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003 MX-TxCIM
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022 _a2693-5015 (Online)
024 8 _ahttps://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-428589/v1
040 _aMX-TxCIM
041 _aeng
100 1 _aGumbo, D.
_927006
245 1 1 _aDead level contour technical design parameters required for sustainable crop production in semiarid areas of Zimbabwe
260 _bResearch Square,
_c2021.
_aUSA :
500 _aOpen Access
500 _aPreprint
520 _aSmallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly exposed to risks such as erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and frequent droughts that threaten sustainable crop production. This study assessed the effectiveness of dead level contours with innovations (DLC INN), dead level contours with infiltration pits (DLC INFIL), dead level contours with open channels (DLC OPEN) and standard graded contours (SGCs) in harvesting and storing water in the channel, improving crop conditions during the critical stages of maize growth on different soil textural groups in the Zvishavane District of Zimbabwe. The DLC INFIL, DLC OPEN and DLC INN outperformed the SGC under medium- and heavy-textured soils, with yields ranging between 1.7 and 2.36 t/ha compared to 0.9 t/ha for the SGC. For light textured soils, the DLC INN had the highest maize yield, averaging 0.8 t/ha. On heavy textured soils using DLC INN, DLC INFIL and DLC OPEN, smallholder farmers may use a spacing interval of 24–27 m. On medium textured soils, DLC INN and DLC INFIL can be used at a spacing interval of 18–21 m and 12 to 15 m with DLC OPEN. On light textured soils, farmers are advised to invest in DLC INN only, using a spacing interval of 12–15 m.
526 _aMCRP
546 _aText in English
650 7 _aMaize
_91173
_2AGROVOC
650 7 _aDry spells
_912343
_2AGROVOC
650 7 _aRainwater harvesting
_921428
_2AGROVOC
650 7 _aCrop production
_91063
_2AGROVOC
650 7 _aTechnology
_91988
_2AGROVOC
651 0 _2AGROVOC
_94496
_aZimbabwe
700 1 _aWuta, M.
_94838
700 1 _aNyagumbo, I.
_gSustainable Intensification Program
_gSustainable Agrifood Systems
_8INT3097
_9891
773 0 _tResearch Square
_gPreprint
_dUSA : Research Square, 2021.
_x2693-5015
856 _yOpen Access through DSpace
_uhttps://hdl.handle.net/10883/22038
942 _cJA
_n0
_2ddc
999 _c65135
_d65127