Browsing by Author "Kathuli, P."
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Item Dryland Beans: Plant KALRO Dry Land Beans to Reduce Poverty and Raise Incomes in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands(Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization, 2017) Kathuli, P.; Golicha, D.; Kimotho, L.M.; Ngutu, M.N.; Maingi, P.M.; Adongo, A.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationBeans are the most widely used pulses in the dry lands. They are grown in low, dry and warmer areas and are a major source of proteins in cereal-based diets. Large amounts of beansare sold locally in urban centres and are alsoexported in green, dried and processed forms. Majority of beans fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, thus contributing significantly to the sustainability of soil fertility in the dry lands, cropping systems and hence reduce the requirements for inorganic fertilizers.Item Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Yield of Selected Sorghum Genotypes in Semi-Arid Regions of Kenya(East African Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation, 2023-09-29) Kathuli, P.; Kinama, J.M.; Kitonyo, O.M.; Nguluu, S.N.; Muui, C.W.; Muasya, R.M.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization ; University of Nairobi ; South Eastern Kenya University ; Kenyatta UniversitySorghum production in semi-arid lands is constrained by inadequate soil moisture and low nitrogen. Research was carried out in semi-arid Machakos between 2018-2020 to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on nitrogen use efficiency, yield on selected sorghum genotypes and genotypes suitable for low soil fertility in semi-arid lands. The experiment was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a split plot arrangement with 11 sorghum genotypes in the main plot and nitrogen (0, 6.5 and 32.5 kgha-1) as the sub-plots in three replicates. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and its indices agronomic efficiency (AE), nitrogen internal utilization (IE), physiological efficiency (PE), nitrogen recovery efficiency, nitrogen harvest index (NHI) and partial factor productivity (PFP) were obtained from sorghum yield data and nitrogen uptake. The results showed that nitrogen application at 6.5 kgha-1 and 32.5 kgha-1 significantly increased grain yield, stover weight and total dry matter (TDM) by 43% and 116%, 39% and 85% and 42% and 57% respectively. Sorghum genotypes TTKKIAMA6, KTIRASTAMMA4, SNYAKTOSA5, and MKNKKIRWMA2 had significantly higher grain yield and low N uptake implying they are N-efficient genotypes. NUE of sorghum decreased with increasing N application. Nitrogen internal utilization efficiency (IE) was significantly higher at zero N application rate implying better N assimilation by sorghum genotypes at low N. AE, PE, RE and PFP were all significantly higher at 6.5 kg N ha-1. All tested genotypes had significantly high NUE (90 to 1148 kgkg-1, RE (27 to 94 kgkg-1), AE (41 to 139 kgkg-1), PE (27 to 84 kgkg-1) and IE (41 to 139 kgkg-1) than the check (Gadam). It was concluded that sorghum genotypes yield parameters were increased by nitrogen application, NUE was highest at low N levels and its indices were significantly higher at 6.5 kg Nha-1. Four genotypes were found to be highly N- efficient and are recommended for sorghum improvement.Item Enhancing Sorghum Production and Marketing in Semi-Arid Kenya(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2014) Karanja, D.R.; Kisilu, R.K.; Kathuli, P.; Mutisya, D.L.; Njaimwe, A.N.; Keya, G.; Ouda, J.; Ayemba, J.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationSorghum is an important food security crop especially in semi-arid lands of Kenya. It is adapted in a wide ago-ecological zones. Sorghum requires less water than maize thus offering great potential for supplementing food and feed resources. Although sorghum varieties with a yield potential of 2 to 5t/ha are available, their productivity has remained low, at 0.7t/ ha. The major constraints to sorghum production are: inadequate soil moisture, low soil fertility, bird damage, pests and diseases, high cost of inputs, low adoption of improved varieties, weeds, lack of markets and limited utilization options. Farmers consider lack of markets, low producer prices and bird damage as the main constraints to increased sorghum production. Most sorghum is grown at altitudes of less than 1500 m above sea level. However there are varieties suitable for up to 2400 m a.s.l. It requires a rainfall of 250-400 mm during the growing season. Most dry land sorghum cultivars are those that thrive best in areas with a small range of diurnal temperatures i.e. the day and night temperatures do not differ greatly. Sorghum does best in wide range of soils including sandy, clay and loamy ones. It thrives well on fertile soils but will grow on somewhat exhausted soils.Item Grow the Right Maize Variety for Northern Kenya to Get Food and Cash(Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), 2017) Kimotho, L.M.; Golicha, D.; Kathuli, P.; Kisilu, R.; Maingi, P.M.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationMaize is an important commodity in drier areas. If planted on time and on good soil with adequate moisture and fertilizer could provide food and cash for the family. The stover is animal feed especially during the dry period. If produced it could find a ready market.Item Soil Salinization in Selected Irrigation Schemes in Semi-Arid Lands of Taveta County-Kenya(2013) Kathuli, P.; Itabari, J. K.; Nguluu, S.N.; Sijali, I. V.; Gatuthu, J; Kaura, S.; Kenya Agricultural Institute- KatumaniA study carried out in five irrigation schemes in Taveta County to investigate the extent of soil salinization to develop an effective management strategy for increases crop production and food security in irrigation schemes where crop productivity is declining due to soil salinity encroachment. The research involved sampling irrigation waters and soil from water sources and the irrigation schemes, respectively, water analysis showed that irrigation water from Kasokoni(1119.9 us/cm and (Na)of 3.92me/1), Rama springs(1363.75us/cm and (Na)of 5.75 me/l)and Kimala canal(1328.67us/cm(Na)of 4.59 me/l)(from Lumi River)were saline. Water from Njukini (279.2 us/cm and (Na)of 0.66 me/l), Challa(386 us/cm and (Na)of 1.16 me/l), Njoro Kubwa(244.4 us/cm and (Na)of 0.632 me/l),Grogan springs (377 us/cm and (Na)of 0.73 me/l.)and Lumi springs(207 us/cm and (Na)of 0.387 me/l)before joining Kasokoni springs were not saline. Kamleza-Kimoringo soils irrigated with water from Njoro Kubwa, oof low salinity were found to be more saline(P 0.05)(Ece1.66mS/cm)than other soils from other schemes whose Ece were generally below 0.56mS/cm. These soils were at the lowest part of the irrigation schemes near Lake Jipe, had a clay texture (48.74% clay, 27.26% silt and 23.68% sand),and significantly (p 0.05)more soluble salts (mean Ca2+20.968 me/100g soil). Soil pH, Ece,(Na+),(Ca2+)did not vary with soil depth. It was concluded that the salts could have been deposited through runoff for most of the irrigation schemes and or left by the retreating nearby Lake Jipe for Kamleza-Kimoringo irrigation scheme soils. However, the irrigation water hs potential for salinization but not to the extent reported in this paper. These salts are removable through drainage and interventions that dissolve the salts or remove them from the soils like pytoremedation, use of manure and crop residue incorporation.
