A Guide to Conservation Agriculture in Zimbabwe - Canadian ...

section THREE
Practical Steps in Conservation Agriculture
3.2 Applying manure, fertilizer and lime
Both organic and inorganic basal fertilizer can be applied
soon after land preparation and before the rains
(September to November).
• Manure: one to two handfuls of manure or compost
should be applied to each basin and mixed with soil.
Make sure the same amount of manure or compost is
placed in each basin.
• Compound fertilizer: if inorganic basal fertilizer is
available, put one level beer bottle cap per basin.
Compound fertilizer can be placed directly under the
seed, making sure that each seed has equal access to
the fertilizer. A 1cm layer of soil should be placed over
the fertilizer before seeding, to protect the seed from
hydroscopic ‘burning’ by the fertilizer.
Compound D application
• Use slightly more manure and fertilizer in wetter areas.
• Wherever possible soil samples should be taken and
line applied according to PH.
After you have applied the manure, fertilizer and lime,
use a hoe to partly fill the basins with clod-free soil from
the pile next to the basin. Make sure you leave the surface
lower than the ground so that water collects in the basin.
Key Principle
Avoid waste: use inputs precisely and
efficiently to maximise returns to labour
and money.
Manure application
Basal Compound D application
39 Farming for the Future