Soil physicochemical quality in contrasting tillage systems and its effect on nodulation and nodulation effectivity of groundnut, Bambara groundnut and soybean in a degraded Ultisol in Agbani, Enugu Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Soil health is an important factor that affects the efficiency of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) in the rhizosphere. A field trial was conducted at a Farm site in Enugu Southeastern Nigeria (6° 29′N; 7° 54′E) to evaluate the effect of conventional tillage [CT] and no tillage [NT]) on soil properties, nodulation, and nodulation effectivity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean L) and Soybean (Glycine max) in a Typic Paleustult. A Randomized Complete Block Design with six treatments and four replications was used. Soil quality attributes, nodulation and nodulation effectivity of the legumes were measured at 60 DAP. Results showed relatively higher bulk density (BD), gravimetric water content (GWC), Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (N) and lower hydraulic conductivity in NT plots when compared to CT plots. A lower number of root nodules was found in NT plots when compared to CT plots depicting that soil compaction in the NT plots negatively affected nodulation. However, a higher number of effective nodules was found in NT plots indicating that NT plots provided better rhizospheric conditions for nitrogen fixation and therefore, improved soil productivity.