Knowledge Center Catalog

Verification trials and farmer-managed demostrations in integrated weed management under different tillage systems and fertility levels in smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe

By: Contributor(s): Material type: TextTextPublication details: Nairobi (Kenya) KARI|CIMMYT : 2002Description: p. 508-512ISBN:
  • 970-648-120-6
Subject(s): DDC classification:
  • 338.16 FRI
Summary: Verification trials and farmer-managed demonstrations in integrated weed management under different tillage systems and fertiliser application rates were conducted in Chihota, Nharira, Tsholotsho and Chiweshe smallholder areas of Zimbabwe in the 1998/99 and 1999/2000 seasons. The effects of tillage system (conventional vs reduced), weed control method (herbicide vs traditional farmer practice) and fertiliser application rate (recommended vs farmers level) on maize grain yield and weed biomass were compared over two seasons in the four districts. Maize grain yield decreased under reduced tillage (RT) in the second season in Chihota due to the prolonged dry spell after crop emergence (ACE). In Nharira and Tsholotsho the tillage system did not influence yield. There was higher weed biomass accumulation under RT in the second season in Tsholotsho. Band application of Atrazine at 1.8 l/ha did not affect maize yields compared to the farmer's traditional weed control practice across all sites. In Nharira the herbicide treatment had lower weed biomass. Soil fertility management did not affect maize yields in Nharira. Incessant rains in the 1998/1999 growing season experienced in Chihota after topdressing leached the nitrogen fertiliser. This resulted in lower maize yields in the recommended fertiliser treatment. In Tsholotsho applying the recommended fertiliser increased maize yields by 25 and 99 percent in the two seasons. Weed biomass was lower under recommended fertility in Chihota. In farmer-managed weed control demonstrations the use of herbicide technology increased maize yield by 36 and 37 percent in Chihota and Chiweshe, respectively. A plough pan was detected between 20- 40 cm in six farmer's fields in Chihota, two fields in Nharira and at 20 cm in one field in Tsholotsho in both conventional tillage (CT) and RT systems. This study suggests that there is potential to use herbicide technology under different tillage systems. Farmers in Tsholotsho will benefit by using the recommended fertiliser rates.
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Item type Current library Collection Call number Copy number Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Book CIMMYT Knowledge Center: John Woolston Library CIMMYT Publications Collection 338.16 FRI (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available 2J630188
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Verification trials and farmer-managed demonstrations in integrated weed management under different tillage systems and fertiliser application rates were conducted in Chihota, Nharira, Tsholotsho and Chiweshe smallholder areas of Zimbabwe in the 1998/99 and 1999/2000 seasons. The effects of tillage system (conventional vs reduced), weed control method (herbicide vs traditional farmer practice) and fertiliser application rate (recommended vs farmers level) on maize grain yield and weed biomass were compared over two seasons in the four districts. Maize grain yield decreased under reduced tillage (RT) in the second season in Chihota due to the prolonged dry spell after crop emergence (ACE). In Nharira and Tsholotsho the tillage system did not influence yield. There was higher weed biomass accumulation under RT in the second season in Tsholotsho. Band application of Atrazine at 1.8 l/ha did not affect maize yields compared to the farmer's traditional weed control practice across all sites. In Nharira the herbicide treatment had lower weed biomass. Soil fertility management did not affect maize yields in Nharira. Incessant rains in the 1998/1999 growing season experienced in Chihota after topdressing leached the nitrogen fertiliser. This resulted in lower maize yields in the recommended fertiliser treatment. In Tsholotsho applying the recommended fertiliser increased maize yields by 25 and 99 percent in the two seasons. Weed biomass was lower under recommended fertility in Chihota. In farmer-managed weed control demonstrations the use of herbicide technology increased maize yield by 36 and 37 percent in Chihota and Chiweshe, respectively. A plough pan was detected between 20- 40 cm in six farmer's fields in Chihota, two fields in Nharira and at 20 cm in one field in Tsholotsho in both conventional tillage (CT) and RT systems. This study suggests that there is potential to use herbicide technology under different tillage systems. Farmers in Tsholotsho will benefit by using the recommended fertiliser rates.

English

0410|AGRIS 0401|AL-Maize Program

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Publications Collection


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