Measuring soil loss in different land-use systems on an Oxic Paleustalf in Lusitu, Zambia

Abstract

Soil loss was measured using the runoff plot technique in five cropping systems and a bare plot. Considerable variation in soil loss was apparent between different cropping systems. In the bare plot more than 12 t soil ha-1 was lost. In millet and its intercrops soil loss was nearly 50% lower than in the bare plot. Millet produced higher yields when intercropped with bambara groundnuts and cowpeas. Similarly, bambara groundnuts and cowpeas produced higher yields when intercropped with millet.