Effects of methods of seedbed preparation and mulching on the growth and yield of white yam (dioscorea rotundata) on an ultisol in south-east Nigeria
Effects of ridge and flat planting of yam, with and without surface mulch, on soil moisture and temperature regimes, root and shoot development, tuber yield and yield components were investigated for an Ultisol near Port Hartcourt in southeast Nigeria. Mulching slightly improved soil moisture regime...
| Autores principales: | , , |
|---|---|
| Formato: | Journal Article |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Publicado: |
1984
|
| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177190 |
| Sumario: | Effects of ridge and flat planting of yam, with and without surface mulch, on soil moisture and temperature regimes, root and shoot development, tuber yield and yield components were investigated for an Ultisol near Port Hartcourt in southeast Nigeria. Mulching slightly improved soil moisture regime and decreased the maximum recorded soil temperature at 5 cm depth by 2–3°C early in the season. The leaf area index (LAI) was significantly lower in unmulched ridges than in other treatments. Dry matter accumulation in the shoot followed the same pattern as LAI. Root length and root weight densities were not affected. Most roots were concentrated in the surface horizon. Mulching significantly increased yield by about 20% in both ridged and unridged plots. There were no differences in tuber yield among flat and ridge plantings. Tuber diameter and length were greater in mulched than in unmulched treatments. The data are discussed in terms of the potential of no-till farming for root crops in these Ultisols. |
|---|