Soil moisture content and maize grain yield under conventional and conservation agriculture practices - results of short term field tests in liselo, Namibia

This article focuses on the results from trials developed to monitor short-term effects of conventionally tilled systems versus CA soil quality and crop productivity under conditions major cropping in central, north-central north-eastern regions Namibia. Conventional tillage (CT), Minimum (MT), tillage, mulch (MT-M), rotation (MT-R) (MT-MR) were primary treatments tested. Significant differences (p≤0.000) among observed 0-60 cm profiles where MT-M plots had highest moisture content (39.8 mm, Standard Error Mean 0.2815) over study period. A significant difference (p=0.0206) grain yield was second season with CT yielding (3852.3 kg ha-1, standard error mean 240.35). Results suggest that has potential increase water conservation contribute reduction risk failure. Climate change driven degradation conventional necessitate alternative sustainable methods. Conservation methods agricultural practices minimize disturbance while maintaining cover need be adopted more locally as viable alternatives tillage. Key words: agriculture, yield, content.