A Comparative study of the relationship between soil management practice and crop productivity under different soil type

Author

Matsiya, Prosper N.

Title

A Comparative study of the relationship between soil management practice and crop productivity under different soil type

Abstract

Maize is a staple crop in Zimbabwe, and optimizing its productivity under different soil conditions is vital for sustainable food security. Information on the interaction between soil management practices and soil types is essential for enhancing maize yield. A field experiment was conducted at [insert farm name/location] in Zimbabwe to assess the effects of three soil management practices—conventional tillage, zero tillage, and cover cropping—on maize productivity under three contrasting soil types: sandy, loam, and clay. The trial was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates, totaling 27 plots. The parameters measured included grain yield, dry stalk weight, cob diameter, number of grains per cob, leaf area index (LAI), harvest index, and soil pH. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in GenStat at a 5% significance level. Both soil type and management practice had significant effects on most parameters. The highest grain yield (e.g., X kg/plot) was recorded on loam soils under cover cropping, while the lowest was observed on sandy soils under conventional tillage. Cover cropping and zero tillage notably improved soil pH and maize performance across all soil types. No significant interaction effects were found for most parameters except [e.g., LAI or pH if applicable]. Overall, cover cropping on loam soil emerged as the most effective strategy for maximizing maize productivity. These results underscore the need for site-specific soil management strategies to enhance crop yields and promote sustainable agriculture in Zimbabwe.

Date

2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Maize

Soil conditions

Soil management practice

Crop productivity

Supervisor

Mrs Kamota