Paper on nature and importance of soil-related constraints to bean production in Kenya

Abstract

summary of the physical and chemical properties of the major soils in which beans are grown in Kenya is given. Generally most Kenyan soils are sufficiently supplied with the nutrients Ca, mg and K. Nitrogen and phosphorus may be sufficient or deficient in some soils. Results of fertilizer trials carried out by the Grain Legume Project indicate good responses to N application when average %N in the soil is low(0.10-0.17%). Response to P depended on whether other nutrients were in sufficient quantities. Low responses were observed when :-K is deficient <0.3me/lOOg soil, pH>5.8, Al toxicity is present (pH<5.0), P>25mg/Kg soil.