https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/15 2026-06-06T01:36:46Z 2026-06-06T01:36:46Z Mashavakure, Nilton Chomufanaa, Nyaradzo M. Musiyiwa, Kumbirai Nyamangara, Justice https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/770 2026-05-28T08:03:22Z 2021-02-01T00:00:00Z

Organic soil fertility amendments enhance surface-dwelling beetle diversity in a sub-humid tropical environment under conservation agriculture Mashavakure, Nilton; Chomufanaa, Nyaradzo M.; Musiyiwa, Kumbirai; Nyamangara, Justice Surface-dwelling beetles offer ecosystem services in agro-ecosystems including biological pest control and organic matter decomposition. This study was conducted to investigate beetle community response to six years of tillage, crop residue application, crop rotation and soil fertility amendments (low fertiliser, high fertiliser, manure, manure + low fertiliser and manure + 60 kg N ha−1) treatments. Reduced tillage increased beetle abundance by 4.6% relative to soil inversion tillage. Crop residue application increased the abundances of Platynus assimilis, Zophosis boei and total beetles by two to three times. Meanwhile, Renatiella reticulata increased by 628.6% in high fertiliser compared to manure + 60 kg N ha−1, manure + low fertiliser and the control. In crop rotation + crop residue retention plots, application of sole manure at 10 t ha−1 increased the Shannon index by 360–365% relative to manure + 60 kg N ha−1 and manure + low fertiliser. Based on the findings in this study, it can be concluded that reduced tillage, retention of crop residues on the soil surface and application of manure increase surface-dwelling beetle abundance and diversity.

2021-02-01T00:00:00Z Mashavakure, Nilton Soropa, Gabriel Mandityira, Caroline Ruvimbo Chivhuna, Primrose Musiyiwa, Kumbirai https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/742 2026-05-08T07:13:51Z 2025-04-25T00:00:00Z

Soil, Crop Yield, and Economic Benefits of Conservation Agriculture-Based Cropping Systems: Triple Wins during an El Niño-Induced Drought Year in Zimbabwe Mashavakure, Nilton; Soropa, Gabriel; Mandityira, Caroline Ruvimbo; Chivhuna, Primrose; Musiyiwa, Kumbirai Conservation agriculture (CA) is a sustainable farming system that can confer agronomic, ecological, and economic benefits to farmers across the globe. This study evaluated the effects of different cropping systems on soil properties, crop and fodder yields, and economic returns. Data was collected from a four-year-old experiment at Chinhoyi University of Technology farm with seven treatments [no-till (NT), NT + dead mulch (DM), NT + live mulch using Brachiaria and Desmodium uncinatum (LM), NT + rotation (ROT), NT + DM + ROT, NT + LM + ROT and conventional tillage (CT)] in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Compared to CT, NT + LM + ROT reduced soil bulk density by 5.6% and increased water-holding capacity by 49.8%. Soil organic matter was lowest in CT (1.8%), and highest in NT + DM + ROT (5.5%). CT also resulted in lower soil pH (5.6) than NT-based systems (pH = 6.4-7.2). While NT + LM + ROT improved bulk density and water-holding capacity, NT + DM + ROT enhanced soil organic matter. NT + DM increased maize and soybean yields by 31.8% compared to CT, whereas NT and NT + LM reduced yields by 58.5-91.3%. Despite these yield differences, NT systems with DM or LM exhibited 37.4% lower total variable costs and greater economic performance than both CT and NT. These findings demonstrate the potential of CA to improve soil health, enhance financial returns, and boost yield, offering a sustainable alternative for agricultural production.

2025-04-25T00:00:00Z Rusere, Farirai Houngue, Nina Rholan Mkuhlani, Siyabusa Soropa, Gabriel Hunter, Lori Twine, Wayne Samimi, Cyrus https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/693 2026-03-06T09:06:54Z 2026-01-24T00:00:00Z

Rural households' vulnerability to drought and implications for resilience: Insights from Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, South Africa Rusere, Farirai; Houngue, Nina Rholan; Mkuhlani, Siyabusa; Soropa, Gabriel; Hunter, Lori; Twine, Wayne; Samimi, Cyrus The increasing frequency of droughts in southern Africa is placing pressure on resource-dependent populations and constraining their ability to build resilience. This study investigates how rural communities in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, South Africa, perceive and respond to El Ni˜no-induced droughts. Using a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and interviews, this research examines household awareness, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, as well as the factors shaping these dimensions. The findings show that households with greater climate awareness better recognize the potential impacts of El Ni˜no-related drought on agriculture, livestock, and the local economy. Households with members engaged in local non-farm activities or migrant labor displayed higher adaptive capacity but also greater vulnerability in terms of sensitivity, as reliance on external income often reduced on-farm labor and adaptation efforts. Social networks emerged as both an asset, facilitating the spread of adaptation information, and a liability, sometimes reinforcing misinformation and delaying the uptake of science-based strategies. Gender dynamics also influenced adaptive capacity, with maleheaded households generally having more resources and labor to implement adaptation measures. These findings highlight that resilience is not solely determined by material resources but emerges from the interaction of awareness, livelihood diversification, social relations, and gendered access to assets. The study underscores the need for resilience initiatives that strengthen local extension services, improve risk communication, and engage social networks while addressing gendered constraints, in order to support timely, informed, and equitable drought adaptation in rural communities.

2026-01-24T00:00:00Z Tsvigu, Anorld Soropa, Gabriel Mtangi, Wilbert Mashavakure, Nilton https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/597 2025-04-29T12:05:48Z 2025-03-02T00:00:00Z

Nutrient delivery to crops through fertiliser-coated seed: a systematic review Tsvigu, Anorld; Soropa, Gabriel; Mtangi, Wilbert; Mashavakure, Nilton Increasing agricultural productivity is essential to meet the challenge of feeding the ever-growing human population. This systematic literature review explores the use of fertiliser-coated seeds as a promising method to enhance nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity, particularly in resource-constrained regions. The study synthesises findings from 24 relevant articles retrieved from Web of Science and Scopus databases, focusing on seed coating with nutrients. The analysis of research papers published between 2004 and 2024 reveals an increasing interest in fertiliser-seed coating technology, with notable contributions coming from China, India, Pakistan and remains under-researched in Africa. The most commonly utilised nutrients in seed coatings are zinc (Zn) and phosphorus (P), with Arabic gum serving as a typical binding agent. Despite the potential benefits, the field remains under-researched, especially regarding the detailed chemical and mechanical aspects of seed coatings. The findings underscore the need for further research to develop effective seed coating formulations, use of macronutrients and optimise their practical application. By improving nutrient uptake and reducing losses, fertiliser-coated seeds can enhance crop productivity and sustainability, offering a viable solution to the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in developing countries.

2025-03-02T00:00:00Z