Effect of long-term Tillage and Nitrogen Fertilization Residue on Soil Biochemical Properties and Crop Yield

Abstract

Sustainable soil management practices are necessary to enhance or maintain soil quality and crop yields. The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of long-term (32 years) tillage system and nitrogen fertilization residue on soil bacteria and fungi, growth and production of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). This research was conducted using factorial experiment, arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. The first factor was tillage systems consisted of Intensive Tillage (T1) and No tillage(T2),the second factor was nitrogen fertilization residue (N) consisted of N1 (0 kg N ha-1) and N2 (200 kg N ha-1). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, if there is a significant difference will be continued with Least Significant Difference (BNT) test at 5%. Soil bacteria and fungi data were used to figure out the Diversity Index (H'), Dominance Index (D) and the Evenness Index (e). Principal Component Anaysis (PCA) used to determined the relationship among observed variabels. The results showed that T2 could give better results on soil respiration, bacteria and fungi population than T1. Lower soil pH found at N2 compared to N1. Long term N1T2 was able to support cowpea growth and yield as high as N2T1. Principal component analysis showed that there was an interrelationship among soil biochemical properties, growth and yield of cowpea.