Effect of Different Tillage Practices on Soil Physical Properties in Benue State, North Central Nigeria

This study examines the effect of different tillage practices on selected soil physical properties in arable farmlands in Benue State, located in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone. Tillage management directly influences soil structure, bulk density, porosity, and water retention, which collectively determine crop establishment and growth under the semi-humid savanna conditions of the Middle Belt zone. Using a field comparison design, five dominant tillage systems practised by farmers in three local government areas were identified and study plots assigned for assessment: no-till, conventional ploughing, minimum tillage, mound tillage, and ridge tillage. Soil samples were collected at 0 to 15 cm and 15 to 30 cm Soil Sciencehs from each tillage treatment plot and analysed for bulk density, total porosity, water stable aggregates, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and penetration resistance. Findings revealed that conventional ploughing significantly increased bulk density at 15 to 30 cm Soil Scienceh, suggesting subsoil compaction from repeated tillage at the same Soil Scienceh. No-till plots showed the highest water stable aggregate values and lowest bulk density at 0 to 15 cm after three cropping seasons. Mound tillage, widely practised by local farmers, showed intermediate physical quality values. The study recommends minimum tillage combined with surface mulching as the most appropriate compromise between weed control and soil physical quality conservation for Middle Belt conditions. Keywords: tillage practices, soil physical properties, bulk density, Benue State, soil structure.