Working Document Series Open Access Grain filling patterns of CIMMYT early maize inbred lines R. Edema · E. Gasura · P. Gibson · P. Okori +2 more Despite the ability of early maize to escape drought and provide food early, it yields 20-30% less than late maize. The challenge is to increase yield while maintaining earliness. A study is ongoing at CIMMYT, Harare to determine whether g… RUF-34614 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Climate variability and Tillage practices: Effect on soil moisture, carbon dynamics and crop productivity in semi arid Zimbabwe J. Keter · J. M. Kinama · R. Moyo · I. Nyagumbo +1 more To improve on low yields of rainfed agriculture which are a result of soil degradation, low fertility and low moisture levels in semi-arid areas and increased climatic variability due to climate change, conservation agriculture (CA) is bei… RUF-34505 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Genetic inheritance studies and early generation marker selection in maize breeding for drought tolerance C. Magorokosho · X. Mhike · P. Okori It has been estimated that approximately US $10 billion of primary food production is lost annually because of drought. Interventions like irrigation are options the majority of the smallholder farmers in sub Saharan Africa cannot afford. … RUF-34476 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access 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 D. Chinamo · F Mapanda · M. Munyati · G. Nyamadzawo +2 more 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 … RUF-34466 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access An evaluation of the effect of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) on soil fertility of sandy soils in central Zimbabwe F Mapanda · A. Tumbure · M. Wuta Crop production in smallholder farming systems of Zimbabwe is limited by low inherent soil fertility, particularly N and P and available soil moisture. The use of efficient N fixing legumes is one way that can sustain soil fertility and co… RUF-34460 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Linkages between crop residues, termite prevalence, crop lodging and subsequent crop yield under conservation agriculture in Zimbabwe E. F. Mutsamba · I. Nyagumbo Farmers believe that addition of residues to fields in conservation agriculture (CA) attract termites hence increase lodging, although they are beliefs that termites prefer feeding on dry matter and leave the crop. This study carried out i… RUF-34415 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The effect of timing of earthing up on the performance of four Bambara groundnut landrace cultivars in the Mutasa District of Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe Z.A. Chiteka · S. Mhungu An experiment was carried out at two sites to investigate the effect of timing of earthing up on the yield of four landrace cultivars of Bambara groundut (Vigna subterranean [L.] Verdc.) cultivars in Zimbabwe during the 2006/2007 season. T… RUF-34411 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Nutrient content of vegetable amaranth (Amaranths cruentus L.) at different harvesting stages N. D. Makobo · T. A. Mtaita · M. D. Shoko Data on the nutritional content of conventional vegetables can be reasonably associated with a specific stage of plant development, but information about the age of plant development to define harvest maturity for wild or indigenous leafy … RUF-34394 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Potential of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) to improve soil physical properties of sandy soils in central Zimbabwe D. Chinamo · F Mapanda · G. Nyamadzawo · M. Wuta Most farmers in the smallholder areas practice conventional tillage which results in soil loss of between 10-34 t ha-1 yr-1. Tillage also results in breakdown of macroaggregates into smaller aggregates as well as primary particles. Close p… RUF-34374 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Creating an innovation platform for research impact: Lessons from the smallholder soyabean program in Zimbabwe S. Mpepereki This paper outlines the establishment of a broad innovation platform on to which more players were invited in efforts to meet the demands of participating farmers. We share this experience to encourage others to undertake impact-oriented p… RUF-34316 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Harnessing agricultural science for the people: Are African Universities doing enough? S. Mpepereki Agricultural research in many African universities has been project-based and piece-meal, failing to focus on understanding the socio-cultural context of African agricultural systems and their interaction with the physical environment, and… RUF-34315 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Case Studies Open Access The University of Zimbabwe Megan Lindow RUF-33635 2012 CC BY 4.0 15 Mar 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of Integrated Water and Nutrient Management Technologies on Soil Profile Moisture Content and Grain Water Productivity in Zimbabwe L. Mhaka · I. Nyagumbo · P. Nyamugafata 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 s… RUF-32954 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Temporal Population Dynamics of Storage Insect