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), MidDecember 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.
LIINGILIE, A (2021). Effects Of Grilicidia Sepium Intercropping, Rainwater Harvesting And Planting Times On Maize Performance In Kongwa District, Tanzania. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/effects-of-grilicidia-sepium-intercropping-rainwater-harvesting-and-planting-times-on-maize-performance-in-kongwa-district-tanzania
LIINGILIE, ABDALA "Effects Of Grilicidia Sepium Intercropping, Rainwater Harvesting And Planting Times On Maize Performance In Kongwa District, Tanzania" Afribary. Afribary, 14 May. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/effects-of-grilicidia-sepium-intercropping-rainwater-harvesting-and-planting-times-on-maize-performance-in-kongwa-district-tanzania. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
LIINGILIE, ABDALA . "Effects Of Grilicidia Sepium Intercropping, Rainwater Harvesting And Planting Times On Maize Performance In Kongwa District, Tanzania". Afribary, Afribary, 14 May. 2021. Web. 18 Dec. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/effects-of-grilicidia-sepium-intercropping-rainwater-harvesting-and-planting-times-on-maize-performance-in-kongwa-district-tanzania >.
LIINGILIE, ABDALA . "Effects Of Grilicidia Sepium Intercropping, Rainwater Harvesting And Planting Times On Maize Performance In Kongwa District, Tanzania" Afribary (2021). Accessed December 18, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/effects-of-grilicidia-sepium-intercropping-rainwater-harvesting-and-planting-times-on-maize-performance-in-kongwa-district-tanzania