PERFORMANCE OF FARM RESIDUES MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES ON SELECTED SOIL PROPERTIES AND MAIZE (ZEA MAYS) YIELD ON THE EASTERN FLANKS OF MOUNT CAMEROON

Huge quantities of crop residues are generated annually in agricultural farms and are variedly handled by farmers. These residues are important nutrients for crops and also play a primordial role in soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Their retention/recycling is thought to naturally improve soil nutrient content, maintain soil productivity, reduces dependence on artificial fertilizers and also mitigating greenhouse gases emissions. However, such residues are bulky and farmers are in dire need of convincing knowledge on their sustainable management. The present study evaluated the effects of four crop residue management techniques (removal, burning, mulching and incorporation) on selected soil physicochemical properties and maize yield in the vulnerable hilly topography of the eastern flanks of Mount Cameroon. A 4×4 complete randomized block design (RCBD) experiment was laid down and maize (CMS 8704 variety) was planted. Surface soil samples were equally collected from the plots before treatment application and at harvest. They were analysed for their physicochemical properties using standard methods. Maize growth and yield parameters were measured at harvest. The data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that soil bulk density, moisture content, organic matter contents, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium levels increased with mulching and incorporation but decreased with total removal of residues. Plant heights were 10%, 6.1% and 2.3% higher for mulching, incorporation and burning relative to total removal, respectively. Grain yield were similarly 10%, 6.1% and 5.1% higher for mulching, incorporation and burning relative to total removal, respectively. A highly significant positive relationship (R2 = 0.9976) was obtained between grain yield and soil organic matter. The study concluded that, the retention of residues through the methods of mulching and incorporation were the best approaches to improve soil quality and crop yield. By recycling crop residues back into the soil, farmers can enhance soil fertility and structure, herby reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. There is therefore the need to educate farmers on the essentiality of residues incorporation and mulching within the farm and their long-term impacts. This is indispensable for promoting soil sustainability and safeguarding food security.