Effects of Cattle-Cud Digester on Soil Properties and Yield of Sweet Potato on Acid Sand of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Dennis Edem*

• Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Nigeria

Received: May 28, 2020;   Published: June 16, 2020

*Corresponding author: Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Nigeria

DOI: 10.32474/SJFN.2020.03.000153

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Abstract

The knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of the soil can be used in developing best management practices for sustainable soil quality and maximum crop yield. This study was carried out in Uyo, Nigeria to determine the effect of cattlecud digester on soil properties and yield of sweet potato on acid sand of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design. The treatment included four rates of cattle cud digester (0, 10, 20 and 30 tons ha^-1) in three replications. Sweet potatoes were planted in the experimental units which measured 9m² each at the spacing of 1m x 0.5m, at one vine per stand, giving a total of 18 plants per plot. Soil data for the determination of physical and chemical properties were collected at the pre-plant, mid-plant and at harvest. Data of yield of sweet potatoes were also collected. Analysis of Variance was used for assessing the data collected and correlation analyses were also performed to determine the relationships between soil and crop parameters studied. Results showed that the different rates of cattle-cud digester showed statistically similar bulk densities and total porosities at the three stages of soil study, though apparently, highest bulk densities were recorded with M0 with decreases in bulk densities being observed as the rate of mulch application increased; Ksat recorded with 0 t/ha cattle-cud mulch (M₀) application rate was apparently lower than that of 30 t/ha cattle-cud mulch (M₃₀) application rate with the general trend suggesting an increase in Ksat with increase in cattle cud digester rates. Organic matter (OM) content was affected by cattle cud mulch application with the rate obtained with M₁₀ (3.60%) and M₂₀ (3.04%) being significantly higher than that of M0 (2.96%). Based on the findings, it was recommended among others, that farmers should adopt no till method of seed bed preparation in arable crop production as this approach preserves the soil structure and improves infiltration and hydraulic conductivity thereby improving the water availability to the rooting zone.

Keywords: Physico-Chemical Properties; Nutrient Enrichment; Potato, Mulch; Tillage