Browsing by Author "Thuranira, E.G."
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Item Analysis of a Long-Term Maize Yield Field Trial Data to Determine the Effect Of Continuous Application of Fertilizers(Elias Gitonga Thuranira, 2007) Thuranira, E.G.The Kenyan population pressure in the high and medium potential areas has led to continuous cropping thus resulting to severe soil degradation. This has led to the use of integrated nutrient management strategies in order to reduce nutrient depletion by use of low cost inputs under sustainable land management. This study seeks to find the effect of farmyard manure, organic fertilizers (NP) and residues on maize yields. This long term trial was started in 1976 and is still going on. Data was analysed up to 2001. The broad objective of this study is to determine the effect of continuous maize cropping with, manure addition, maize stover incorporation and nitrogen-phosphorus fertilization on maize crop yields. The design used is Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 4 replications. Analysis was carried out to determine which treatments are superior over a long period of time and models fitted to establish the optimal levels of farm yard manure and organic fertilizer application. In chapter three it is shown that applying organic fertilizers together with farm yard manure is beneficial (p=O.OOO)to the maize crop. Residues alone have no significant benefits to the crop (p=O.240). The study has establislied that the optimal application level for farm yard manure is about ]3 t/ha and that for organic fertilizer is 220kg/ha.Item Biocontrol Potential of Four Indigenous Entomopathogenic Nematodes From Kenya(Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2021-09-15) Ngugi, C.N.; Wachira, P.M.; Mbaka, J.N.; Okoth, S.; Haukeland, S.; Thuranira, E.G.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation ; University of Nairobi ; International Center of Insect Physiology and EcologyGlobally, vegetable production including tomato is constrained by pests and diseases. The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick.), is a major pest of tomato, mainly managed using chemical pesticides. There is a need for integrated pest management (IPM), approaches that are human and environmentally friendly. The study aimed at molecular identification and virulence evaluation of four entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) against T. absoluta larvae. The DNA was extracted, sequenced, and phylogeny analyzed. The EPNs virulence was evaluated using the insect baiting technique at different nematode concentrations (0-Control, 100, 150, 200, and 250 infective juveniles/ml of distilled water). Larval mortality data were collected for five days. Molecular identification resulted in nucleotide sequence lengths of 877-895 base pairs (bp). All the isolates were found to be Steinernema species of EPNs. The % similarity of the isolates and their close relatives ranged between 82-100%. The isolates closely matched Steinernema spp. AY230184 (Sri Lanka); AY230186 (Kenya), JN651414 (Ethiopia), and MW151701 (Kenya). The sequences were deposited to Genbank as Steinernema sp. Isolate Kalro 75 (MW150871), Steinernema sp. Isolate Kalro S86 (MW150872), Steinernema sp. isolate Kalro97 (MW150873) and Steinernema sp. Isolate KalroR52 (MW150874). All the EPN isolates were virulent against T. absoluta. Isolate Kalro R52 and Kalro S86 recorded the highest mortality of 76±7.5%; 72±15.0% respectively in the 48 h. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001), between all the isolates and the Control. The four EPNs were virulent and have bio-control potential against, T. absoluta. Research on their virulence against T. absoluta in the field is recommended.Item Development of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices in Semi-arid areas of Kenya using Participatory Leaming and Action Research Approach: Final Report(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2004) Gachimbi, L.N.; Thuranira, E.G.; Karuku, A.M.; Itabari, J.K.; Nguluu, S.N.; Gichangi, E.M.; De Jager, A.; Van Keulen, H.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Wageningen Univerity and Research centre, The Hague, The Netherlands.; Plant Research International, Wageningen University and Research center, Wageningen, The Netherlands.In order to address the problems of low soil fertility in the ASAL, the project "Assessment and monitoring of nutrient flows and stocks to determine appropriate integrated nutrient management strategies for semi-arid lands in Kenya". The nutrient monitoring in semi-arid lands (NUTSAL) project was formulated and implemented in the period 1998-2003. The objective of the project was to analyse the nutrient management practices in the semi-arid areas and to design, test and disseminate improved, integrated soil fertility management recommendations for various land use zones, soil types, farming systems and farm types through participatory efforts of scientists and other stakeholders.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 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 Integrating Inorganic and Organic Fertilizers in Cropping Systems for the Transformation of Maize Productivity in Nakuru County(East African Agricultural and Forestry Journa, 2023) Ooro, P.A.; Mwangi, H.G.; Esilaba, A.O.; Nyongesa, D.; Miriti, J.M.; Okoti, M.; Lusike, W.A.; Githunguri, C.; Thuranira, E.G.; Moraa, L.M.; Luvonga, J.; Osoo, J.O.; Bor, P.K.; Kenya Agricultural Livestock & Research Organization -Njoro (KALRO), Headquaters & KabeteDespite the immense significance of maize (Zea mays L.) for Kenya’s economic prosperity and food security, productivity and production have not significantly increased over time. This is attributed to a number of things, including decreased soil fertility. In order to ascertain the applicability of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM), a study was carried out between 2016 and 2017 in Nakuru County at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Njoro Centre, Nakuru County. The treatments were arranged in a split-split plot in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated four times. Soil and water conservation (SWC) and conventional tillage (CT) were allocated to the main plot, the split-plots and fertilizer sources i.e Farm yard manure (FYM), Nitrogen (N) and Phosphoros (P) fertilizers to the split-split plot. Kenya Seed Company maize hybrid (H6213) and Egerton bean variety (Chelalang) were used as test crops. A variety of maize and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) characteristics, such as plant stand at germination, plant vigor, days to 50% blooming, days to 50% maturity, plant stand at harvest, number of pods per plant, number of cobs, number of seeds per pod, grain yield, and 100-grain weight, were all recorded. Applying a full rate of inorganic fertilizer resulted in significantly maize yields (P< 0.05) compared to all other fertility management strategies, with the exception of those where a half rate of both inorganic and organic fertilizers was applied. The results further showed that the use of inorganic fertilizer alone considerably increased maize output whether cultivated as a sole crop or an intercrop compared to farmyard manure applied alone or in conjunction with inorganic fertilizer.
