Browsing by Author "Kinyamario, J.I."
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Item Effect of Burning Natural Pasture on Soil Chemical Properties and Dry Matter Production of Introduced Glycine and Siratro Grass Legume Mixed Pastures In Semi-Arid Rangelands of Kenya(2013) Macharia, P.N.; Mureithi, J.G.; Kinyamario, J.I.; Ekaya, W.N.; Gachane, C.K.K.; Thuranira, E.G.Fire is often used as g tool to stimulate new pasture growth that is of higher quality. However, fire has profound effects on the soil's nutrient dynamics and dry matter (DM) production of the pasture. This study was conducted in Kajiado District to study the effect of pasture burning on soil chemical properties and dry matter yield (DM) of introduced Neonotonia weight (Am.) Lackey (Glycine) and Macroptilium atropurpureum (DC) Urb (Siratro) forage legumes. On one site, herbage was subjected to a back fire while herbage in an adjacent site was slashed to ground level. Before planting the legumes, soil samples were collected at 0-15 cm depth and analyzed for pH (H20), organic carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca). The results showed that the soil pH in the burned site (5.25) was higher (though not significant at PS:0.05) than in slashed plots (5.06). The soil organic C and N was higher in slashed plots than in burned plots. However, the soil's P, K and Ca levels increased after burning with P achieving a significant increase while the increase in K and Ca was not significant. Specifically, the soil N content was significantly higher in slashed (0.17 %) than in burned plots (0.15 %). The soil P was higher in burned (177.9 ppm) than in unburned plots (166.8 ppm). Potassium levels in burned plots (1.25%) was higher (though not significant) than in slashed plots (1.20 %). Calcium levels were also higher (though not significant) in burned (5.34 %) than in slashed plots (5.12 %). Glycine grown as monocultures yielded more DM in burned site (6.87 tlha) than in slashed plots (4.81 tlha). Monoculture stands of Siratro yielded more DM in slashed plots (2.84 tlha) than in burned plots (2.73 tlha). When the two legumes were grown as mixtures with natural pasture, the pattern was the same as in monocultures.Item The Effect of Introduced Forage Legumes on Improvement of Soil Fertility in Natural Pastures of Semi-Arid Rangelands of Kajiado District, Kenya(2013) Macharia P.N; Gachene, C.C.K ; Mureithi, J.G. ; Kinyamario, J.I. ; Ekaya, W.N. ; Thuranira, E.G; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), University of Nairobi, KARI Headquarters,This study was carried out to investigate the effect of introduced forage legumes on improvement of the quality and quantity of fodder in traditional pasture enclosures of Maasai livestock keepers in semi-arid rangelands of Kajiado District, Kenya. The forage legumes Glycine, Siratro and Shrubby Stylo were integrated into the natural pastures and their effects on natural pasture productivity studied. Data on dry matter (DM) production was collected at two defoliation heights (15 and 30 cm) and three defoliation intervals (2, 4 and 6 months). The highest DM yield was obtained at the two months defoliation interval at 15 cm height (though there were no significant differences between treatments), and inclusion of Glycine and Siratro into natural pastures resulted in combined DM yield of 3.79 and 3.84 tJha, respectively, which was 40 and 42 %, respectively higher than the DM yield of the natural pasture (2.71 tJ ha). Due to slow growth ofStylo as anintercrop, the mixed pasture yielded 2.59 tJha. Stylo as an intercrop needed more than four seasons of growth for it to contribute higher DM yield than the natural pasture. Forage quality determinations at vegetative, flowering and senescent stages showed that grasses in mixed pastures contained higher crude protein (CP) content and had higher digestibility and lower fibre content than grasses in natural pasture at all stages of growth.Item Effect of Introduced Forage Legumes on Productivity of Traditional Pasture Enclosures in Semi-Arid Rangelands of Kenya(2013) Macharia, P.N.; Mureithi, J.G.; Kinyamario, J.I.; Ekaya, W.N.; Gachene, C.K.K.; Thuranira, E.G.This study was carried out to investigate the effect of introduced forage legumes on improvement of the quality and quantity of fodder in traditional pasture enclosures of Maasai livestock keepers in semi-arid rangelands of Kajiado District, Kenya. The forage legumes Glycine, Siratro and Shrubby Stylo were integrated into the natural pastures and their effects on natural pasture productivity studied. Data on dry matter (DM) production was collected at two defoliation heights (15 and 30 cm) and three defoliation intervals (2, 4 and 6 months). The highest DM yield was obtained at the two months defoliation interval at 15 cm height (though there were no significant differences between treatments), and