Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon in Ox-Drawn and Reduced Tillage System at Wuro Madi, Girei, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Background and Objective: Tillage is one of the basic and important components of agricultural production technology that influences agricultural sustainability through its effects on soil processes, properties and crop growth. This research work aimed to investigate the distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) in Ox-drawn and reduced tillage systems in semi-arid regions. Materials and Methods: The composite soil sample was collected after the harvest, at three different replicates each at Ox-drawn plough (OP) and RT, at three different depths, 0-15, 15-30 and 30-60 cm depth, the samples were air dry at room temperature in the laboratory, sieved and stored in a clean label polythene bag for the analysis. The analyzed data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS statistical software and descriptive analysis was used to quantify the normal distribution. Results: Soil properties showed statistically significant differences between the two tillage practices. In OP the organic carbon ranges from 0.698 to 1.466%, while at the reduced tillage (RT) it ranges from 0.549 to 1.087%. There were significant (p<0.05) differences between the tillage treatment and the various sampling depth in soil organic carbon distribution. Soil organic carbon was higher in OP. Generally, the contents of SOC decreased with an increase in soil depth. Soil pH ranged from 4.50 to 5.74 in the two soil profiles and generally increased with increasing soil depth. According to the percentages distribution of sand, silt and clay, sand dominated and recorded the highest value in both OP and RT. Loamy sand dominates the textural class. The OP practices resulted in high soil organic carbon. Conclusion: It can be concluded that OP was found to be better in improving the soil organic carbon and other physical properties of the soil in the research area.