Influence of Drip Irrigation Frequency and Mulching on Soil Physical Properties and Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Yields in Rainforest Agro-Ecological Zones of Ikole-Ekiti

• K.S. Ogunleye

  Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

  Author

• A.A. Omotayo

  Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

  Author

• T.S. Babalola

  Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

  Author

• U.C. Osakwe

  Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

  Author

• A.O.A. Ilori

  Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

  Author

• O. Shittu

  Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

  Author

• A.S. Fasina

  Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

  Author

Drip irrigation system is one of the best methods of supplying water to plant and maximizing water usage., It is cost effective and reduces stress. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of drip irrigation and mulching on the soil physical properties and yield of okra. The experimental design was factors, laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Irrigation constituted the main factor at three levels: (daily, twice a week and thrice a week designated as F1, F2, F3 respectively), while the sub-plot mulching include; (plastic mulch, natural mulch and no mulch designated as M1, M2, M3) which in total gave nine treatment combinations and 36 plots. Soil samples were randomly collected from 0 – 15 cm soil depth from three representative locations and were mixed to obtain a composite sample to determine some selected soil physicochemical properties including soil pH, some minerals, total organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorus and soil texture, particles size, bulk density, soil water content, saturated hydraulic conductivity. The pH was 7.7 which is alkaline. The soil particle analysis showed that the clay, silt and sand content are 36.40%, 17.90% and 45.70%, giving it sandy loam texture. The Pearson correlation coefficient gave some important information on the growth parameters, yield and yield components. From the research work it was observed that drip irrigation and mulching has influence on physical properties of the soil and affected the yield of okra.

1. K.S. Ogunleye, Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

   Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

2. A.A. Omotayo, Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

   Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

3. T.S. Babalola, Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

   Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

4. U.C. Osakwe, Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

   Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

5. A.O.A. Ilori, Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

   Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

6. O. Shittu, Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

   Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

7. A.S. Fasina, Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

   Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

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