Citation Information

  • Title : Mulch effects on soil moisture and nitrogen, weed growth and irrigated maize productivity in a warm-temperate climate of South Africa.
  • Source : Soil & Tillage Research
  • Publisher : Elsevier/International Soil Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO)
  • Volume : 112
  • Issue : 1
  • Pages : 58-65
  • Year : 2011
  • DOI : 10.1016/j.still.
  • ISBN : 10.1016/j.still.
  • Document Type : Journal Article
  • Language : English
  • Authors:
    • Muchaonyerwa, P.
    • Chiduza, C.
    • Murungu, F. S.
    • Mnkeni, P. N. S.
  • Climates: Desert (BWh, BWk). Steppe (BSh, BSk).
  • Cropping Systems: Maize. Cover cropping. Irrigated cropping systems. Oats.
  • Countries: South Africa.

Summary

Low soil fertility and weeds reduce maize yields on most smallholder (SH) irrigation schemes in South Africa (SA). While cover cropping can increase maize productivity, benefits from different types of mulch are not well understood, leading to challenges in selecting the most appropriate cover crop species to grow. Field experiments investigating the effects of oat ( Avena sativa), grazing vetch ( Vicia dasycarpa), faba bean ( Vicia faba), Lupin ( Lupinus angustifolius) and forage pea ( Pisum sativum) mulch on maize grown at two fertilizer levels (0 and 60 kg N/ha) were undertaken in the 2007/08 and 2008/09 seasons. Plots where maize was grown without mulch were included as controls. Treatments were arranged in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Grazing vetch and forage pea mulch significantly ( P

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