Authors
Christian Thierfelder, Rumbidzai Matemba-Mutasa, Leonard Rusinamhodzi
Publication date
2015/3/1
Journal
Soil and Tillage Research
Volume
146
Pages
230-242
Publisher
Elsevier
Description
The effect of different conservation agriculture (CA) systems on maize grain yield was studied across four countries in southern Africa. Maize yield data was obtained from plots under no-tillage as well as from conventionally tilled plots. Crop residues were retained in no-till plots, whereas they were removed from conventional tillage plots in line with current farmer practices. Rotations or intercropping systems with grain legumes were introduced at all sites. Fertiliser treatments were uniform across tillage treatments at each trial location but varied across countries, based on local fertilizer recommendations. Focus group discussions were conducted with farmers in the study sites to understand the constraints related to the successful integration of CA into the farming systems and to document farmers’ perceptions about CA. In the majority of cases (80%), yield responses from a range of CA systems were greater than …
Scholar articles
Yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to conservation agriculture cropping system in Southern Africa
C Thierfelder, R Matemba-Mutasa, L Rusinamhodzi - Soil and Tillage Research, 2015