The Effect of Rainfall Characteristics and Tillage on Sheet Erosion and Maize Grain Yield in Semiarid Conditions and Granitic Sandy Soils of Zimbabwe
Author
Source
Applied and Environmental Soil Science
Issue
Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-8, 8 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2012-03-25
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Earth Science , Water and Environment
Abstract EN
In semiarid regions, rainfall is one of the primary factors affecting soil erosion and crop production under rain-fed agriculture.
The study sought to quantify the effect of rainfall characteristics on sheet erosion and maize grain yield under different tillage systems.
It was carried out under semiarid conditions and infertile sandy soils of Zimbabwe.
Rainfall amount and intensity were recorded every 24 hours, while sheet erosion was measured from four tillage systems (Conventional Tillage (CT), Mulch Ripping (MR), Tied Ridging (TR) and Bare Fallow (BF)).
Maize (Zea mays L.) was grown on three tillage systems (CT, MR, and TR).
Rainfall amount varied significantly (P<0.001) between seasons (164–994 mm).
CT recorded the highest average soil losses (15 t/ha), while MR and TR recorded 1.3 and 1.2 t/ha, respectively.
Maize grain yields increased with increasing seasonal rainfall giving yield-responses of 0.9 t/ha (TR) to 1.3 t/ha (MR) for every 100 mm rainfall increment.
Overall, treatments didnot differ significantly (P<0.497), except during drier seasons (P<0.025).
Regression equations showed that yields can be confidently predicted using rainfall amount and time, with R2 values of 0.82 to 0.94.
Maize grain yields proved to be mostly dependent on rainfall amount than fertility.
The productivity of the soils decreased with increased length of cultivation.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Munodawafa, Adelaide. 2012. The Effect of Rainfall Characteristics and Tillage on Sheet Erosion and Maize Grain Yield in Semiarid Conditions and Granitic Sandy Soils of Zimbabwe. Applied and Environmental Soil Science،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-456832
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Munodawafa, Adelaide. The Effect of Rainfall Characteristics and Tillage on Sheet Erosion and Maize Grain Yield in Semiarid Conditions and Granitic Sandy Soils of Zimbabwe. Applied and Environmental Soil Science No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-456832
American Medical Association (AMA)
Munodawafa, Adelaide. The Effect of Rainfall Characteristics and Tillage on Sheet Erosion and Maize Grain Yield in Semiarid Conditions and Granitic Sandy Soils of Zimbabwe. Applied and Environmental Soil Science. 2012. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-456832
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-456832