Tillage and weed control interactions on a semi-arid granitic catena. I. Maize yield responses
Twomlow, S.J.
Tillage and weed control interactions on a semi-arid granitic catena. I. Maize yield responses - Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) CIMMYT|EARO : 1999 - p. 314-317 - Printed
Since 1990, farmers and research and extension in Masvingo have been developing and testing conservation tillage practices that conserve soil moisture, reduce draught animal power inputs, encourage timely crop establishment and weed control, and take into account the resourcefulness of smallholder farmers. In this, the first of three papers we discuss Maize (Zea mays) yield responses to crop establishment and weed control methods selected by participating farmers over three seasons on a semi-arid granitic catena. The second and third papers address the weeding and socio-economic issues. Maize grain yields were highest on Vlei margin soils in the wet 1995/96 season, Toplands in the wet 1996/97 and Vleis in the dry 1997/98 season. In 1995/96 and 1996/97 seasons the best planting and weeding combinations on Topland and Vlei- margin soils was planting in a rip line followed by overall hand weeding. The best combination in the Vleis was traditional third furrow planting, dropping seed behind the ox-plough, followed by either ox- cultivating, or post plant tie-ridging with an ox-plough and in-row hand weeding. In the drier 1997/98 open plough furrow planting followed by weeding by hand or the ox-plough yielded the best on all soil types.
English
92-9146-065-6
control methods
Cropping systems
Farm management
Farmers
Maize
Semiarid climate
Semiarid zones
Weed control
Weeds
Zimbabwe
Zea mays
Tillage
Yields
CIMMYT
633.15 / EAS No. 6
Tillage and weed control interactions on a semi-arid granitic catena. I. Maize yield responses - Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) CIMMYT|EARO : 1999 - p. 314-317 - Printed
Since 1990, farmers and research and extension in Masvingo have been developing and testing conservation tillage practices that conserve soil moisture, reduce draught animal power inputs, encourage timely crop establishment and weed control, and take into account the resourcefulness of smallholder farmers. In this, the first of three papers we discuss Maize (Zea mays) yield responses to crop establishment and weed control methods selected by participating farmers over three seasons on a semi-arid granitic catena. The second and third papers address the weeding and socio-economic issues. Maize grain yields were highest on Vlei margin soils in the wet 1995/96 season, Toplands in the wet 1996/97 and Vleis in the dry 1997/98 season. In 1995/96 and 1996/97 seasons the best planting and weeding combinations on Topland and Vlei- margin soils was planting in a rip line followed by overall hand weeding. The best combination in the Vleis was traditional third furrow planting, dropping seed behind the ox-plough, followed by either ox- cultivating, or post plant tie-ridging with an ox-plough and in-row hand weeding. In the drier 1997/98 open plough furrow planting followed by weeding by hand or the ox-plough yielded the best on all soil types.
English
92-9146-065-6
control methods
Cropping systems
Farm management
Farmers
Maize
Semiarid climate
Semiarid zones
Weed control
Weeds
Zimbabwe
Zea mays
Tillage
Yields
CIMMYT
633.15 / EAS No. 6