Comparative Performance of Mechanically Induced Compaction on Maize Growth for Two Soils of Nigeria

Abstract

Experimental trials were conducted on two soils (loam and clay (iwo series)) to study the effect of mechanically induced compaction on the growth of maize in a greenhouse. The compaction levels were at five levels: 1.2gcm-3, 1.3gcm-3, 1.4gcm-3, 1.6gcm-3 and 1.8gcm-3. 30 compressed buckets were arranged in three rows in a completely randomized block design and a bucket for each soil as control. Plant parameters such as percentage emergence, plant height, leaf number, stem girth, root weight and cone penetration were measured. The results showed a significant difference in crop emergence, leaf number, plant height, stem girth, root weight and come penetration for the two soils at different compaction levels. Crop yield decreased over 50% in performance as compaction increased. The maximum average plant height of 108.93cm and 74.33cm were observed for both loam and clay soil respectively at 1.2gcm-3 and 1.6gcm-3.

Keywords: Comparative Performance, Maize Growth, Mechanically Induced Compaction, Soils of Nigeria