Kugedera Andrew Tapiwa, Kokerai Letticia Kudzai, Nyamadzawo George, Mandumbu Ronald
Department of Environmental Science, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe.
Department of Crop and Livestock, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Masvingo, Zimbabwe.
Heliyon. 2024 Jun 14;10(12):e33032. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33032. eCollection 2024 Jun 30.
Sorghum production in semi-arid areas of Zimbabwe is constrained by low and erratic rainfall, low fertility and soil moisture stress. Sorghum grain yields ranges from 0.2 to 0.4 t ha in sandy-to-sandy loam soils respectively. The objective of the study was to assess cattle manure and rainwater harvesting techniques in improving sorghum grain yield in a semi-arid region of Zimbabwe. The experiment used a randomised complete block design with rainwater harvesting technique as a main treatment factor at three levels. Sub-plot factor was cattle manure at five levels (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 15 t ha) and two sorghum varieties (Macia and SV1) as sub-sub plot factor. Sorghum grain yields were improved significantly (p < 0.05) for both varieties using tied contours. Increasing application rates of cattle manure, showed significant increase (p < 0.05) in sorghum grain yield over the control (0 t ha). Tied contour had higher grain yield (1.15 t ha) with the use of Macia variety. Stover yield was highly influenced by rainwater harvesting method of tied contour (p < 0.05) compared with infiltration pit and standard contour. Increase in application levels of cattle manure show significant (p < 0.05) increase in stover yields. Tied contour had the highest (3.11 kg ha mm) rainwater use efficiency which show significant differences (p < 0.05) from infiltration pits and standard contour. Interaction of tied contour and different rates of cattle manure showed significant increments in rainwater use efficiency with increases in manure application rates. Tied contours, 15 t ha cattle manure and Macia variety are potential strategy to achieve climate smart agriculture and improve food security in semi-arid areas. Sorghum production in marginalised areas can be productive with adoption of tested techniques.
津巴布韦半干旱地区的高粱生产受到降雨少且不稳定、土壤肥力低以及土壤水分胁迫的制约。在沙质到沙壤土中，高粱谷物产量分别为每公顷0.2至0.4吨。本研究的目的是评估牛粪和雨水收集技术对津巴布韦半干旱地区高粱谷物产量的提升作用。该实验采用随机完全区组设计，将雨水收集技术作为主要处理因素，设置三个水平。副区因素是五个水平（0、2.5、5、10和15吨/公顷）的牛粪，以及两个高粱品种（马西亚和SV1）作为副副区因素。使用等高截水沟对两个品种的高粱谷物产量均有显著提高（p < 0.05）。增加牛粪施用量，与对照（0吨/公顷）相比，高粱谷物产量显著增加（p < 0.05）。使用马西亚品种时，等高截水沟的谷物产量更高（1.15吨/公顷）。与渗坑和标准等高线相比，等高截水沟的雨水收集方法对秸秆产量影响极大（p < 0.05）。增加牛粪施用量会使秸秆产量显著增加（p < 0.05）。等高截水沟的雨水利用效率最高（3.11千克/公顷·毫米），与渗坑和标准等高线相比有显著差异（p < 0.05）。等高截水沟与不同牛粪施用量的相互作用表明，随着牛粪施用量的增加，雨水利用效率显著提高。等高截水沟、15吨/公顷牛粪和马西亚品种是实现半干旱地区气候智能型农业和改善粮食安全的潜在策略。通过采用经过试验的技术，边缘化地区的高粱生产可以实现高产。
