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Relationships Between Cropping Practices, Soil Quality, and Maize (Zea mays L) Yield in Morogoro Region, Tanzania

Doyle, Steven, Doyle

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the principal food source for Eastern Africa’s rising populations. In Morogoro Region, Tanzania, 56% of agricultural land is cropped with maize and 90% of its people are smallholder farmers. For these reasons, understanding the relationship between crop management decisions, agricultural soil quality, and maize yield is of critical importance. Field management practices were recorded during the November – January (short) rainy season crop, and the March – June (long) rainy season, and water use during the short rainy season. Soil samples were taken from each field in June 2017 and analyzed for soil quality parameters pH, total nitrogen (TN), soil organic carbon (SOC), bulk density (BD), texture, aggregate stability (AS), and penetration resistance. Analyses indicated that during both the short and long rainy seasons, maize production resulted in a lower pH than in vegetable production, or maize – cowpea intercrop. Fields which were cropped with maize in the long rainy season had higher clay content (Clay) than did those cropped with a maize – cowpea intercrop. Sand content (Sand) appeared to be higher in fields cropped with a maize – cowpea intercrop in maize in the long rainy season. Textural variation was accounted for a spatial gradient in soil series, which likely informed crop choice. Aggregate stability was found to be higher in fields cropped with maize in the short rainy season than with vegetable. TN, SOC, BD, silt content (Silt), and penetration resistance were not found to vary between iii crop management practice. Each soil quality parameter was entered into a linear regression model and a mixed effects model with long rainy season maize yields to determine the property’s association with maize production. These analyses indicated that BD and sand concentration were negatively affecting maize yields while silt concentration, and to a lesser extent, SOC and AS were positively affecting maize yields in the sampled fields. From these findings, farmers would be advised to increase their SOC through manure or cover crop incorporation, while decreasing tillage rates. They may also be advised to cultivate maize on soils with higher Clay and vegetables on soils with higher Sand.
Rattan Lal, PhD (Advisor)
Jeffory Hattey, PhD (Committee Member)
Stephen Culman, PhD (Committee Member)
Mark Erbaugh, PhD (Committee Member)
169 p.

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Citations

  • Doyle, Doyle, S. (2018). Relationships Between Cropping Practices, Soil Quality, and Maize (Zea mays L) Yield in Morogoro Region, Tanzania [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1528987286318244

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Doyle, Doyle, Steven. Relationships Between Cropping Practices, Soil Quality, and Maize (Zea mays L) Yield in Morogoro Region, Tanzania . 2018. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1528987286318244.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Doyle, Doyle, Steven. "Relationships Between Cropping Practices, Soil Quality, and Maize (Zea mays L) Yield in Morogoro Region, Tanzania ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1528987286318244

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)