THE SHORT TERM EFFECT OF TILLAGE SYSTEM ON SOIL MOISTURE RETENTION IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

The objective of the study was to determine the short time effect of tillage system on the water retention capacity of soils in the Niger Delta University Teaching and Research Farm, Bayelsa State. Five treatments (No-till, Digging, Hoeing, Hoeing+Digging once, and Hoeing+Digging twice) were considered. Plant Available Water Content (PAWC) and the Soil Water Holding Capacity (SWHC) were used to determine the soil water retention capacity. The results revealed that the crude tillage methods had a significant (P<0.05) impact on some soil properties. The highest bulk density (1.18g/cm3) was found in the No-till zone, while the lowest (0.89g/cm3) was in the Hoe+Digging twice method. The tillage methods also affected the hydraulic conductivity as the highest value (4.67cm/hr) was found in the hoe+digging zone and the lowest (2.61cm/hr) in the no-till area. Furthermore, the PAWC and SWHC were highest (0.14cm3cm-3 and 2.03cm) at the No-till zone and lowest (0.06 cm3cm-3 and 0.95cm) at the Hoe+Digging twice zone. It is therefore recommended that, for unrestricted flow of water through the soils, compacted soils should be pulverized using tillage implements. Also, for optimal plant water availability, there should be less tillage on coarse-textured soils, as the disturbance promotes rapid leaching.