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Evaluation of sorghum technologies for smallholders in a semi-arid region of Zimbabwe (Part I) : production practices and development of an experimental agenda

Chiduza, C.

Evaluation of sorghum technologies for smallholders in a semi-arid region of Zimbabwe (Part I) : production practices and development of an experimental agenda - Zimbabwe : University of Zimbabwe Publications, 1995. - Printed Computer File

Peer review

Background information and informal diagnostic survey were used to describe the sorghum cropping practice of smallholders in Siabuwa Communal Area in Zimbabwe in the 1984/85 season. Grain yield for the local variety Balala was monitored and found to be low and highly variable depending on rainfall and management. Water deficit during grain filling, low yield potential of Balala, low nitrogen and phosphorus in the soils, shortage of arable land and low plant population were identified as the major problems. Use of improved varieties, construction of soil ridges, use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers and intercropping were suggested as solutions to some of the problems. Experiments were designed to test the solutions and details are given in part two of the article.


Text in English

1019-7788 (Online)

https://doi.org/10.4314/jassa.v1i1.16846


Arid zones
Crop management
Cropping systems
Deficiency diseases
Drought
Fertilizer application
Injurious factors
Phosphate fertilizers
Sorghum bicolor
Trials
Varieties
Zimbabwe
Nitrogen fertilizers

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