A transition from shifting cultivation towards more intensive types of agriculture necessitates the introduction of alternative systems of cultivation. Since this change is often followed by deforestation, systems which are sustainable in treeless surroundings are worth searching for. An agricultural system where mound-cultivation is combined with green manuring is presented. It is based on the spreading of an initial compost-mound for a cereal-legume crop rotation on mounds, alternating with flat cultivation. The effect on soil nutrient stores was followed for 2 years as well as in mounded fields of various ages. Both pH and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) increased following compost-mound cultivation, and the content of P and Ca doubled. After 4 years of legume-cereal crop rotation on mounds alternating with flat-cultivation, more nutrients had accumulated in the soil than were present before in the fallow.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.