Optimising crop productivity in legume-cereal rotations through nitrogen and phosphorus management in western Kenya

2007 ◽  
pp. 493-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kihara ◽  
J.M. Kimetu ◽  
B. Vanlauwe ◽  
A. Bationo ◽  
B. Waswa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Western Kenya

scholarly journals Subsurface-Applied Coated Nitrogen Fertilizer Enhanced Wheat Production by Improving Nutrient-Use Efficiency with Less Ammonia Volatilization

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2396
Author(s):  
Muhammad Yaseen ◽  
Adeel Ahmad ◽  
Muhammad Naveed ◽  
Muhammad Asif Ali ◽  
Syed Shahid Hussain Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ammonia Volatilization ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Ammonium Phosphate ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Ammonia Emissions ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
Use Efficiency

Nitrogen (N) is an essential plant nutrient, therefore, N-deficient soils affect plant growth and development. The excessive and unwise application of N fertilizers result in nutrient losses and lower nutrient use efficiency that leads to the low crop productivity. Ammonia volatilization causes a major loss after N fertilization that causes environmental pollution. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of coating and uncoating N fertilizer in enhancing yield and nutrient-use efficiency with reduced ammonia emissions. The recommended rate of nitrogen and phosphorus, urea and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizers were coated manually with 1% polymer solution. DAP (coated/uncoated) and potassium were applied at the time of sowing as subsurface application. While urea (coated/uncoated) was applied as surface and subsurface application. Results showed that nutrient use efficiencies of wheat were found to be maximum with the subsurface application of coated N fertilizer which increased nutrient-use efficiency by 44.57 (N), 44.56 (P) and 44.53% (K) higher than the surface application of uncoated N fertilizer. Ammonia emissions were found the lowest with subsurface-applied coated N fertilizer. Thus, coated fertilizer applied via subsurface was found the best technique to overcome the ammonia volatilization with an improvement in the yield and nutrient-use efficiency of wheat.

scholarly journals Productive and Environmental Consequences of Sixteen Years of Unbalanced Fertilization with Nitrogen and Phosphorus—Trials in Poland with Oilseed Rape, Wheat, Maize and Barley

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1747
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Rutkowska ◽  
Piotr Skowron
Keyword(s):  
Oilseed Rape ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Winter Oilseed Rape ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Soil P ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
P Fertilizer ◽  
The Baltic

Two factorial field experiments were carried out between 2003 and 2018 in the Experimental Stations in Eastern and Western Poland using four crop rotations with winter oilseed rape, winter wheat, maize and spring barley. The initial value of phosphorus (P) in Grabów soil was 69.8 mg P·kg−1 soil and in Baborówko soil it was 111.3 mg P·kg−1 soil (Egner-Riehm Double-Lactate DL). P fertilizer was added annually at 39 kg P·ha−1 under winter oilseed rape, 35 kg P·ha−1 under maize and 31 kg P·ha−1 under wheat and barley using superphosphate and nitrogen (N), which was added at five levels (30–250 kg N·ha−1) per year as ammonium nitrate in addition to controls with no added fertilizer. Through the several years of the experiment, P fertilizer had no effect on crop N use efficiency (NUE) nor crop productivity. There was significant soil P mining particularly in the high-N fertilizer trials causing a reduction in the content of available soil P by up to 35%. This work recommends that, based on soil P analysis, P fertilizer should not be added to high-P soils. This practice may continue uninterrupted for several years (16 in this case) until the excess soil P has been reduced. This mechanism of removal of “legacy” P from soil has major implications in reducing runoff P into the Baltic Sea drainage area and other water bodies.

scholarly journals Effect of Farm Saved Maize (Zea mays L.) Seed on Intensity of Foliage Diseases

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Alfred N. Mutundi ◽  
James W. Muthomi ◽  
Florence M. Olubayo ◽  
Philip K. Leley ◽  
Felista M. Nzuve
Keyword(s):  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Gray Leaf Spot ◽  
Brown Spot ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Maize Seeds ◽  
Rain Season ◽  
High Level ◽  
Stalk Lodging

Majority of farmers in Africa recycle farm saved seed from the previous seasons. Such seed is usually contaminated with disease causing pathogens, has low vigor and result in low yields. This study was, therefore, conducted to determine the effect of recycling maize seeds on incidence of foliage diseases. Maize seeds were collected during 2016 short rain season from farmers, local market and Agrovet shops in Busia County of western Kenya. The seeds were subjected to field evaluation during 2017 long rain season at two sites in Busia and Kakamega Counties. Data was collected on emergence, off types, lodging, ear aspect and abnormalities, incidence and severity of diseases and yield. Seeds from local market had significantly higher emergence of up to 66% while the farm saved seeds and local market resulted in the highest percentage of off-types of up to 18%. Crop from farm saved seed and seeds from the local market showed high susceptibility to stalk lodging, ear abnormalities and high levels of diseases. Diseases detected include northern leaf blight, gray leaf spot, rust, brown spot, downy mildew, and ear rots. The study showed that though informal seeds had high plant establishment, they have high level of off types, are susceptible to lodging, diseases and low yields. Therefore, farmer should be encouraged to use certified or improved seeds to enhance crop productivity.

