EFFECT OF SAWDUST AND GROUNDNUT SHELL ON BULK DENSITY OF SANDYLOAM SOIL IN MODIBBO ADAMA UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL FARM, YOLA, NIGERIA
Soil compaction may occur naturally as a result of excessive tillage, rainfall, working wet soil, and poor drainage causing reduction in infiltration, aeration, crop root growth and consequently crop yield. Effect of sawdust, groundnut shell and the interaction of saw dust and groundnut shell on bulk density of compacted soil were studied under laboratory conditions. 2000g of soil and 1000g each of sawdust, groundnut shell as soil amendments, respectively were compacted using 15, 20, 25 and 30 blows at incremental depth of 100mm to a depth of 400mm. The result shows that the soil bulk density increases with depth and number of blows. Highest soil bulk density was recorded at the depth of 30 to 40 cm at 30 blows which had mean soil bulk density value of 1.0075g/cm3, and the lowest soil bulk density value of 0.4584 g/cm3 was recorded at the depth of 0-10cm at 15 blows. Incorporation of sawdust into the soil had the lowest mean soil bulk density value of 0.5293 g/cm3 which may result to improving soil porosity and aeration. Incorporation of groundnut shell to the soil resulted in mean soil bulk density of 0.6169 g/cm3 which reduces the soil bulk density, but it’s not as pronounced as compared to the sawdust. The incorporation of saw dust and groundnut shell into sandy loam soil improves the rate of infiltration, aeration and roots penetration for higher crop growth and yields. The study only focused on the physical properties (bulk density) of the soil, it is therefore recommended to determine the chemical and other related characteristics of soil on the effect of saw dust and groundnut shell.
Authors : Tya, T.S.K. and Bappa, H.M.
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 10(1) Date Uploaded : 16th April 2024