Browsing by Author "Waruru, B.K."
Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Item Annex to the report: Site, Field Description and Laboratory Data of Soil Profiles in Mashuru Division. Kajlado District - Information to increase soil productivity in an arid environment, 2000(Kenya Agriculture Research Institute, 2000) Waruru, B.K.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; The Netherlands Liasion Office (NLO); Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteFollowing a Kajiado District stakeholder's workshop held in May 1996, it was recommended that the Kenya Soil Survey (KSS) carries out a systematic (per division) land resources (Soils, Vegetation, Soil moisture and Socio-economy) inventory of Kajiado district. Mashuru division was selected as the pilot study area. For the soils part, a generalised soils map and report for Mashuru has already been published (Waruru, B.K., 2000). The present report presents field and laboratory data for representative soil profiles described during the reconnaissance soil mapping of the division. The profiles represent the soil map units described in the soil survey report. For each soil profile, a site description gives an overview on location, landform, surface characteristics and land use. Soil Profile description provides details on soil pedon horizon characteristics. Physical and Chemical characteristics for each horizon provide information on soil profile development including plant nutrient reserves, use constraint and potential. The soil map indicates the location of the profiles in the different generalised soil map units. Appendix 1 shows the details on criteria for soil classification for both the FAO UNESCO (1994) and USDA (1992) Soil taxonomy. Appendix 2 shows both the Reconnaissance Soil Map Legend and the Generalised Soil Map Legend. Appendix 3 presents a table indicating generalisation of the detailed soil map units, while appendix 4 gives the location of the soil profiles in the respective soil map units and topographical map sheets. The glossary (appendix 5) summarises some of the terms, methods of analysis and units of measurements. This is a technical report comprising the Mashuru soils database. analysis and units of measurements. This is a technical report comprising the Mashuru soils database. It is published as an annexe to the soils report. The data has also been stored in a computerised database amenable for GIS manipulation at KSS. This will facilitate at request the generation of single feature (thematic) products. These include maps on soil depth, organic matter, soil pH, NPK, erosion risk, suitability for specified use etc for the different map units in mashuru. Information contained in this report is useful to Kajiado and Mashuru Agricultural Extension and other development agencies in the division with technical skills to interprete soil data. These include KWS, SARDEP, the NDLFRC Katumani, NRRC Kiboko and ARIDSAK.Item An Assessment of the Irrigation Suitability of the Soils and Water of the Mukutan, Loiminange and Logumkum Sites (Marigat Division, Baringo District), 1990(Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, 1990) Waruru, B.K.; Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development; Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock DevelopmentAt the request of the Provincial Irrigation unit (PIU) Rift Valley Province, soil and water investigations were carried out at three sites in Marigat division, Baringo district. This was a quick study to assess the suitability of the soils and water for small scale basin irrigation for the growth of subsistence crops like vegetables, maize, beans, sorghum, millet and peas. Since this is a preliminary assessment, the results and recommendations are based on the physical environment, a few field observations and limited chemical data. Emphasis was made on soil depth, soil texture, soil salinity and/or sodicity. Water samples from rivers in the area intended for irrigation were analyzed for their chemical composition. It is hoped that on the basis of the findings, a more detailed investigation will be carried out.Item Detailed Soil Survey of New Thigirie Farm (Nairobi), 1986(Ministry Of Agriculture, 1986) Ita, B.N.; Waruru, B.K.; Ministry of AgricultureAt the request of the owner of the farm, a detailed soil survey of New Thigirie farm was carried out from 15th to 19th May, 1984, and in addition one week was spent in taking fertility samples of the whole farm. The fieldwork was executed by the authors with assistance of Mr. H. Onyono. Acknowledgements are made to the National Agricultural Laboratories, Soil Physics and Chemistry sections for analysing the samples. The report describes the soils and other ecological conditions of the New Thigirie farm in Western Division of Nairobi Province. It also assesses the land suitability for horticultural crops i.e. fruits and vegetables as well as field crops under rainfed and overhead irrigation method.Item Detailed Soil Survey of Ng'ang'a's Farm Langata (Nairobi) 1986(Ministry of Agriculture, 1986) Waruru, B.K.; Ita, B.N.; Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of AgricultureAt the request of the owner of the farm (Plot no. 2327/94), Kenya Soil Survey carried out a detailed soil survey with the aim of assessing the suitability for horticultural and field crops under overhead irrigation.Item A Detailed Soil Survey of the Proposed Voo Research Substation, Report No. D 39, 1986(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 1986) Waruru, B.K.; Gachene, C.K.K.; Wachira, T.; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteAt the request of the Director of the Katumani National Dry-land Farming Research Station, a detailed soil survey of the proposed