Benefits and challenges of crop rotations in maize-based conservation agriculture (CA) cropping systems of southern Africa

Thierfelder, Christian; Cheesman, Stephanie; Rusinamhodzi, Léonard

doi:10.1080/14735903.2012.703894

Cited by 100 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…In some environments the benefits of CA started after 1-2 seasons, whereas in other environments the benefits required more seasons for effects to build up 23,94 , which is in agreement with a recent meta-analysis 96 . For example, in the high-rainfall environment of Zidyana EPA, Malawi, characterized by sandy loam soils, substantial maize yield benefits were obtained after five seasons 28 .…”

Section: Effects Of Ca On Productivitysupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Maize yields under no-till with mulch retention were marginally better than under conventional tillage in a regional study on long-term trials in Southern Africa 94 , i.e., closer to the 1:1 line (Fig. 10) but the inclusion of rotation or intercropping systems led to yields that were closer to the 1:2 line, implying that in some instances yield under CA was almost double that in conventional tillage.…”

Section: Effects Of Ca On Productivitymentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Studies have shown that rotation 94 as well as appropriate fertilization 80 are critical for CA results to become significant. This was successfully shown in component omission trials in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe 95 .…”

Section: Effects Of Ca On Productivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, these past researches were largely conducted within experimental stations and did not take into account socio-economic constraints in real farm situations that could hinder the widespread adoption of CA. Recently, more studies reporting results from onfarm and on-station trials have been published concentrating on some of the above-mentioned challenges and constraints 28,37,68,73,86,94,96,97,99,101,102,104,[113][114][115][116] .…”

Section: Constraints To Adoption Of Ca Systems In Southern Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Conservation agriculture in Southern Africa: Advances in knowledge

Thierfelder¹,

Rusinamhodzi²,

Ngwira

et al. 2014

Renew. Agric. Food Syst.

Self Cite

140

112

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The increasing demand for food from limited available land, in light of declining soil fertility and future threats of climate variability and change have increased the need for more sustainable crop management systems. Conservation agriculture (CA) is based on the three principles of minimum soil disturbance, surface crop residue retention and crop rotations, and is one of the available options. In Southern Africa, CA has been intensively promoted for more than a decade to combat declining soil fertility and to stabilize crop yields. The objective of this review is to summarize recent advances in knowledge about the benefits of CA and highlight constraints to its widespread adoption within Southern Africa. Research results from Southern Africa showed that CA generally increased water infiltration, reduced soil erosion and run-off, thereby increasing available soil moisture and deeper drainage. Physical, chemical and biological soil parameters were also improved under CA in the medium to long term. CA increased crop productivity and also reduced on-farm labor, especially when direct seeding techniques and herbicides were used. As with other cropping systems, CA has constraints at both the field and farm level. Challenges to adoption in Southern Africa include the retention of sufficient crop residues, crop rotations, weed control, pest and diseases, farmer perception and economic limitations, including poorly developed markets. It was concluded that CA is not a 'one-size-fits-all' solution and often needs significant adaptation and flexibility when implementing it across farming systems. However, CA may potentially reduce future soil fertility decline, the effects of seasonal dry-spells and may have a large impact on food security and farmers' livelihoods if the challenges can be overcome.

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Section: Effects Of Ca On Productivitysupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Effects Of Ca On Productivitymentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Effects Of Ca On Productivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Constraints To Adoption Of Ca Systems In Southern Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Conservation agriculture in Southern Africa: Advances in knowledge

Thierfelder¹,

Rusinamhodzi²,

Ngwira

et al. 2014

Renew. Agric. Food Syst.

Self Cite

140

112

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Extensive research has been conducted into the broader frameworks of integrated soil fertility management [130][131][132][133][134][135][136][137], conservation agriculture [138][139][140][141][142][143], erosion control [144][145][146][147][148], and improved grazing management [149][150][151]. There is also a wealth of information on the benefits of specific practices such as short legume rotations (improved fallows) [152][153][154][155][156][157][158], agroforestry systems [159][160][161][162][163][164][165], and no-till systems [166][167][168][169][170].…”

Section: Positive Trajectories and Conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The State of Soil Degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Baselines, Trajectories, and Solutions

et al. 2015

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Abstract:The primary cause of soil degradation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is expansion and intensification of agriculture in efforts to feed its growing population. Effective solutions will support resilient systems, and must cut across agricultural, environmental, and socioeconomic objectives. While many studies compare and contrast the effects of different management practices on soil properties, soil degradation can only be evaluated within a specific temporal and spatial context using multiple indicators. The extent and rate of soil degradation in SSA is still under debate as there are no reliable data, just gross estimates. Nevertheless, certain soils are losing their ability to provide food and essential ecosystem services, and we know that soil fertility depletion is the primary cause. We synthesize data from studies that examined degradation in SSA at broad spatial and temporal scales and quantified multiple soil degradation indicators, and we found clear indications of degradation across multiple indicators. However, different indicators have different trajectories-pH and cation exchange capacity tend to decline linearly, and soil organic carbon and yields non-linearly. Future research should focus on how soil degradation in SSA leads to changes in ecosystem services, and how to manage these soils now and in the future. OPEN ACCESS

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Comparative effects of legume‐based intercropping systems involving pigeon pea and cowpea under deep‐bed and conventional tillage systems in Malawi

Phiri,

Njira,

Dixon

2024

Agrosystems Geosci & Env

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Leguminous‐based intercropping, combined with conservation agriculture, is a promising approach to improve soil fertility, crop yields, and sustainable land use for smallholder farmers in sub‐Saharan Africa, including Malawi. This study aimed to assess the effects of incorporating legume‐based intercropping systems involving pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) into the deep bed farming (DBF) system promoted by Tiyeni in northern Malawi. The study used a split plot design with cropping systems (CS) as the main plots and tillage systems (TS) as the sub‐plots. All treatments were replicated three times. The study encompassed two cropping seasons, where CS included legume‐based treatments, sole cropped maize (Zea mays) without fertilizer (MZ) and sole cropped maize with 92 kg top dressing N fertilizer per hectare (MZ + 92), while TS included DBF and conventional tillage (CT). The study found that all plots with leguminous crops on both DBF and CT showed higher levels of ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3−) and phosphorus (P) in the soil, but DBF had significantly higher levels over 2 years. Intercropping systems showed higher land productivity (land equivalent ratio > 1) than sole cropping in both years, indicating that legume‐based cropping can improve land use efficiency and yields. It can be noted from this study that intercropping systems based on cereals and legumes, implemented in DBF, has the potential to sustain agricultural intensification in sub‐Saharan African countries where access to chemical fertilizers is limited among smallholder farmers.

show abstract

Benefits and challenges of crop rotations in maize-based conservation agriculture (CA) cropping systems of southern Africa

Cited by 100 publications

References 23 publications

Conservation agriculture in Southern Africa: Advances in knowledge

Conservation agriculture in Southern Africa: Advances in knowledge

The State of Soil Degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Baselines, Trajectories, and Solutions

Comparative effects of legume‐based intercropping systems involving pigeon pea and cowpea under deep‐bed and conventional tillage systems in Malawi

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