Tillage effects on cassava (Manihot esculenta) production and some soil properties

Cassava is traditionally grown on tilled soils. Interest in reduced-tillage systems is increasing in the humid tropics due to erosion problems. A field study was conducted on a sandy clay loam Ultisol to compare cassava performance in three tillage systems effects on soil water and organic carbon content. Tillage treatments were: (1) ploughing, harrowing and ridging (conventional); (2) digger-made holes (minimum); (3) pushing the sharpened end of cassavs cuttigs directly into the soil (no-till). Tillage did not affect total biomass yields in the first year. In the second year, significant differences were obtained in the yield of tops but not of fresh roots. No-till and minimum tillage out-yielded the conventional system by 40% and 23%, respectively, in the yield of tops,. It was apparent that elimination of ploughing did not reduce total biomass yield. Soil moisture contents in no-till and minimum tillage were significantly higher (P = 0.05) than in the conventional-tillage system. Conv organic carbon decresed significantly (P = 0.01) over time in all tillage systems. Conventional tillage gave the highest reduction. Cassava may be grown successfully in reduced-tillage systems in Ultisols of the humid tropics.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Ohiri, A.C., Ezumah, H.C.
Format:	Journal Article biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier 1990-09
Subjects:	cassava, manihot esculenta, soil water content, erosion, tillage, soil properties, soil organic matter, carbon, crop yield, ultisols,
Online Access:	https://hdl.handle.net/10568/101830 https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-1987(90)90037-E
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