EFFECTS OF TILLAGE METHODS ON SOIL INFILTRATION RATE IN UYO, NIGERIA

This study evaluated the effect of tillage methods on the infiltration rate of a sandy loam soil in Uyo, Nigeria. Tillage treatments adopted include zero –tillage, crude tillage, plough alone and plough harrow tillage. The result of the study revealed that the basic infiltration rates under zero crude, plough and plough harrow tillage in a sandy loam soil in Uyo were 18mm/hr, 20mm/hr, 21mm/hr and 24mm/hr respectively. A 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the significance difference between the average infiltration rates under the different tillage treatments. The study showed that there is a significant effect of tillage method on soil infiltration rate and soil infiltration rate under different tillage treatment followed the order plough + harrow > Plough alone > Crude tillage > Zero tillage. The study recommends that farmers in Uyo should endeavour to till their farm before planting at least with crude tillage implement as it will help to pulverize the soil surface and make it easier for irrigation and root penetration as well as root development.