Comparative study on selected animal drawn tillage implements in sandy loam soil, Yola, Nigeria

Abstract

Animal drawn mouldboard and ridger ploughs are the most widely used primary tillage tool by farmers. Performance data on this implement is essential in order to reduce the cost of operation. Comparative study was conducted to determine the effects of speed and depth on draught and power requirements of these implements in sandy loam soil. A 2x3x3 factorial experiment arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in three replications was used. A general regression equation based the speed and depth of operation to predict draught and power requirements of the implements showed a significant increase in draught and power requirements with an increase in the speed and depth. The mouldboard plough was observed to have the highest draught and power means of 413.85 N and 517.31 J/s, then the ridger plough with draught and power requirements of 327.10 N and 408.88J/s obtained in speed-depth treatment (S₃d₃) of 1.05 m/s and 0.183 m respectively.  The lowest mean draught and power values of 385.95 N, and 258.59 J/s for mould board and 285.25 N, and 191.12 J/s for ridger plough were obtained at speed- depth treatment (S₁d₁) of 0.65 m/s and 0.083 m respectively. The mean draught requirement of mould board plough exceeds that of ridger plough with about 23.88%. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that speed and depth had a significant effect at a 1 % level of probability (P≤0.01) on draught and power requirements. Similarly, the interaction between the speed and depth was statistically significant at a 1 % level of probability (P≤0.01). This study showed that the ploughing depth had more pronounced effect on draught and power than the speed. The regression equations can be suitable for predictive purposes for researchers, agricultural extension workers and designers during selection and design of animal-drawn tillage implements.