Evaluation of Selected Soil Management Practices and Its Effect on Seed Yield of Soybeans in Gboko, Benue State.

Abstract

This study was conducted at the teaching and research farm of the Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Gboko. Benue state, During the 2024 cropping season. The aim was to evaluate the effect of management practices (using different tillage methods) on soil physical and chemical properties and yield of soybean. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three (3) times. The treatments consisted of four tillage methods viz: T1-zero tillage (ZT), T2 – surface hoeing (SH), T3 – manual ridging (MR) and T4 – conventional tillage (CT). Results obtained indicated that tillage significantly affected soil properties and yield of the test crop. Conventional tillage produced tallest plants, highest number of branches, highest dry matter yield and highest number of pods per plant as well as highest grain yield for both crops in the two years. It was closely followed by manual ridging, surface hoeing and the least was obtained from zero tillage. Conventional tillage, manual ridging and surface hoeing produced lower bulk density than zero tillage. Conventional tillage produced highest porosity, lower pH, lowest Organic Matter, N, P, Ca, Mg and CEC when compared with the other tillage methods. Manual ridging and surface hoeing therefore produced sustainable soil physical properties and soil nutrients that will enhance sustainable production of soybean on fragile guinea savanna soils