Abstract:
Farmers believe that addition of residues to fields in conservation
agriculture (CA) attract termites hence increase lodging,
although they are beliefs that termites prefer feeding on dry
matter and leave the crop. This study carried out in Kadoma
and Chikombedzi, Zimbabwe established links between crop
residues, termite prevalence, crop lodging and yield. Results
from Kadoma showed that in 2008/9, 4t/ha of residue had
significantly more termites compared to conventional
mouldboard plough systems (CMP). In 2009/10, 4 and 6t/ha
residues resulted into a significantly higher termite compared
to CMP. In both seasons in Chikombedzi, results were similar
with those of Kadoma. In Chikombedzi in 2009/10, lodging in
CA was significantly higher compared to CMP. In Kadoma
2008/09, yields (2900-3348kg/ha) were significantly higher under
CA compared to CMP (2117kg/ha). Similar results were
obtained at Chikombedzi. A significant and positive relationship
was observed between percentage soil moisture and termite
numbers, suggesting that CA attract termites although it also
increases yields. It is therefore necessary to integrate termite
control measures in maize production under conservation
agriculture systems.
Les agriculteurs croient que l’addition des résidus aux champs
dans l’agriculture de conservation (CA) attire les termites et
par conséquent favorise leur séjour, bien qu’ils croient que les
termites préfèrent s’alimenter en nourriture dans la matière
sèche et laissent la récolte. Cette étude effectuée à Kadoma
et Chikombedzi, au Zimbabwe, a établi des liens entre les résidus
de récolte, la prédominance de termite, le logement de récolte
et le rendement. Les résultats de Kadoma ont prouvé qu’en
2008/2009, 4t/ha de résidu ont eu sensiblement plus des termites
comparés aux systèmes conventionnels de charrue de lame (CMP). En 2009/2010, des résidus de 4 et 6t/ha ont résulté
vers un termite sensiblement plus haut comparé au CMP. Dans
les deux saisons à Chikombedzi, les résultats étaient semblables
à ceux de Kadoma. A Chikombedzi en 2009/2010, le logement
dans l’agriculture de conservation CA était sensiblement plus
haut comparé au CMP. A Kadoma en 2008/2009, les
rendements (de 2900 à 3348kg/ha) étaient sensiblement plus
élevés sous l’agriculture de conservation CA comparé au CMP
(2117kg/ha). Des résultats semblables ont été obtenus à
Chikombedzi. On a observé un rapport significatif et positif entre
l’humidité de sol et les nombres de termite, suggérant que
l’agriculture de conservation CA attire les termites bien qu’il
augmente également des rendements. Il est donc nécessaire
d’intégrer des mesures de contrôle de termite dans la production
de maïs sous les systèmes d’agriculture de conservation.
Language:
English
Date of publication:
2010
Country:
Region Focus:
Southern Africa
University/affiliation:
Collection:
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Agris Subject Categories:
Agrovoc terms:
Additional keywords:
Licence conditions:
Open Access
Access restriction:
Form:
Printed resource
Publisher:
ISSN:
E_ISSN:
Edition:
Extent:
173-177
Notes:
"The 2010 RUFORUM Biennial Conference was the second in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholers in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme of agronomy".
