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Browsing by Author "Cheesman, S."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Can residual effects of green manure cover crops (GMCC) solve N fertilizer challenges in conservation agriculture (CA) systems of Southern Africa?
    Cheesman, S.; Thierfelder, Christian; Eash, Neal S. (2012)
    This poster was presented on October 22nd, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. This poster contained information on the lack of accessible fertilizer in Southern Africa. Means of alternative fertilizers is important in order to increase production and the biomass of the soil. Green manure cover crops (GMCC) offer the ability to increase Nitrogen fertilization for small-scale farmers. A four year conservation agriculture trial was carried out at the University Farm and Domboshava Training Center in Zimbabwe.
  • Maize-based conservation agriculture systems in Malawi: Long-term trends in productivity
    Thierfelder, Christian; Chisui, J. L.; Gama, M.; Cheesman, S.; Jere, Z. D.; Bunderson, W. T.; Eash, Neal S.; Rusinamhodzi, L. (2013)
    Continuous maize cultivation in Malawi has degraded the soils, but conservation agriculture (CA) offers an option for improving soil quality while increasing yields. However, the effect of CA can vary widely by agro-ecological context. This study evaluates this effect by comparing CA productivity trends in nine communities in the southern and central regions of Malawi. In each target community six experiments were established which applied three treatments: conventional ridge and furrow system with maize; CA with maize and CA with maize and a legume intercrop. Variability among communities was explored using principal component analysis. Site characteristics, seasonal effects, and cropping system (CA or conventional) were found to significantly impact maize grain yield. CA cropping systems had higher time-to-pond than conventional, suggesting improved water infiltration. Improvements in yield as a result of CA production systems were universal across all communities, despite vast differences in biophysical characteristics. However, these yield improvements were not immediately significant, becoming evident after three to five seasons.