Working Document Series Open Access 2012 RUF-32954

Effect of Integrated Water and Nutrient Management Technologies on Soil Profile Moisture Content and Grain Water Productivity in Zimbabwe

L. MhakaI. NyagumboP. Nyamugafata

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Abstract

125 words

This paper reports results of an on-farm experiment done to quantify soil moisture storage, water and water productivity of maize and soybean as affected by tillage and fertility management systems during 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 cropping seasons. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of cattle manure and inorganic fertiliser (compound D) under tied ridging, conservation farming basins, conventional mould board plough, rip and potholing on soil profile moisture storage and water grain productivity. The results showed that there is no interaction between tillage system and fertility management options on determining water productivity and soil profile moisture storage. However tillage systems and fertility management options independently had an impact on water productivity while soil profile moisture storage was affected by tillage systems alone.