Bongani Ncube : "Understanding cropping systems in the semi-arid environments of Zimbabwe: options for soil fertility management"

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3 Apr 2007 13:30
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof.dr. K. Giller (Plant Production Systems)
Co Promotor: S.J. Twomlow (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics, Zimbabwe), M.T. van Wijk

 The aims of the research were to characterise the smallholder semi-arid farming system in south-western Zimbabwe, and explore possible soil fertility management options that can improve crop production. The results show that all farmers in the semi-arid environments are vulnerable to food insecurity. Farmers who have access to manure were able to increase maize yields by applying low rates of manure and nitrogen fertilizer. The research also shows that it is possible to grow legumes under the semi-arid conditions and utilise the residual nitrogen to increase sorghum yield. Modelling the legume-sorghum rotation helped explain that the yield benefit to sorghum is mainly due to a strong interaction of the nitrogen and water. Simulation modelling of the long term effects of the manure/fertilizer and the legume-sorghum rotations will further explain the sustainability of crop production under semi-arid regions.
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