Authors : Bankole, Yakub O; Odunukan, Risikat O; Dare Bisola T; Lamidi Sheriff B; Tanimola A. Olanreaju

Volume/Issue : Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 12 - December

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3x3ru5en

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/yrtk32p2

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14769330

Abstract : Soil pH is a critical factor influencing soil fertility, plant growth, and ecosystem health. Conservation tillage, characterized by reduced soil disturbance and preservation of soil structures, has been widely adopted as a sustainable agricultural practice. However, its impact on soil pH is not yet fully understood. This study evaluates the effects of various tillage methods, operational depths, and periods on soil pH using tractor-operated tillage systems. Field experiments were conducted at Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria, using four tractor models. The tillage operations included ploughing (first and second), harrowing, and ridging, performed at three various depths (10 cm, 15 cm, and 20 cm) and analyzed during different periods (before, during, and after operations).Soil samples were collected and analyzed for pH through laboratory physiochemical tests. Results revealed that the highest pH value (7.01) was recorded before harrowing at a depth of 20 cm, while the lowest pH value (4.03) occurred during the second ploughing operation at 15 cm depth. Significant differences in soil pH were observed across operations and depths, indicating the influence of tillage practices on soil chemical properties. Conservation tillage methods and shallow operational depths were associated with higher soil pH, where as deep tillage and prolonged operation periods contributed to soil acidification. These findings emphasize the importance of tailored tillage practices to optimize soil conditions, enhance soil health, and support sustainable agricultural productivity. The study provides valuable insights for farmers and agricultural practitioners, promoting effective soil pH management through conservation tillage strategies.

Keywords : Soil pH, Conservation Tillage, Soil Health, Sustainable Agriculture, Agricultural Productivity.

References :

1. Bankole Yakub O, Tanimola Olanrewaju A, Saliu Bilikis O, Odunukan Risikat O, Dare Bisola T, Ajisegiri Emmanuel S.A & Lamidi Sheriff B. (2022). Environmental Impact of Tillage Operations and Tractor Speed on Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S) Gas Emission. Proceedings of the LASUSTECH 30^th iSTEMS Multidisciplinary Innovation Conference.
2. Bankole Yakub O, Tanimola Olanrewaju A, Saliu Bilikis O, Odunukan Risikat O, Dare Bisola T, Ajisegiri Emmanuel S.A & Lamidi Sheriff B. (2022). Environmental Impact of Tillage Operations and Tractor Speed on Carbon (IV) oxide (CO2) Gas Emission. Proceedings of the LASUSTECH 30^th iSTEMS Multidisciplinary Innovation Conference
3. Bello S.K, Sheriff Lamidi, Oshinlaja S.A (2020). Design and Fabrication of Cassava Grating Machine. International Journal of Advances in Scientific Research and Engineering. Vol. 6, Issue 10.
4. Blanco-Canqui, H., & Ruis, S. J. (2018). Soil physical properties and processes affected by tillage. In Soil Management and Climate Change (pp. 133-156). CRC Press.
5. Brady, N. C., & Weil, R. R. (2008). The nature and properties of soils. Prentice Hall.
6. Celik, I.; Gunal, H.; Acir, N.; Barut, Z.B.; Budak, M. Soil quality assessment to comapare tillage systems in Cukurova Plain, Turkey. Soil Till. Res. 2021, 208, 104892. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
7. Freedman B. and Zak D.R., 2015, *Environmental Impacts of Soil Management*. 
8. Frontiers (2023), "Effects of Tillage and Biochar on Soil Physiochemical Properties and Its Linkage with Crop Yield."
9. Lal,  R. (2004). Soil carbon sequestration impacts on global climate change and food security. Science, 304(5677), 1623-1627.
10. Li, Y.; Hu, Y.; Song, D.; Liang, S.; Qin, X.; Siddique, K.H.M. The effects of straw incorporation with plastic films mulch on soil properties and bacterial community structures on the Loess Plateau. Eur. J. Soil Sci. 2021, 72, 979–994. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef].
11. Lv, L.; Gao, Z.; Liao, K.; Zhu, Q.; Zhu, J. Impact of conservation tillage on the distribution of soil nutrients with depth. Soil Till. Res. 2023, 225, 105527. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
12. Ozbolat, O.; Sanchez-Navarro, V.; Zornoza, R.; Egea-Cortines, M.; Cuartero, J.; Ros, M.; Pascual, J.A.; Boix-Fayos, C.; Almagro, M.; de Vente, J.; et al. Long-term adoption of reduced tillage and green manure improves soil physicochemical properties and increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria in a Mediterranean rainfed almond orchard. Geoderma 2023, 429, 116218. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
13. Sadiq, M.; Li, G.; Rahim, N.; Tahir, M.M. Sustainable conservation tillage technique for improving soil health by enhancing soil physicochemical quality indicators under wheat mono-cropping system conditions. Sustainability 2021, 13, 8177. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
14. Shrestha, A., Zeleke, T., & Egeland, T. (2013). The effect of tillage on soil acidity and soil pH. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 181, 178-187.
15. Tang, M.; Liu, R.; Luo, Z.; Zhang, C.; Kong, J.; Feng, S. Straw returning measures enhances soil moisture and nutrients and promote cotton growth. Agronomy 2023, 13, 1850. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
16. Zhang W, Chen XX, Liu YM, Liu DY, Du YF, Chen XP, Zou CQ (2018) The role of phosphorus supply in maximizing the leaf area, photosynthetic rate, coordinated to grain yield of summer maize. Field Crops Res 219:113–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2018.01.031