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Effects of Tillage Systems and Cropping Patterns on Soil Physical Properties in Mozambique

Author

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  • Oscar Chichongue

    (Mozambique Agricultural Research Institute (IIAM), Maputo 3658, Mozambique
    Department of Soil, Crop, and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • Johan van Tol

    (Department of Soil, Crop, and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • Gert Ceronio

    (Department of Soil, Crop, and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • Chris Du Preez

    (Department of Soil, Crop, and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

Abstract

Conservation agriculture (CA) practices are advocated to reduce soil degradation, resulting in more sustainable food production as compared to conventional tillage (CT). In this study, the short-term effects of two tillage systems in combination with cropping patterns on selected soil physical parameters on four experimental sites in Mozambique were studied. The study sites differ according to their climatic conditions, soil types, and crop adaptation. Tillage systems evaluated were CA and CT, while the cropping pattern had four levels of sole cropping and three levels of intercropping. In general, soil physical properties showed significant changes due to the tillage systems, but the cropping pattern and their interaction with tillage systems did not yield significant impacts on the soil physical properties. CA increased bulk density, penetration resistance, and saturated hydraulic conductivity as compared to CT. A significant difference due to the tillage system was observed across the four sites, and in general, evaporation was higher in CT compared to CA. The presence of crop residues in CA contributed to lower evaporation. Thus, in the short term, CA practices could be a sustainable option to conserve soil water through higher infiltration and less evaporation.

Suggested Citation

  • Oscar Chichongue & Johan van Tol & Gert Ceronio & Chris Du Preez, 2020. "Effects of Tillage Systems and Cropping Patterns on Soil Physical Properties in Mozambique," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:10:y:2020:i:10:p:448-:d:422015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christian Thierfelder & Pauline Chivenge & Walter Mupangwa & Todd S. Rosenstock & Christine Lamanna & Joseph X. Eyre, 2017. "How climate-smart is conservation agriculture (CA)? – its potential to deliver on adaptation, mitigation and productivity on smallholder farms in southern Africa," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 9(3), pages 537-560, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Roman Wacławowicz & Magdalena Giemza & Elżbieta Pytlarz & Anna Wenda-Piesik, 2023. "The Impact of Cultivation Systems on Weed Suppression and the Canopy Architecture of Spring Barley," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Lihua Liu & Shize Cui & Meng Qin & Liqiang Chen & Dawei Yin & Xiaohong Guo & Hongyu Li & Guiping Zheng, 2022. "Effects of Continuous Ridge Tillage at Two Fertilizer Depths on Microbial Community Structure and Rice Yield," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-16, June.

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