Voo Research Substation was carried out in order to assess the suitability of the soils for cereals, pulses and root crops using dry-land farming methods. Fieldwork was carried out in August and September 1984 by the authors and Mr. S. Mwangi of Kenya Soil Survey.Item Potassium Nutrient Status and Management in Kenyan Soils for Increased Productivity(East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal, 2022) Kathuku-Gitonga, A.N.; Esilaba, A.O.; Mangale, N.; Wasilwa, L.; Okoti, M.; Nyongesa, D.; Kamoni, P.T.; Waruru, B.K.; Muya, E.M.; Thuranira, E.; Mutisya, D.; African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Kabete & KatumaniNitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are regarded as the main basic nutrients necessary for plant growth and production and their functions are interrelated. Potassium is necessary for regulation of plant cells, for the production of proteins and enzymes. It improves crop's disease and pests' resistance, and it increases crop yield and plays a significant role in enhancing crop quality. Potassium deficiency inhibits protein production even when nitrogen is abundant. The objective of the study was to determine status of potassium in selected Kenyan soils and responses to applied potassium fertilizers. Studies were carried out in Kenya through laboratory soil analysis, meta-data analysis and fertilizer response studies. Soils were collected in the trial sites and analyzed using wet chemistry method. For meta-analysis, published materials were collected, collated, digitized and harmonized. Benefit cost ratios were calculated for each technology to ascertain its profitability. The soil analysis results showed that potassium, nitrogen, organic carbon and zinc were deficient. The meta-analysis results showed that, limited research studies had been conducted on potassium in Eastern, Coast and Rift Valley regions of Kenya. The most economical potassium responses were recorded under application of 60 kg K/ha, although the yields were not profitable. However, the fertilizer response studies showed increased crop yields on addition of potassium fertilizer up to 40 kg K/ha. Hence lower rates of potassium (less than or equal to 40 kg K/ha) are recommended to offset and maintain adequate potassium levels in the soil for optimal crop production and income. Nevertheless, soil analysis is key before any fertilizers are added to soils.Item Semi-Detailed Soil Survey of the Proposed Marura Self Help Irrigation Scheme (Makuyu Division, Murang'a District) 1990(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 1990) Waruru, B.K.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteThe.request to carry out soil survey of the proposed Marura Self-help Irrigation Scheme was receIved from the District Irrigation and Drainage Officer, Murang'a. The survey area covers 240 ha, 40 ha of which was part of Gathungururu Farmers Co-operative Society Irrigation Scheme. Though a site evaluation was requested for, the detail in mapping warranted the report to be produced at a semi-detailed level.Item The soils of Mashuru Disision,Kajiado District(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2000) Waruru, B.K.; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteFollowing a Kajiado district stakeholder workshop held in May 1996 it was recommended that the Kenya Soil Survey (KSS) carries out a systematic land resources (Soils, Vegetation! land use and the Socio-economy) inventory of the district. The broad objective of the project was to provide land resources information to the developmental agencies and the extension service in Kajiado. This information would facilitate better management and utilization of the soil resources. Mashuru division was selected as the pilot area. For reporting on the soils part, the [mal outputs were: A generalised report on the major soils; maps indicating the types and distribution of the soils; land degradation! soil erosion maps; and information on the nutrient status of the different soils. This survey has identified the major soil types in the nine landform units ofMashuru. These include the Hills, Footslopes, Plateau, Uplands, High Level Plains, Erosional Plains, Piedmont Plains, River Alluvial Plains and Bottomlands. The distribution, physical and chemical properties of the soils are given in Tables and maps. Other areas of local economic potential in Mashuru were identified. Such are areas suitable for harvesting underground honey, mining construction stones, river sand, limestone, gypsum and construction of shallow water dams (local name Silanga). Soils for making earthen building bricks and blocks. Areas under high risk of erosion are shown.Item The soils of Mashuru Division, Kajiado District: Information to improve soil productivity in an arid environment-Reconnaissance Soil Survey Report No. R8-2000(Waruru B. K., 2000) Waruru, B.K.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Kenya Soil SurveyMore than 90% of Mashuru division is semi- arid experiencing an average annual rainfall of less than 600mm? Like other marginal areas of the country, the division has experienced increased human activity as well as an increase in human and animal population. This has resulted in increased intensity of land use. This has resulted in reduction in land productivity through accelerated land degradation. To reverse this trend of decreasing productivity and realise sustained development requires knowledge on the state and status of the natural resources. These include the climate, soils, vegetation and water resources. Soil is a natural resource that is practically nonrenewable. It takes thousands of years to form a thin layer of soil. It is nonetheless the base for production of food crops and pastures.
