites show that Mugulbu has the highest mean <strong>of</strong> 1.32, followed by Moduva with 1.27 andLamorde is the least with 1.20 but statistically they are not significant (P ≤ 0.05) based onthe Duncan’s Multiple Rank Test (DMRT) as presented in Table 2.TABLE 1: Effect <strong>of</strong> disc ploughing on the variablesLegend: BD = Bulk density, PD = Particle density, PPS = Percentage pore space, INF = Infiltrationrate, WHC = Water holding capacity, SE = Standard errorTreatment BD PD PPS INF WHCBefor 1.29a 2.35a 44.80a 0.09a 44.07After 1.27a 2.35a 45.47a 0.16a 43.53aSE (±) 0.11 0.11 3.8 0.1 4.44There were no significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in the interaction among particle density,infiltrability and bulk density, but a high significant difference (P ≤ 0.01) was recordedbetween percentage pore size, water holding capacity and bulk density both <strong>of</strong> which areinversely related as shown in Table 3.This work shows that bulk density was not affected by disc ploughing at the plough layer (0 –20cm depth). This may probably be because the soils were subjected to pulverisation whichloosens the surface soil. However, studies carried out on bulk density over a long timeindicated a positive correlation between bulk density and implement used below the workingdepth (30 – 50 cm) <strong>of</strong> the implement even as they lift and loosen the soil above. This is inline with the findings <strong>of</strong> Nuhu and Ibrahim (2006) that bulk density increased with increasein the number <strong>of</strong> tractor passes .Also, Ahmad et al. (2008), reported similarly that ploughingwith the same implement at the same depth for a long time affect soil physical propertiessuch as bulk density and porosity.In terms <strong>of</strong> particle densities, the results obtained from Lamorde (2.36 Mg/m 3 ) andMugulbu (2.50 Mg/m 3 ) show no significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) between the samples;however, the soil obtained from Moduva (2.14 Mg/m 3 ) has a significant difference (P ≤ 0.01)as indicated by Table 2.TABLE 2: Performance <strong>of</strong> disc ploughing on the variables at different sitesSite BD PD PPS INF WHCLamorde 1.20a 2.36a 49.90a 0.10a 44.30aModuva 1.27a 2.14b 38.40b 0.09a 42.20aMugulbu 1.32a 2.50a 47.10a 0.02a 44.90aSE (±) 0.11 0.11 3.80 0.10 4.44Figures with the same letters are not statistically significantThere were no significant interaction (P ≤ 0.05) between bulk density, water holding capacityand particle density, but a significant interaction existed between percentage pore size,infiltrability and particle density as shown in Table 3.In this study, particle density <strong>of</strong> the soils <strong>of</strong> the furrow slice was found to be unaffected bydisc ploughing since the values obtained before and after ploughing were constant (2.50mg/m 3 for both Lamorde and Mugulbu, and 2.00 mg/m 3 for Moduva). This result may beexplained by the fact that particle density is the same as the specific gravity <strong>of</strong> the soils <strong>of</strong>the actual soil particle or mineral material, excluding the pore spaces. The values obtainedwere within the limit <strong>of</strong> 2.0 – 2.5 mg/m 3 , This result is in concur with those reported byBrady and Weil (2007) that the particle densities <strong>of</strong> most mineral soils vary between thenarrow limits <strong>of</strong> 2.0 – 2.75mg/m 3 .

