Effects of grilicidia sepium intercropping, rainwater harvesting and planting times on maize performance in Kongwa District, Tanzania
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Date
2019
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study assessed the effects of integrating Gliricidia sepium, rainwater harvesting
known as chololo pits and planting times on soil moisture, maize growth and yield in
Kongwa District, Dodoma, Tanzania. A factorial experiment was adopted to test the
effects of planting times (Early, Normal and Late planting), and CSA practices (Maize
monoculture, Gliricida sepium intercropping and intercropping with G. sepium and
chololo pits. The planting times were Mid-November to Mid-December (Early), Mid-
December to Mid-January (Normal) and Mid-January to Mid-February (Late).
Results revealed that soil moisture content, maize growth and yield varied
significantly between planting times and CSA practices. The G. sepium-chololo pits
treatment increased soil moisture by 41% compared to 34% and 26% in the G.
sepium and maize monoculture treatments, respectively. Overall, G.sepium
intercropping alone increased maize grain yield by 23% relative to monoculture
(2.6t/ha) due to improved soil moisture content and soil fertility. Maize grain yield
was the highest (2.8-4.2t/ha) in the G. sepium-chololo pits treatment across all
planting times, reflecting high resilience due to combined effects of improved soil
fertility and soil moisture. At all planting times and CSA practices tested, the higher maize yields observed at maize planted Mid-December to Mid-January (Normal). This affirms the appropriate planting time of maize crops for Kongwa. This study
demonstrated that the combined use of weather information on the appropriate
planting time and CSA practice improves yield and build resilience in maize-based farming systems in semiarid areas.
Description
A Dissertation
Keywords
Integrating Gliricidia sepium, Rainwater harvesting, Chololo pits, Planting times, Soil moisture, Maize growth