Evaluating the effects of integrated nutrient management and insitu rainwater harvesting on maize production in dry regions of Zimbabwe

Abstract

Moisture stress and inherent soil fertility caused huge loss in crop production. The use of insitu rainwater harvesting and integrated nutrient management can improve soil health and crop production. The Objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of integrated nutrient management and insitu rainwater harvesting on maize productivity in dry regions of Zimbabwe. Experiment was laid out as a factorial with three main factors which include cattle manure, insitu rainwater harvesting and inorganic manure. Data was collected from harvested net plot to obtain maize grain and stover yields for two growing years. Data was analysed based on analysis of variance using IBM SPSS version 25 and means which were significant different were separated using least significant different. The results show that there was significant different (p<0.001) between all treatments combinations. Results recorded higher maize grain yields from100 kg N/ha + 5 t/ha cattle manure treatments for both seasons. High grain yield of 3.41± 0.042 t/ha was recorded from ZN 100 C 5 treatments during the second year and highest maize grain yield of 3.11 t/ha was recorded in first year. There was significant different (p<0.001) on the effects of combination of cattle manure and inorganic fertiliser alone on maize grain yields. Control treatments recorded lowest maize (1.17 ± 0.031 t/ha) and stover yields of 4.36 ± 0.046 t/ha. Results indicated significant different (p<0.001) on the effects of insitu rainwater harvesting, cattle manure and inorganic manure on maize stover yields. The use of integrated nutrient management and insitu rainwater harvesting has the capacity to increase maize yields and reduce food insecurity in dry regions of most sub-Saharan African countries.

Comparative Performance of New Agronomic Technology on the Yield Potential of Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Rainfed Agriculture in Guruve District, Zimbabwe

“…This agrees with Haile & Keith (2017), who mentions that ridges are recommended if water logging is a problem. This also concurs with findings by Kugedera et al (2020), who reported that tied ridges significantly affect maize yield in dry regions of Zimbabwe. The highest groundnuts yield was recorded on more than 0.5ha area planted with on-ridged groundnuts (1.0tons) in the 2019/20 farming season, whilst the least groundnuts yield on-ridged grown groundnuts was recorded on below 0.2ha area planted in 2018/19 farming season (Table 4).…”

Enhancing Sorghum bicolor (L.) grain yield with the use of field edge rainwater harvesting and NPK fertiliser in a dry region of Zimbabwe

“…Nutrient microdosing reduces nutrient loss and increase its utilisation by plants. Application of NPK fertiliser at 150 kg ha −1 increase nutrient availability in the plant root zone which enhances plant growth and development (Kugedera et al, 2020). Availability of nutrients to sorghum plants increases photosynthesis and other physiological processes such as protein synthesis.…”

“…caused by better rainwater capture (Kubiku et al, 2022a;Kugedera et al, 2022aKugedera et al, , 2022bKugedera et al, , 2022c. Tied contour and infiltration pits capture runoff water, store it and recharge groundwater (Kubiku et al, 2022a), increasing soil water availability to crops and improve increase nutrient availability in the plant root zone which enhances plant growth and development (Kugedera et al, 2020). Availability of nutrients to sorghum plants increases photosynthesis and other physiological processes such as protein synthesis.…”

Efficacy of S-metolachlor and flumetsulam (triazolopyrimidine sulfonanilide)+S-metolachlor (chloro-acetanilide) as pre-emergence herbicides in controlling weeds in maize at Chisumbanje Estate

“…It is a semi-arid area which lies in the Save valley receiving rainfall < 450 mm and is in natural region V (Mugandani et al, 2012). The precipitation is correspondingly lowand irrigation is essential throughout the year to supplement rain water (Nyagumbo et al, 2019;Tapiwa et al, 2020). The area is characterised with heavy clay soils in the classification of vertices which have good agronomic potential.…”

“…Maize is ranked first in Zimbabwe and is the staple food not only for Zimbabwe but for many countries in Southern Africa (Tapiwa et al, 2020). Maize production has been declining in recent years due to drought and weed competition in some areas.…”