Weed growth and crop yield responses to tillage and mulching under different crop rotation sequences in semi-arid conditions

Mashingaidze, N and Twomlow, S and Madakadze, I C and Mupangwa, W and Mavunganidze, Z (2017) Weed growth and crop yield responses to tillage and mulching under different crop rotation sequences in semi-arid conditions. Soil Use and Management, 33 (2). pp. 311-327. ISSN 02660032

PDF - Published Version Restricted to ICRISAT users only Download (1MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Conservation agriculture (CA) is thought to reduce weed pressure from the third year of adoption, when recommended practices are followed. Weed growth and crop yield were assessed during the third and fourth year of maize–cowpea–sorghum rotation, second and third year of maize–cowpea rotation and first and second year of maize monocropping on a clay loam soil at Matopos Research Station (annual rainfall, 573 mm) following recommended CA management practices. Each experiment had a split-plot randomized complete block design with mouldboard plough (CONV), minimum tillage (MT) with ripper tine and planting basins as main-plot factor and maize residue mulch rate (0, 2 and 4 t/ha) as a subplot factor, with threefold replication. All subplots were surface mulched and weeded by hoe at the same time. We hypothesized that under MT weed growth would be considerable with maize monocropping but from year 3 of CA, weed growth would decrease and crop yield increase relative to values from unmulched CONV. Minimum tillage increased weed growth in 2nd year of maize monocropping. Under the maize–cowpea rotation, the considerable weed growth in planting basins was likely due to the large intrarow spacing and poor light competiveness of the cowpea variety. Mulch contributed to weed growth being suppressed by up to 36% under CA in the maize–cowpea–sorghum rotation relative to unmulched CONV. When planted on the same date, crop yield did not differ between CA and unmulched CONV. Maize–cowpea–sorghum rotation grain yield (3143 kg/ha) was double that under monocropping, probably due to improvements in soil physical and chemical conditions.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Research Program : East & Southern Africa
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Conservation agriculture, tillage, maize residue mulch, crop rotation, weeds, crop yield, weed growth, maize, cowpea, sorghum, crop rotation
Subjects:	Others > Cereals Others > Semi-Arid Tropics Others > Weed Science Others > Cowpea Mandate crops > Sorghum Others > Maize Others > Legume Crops
Depositing User:	Mr Ramesh K
Date Deposited:	05 Jul 2017 06:37
Last Modified:	07 Mar 2018 12:16
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/10081
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/sum.12338
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	Department for International Development of the United Kingdom & National Research Fund of South Africa & International Foundation for Science
Acknowledgement:	We wish to thank the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom, National Research Fund of South Africa and the International Foundation for Science for funding this study.
Links:	Google Scholar

View Statistics

Actions (login required)

View Item