Investigation on the effects of variety and agrisilica on water retention, growth rate and yield of maize

Author

Dhliwayo, Nyasha

Title

Investigation on the effects of variety and agrisilica on water retention, growth rate and yield of maize

Abstract

Maize productivity in Zimbabwe remains low especially among communal farmers because of drought and poor soil fertility, necessitating innovative solutions like agrisilica application. This study aimed to assess the effect of variety and agrisilica on water retention, growth rate and yield of maize in semi-arid conditions. A 2×4 experiment laid in a randomized complete design was conducted at Superfert Bindura with two varieties (SC 555 AND SC 657) and 4 basal fertilizer levels (agrisilica, compound D, agrisilica + compound, no fertilizer). Results showed that agrisilica especially when combined with compound D, significantly improved growth rate, soil moisture content and yield, with SC 555 outperforming SC 657. The study concludes that integrating agrisilica into maize farming enhances drought resilience and productivity. It is recommended for adoption by farmers in dry regions to ensure food security and sustainable agriculture.

Date

June 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Maize productivity

Agrisilica

Growth rate and yield

Supervisor

Mr Chitamba