Abstract

In order to reduce the negative effects of conventional tillage there is need to develop or adopt alternative tillage systems. A comparative study on the effects of three tillage methods on the yield performance of a maize cultivar SC633 was conducted in Musiiwa ward of Musana Communal Area, Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe. The experiment was conducted on existing farmers’ fields. A randomized complete block design with three treatments (direct seeding, ripping and conventional mouldboard ploughing) replicated four times was used. The data were subjected to analysis of variance using SPSS for Windows, Version 15.0 (2006). Results showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in maize grain yield mouldboard ploughing and ripping. Mouldboard ploughing out-yielded (P<0.05) direct seeding. Stover yields and harvest indices under the three tillage methods were not significantly different (P>0.05). It was concluded that ripping can perform perfectly well just like the conventional mouldboard ploughing. In view of the comparative advantages of conservation tillage in terms of carbon sequestration and the subsequent soil quality improvement, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced soil erosion, adoption of conservation tillage is recommended.

Key words: Tillage, maize, communal area, conservation farming, grain yield.