Sustainable crop production using hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) to enrich soil fertility and conserve soil moisture for maize cropping in smallholder farming systems in Zimbabwe
Abstract
218 words
Crop production in smallholder farming systems of Zimbabwe
is limited by low inherent soil fertility, particularly N and P and
available soil moisture. One of the major agricultural challenges
in developing countries is the development of technologies that
are able to sustain soil fertility and conserve soil and moisture.
The use of legumes is one way this could be achieved and
therefore there is need to select appropriate and beneficial
legumes for smallholder crop production in Southern Africa.
Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) has great potential for
improving the crop production of high N demanding crops such
as maize (Zea mays). This study therefore seeks to investigate
the effect of the cover crop, Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)
on maize yield, determine its N contribution through biological
nitrogen fixation (BNF), its biomass production, characterise
its decomposition and nutrients N and P release patterns and
its effect on soil and water conservation in smallholder farming
systems of in central Zimbabwe. Two agro-ecological zones,
Natural Region II (Rainfall 750-1000 mm/year) and in Natural
Region III (Rainfall 450-650mm/year) were selected for this
study. Preliminary results have shown that sunnhemp has the
greatest biomass production followed by cowpea with hairy vetch having the lowest yield. Soil and foliar samples are being
analysed and soil and nutrient loss being measured using rainfall
simulation.
Subjects
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