Pests and their Management Using Safer Grain Protectants in Maize Smallholder Systems of Zimbabwe B.M. Mvumi · R. Rwafa The study aims to determine peak flight activity periods and develop a safer and more efficacious grain protection strategies using different combinations of new and commercial diatomaceous earths (DEs), biopesticides and minimal pyrethroi… RUF-32944 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Influence of Number of Days from Planting to Harvest on Growth, Development, Stage of Maturity and Nutritional Value of Three Vegetable Soybean Cultivars in Zimbabwe A.T. Chikoshana · Z.A. Chiteka · J.S. Tichagwa A study was carried out in the 2008/09 season at Rattray Arnold Research Station in Zimbabwe, to determine the optimum days to harvest for three vegetable soybean varieties, SC Edamame 1, Santa, and Siesta. The experimental design was a ra… RUF-32925 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Gender Roles in Soil Fertility and Water Management for Maize (Zea mays L.) Production in Urban Agriculture: A Case for Harare, Zimbabwe J. Nyamangara · B. Nyamasoka · P. Nyamugafata A survey of 205 farmers in Harare and Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe was conducted to characterise soil fertility and water management practices used by urban farmers to produce maize and to determine the influence of gender on their use. Results s… RUF-32731 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Translating Integrated Soil Fertility Management Empirical Knowledge into Action through Participatory Learning and Marketing Agricultural Produce in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · D. Dhliwayo · P. Mapfumo · F. Mtambanengwe +2 more The study sought to identify suitable mechanisms for transferring the available knowledge on concepts and principles of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies to smallholder farmers and agricultural service providers in Z… RUF-32722 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Spatial and Temporal Distribution and Utilisation of Fallow Land in South Central Zimbabwe E. Manzungu · L. Mtali The purpose of this study was to assess the spatial and temporal distribution of fallow land between 1984 and 2010 in Zimbabwe’s communal areas and its utilisation. Chivi district, which is located in south central Zimbabwe, was used as a … RUF-32695 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Factors Influencing Access to Integrated Soil Fertility Management Information and Knowledge and its Uptake Among Smallholder Farmers in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · T. Gwandu · P. Mapfumo · T.C. Mashavave +2 more Lack of access to information and knowledge generated through formal research has been identified as a major drawback to adoption of agricultural technologies among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. This study evaluated how farmers acquire,… RUF-32277 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Effectiveness of Rhizobium Leguminosarum Strains Nodulating Hairy Vetch, an Introduced Forage Legume in the Sandy Soils of Zimbabwe F Mapanda · A. Tumbure · M. Wuta Results from field experiments in Zimbabwe in 2009/10 - 2010 11 showed that nodulation of hairy vetch is erratic resulting in poor performance of the crop. The need to inoculate hairy vetch was therefore assessed using three (3) Rhizobium… RUF-32034 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of Soil Quality on Potential of Forage Establishment in Chivi Fallow Lands, Zimbabwe E. Manzungu · S. Ncube · B. Tavirimirwa There have been concerns about the poor communal grazing resources and the resulting degradation and depletion of communal rangelands in Zimbabwe. Different government departments, researchers, and non-governmental organisations have imple… RUF-32030 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Short-Term Effects of Soil Fertility, Tillage and Residue Management on Soil Organic Carbon, Aggregate Stability and Water Infiltration on a Sandy Soil in Urban Agriculture, Harare S. Madyiwa · J. Nyamangara · B. Nyamasoka · P. Nyamugafata +1 more Manure is a key nutrient resource to urban farmers due to its multiple benefits, especially on inherently infertile sandy soils. Research on cattle manure in sub-Saharan Africa has mainly focused on its role in supplying N required by crop… RUF-32009 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Ecology and Safer Management of Storage Insect Pests in Sorghum Smallholder Farming Systems H. Machekano · B.M. Mvumi · R. Rwafa This study seeks to develop safe, effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to the conventional organophosphate-based insecticides and generate better understanding of storage insect pest population dynamics so as to identify app… RUF-32001 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Variability and Associations of Grain Filling Traits with Grain Yield and Yield Components in CIMMYT Maize Inbred Lines R. Edema · E. Gasura · P. Gibson · P. Okori +1 more Improved grain filling rate and grain filling duration are yield components that have potential to increase maize yield in early maize germplasm. These two factors have not been well studied in maize and thus cannot be easily exploited in … RUF-31514 2012 CC BY 4.0 6 Oct 2013