College of Plant Science & Crop Production

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Browsing College of Plant Science & Crop Production by Author "AKANNI, SODIQ DIMEJI"

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    EFFECTS OF SIMPLE ENGINEERING APPROACHES AND POULTRY MANURE APPLICATION ON SOIL EROSION CONTROL AND MAIZE (Zea mays L.) YIELD IN A DERIVED SAVANNA SLOPY LAND
    (2024-01-23) AKANNI, SODIQ DIMEJI
    ABSTRACT Soil erosion is a form of soil degradation which involves process caused by the dynamic activity of erosive agents and anthropogenic activities affecting agricultural lands. This study estimated the effects of simple engineering approaches and poultry manure (PM) application on soil erosion control and its economic implication on maize yield in a derived savanna slopy land. The experiment was conducted during the early 2019 and late 2020 planting seasons at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. The experiment was a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement with three replications, fitted into a Randomized Completely Block Design. Maize was planted using four simple engineering approaches (Surface mat, Silt fencing, Furrow dike and Control) as erosion control measures. Two levels of PM (0 t ha-1 and 20 t ha-1) were incorporated into the soil. Soil pins were erected and erosion plots were laid to quantify eroded soil from each plot. The annual soil loss was estimated using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance using GENSTAT 12TH edition. The results showed that the lowest soil losses of 1.30 t ha-1 yr-1 and 1.0 t ha-1 yr-1 were obtained from plots under surface mat in 2019 and 2020, respectively compared with other engineering approaches. The bulk density of soil was not significantly affected by engineering approaches. Plots under surface mats, however, had the lowest bulk density (1.12 g cm-3) in 2019. Highest saturated hydraulic conductivity (11.49 cm hr-1) in 2019 and (10.71 cm hr-1) in 2020 were recorded on plots treated with 20 t ha-1 poultry manure (PM20) which was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than the control, suggesting an improve soil structure. Application of PM20 resulted in a slightly acidic (soil pH 6.31) and increased the soil total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) compared with the unmanured plots. Significant differences were not observed as a result of simple engineering approaches effects on soil chemical properties with the exception of silt fencing which increased N, P and K compared with the control. Grain yield (1,598.5 kg ha-1) were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in 2019 and 2020 (2,116.4 kg ha-1) on plots with surface mat combined with PM20 respectively. Surface mat was more effective in reducing soil loss compared with other simple engineering approaches. Soil physical and chemical properties were improved by the application of PM. Growth and yield of maize were improved on plots with silt fencing but resulted in a negative economic benefit while practice of surface mat was economically viable with PM application. Economically, surface mat produced the highest profit gain which was 149% greater than the control. Therefore, the use of surface mat in combination with poultry manure should be used to reduce soil loss, enhance the soil physical and chemical properties and also increase maize yield.