ABSTRACT

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of tillage on the growth and yield of ugu (telfairia occidentalis,) and Okra (abelmoschus escu!entus). The various tillage operations carried out include ploughing alone (P), harrowing alone (H), ploughing and harrowing alone (PH) and No tillage (NT) which served as the control. The field was divided into these four tillage treatments. The four tillage treatments were then randomly distributed according to randomized complete block design (RCBD). The Massey Ferguson Tractor of model MF 375 with the three point hitch system was used to carry out the various tillage operations. The various implements used include disc plough, and the disc harrow. This research work was conducted at the open field opposite the Post Graduate School of Michael Okpara university of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. The result of this experiment was subjected to statistical analysis using the ANOVA and further subjected to a post hoc analysis using Dunkan multiple range test. Soil moisture content had the highest value of 19.49% in ploughing alone with ploughing and harrowing recording the least value of 16.5% from the parameters determined from some of the physical and chemical properties, of the soil analysis, soil PH and the macro element showed no significant difference. The results of the textural class indicated that the soil is predominately sandy loam soil. Soil tilled twice (ploughing and harrowing produced significant higher yield for the Ugu because of the increase in soil fertility. The Okra recorded no yield which may be attributed to various factors such as time of plating, management, the soil physical and chemical properties and the specie used. This in turn resulted in the slow growth rate of Okra. From the data gathered from all the tillage treatments, it was discovered that there was a stunted growth generally. Following this research, ploughing and harrowing was recommended for the growth and good yield of crops in Umudike.