Reduced tillage and nitrogen effects on soil water dynamics and maize (Zea maysL.) yield under semi-arid conditions

Mupangwa, W and Twomlow, S and Walker, S (2016) Reduced tillage and nitrogen effects on soil water dynamics and maize (Zea maysL.) yield under semi-arid conditions. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 14 (1). pp. 13-30. ISSN 1473-5903

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Abstract

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 prolong soil water storage, and improve soil fertility.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Research Program : East & Southern Africa
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Basins, Coventional ploughing, Rainwater-use efficiency, Soil fertility, Tine ripping, Soils
Subjects:	Others > Soil Others > Maize
Depositing User:	Mr Ramesh K
Date Deposited:	07 Jan 2017 10:20
Last Modified:	07 Jan 2017 10:20
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/9831
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2015.1011393
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	We are grateful to farmers in Insiza and Gwanda, and the ICRISAT field staff (Beckimpilo Ncube and Thulani Ndlovu) for assisting in experimental management and data collection.The authors thank WaterNet for funding this research through the Challenge Program Project 17 “Integrated Water Resource Management for Improved Rural Livelihoods: Managing risk, mitigating drought and improving water productivity in the water scarce Limpopo Basin”, funded through the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. Additional funding received from ICRISAT is gratefully acknowledged.
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