Browsing by Author "Gicheru, P."
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Item Effects of soil management practices and tillage systems on surface soil water conservation and crust formation on a sandy loam in semi -arid Kenya(Elsevier, 2004) Gicheru, P.; Gachene, C.; Mbuvi, J.; Mare, E.; Soil And Tillage ResearchThe effect of different soil management practices on crust strength and thickness, soil water conservation and crop performance was investigated on a ferric lixisol in a semi-arid environment of eastern Kenya. The study proved that manure and mulching with minimum tillage have a greater effect on the water balance of crusted soils and maize emergence. There was increase in steady infiltration rates, amount of soil water stored in the soil and better drainage. The physical effect of mulch was less important in the rehabilitation of crusted soils in the study site when it was incorporated into the soil. Manure and surface mulch with minimum tillage should therefore be taken into account in land management and water conservation in the semi-arid areas of Kenya. The response of crops to the improved water availability due to manure with minimum and with conventional tillage and surface mulch was very clear. These management practices should be recommended when considering the effectiveness of soil and water management techniques in the study area.© 2003 Elsevier B. V. All rights reservedItem Water Use Efficiency of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) under Varying Watering Regimes and Planting Densities in Embu, Kenya(Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 2023) Njuguna, J. W.; Karuma, A. N.; Gicheru, P.; University of Nairobi ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationBackground. Taro (Colocasia esculenta) can be grown in a variety of environmental and edaphic conditions, but it is most typically grown in wetlands. The optimal conditions for its growth are two water regimes ie, waterlogged or flooded conditions to dryland or unflooded conditions. An important criterion in crop yield is water use efficiency (WUE), and it has been suggested that crop production per unit of water used can be increased. Objectives. To determine the WUE of taro in Kenya’s sub-humid environment under different watering regimes and planting densities. Methodology. A study was conducted at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)–Embu Research Centre, during the long rains (LR) 2021, short rains (SR) 2021/2022, and long rains (LR) 2022. A factorial experiment with a split-plot layout arranged in a completely randomized block design was used. The main factor was the irrigation levels while the sub-factor was the planting density, with three replications. The three irrigation levels were at 100%, 60%, and 30% based on the field capacity (FC). The planting densities used were 0.5 m× 0.5 m (40,000 plants ha-1), 1m× 0.5 m (20,000 plants ha-1), and 1m× 1m (10,000 plants ha-1), representative of high, medium, and low planting densities respectively. Results. The WUE was influenced by season and watering regime (P< 0.05). The 30% FC had the highest WUE with the 100% FC having the lowest. The high WUE under 30% FC (19.40 kg ha-1mm-1) was associated with the high biomass (1.97 kg) and low water use (2269.41 mm) recorded under limited water conditions. The medium (1m× 0.5 m) planting density attained the highest WUE (12.16 kg ha-1mm-1) with the high planting density (0.5 m× 0.5 m) having the lowest (10.65 kg ha-1mm-1), though no significant differences were recorded. Implications. The varying watering regimes and planting densities in this study have different capacities to utilize the supplied water. The total taro biomass increased with decrease in water supplied and in turn maximized the water use efficiency. Conclusion. To achieve the highest yield per unit of water consumed, a watering regime of 30% FC and a planting density of 1 m× 0.5 m (20,000 plants ha-1) is recommended.
