Long-term tillage, residue management and crop rotation impacts on N2O and CH4 emissions from two contrasting soils in sub-humid Zimbabwe

Summary

This long-term field study in sub-humid Zimbabwe examined how conservation agriculture practices—specifically contrasting tillage systems, residue management, and crop rotation—influence greenhouse gas emissions from two contrasting soils. The work quantifies the climate mitigation potential of reduced-tillage and conservation agriculture approaches in sub-Saharan African contexts, where soil carbon dynamics and emissions reduction are both agronomically and climatically significant. The findings contribute to understanding trade-offs and synergies between soil health and climate outcomes under African smallholder and mixed farming conditions.

UK applicability

Whilst Zimbabwe's climate, soil types, and farming systems differ substantially from the UK, the methodological approach to measuring tillage and residue management effects on greenhouse gas emissions may inform UK research design. UK policymakers considering conservation agriculture adoption should note that sub-Saharan African findings may not directly transfer to temperate systems with different soil microbial communities and rainfall patterns.

Key measures

N₂O and CH₄ emissions (flux rates); soil type contrasts; tillage intensity; residue management practices; crop rotation design

Outcomes reported

The study measured nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) emissions from two contrasting soil types under different long-term management practices. It quantified how tillage intensity, crop residue retention, and rotation design influence greenhouse gas flux rates.

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