Abstract

Maize-legume cropping systems are practiced under conventional crop production (CP) which has resulted in soil degradation and frequent crop failure, which may be slowed or reversed with conservation agriculture (CA). Traditional plant tissue sampling and analysis is time taking and destructive method; whereas optical sensor techniques in particular, normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) are an instantaneous, non-destructive, and quantitative assessment. CA can improve soil health and crop productivity. However, CA has not been well studied considering different crop and soil parameters for its impact on soil and maize productivity in Ethiopia. Additional to increased crop productivity, sustainable intensification technologies need to demonstrate improved input use efficiencies, and minimal environmental impacts through the conservation of resources and maintenance of soil productivity. Developing soil management practices, which store and conserve as much rainwater as possible by reducing runoff and improving infiltration opportunity time and increase the water storage capacity of the soil profile is essential in the sem-arid of Ethiopia. This review concludes that zero tillage with residue retention results in better water infiltration and soil fertility throughout the plot, avoiding soil degradation as well as reducing plant competition and as such spatial variability.