Effect of Cover Crops on Soil Properties and Oil Yield of Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis L) Grown on Utisol of Southern Nigeria

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted from 2017 to 2022 at Oban in Akampa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria to evaluate the influence of leguminous cover cropping on soil properties and oil yield of oil palm. The experiment comprised three cover cropping treatments (Mucuna brateata, Pueraria phaseoloides and no cover crop) laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with twelve replications. Each replication measured 111.60 m x 33.72 m (3,763.52 m²) comprising 3 uniform experimental units of 33.72 m × 37.20 m (1, 254.38 m²). The gross plot measured 404.64 m × 446.4 m (180,631.296 m², equivalent to 18.06 hectares). Results indicated significant (p < 0.05) effect of treatment on soil properties and palm oil yield. The plots with cover crops showed significant improvement of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil which resulted in statistically higher oil yield. Mucuna brateata significantly enhanced soil properties and optimized palm oil yield more than Pueraria phaseoloides and the control, and  is recommended for commercial oil palm production in Cross River State and areas with similar climates.