Evaluation benefits of rainwater harvesting using infiltration pits in rainfed cropping systems: Preliminary results from Rushinga district, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT Occurrence of dry spells during the rainfall season is the major cause of crop failure in semi-arid areas. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is regarded as a viable option for mitigating these dry spells. However, benefits of most RWH systems have not been adequately quantified. The objective of this study was to assess maize crop yield and soil moisture content benefits of RWH using infiltration pits. Field experiments were set up using a split-plot design in Northern Zimbabwe. Major plots were distinguished by presence/absence of infiltration pits in the contour ridge (CR) channel and minor plots by the tillage method which was at two levels namely conventional tillage (CT) and planting pits (PP). Soil moisture content was measured during 2010/11 rainy season using the TDR and gravimetric methods at 0.20-m depth intervals to 2.0 m. Soil moisture content trends analyses, ANOVA and LSD test for maize yield were done using SPSS for Windows. Results showed no significant maize yield differences (p>0.05) in major treatments, but CT outperformed PP (