Question One

a) What is annual cropping and give at least FIVE examples (5)

Annual cropping refers to agricultural practices where crops are planted and harvested within
the same growing season, typically lasting one year. This allows for different crops to be
grown in the same field across different seasons. Some examples of annual crops include
maize, wheat, rice, soybeans, and barley. These crops are planted in the spring or early
summer, grown throughout the warmer seasons, and harvested in the fall before the onset of
winter. Annual cropping systems are popular due to their flexibility, allowing farmers to
adapt and rotate crops based on market demand, soil health, and climate conditions. Rotation
of annual crops helps to maintain soil fertility, manage pests, and reduce disease pressure.

b) Explain why the average yield of maize in Zimbabwe is 1.5t /ha as per AGRITEX
report despite the country having maize varieties with minimum potentials yields of
3.0t/ha . Give at least FIVE factors (20)

The average yield of maize in Zimbabwe being 1.5t/ha, as reported by AGRITEX, despite the
country having maize varieties with minimum potential yields of 3.0t/ha, can be attributed to
various factors:

1. Poor Soil Quality: Soil fertility issues, such as depletion of nutrients and low organic
matter content, can significantly impact maize yields. Inadequate soil management practices
lead to suboptimal crop performance.

2. Lack of Access to Inputs: Limited access to quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other
inputs hinders farmers from achieving the full potential of high-yielding maize varieties. This
lack of inputs can restrict crop growth and yield.

3. Water Availability: Inconsistent rainfall patterns and inadequate irrigation infrastructure in

some regions of Zimbabwe can lead to water stress during critical growth stages of maize,
affecting its yield potential.

4. Pest and Disease Pressure: Maize crops in Zimbabwe are susceptible to various pests and
diseases that can reduce yield levels if not adequately managed. Lack of proper pest and
disease control measures can hamper maize productivity.

5. Poor Agricultural Practices: Suboptimal agronomic practices, such as improper planting

techniques, inadequate weed control, and lack of timely and appropriate crop management,
can contribute to lower maize yields despite the availability of high-yielding varieties.

Addressing these challenges through improved soil management, increased access to inputs,
better water management, integrated pest and disease control strategies, and enhanced farmer
training on best agricultural practices can help Zimbabwean farmers unlock the full potential
of their maize varieties and improve overall crop yields in the country.

Question Two

Give FIVE factors that are important in soya bean crop production in your area
(25)

In optimizing soybean crop production in the given area, several key factors play crucial
roles. These factors can significantly influence the overall success and productivity of
soybean cultivation. Here are five important factors to consider:

1. Cultivar selection

When choosing a cultivar to grow in your particular farming area the following points are
very important:

*The variety must fit in a growing season of 4 to 4 ½ months.

*The variety should give the highest yield for that particular area.

*The must be resistant to lodging especially where combine harvesters are used

*The variety should have a longer period between physiological maturity (time when no
more dry matter is added to seed) and pod shattering.

*High pod clearance to reduce losses when harvesting with a combine harvester.

*Resistance to diseases, especially red leaf blotch, frogeye and soyabean rust

2. Climate and Weather Conditions: Understanding the local climate patterns and their
impact on soybean cultivation is essential. Factors such as temperature, rainfall
distribution, humidity levels, and sunlight availability directly affect soybean growth,
flowering, and yield. Selecting suitable soybean varieties that are well-adapted to the
prevailing climatic conditions is paramount for successful production.

3. Land preparation and cultivation

* This involves selection of planting site.

*Soyabean can be grown in a wide range of altitudes ranging from 600m in the valleys to
1,600m on the plateau and highlands as long as adequate moisture is available during the
growing season.

*Optimal temperatures of 20-35°C are considered adequate. Germination will fail if

temperatures are below 10°C and above 40°C.

*Extremely low temperatures during flowering will not only reduce yield but also the oil
content and hence the value of the crop.
*Soyabeans is best suited to soils with a relatively high clay soils and does not do well in
weak sands. Sensitive to soil acidity and grows well in a close to neutral PH range of 5.5-
6.5.

*It is also recommended to test your soils for acidity.

*Early land cultivation, as soon as the previous crop in the field has been harvested, is
recommended to conserve soil moisture.

*Winter or early ploughing will also minimize labour and mechanical resource demand
during the critical crop planting period of November to January.

*Apart from ploughing, minimum tillage, such as ripping, can also be used in soyabeans
production and this will aid in the retention of soil nutrition and moisture but entails use
of herbicides in weed control.

*Ripping also known as Mulch ripping involves use of ripper tines to make rip lines
along the intended planting row, following the contour line.

*Planting stations are marked out along the row with a hoe ready for hand planting, or the
seed is sown directly into the furrow by hand or with a machine planter and then covered.
It is useful where soils have a hard top-soil or surface crust, and/or where crops like
soyabeans, dry beans or groundnuts are to be grown.

*Ripper tines are available which fit onto the oxplough beam after removal of the
mouldboard.

* Zero-tillage involves sowing the crop directly into an untilled soil.

4. Soil Quality and Fertility

Soil health is a critical determinant of soybean productivity. Factors like soil pH, texture,
structure, nutrient levels (especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), and organic
matter content influence soybean growth and development. Conducting soil tests,
implementing appropriate fertilization practices, and ensuring proper soil drainage are
vital for optimizing soil conditions for soyabean cultivation. Practicing crop rotation with
non-leguminous crops can help improve soil health, enhance soil structure and increase
overall soyabean productivity.

5. Pest and Disease Management

Effective pest and disease control measures are essential for protecting soybean crops
from potential threats that can significantly reduce yields. Implementing integrated pest
management strategies, including crop rotation, use of resistant varieties, timely scouting
for pests, and application of safe and effective pesticides, can help mitigate damage
caused by insects, pathogens, and weeds.
By paying close attention to these important factors - climate and weather conditions, soil
quality and fertility, pest and disease management, crop rotation and diversification, and
water management - soybean producers in the area can improve their agricultural
practices, enhance crop productivity, and achieve sustainable soybean production
outcomes.