https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Index en-us 5 https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:3344 Wed 12 May 2021 23:14:06 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:11438 Wed 12 May 2021 19:54:40 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:11216 Wed 12 May 2021 19:44:08 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:11215 Wed 12 May 2021 17:47:11 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:11214 Wed 12 May 2021 16:52:00 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:11198 Wed 12 May 2021 16:40:47 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:11434 Wed 12 May 2021 16:12:59 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28501 Tue 07 May 2024 09:51:33 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:11218 Thu 13 May 2021 02:18:00 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:11866 0.05) affect maize biomass and grain yield. Sorghum experienced the largest drop in biomass when relay-intercropped with maize. Mucuna resulted in the highest N uptake (271 kg N/ha) in sole cropping while sorghum had the lowest (88 kg N/ha). Grazing vetch results in high biomass yields with minimal fertilizer application in a warm-temperate climate. Grazing vetch mulch is also the most cost effective mulch for better early weed control, improving soil mineral N status, water conservation and ultimately enhanced maize productivity in smallholder irrigation maize-based systems. The 3:2 pattern maximizes summer cover crop biomass yields compared to the 6:2 and 4:2 patterns. However, the 3:2 pattern may slightly depress yields in a water stressed environment. Relay intercropping mucuna, sunnhemp and sorghum into a maize crop at 42 days after maize sowing has no effect on maize productivity while cover crop biomass yields are low. Having a long winter fallow period after maize harvesting, a common practice in the study area, reduces the positive impact of legume cover crops on soil mineral N. Results suggest that winter cover crops may result in weed control, soil fertility and maize yield improvement benefits while a long fallow period may cancel-out these benefits for summer cover crops. Grazing vetch is a cost effective cover crop that produces high maize yields with minimal fertilizer input. Maize growing on oat mulch requires more fertilizer application than crops growing on grazing vetch mulch. Conservation agriculture systems in which summer cover crops are grown alongside the maize crop with a long winter fallow period do not produce the intended CA benefits.]]> Thu 13 May 2021 00:30:49 SAST ]]>