Implications of tillage practices, management of soil surface and fertilizer application on sustainable dryland agriculture: A case study of Eastern Rwanda
Loading...
Date
2017-08
Authors
Kabirigi, M.
Ngetich, F. K.
Rushemuka, P.
Mwetu, Kennedy K.
Wasige, E. J.
Ruganzu, Vicky M.
Nabahungu, N. L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academic Journals
Abstract
Conservation agriculture (CA) is becoming popular in sub-Saharan Africa as potential solution to soil
degradation. However, most findings are based on large scale, mechanized agricultural production
systems which are not easy to apply within the smallholder farmer’s context. This study assessed the
implications of tillage practices, management of soil surface and fertilizer application on sustainable
dryland agriculture of Eastern Rwanda. The experimental design was Split Plot with 4 replications. The
main plots were conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) and sub-plots were: Control, sole residues
application (RR); residues application with inorganic fertilizers (RR+IF) and inorganic fertilizers (IF)
applied alone. Inorganic fertilizers application increased bean grain and biomass yield by 103%. In no
tillage inorganic fertilizers had higher maize grain and biomass yields whereas residues application had
68% higher maize grain and biomass yield in conventional tillage. The significant increase in organic
carbon was observed in residues applied with inorganic fertilizers. There was a significant N decrease
in all treatments however control and residues had the highest N pool compared to other treatments.
Sole residues application and residues applied with inorganic fertilizers treatment increased
significantly Available P. The use of inorganic fertilizers in conservation agriculture systems should be
promoted as the engine toward successful of CA practices for Bugesera district conditions. These
results provide a basis for conducting trade-off analyses to support the development of CA crop
management and international development strategies based on available scientific evidence.
Key words: Conservation agriculture, no tillage, residues management, Bugesera District.
Description
DOI: 10.5897/AJAR2017.12289
Keywords
Conservation agriculture, No tillage, Residues management, Bugesera District
Citation
African Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. 12(31), pg. 2524-2532, 3 August, 2017. DOI: 10.5897/AJAR2017.12289, http://www.academicjournals.org/AJAR