NON-DELIBERATE ORGANIC INPUT IN RELATION TO LAND USE IN A SEMI-ARID AGRO-ECOSYSTEM IN NORTHERN ZIMBABWE

Abstract

Animals via excretory processes are important in nutrient cycling in agro- ecosystems and can supply nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) at rates comparable to major nutrient sources. Land use influenced nutrient levels with mixed areas (wildlife and livestock) indicating the potential of improved nutrient cycling than wildlife and livestock as stand alones. The time of application for both plant residues and faecal material may influence the nutrients available to the crops. The time of application of faecal material should be aimed to increase N and P availability which is during the early dry season. Nitrogen levels in faecal material were comparable to levels found in legume cover crops indicating the high quality of faecal material. This study reports that non-deliberate organic inputs by livestock and wildlife can be important in fertility improvement in mixed farming systems in northern Zimbabwe.

Keywords

• nutrient cycling
• mixed farming systems
• livestock
• wildlife.