RE: Comparative Evaluation of Carrot Growth and Yield under Zero, Minimum, Mulch, and Double Dig Tillage Systems in Eastern of Rwanda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59261/jaetd.v3i2.57Keywords:
conservation tillage, carrot growth and yield, soil moisture and structure, semi-arid agriculture, sustainable land managementAbstract
Background: Soil degradation, rainfall variability, and pressure to increase productivity create challenges for crop production in Rwanda. Tillage and surface-cover management can modify soil physical conditions, moisture conservation, root-zone development, and crop performance.
Objective: This study evaluated carrot growth and marketable yield under four tillage systems: Zero Tillage (ZT), Minimum Tillage (MT), Mulch Tillage (MuT), and Double-Dig Tillage (DDT) in Eastern Rwanda.
Method: A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications was used during two growing seasons. Plant height was measured at different growth stages; root depth and marketable yield were assessed at harvest.
Results: At harvest, the plant-height ranking was DDT (39.5 cm) > MuT (36.9 cm) > MT (34.7 cm) > ZT (31.5 cm). MuT had the greatest mean root depth (19.85 cm), but the treatment effect was not statistically significant (P = 0.0548). The marketable-yield ranking was MuT (20.21 t ha⁻¹) > DDT (18.75 t ha⁻¹) > MT (16.69 t ha⁻¹) > ZT (14.54 t ha⁻¹); yield means are presented descriptively pending verification of the plot-level records.
Conclusion: MuT appears promising for local validation, but the findings should not be generalized beyond the study conditions. Multi-site, multi-season trials measuring soil moisture, bulk density, penetration resistance, infiltration, and economic returns are recommended.
