| A mathematical model has been developed for the prediction of soil compaction effects on the growth and yield of maize crop in a sandy loam soil in tropical climates. The field work was done at the teaching and research farm of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A plot of land measuring 18 m x 4 m was divided into five sub-plots of equal dimensions and labelled as: plot 1 – un-compacted and untilled; plot 2 – un-compacted but tilled; and plots 3, 4 and 5 - tilled and compacted to varying degrees of tractor passes, viz 2, 4 and 6 tractor passes respectively. A Massey Ferguson (MF) 90 model disc plough was used for the tillage and an MF 260 model tractor used for the soil compaction treatments. Irrigation, weed and pest control were done... |
