Effects of Tractorization and Organic Manure on Physical Properties of Sandy Loam Soil in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Soil compaction has effect on soil physical properties which could affect crop growth and yield. This study was conducted to determine the influence of incorporating organic materials and load application (tractorization) on the physical properties of sandy loamy soil in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Organic materials were cow dung, poultry and swine manure. Application rates of organic manures were 0 (control), 5 and 10 tonnes per hectare. Forty-five plots measuring 5 by 3 m were established in a complete randomized block experimental design with three replications making a total of 135 plots. Load application was done using an MF 435 tractor coupled with a 20-disc harrow at 0 (control), 5, 10, 15 and 20 passes. Penetration resistance, bulk density, gravimetric moisture content andporosity were determined using standard procedures. Penetrometer resistance at these passes were 392.2, 293.3, 285.0, 302.0 and 224.9 kPa respectively with significant differences between treatments (P≤0.05). Mean bulk density for the passes were 1.21, 1.26, 1.31, 1.27 and 1.29 g/cm3 respectively and bulk density increased with tractor passes. The effect of tractor passes, and manure incorporation rate did not have any significant effect on gravimetric moisture content. Poultry manure increased bulk density and penetrometer resistance on plots than swine manure and cow dung hence poultry manure at 10 t/ha can be incorporated on a sandy loam soil to enhance soil fertility and sustainability. Keywords: Tractorization, organic manure, sandy loam, penetration resistance, bulk densit

Integrated Library System Implementation: The Bowen University Library Experience with Koha Software

The purpose of the paper is to share the Bowen University Library experiences running and administering Koha Integrated Library System (ILS) for about nine years. The paper describes the application of the software by the staff of Bowen University Library. The authors perused the library annual reports and the quarterly reports of activities as kept by sections and units. Clarification was also sought from the librarians, who daily run and maintain Koha software to gain an understanding of challenges they face and how these challenges were resolved. The users noted that Koha ILS helped tremendously with the library technical processes and services, and that the challenges encountered and their successful resolutions had also helped in the effective delivery of the library and information services and the development of staff IT skills. The authors noted from practical perspective that these experiences were useful for people who were evaluating open source ILSs, those already running ILSs, as well as those who were in the process of adoption. Unfortunately, to the knowledge of the authors, there has not been much of any existing literature on practical experiences of running and maintaining an open source integrated library system such as the Koha. The paper therefore could thus contribute to knowledge in this domain of ILS.