Reduced tillage and nitrogen effects on soil water dynamics and maize (Zea mays L.) yield under semi-arid conditions
| Autor: | W. Mupangwa, Steve Twomlow, Sue Walker |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2015 |
| Předmět: |
Economics and Econometrics
business.product_category 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences Soil biodiversity 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences 01 natural sciences Plough Minimum tillage Tillage No-till farming Nutrient Agronomy Soil water 040103 agronomy & agriculture 0401 agriculture forestry and fisheries Environmental science Soil fertility business Agronomy and Crop Science 0105 earth and related environmental sciences |
| Zdroj: | International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability. 14:13-30 |
| ISSN: | 1747-762X 1473-5903 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/14735903.2015.1011393 |
| Popis: | Soil water and nutrients are critical drivers of crop production for smallholders of southern Africa. A three-year study was conducted to assess the effect of integrating single and double ploughing, ripping and planting basins with nitrogen fertilizer (0, 10 and 20 kg N ha–1) on soil water dynamics and maize (Zea mays L.) yields. The experimental design was factorial with four tillage methods and three nitrogen levels as treatment factors. The study was conducted under semi-arid conditions of Zimbabwe. Tillage methods had similar soil water patterns in the profile and no tillage × N interaction effects were observed on soil water dynamics. Soil water penetrated deeper into the profile under ripper and basin methods than conventionally ploughed treatments. Nitrogen increased maize yields (14–96%) and rainwater-use efficiency (20–92%) regardless of tillage methods and growing season quality. However, more studies are required to explore complementary techniques that can improve rainwater capture and prolon... |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|