Influence of irrigation regimes, variety and cow dung rates on selected chemical properties of a sandy clay loam soil in Sokoto, Nigeria

Adoption of appropriate soil, water and crop management practices could be the gate way to enhanced soil chemical quality, crop productivity as well as national and global food security. A study was undertaken to assess the influence of irrigation regimes, with two rice varieties and varying cowdung manure application rates on some selected chemical properties of a sandy clay loam soil in a semi-arid zone of Sokoto, Nigeria. The study evaluated four water management practices [alternate wetting and drying (AWD) treatments: AWD1: irrigating when water level was 10 cm below the soil surface, AWD2: irrigate when water level was 15 cm below the soil surface, AWD3: irrigate when water level fell to 20 cm below the soil surface and CF: continuous flooding] with two rice varieties (FARO 44 and TOFA) and with four rates of cowdung amendment (0, 5, 10 and 15 t ha-1). The Plots were arranged in a split-split plot design replicated three times. Rice was grown on the field in 2020 and 2021 seasons. Measurements of chemical properties of the soils were carried out using standard procedures. The results revealed that water management and rice varieties had no significant effect on the chemical properties of the soils. The results showed significant effects of cow dung rates on OC, Ca and K contents of the soils with 5, 10 and 15 t ha-1 better than 0 t ha-1. The study recommended that similar research should be extended to 3-4 years to assess residual effects of the management practices imposed on soil chemical quality.