The Effects of Sole and Traditional Intercropping of Millet and Cowpea on Soil and Crop Productivity

1994 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. C. Reddy ◽  
P. L. Visser ◽  
M. C. Klaij ◽  
C. Renard
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Continuous Cropping ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
After Effects ◽  
Carbon To Nitrogen Ratio ◽  
Nitrogen Ratio

SummaryThe after effects of three years' continuous cropping with sole millet, sole cowpea or a traditional millet/cowpea intercrop were compared using five levels of nitrogen fertilizer. The continuous sole cowpea system had reduced the carbon to nitrogen ratio more than the continuous sole millet or the traditional intercrop. The test crop millet yielded much more, and its uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus was greater, when it followed sole cowpea than when it followed sole millet or the traditional millet/cowpea intercrop. The three years' continuous sole cowpea had an effect equivalent to the application of 205 kg N ha−1 on the test crop of millet. It also caused the greatest reduction in Striga infestation in the test crop. It is therefore recommended that cowpea cultivation be increased in the Sahel.

RESIDUAL EFFECTIVENESS OF MINJINGU PHOSPHATE ROCK AND FALLOW BIOMASS ON CROP YIELDS AND FINANCIAL RETURNS IN WESTERN KENYA

2006 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. W. NDUNG'U ◽  
J. R. OKALEBO ◽  
C. O. OTHIENO ◽  
M. N. KIFUKO ◽  
A. K. KIPKOECH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phosphate Rock ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Available P ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Net Benefits ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
Cropping Seasons ◽  
Minjingu Phosphate Rock

In western Kenya, severe nutrient depletion, especially that of nitrogen and phosphorus, has drastically reduced crop yields over the past two to three decades. The potential effects of P application, with a single direct application of Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR) at 20, 40 and 60 kg P ha−1, and fallow biomass in terms of nutrient replenishment on maize and bean yields were investigated on N and P deficient soils of western Kenya for six cropping seasons (three years). The agro-forestry shrubs tested were one season (six months) Crotalaria grahamiana and Tephrosia vogelii followed by maize monocrop. These fallow species were intercropped with beans in the 2000 long rains season to provide a food benefit to the farmer. Soil samples were taken at the end of each season and analyzed for soil pH and extractable P. The results showed that soil available P increased significantly following application of MPR. Significant increases in bean yields were obtained when 60 kg P ha−1 as MPR were applied, and contributed to a 260 % increase above the control. Significant maize grain yield increases were obtained when MPR was applied alone or in combination with fallow biomass as compared with treatments with either no external nutrient addition (control) or with fallow biomass alone in all seasons. The 60 kg P ha −1 MPR rate gave the highest cumulative maize grain yields (9.6 t ha−1) over the five consecutive maize growing seasons, followed by 40 kg P ha−1 (8.8 t ha−1). The residual benefits of MPR at modest rates of application (60 kg P ha−1) were found to persist in the soil for only three cropping seasons. Thereafter, there was a steady decline in soil chemical properties (pH and available P), grain yields and net benefits. The study demonstrated the need for frequent additions of P especially in the fourth consecutive season to ensure sustained availability of P, favorable pH, and increased crop yields and net benefits on the nutrient-depleted soils of western Kenya.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Adoption of Organic and Conventional Farming Methods in Kisii Central Sub-County, Western Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 18-26
Author(s):  
Charles N. Nyamwamu ◽  
B. Elizabeth Onkundi
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Conventional Farms ◽  
Conventional Methods

This study sought to determine the extent of adoption of various organic and conventional crop and soil management practices in the farms. Ten farms were sampled at an equidistance of one kilometre along a transect laid across each of the eight randomly selected sub-locations in the sub county. A sample size of 80 farms was randomly selected from the Sub-County. The eighty farms were regrouped into two; Organic and conventional farms. A survey of the crop management practises was carried out and the observed methods recorded down. The data collected was analyzed using the Statistical paired t test and descriptive statistics. Use of pesticides recorded the highest percentages (60%) in conventional methods while mulching recorded relatively high percentage (42%) in organic methods. Use of plastic cover recorded the lowest percentage of 4% in conventional methods while vermin-compositing was not embraced in conventional methods. Conventional methods were 3.33 points higher than organic (95% CI [-9.37596, 16.04263]). Conventional and Organic farming methods were strongly and negatively correlated (r = -0.069, p > 0.05). However, there was no statistical significant difference between conventional and organic methods (t5 = 0.674, p > 0.05), [Appendix 1(iii)]. The knowledge obtained will be useful to the farmers and other participants globally to improve crop productivity. The information collected will also enable farmers seek for unconventional ways to alleviate the problem of heavy usage of agrochemicals in order to embrace organic farming for the long run sustainability of the agricultural sector.

scholarly journals The Effects of Biochar and Its Combination with Compost on Lettuce (Lactuca sativaL.) Growth, Soil Properties, and Soil Microbial Activity and Abundance

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalila Trupiano ◽  
Claudia Cocozza ◽  
Silvia Baronti ◽  
Carla Amendola ◽  
Francesco Primo Vaccari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Chemical Characteristics ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Compost Amendment

Impacts of biochar application in combination with organic fertilizer, such as compost, are not fully understood. In this study, we tested the effects of biochar amendment, compost addition, and their combination on lettuce plants grown in a soil poor in nutrients; soil microbiological, chemical, and physical characteristics were analyzed, together with plant growth and physiology. An initial screening was also done to evaluate the effect of biochar and compost toxicity, using cress plants and earthworms. Results showed that compost amendment had clear and positive effects on plant growth and yield and on soil chemical characteristics. However, we demonstrated that also the biochar alone stimulated lettuce leaves number and total biomass, improving soil total nitrogen and phosphorus contents, as well as total carbon, and enhancing related microbial communities. Nevertheless, combining biochar and compost, no positive synergic and summative effects were observed. Our results thus demonstrate that in a soil poor in nutrients the biochar alone could be effectively used to enhance soil fertility and plant growth and biomass yield. However, we can speculate that the combination of compost and biochar may enhance and sustain soil biophysical and chemical characteristics and improve crop productivity over time.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document