There was highly significant interaction (P ≤ 0.01) between percentage pore spaceand bulk density, while the interaction between percentage pore space and water holdingcapacity was highly significant (P ≤ 0.01). There was no significant interaction (P ≤ 0.05)between percentage pore space and particle density. Likewise, there was no significantinteraction (P ≤ 0.05) between percentage pore space and infiiltrability (Table 3).The present study show that a single pass <strong>of</strong> disc plough have no effect on the percentagepore size or porosity <strong>of</strong> furrow slice. This is in contrast with other works which focused on the30 – 50cm depth that ploughing <strong>of</strong> a piece <strong>of</strong> land continuously leads to reduced porosity( Seker and Islidar (2000) ; Hamza and Anderson 2000) and Ahmed et al. (2008). This maybe explained by the fact that, the furrow slice is less subjected to compactionSimilarly, there were no significant differences (P

4.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONBased on the given conditions under which this work was carried out, the result <strong>of</strong> theresearch indicated that, the soils <strong>of</strong> the study area are mostly sandy loam which areunaffected by actions <strong>of</strong> disc ploughing on the furrow slice. It can then be concluded that,disc ploughing on a short time and on single implement passage has little or no effect on themorphological and physical properties <strong>of</strong> the soils.Based on the findings <strong>of</strong> this study, the following recommendations were made:i The use <strong>of</strong> light duty disc plough should be encouraged since it has no adverse effects onthe furrow sliceii. Study should be extended to cover long time effects <strong>of</strong> disc ploughing on the physical andmorphological properties <strong>of</strong> the furrow slice.REFERENCESAbubakar, M. S.; Tekwa,I.J. and Ahmed, M.M. (2009). <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> Soil Physico-mechanicalproperties on field performance efficiency <strong>of</strong> ox-drawn mouldboard plough in Yola,Adamawa State. Agricultural Engineering International: CIGR Ejournal <strong>of</strong> ScientificResearch and Development, Vol. xi. Retrieved on 25 th Oct, 2009 fromhttp//:www.cigrejournal.orgAdebayo, A. A. (1999). Climate II: Rainfall. In; Adamawa State in Maps. Adebayo,A.A. andTukur, A.L. (eds). Paraclete Publishers, Yola. Pp 23-26.Ahmad, N., Hassan, F.U and Belford, R.K. (2009). <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> Soil compaction in the Subhumidcropping environment in Pakistan on uptake <strong>of</strong> NPK and Grain Yield in Wheat(Triticum aestivum). Field Crops Research, 110(2009) 54-60. Retrieved on 04 th Feb,2010 from http//: www.elsevier.com/locate/fcrAgbede,T.M., Ojeniyi, S.O. and Adeyemo, A.J.(2008). Effect <strong>of</strong> poultry manure on soilphysico-Chemical properties, growth and grain yield <strong>of</strong> sorghum in Southwest,Nigeria. American- Eurasian Journal <strong>of</strong> Sustainable Agriculture, 2(1): Pp. 72-77.Azhar,M., Iqbal, M., Khan, M.A. and Ashraf,M. (2001). <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> tillage implements incombination with gypsum applications on the reclamation <strong>of</strong> saline-sodic soils.International Journal <strong>of</strong> Agriculture and Biology, 3(3), 301-304. Retrieved on 14 thApril, 2010 from http//: www.ijab.orgBrady,N.C., and Weil, R.R.(2007). Nature and properties <strong>of</strong> Soils. 13 TH edition. p 137-188.Pearson Education Inc. New Delhi.Hamza, M.A. and Anderson, W.K. (2005).Soil compaction in Cropping systems: A review <strong>of</strong>the nature, causes and possible solutions. Soil and tillage research, 82 (2005) 121-145. Retrieved on 13 th June, 2008 from http//: www.elsevier.com/locate/stillNuhu, H. and Tashiwa, I.Y. (2006). The effects <strong>of</strong> Soil Compaction on Early Emergence andGrowth <strong>of</strong> Cotton (Gossypium, Hirsutum). Journa l <strong>of</strong> League <strong>of</strong> Researchers inNigeria. 7/2 (p83-89).Ogban, P.I., Ogunewe, W.N.,Dike, R.I., Ajaelo, A.C., Ikeate, N.I, Achumba, U.E. and Nyong,E.E. (2006). <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> tillage and mulching practices on soil properties and growthand yield <strong>of</strong> cowpea (Vigna unquiculata (L), Walp) in Southern Nigeria. In:Proceeding <strong>of</strong> the 31 s Annual Conference <strong>of</strong> the Soil Science Society <strong>of</strong> Nigeria, heldat A.B.U Zaria from 13 th -17 th November, 2006.Ojeniyi , S.O.and Adekayode, F.O. (2002). Soil fertility status and maize yield under differenttillage systems Samaru Journal <strong>of</strong> Agricultural Research.Vol. 18 (P 83- 89)Opeloye, S.A. and Dio, C.J. (1999).Geology and mineral resources. In: Adamawa State inmaps. Adebayo,A.A. and Tukur, A.L.(eds.).Paraclete Publishers, Yola. Pp 11-13.Singer,J.M. and Munns,D.N. (1999) Soils: An Introduction. 4 th edition, Pearson Education,Prentice-Hall Inc., New Jersey.Toole , I. (2009). The <strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> cropping on the grey soils <strong>of</strong> the Western CMA region.Prime Fact 829.Retrieved on 05 th April, 2010,fromhttp//:www.industrynsw.gov.au