Browsing by Author "Njeru, P.N.M."
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Item Integrating Scientific and Farmers' Evaluation of Water Harvesting and Soil Fertility Technologies on Sorghum Productivity in Eastern Kenya(2013) Mwangi, D. M.; Muriithi, F.; Kimani, S. K.; Mahasi, M.; Mugwe, J.; Mutea, K.; Miriti, J.; Njeru, P.N.M.; Miruka, M.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Maina, I.; Amboga, S.; Gitari, J; Lekasi, J. K.Soil fertility degradation remains the major biophysical cause of declining per capita crop production on smallholder farms in Kenya highlands. A study was conducted to compare farmers' perception and biophysical data on selected water harvesting and integrated soil fertility management technologies on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) production in Central highlands of Kenya. The treatments were 3 levels of water harvesting (Tied ridges, contour furrows and conventional tillage) 3 cropping systems (Sole sorghum and Sorghum and cowpea intercrop and 6 levels of soil fertility amendment options (control, 40 Kg P/ha + 40Kg N/ha, 40 Kg P/ha + 20 Kg N/ha, 40 Kg P/ha + 40Kg N/ha + manure 5 t/ha, 40 Kg P/ha + 20 Kg N/ha + manure 2.5 t/ha and manure 5t/ha. One hundred seventeen smallholder farmers were invited to evaluate crops based on their performance and grain yields. Thirty six plots laid out in partially balanced incomplete block design (PBIDD) replicated three times. The results show that treatments that ranked top on the scale of 'good' had external soil amendment regardless of water harvesting and cropping systems. The treatment which was ranked best was farmers practice under sorghum alone plus external soil amendment of 40 kg P/ha + 20 kg N/ha with (69.1 %) respondent with grain yield of (3.5t/ha). This was closely followed by tied ridges and contour furrows rankings ranging from 68.3% to 68.8% respondent under sorghum alone, plus external soil fertility amendment options. Generally, the poorest ranked treatment and low yielding were experiment control. The results further showed that there was no significant difference between treatment scoring by gender (P~.05) on the scale of good, fair and poor. Therefore, integration minimal addition of organic and inorganic inputs on highly valued traditional with adequate rainfall under normal farmers practice in semi-arid lands could be considered as an alternative option contribution to food security in central highland of KenyaItem The Effect of Integrated Soil Fertility Management Practices on Bell Pepper Under Controlled Environmental Conditions(East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal, 2023) Morit, C.H.; Mkandawire, F.L.; Moracha, O.H.; Kimani, S.K.; Njeru, P.N.M.; Sijali, I.; Gacheru, J.; University of Eastern Africa Baraton ; Food Crops Research Centre (FCRC) - KALROContinuous soil cultivation in tropical countries has resulted in depletion of nutrients that are essential for plant growth and development. Beside, adverse use of inorganic fertilizers has had implicating effects on availability of organic carbon, nutrients imbalance and deficiency, this over time has reduced production in horticultural crops. A study was conducted on bell pepper in a greenhouse to determine its response to different soil fertility management practices recorded by changes in plant height, number of fruits and weight, and crop yield. The experiment was set up at Nandi County. The treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design with four treatments; farmer Practice (25 t/ha organic manure), organic manure (50 t/ha), combined inorganic fertilizer (125 kg/ha 23:23:0 planting and 62.5 kg/ha 17:17:17 topdress) and organic manure (25 t/ha), and inorganic fertilizer (23:23:0) 250 kg/ha planting and 125 kg/ha 17:17:17 topdress. The results indicate that the treatments under organic manure recorded higher growth seen in the number of mean branches for organic manure -11.83, combined inorganic fertilizer -10.50, Farmer Practice -8.67, inorganic fertilizer -6.83 and plant height means for farmer Practice -53.8cm, organic manure -66.2cm, combined inorganic fertilizer -58.0cm, and inorganic fertilizer -44.2 cm. Yield was highest for the combined interaction of inorganic fertilizer and organic manure as seen on average number of fruits per plant for farmer Practice -24 fruits, organic manure -26 fruits, combined inorganic fertilizer -29 fruits and inorganic fertilizer -17 fruits and weight of fruits for farmer Practice -8.261, organic manure -9.083, combined inorganic fertilizer -9.611, inorganic fertilizer -6.539 kg). The results indicate that there is need to combine inorganic fertilizer and well decomposed organic manure for maximum yield of bell pepper. This should be done under greenhouse and other technologies where climatic conditions are controlled.
