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Mwabvu, T. (2003). Use of Plant Litter by Small-Scale Farmers in Zimbabwe and the Potential of Soil Macrofauna in Litter Breakdown. UNISWA Research Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology. 6 (2): 106-108.
304269
10.4314/uniswa-rjast.v6i2.4733 [view]
Mwabvu, T.
2003
Use of Plant Litter by Small-Scale Farmers in Zimbabwe and the Potential of Soil Macrofauna in Litter Breakdown
UNISWA Research Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology
6 (2): 106-108
Publication
CIM-ID: 17111
A survey of soil macrofauna to determine their diversity in natural woodland, wet-land gardens and upland maize fields was conducted in villages in Murewa, Zimbabwe. Methods of sampling included soil monolith sampling and searching in all the selected sites. In addition, a questionnaire seeking to establish the ,prevalence of the use of indigenous plant litter in fields and the reasons for use was presented to the small-scale farmers. The diversity of soil macro/auna was greater in the natural woodland than in the crop fields. Six taxa were identified in the woodland compared to two in the maize field and wetland gardens. About 57 per cent of the farmers used plant litter in their gardens in addition to inorganic fertilizers and animal manure believing that the litter improves soil fertility, moisture retention and soil stnleture. It is unlikely that soil macrofauna significantly influence nutrienl cycling and release in crop fields because of the few taxa and indiViduals, unlike in natural woodland where they are abundant. The use of plant litter although prevalent may not be beneficial considering the labour used during collection and time requiredfor the material to decompose and release nutrients for plant growth and development.
South Africa
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2018-08-13 10:03:22Z
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2023-06-26 10:26:03Z
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2023-10-09 12:40:35Z
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