Enhancing <i>Sorghum bicolor</i> (L.) grain yield with the use of field edge rainwater harvesting and NPK fertiliser in a dry region of Zimbabwe

Background Farmers in marginalised areas across Africa are mainly resource poor and have limited capacity to procure enough inorganic fertilisers. This contributed immensely towards declining crop productivity causing food insecurity. Soil moisture stress is another key factor which has led a decline yields semi-arid areas. experiment determines the effects of field edge rainwater harvesting NPK fertiliser microdosing on sorghum grain agronomic nutrient use efficiency two varieties (Macia SV1). Rainwater techniques was main plot with three levels (tied contour, infiltration pits standard contour), variety used as subplot SV1) sub-sub five (0, 25, 50, 100 150 kg ha−1) all treatments replicated times. A randomised complete block design arranged split-plot used. Results Phosphorous significantly increased from 3.32 3.52 mg kg−1 no significant (p > 0.05) increase total nitrogen soil organic carbon. Sorghum were statistically < influenced by treatment factors. Tied contour had considerably higher yield (861 than contours. Highest 909 ha−1 observed plots applied fertiliser. Macia performed SV1. Grain show increasing levels. Interaction tied + Macia+ (1150 compared other treatments. Treatments differences unfertilised plots. Agronomic efficiencies 25 better SV1 2017/18 2018/19 seasons except during 2019/20 where results insignificant differences. Conclusion It can be concluded that farmers adopt using achieved yields. Combining method mineral dry regions.