MODELLING OF SOIL COMPACTION AND RICE-HUSK INCORPORATION ON MAIZE PRODUCTIVITY UNDER IRRIGATION AT GERIO IRRIGATION PROJECT ADAMAWA STATE NIGERIA
A mathematical model was developed for the predicted of soil Compaction effect an Rice-husk as an organic matter that can be added to the soil to cushion the effect of compaction and to enhance crop and good yield, their effectiveness has not been investigated in soil with different level of compaction. Hence, this study investigated the effects of soil compaction with various levels of rice-husk incorporation and number of tractor wheel passes maize productivity under irrigation at Gerio. The experiment was conducted at Gerio irrigation project of upper Benue River Basin Development Authority Yola, Nigeria. The experimental site was marked out to produced 5 rows of tractor wheel passes; 0,2,4,6,8 and 5 colons of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%,80% of rice-husk levels which produced 25 subplots as treatment. Also, non-hybridized maize seed was planted in each of the twenty five subplots, one seed per hole at 75cm x 25cm spacing at the depth of 5cm. the plots were irrigated using basin, weeds controlled was manually and the use of atrazine force herbicides. N.P. K. and urea fertilizer were applied at 3 and 7 weeks after planting, respectively and was harvested at 14weeks. Measurement of maize crop emergence, leaf area, plant, root weight and yield were made. Maximum maize crop productivity was obtained in treatment with 2 tractor passes and 20% rice-husk incorporation with maize yield of 2077.6kg/ha. A model equation was developed and used to predict maize crop yield.
Authors : Zamdayu, W.J., Tya, T.S.K., Ankidawa, B.A. and Maina, K.D.
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 12(1) Date Uploaded : 5th August 2026