inclusion of Glycine and Siratro into natural pastures resulted in combined DM yield of 3.79 and 3.84 tJha, respectively, which was 40 and 42%, respectively higher than the DM yield of the natural pasture (2.71 tI ha). Due to slow growth of Stylo as an intercrop, the mixed pasture yielded 2.59 tJha. Stylo as an intercrop needed more than four seasons of growth for it to contribute higher DM yield than the natural pasture. Forage quality determinations at vegetative, flowering and senescent stages showed that grasses in mixed pastures contained higher crude protein (CP) content and had higher digestibility and lower fibre content than grasses in natural pasture at all stages of growth.Item Effect of Introduced Forage Legumes on Productivity of Traditional Pasture Enclosures in Semi-Arid Rangelands of Kenya(2013) Macharia, P.N.; Mureithi, J.G.; Kinyamario, J.I.; Ekaya, W.N.; Gachene, C.K.K.; Thuranira, E.G.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, , P.O. Box 14733-00800, Nairobi, KenyaThis study was carried out to investigate the effect of introduced forage legumes on improvement of the quality and quantity of fodder in traditional pasture enclosures of Maasai livestock keepers in semi-arid rangelands of Kajiado District, Kenya. The forage legumes Glycine, Siratro and Shrubby Stylo were integrated into the natural pastures and their effects on natural pasture productivity studied. Data on dry matter (DM) production was collected at two defoliations Heights (15 and 30 cm) and three defoliation intervals (2,4 and 6 months). The highest DM yield was obtained at the two months defoliation interval at 15 cm height (though there were no significant differences between treatments), and inclusion of Glycine and Siratro into natural pastures resulted in combined DM yield of3.79 and 3.84 tlha, respectively, which was 40 and 42%, respectively higher than the DM yield of the natural pasture (2.71 tJ ha). Due to slow growth of Stylo as an intercrop, the mixed pasture yielded 2.59 tlha. Stylo asan intercrop needed more than four seasons of growth for it to contribute higher DM yield than the natural pasture. Forage quality determinations at vegetative, flowering and senescent stages showed that grasses in mixed pastures contained higher crude protein (CP) content and had higher digestibility and lower fibre content than grasses in natural pasture at all stages of growth.Item Effects of Prescribed seasonal burning on a combretum-commiphora plant community in South Central Kenya(National Agricultural Research Laboratories, 1982) Kinyamario, J.I.; National Agricultural Research LaboratoriesStudies of prescribed seasonal burning on combinssum commiphora plant community were conducted in Kenya on the National Range Research statio,Kiboko,in 1980-81.Dry and early rainy season burns were applied in different months.Dry Season burns were more effective in reducing woody plant canopy cover,height and increasing stem mortality for most species.Item Environmental Impacts of Livestock-Wildlife Ranching in Laikipia District, Kenya(Animal Production Society of Kenya, 2001) Wakhungu, J.W.; Olukoye, G.A.; Wamicha, W.N.; Kinyamario, J.I.; Mwanje, J.I.; Kenyatta University; University of NairobiLivestock and wildlife ranching, either separately or as mixed enterprises are the main economic options in the semi-arid rangelands of Laikipia District. However, environmental impacts of these production systems in the commercial and group ranches are yet to be comprehensively evaluated. In this paper, wild and domestic herbivore biomass vis-a-vis the available vegetation biomass in the rangelands of Laikipia district are quantified. Aspects to consider in the quantification such as dynamics of herbivore biomass and their corresponding dry matter (DM) intake requirements, type of animal and stocking density, distribution and utilisation of vegetation biomass by herbivores in space and time are discussed.Item Mechanisms of Drought Management by African Pastoralists(Animal Production Society of Kenya, 2002) Kinyamario, J.I.; Ekeya, W.N.; Animal Production Society of Kenya; University of NairobiAfrican pastoralists occupy lands characterised by harsh climatic conditions including drought. These areas are marginal in terms of cropping agriculture. The major economic activity is subsistence livestock production, based on a variety of mechanisms which enable pastoralists to survive and effectively use the harsh and variable environment. The mechanisms entail highly flexible social systems and elaborate individual and collectively-based efforts which include mobility in search of water and pasture, herd diversification, maximization, and division for wider resource use, spread of risk and social alliances. Although these mechanisms face serious challenges due to external factors, they have, until recently, been effective in managing drought.
