Effects of organic and mineral fertilizer inputs on maize yield and soil chemical properties in a maize cropping system in Meru South District, Kenya

Field experiments were conducted for four years (2014-2017) at five locations namely Salbani, Bhokraha, