Chiredzi Research Station, P. O. Box 97, Chiredzi. Zimbabwe
Water and soil fertility are the most limiting biophysical factors affecting crop production in semi-arid Zimbabwe. This study was conducted at Chiredzi Research Station in Zimbabwe to assess the impact of different basin sizes (15 cm basin, 25 cm basin and 35 cm basin) combined with soil fertility management options (5t cattle manure, 10t cattle manure with 34.5 kg N/ha or without nitrogen), compound D (7N:14P:7K) with Ammonium nitrate (34.5% kg/ha N) on grain yield and yield components of maize and sorghum. Results showed that grain yield response from 15 cm basin was significantly the highest on sorghum crop over 25 cm and 35 cm basins respectively across seasons. Fertility showed that application of compound D + 34.5 kg N/ha gave significant grain yield differences above 5t cattle manure and 10 t cattle manure + 34.5 kg N/ha across seasons. There was significant yield differences on individual seasons with 15 cm basins showing better response compared to 25 cm and 35 cm basins. Maize grain yield was realized in one season. 15 cm basin applied with 150 kg/ha compound D + 34.5 kg N gave the highest significant p<0.001 grain and stover yields. 15 cm basins with 5t cattle manure gave the second highest grain and stover yield on maize.