Soil characterization in contrasting cropping systems under the fast track land reform programme in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Soil fertility depletion is a major limitation to crop production in sub-Saharan Africa and Zimbabwe is no exception to this phenomenon. This research was conducted to assess the soil chemical characteristics in three contrasting cropping systems of Zimbabwe. The contrasting production systems under study were communal area, A2 (large scale resettlement) and A1 (small scale resettlement).All these systems are in Manicaland province, Zimbabwe. The A1 and A2 production systems were brought about during the 2000 land reform programme. The soil samples were collected during the off season of 2006, 2007 and 2008. The following soil chemical characteristics were determined: Ca, Mg, K, Zn, pH and organic matter. There were significant differences (P=0.001) between the production systems and soil chemical properties. Calcium, magnesium and potassium levels were generally low in all the three production systems. This was due to low soil pH. However, A2 farms had significantly the highest (P