Abstract
Despite widespread food insecurity in Zimbabwe, there is an increasing amount of agricultural land being left fallow for indeterminate periods of time. The objective of the study was to assess the characteristics of vegetation growing in indeterminate fallows in Chivi district in south-central Zimbabwe. One metre by one metre quadrats were used to assess the species composition of herbaceous species while 8 m × 8 m quadrats were used for woody species. Attributes that were assessed included frequency, abundance, density of different plant species from which were computed diversity indices (Shannon-Weiner index and Shannon evenness index). The density, Shannon-Weiner index and Shannon Evenness index), and species richness of the fallow land sites were significantly lower than those of the uncultivated land. However, there were no significant differences among fallow treatments. Species richness, Shannon Index, and Shannon’s Evenness Index showed a weak and non significant correlation with length of the fallow period. Woody species which were cleared during land preparation and repeated weeded during the cultivation years were absent in all fallows regardless of the fallow period.
Highlights
In Zimbabwe, rural areas that are under communal land tenure locally known as communal areas, occupy 16.4 million ha that is equivalent to 42% of the national land and accommodate 70% of the national population (Muir-Leresche, 2004)
The objective of the study was to assess the characteristics of vegetation growing in indeterminate fallows in Chivi district in south-central Zimbabwe
Woody species, which were cleared during land preparation and repeatedly weeded during the cultivation years were absent in all fallows regardless of the fallow period
Summary
In Zimbabwe, rural areas that are under communal land tenure locally known as communal areas, occupy 16.4 million ha that is equivalent to 42% of the national land and accommodate 70% of the national population (Muir-Leresche, 2004). The livelihoods of the majority of the approximately 6-7 million people that are resident in these areas are agriculture-dependent (Moyo, 2006). The situation is made worse by low and erratic rainfall with 75% of the area receiving less than 600 mm of rainfall per year (Muir-Leresche, 2006). This is why, on the basis of agro-ecological conditions that are based on rainfall patterns, most of the country’s communal lands are designated as only suitable for livestock production (Whitlow, 1985). For every five agricultural seasons, farmers in communal areas only get good harvest in two seasons
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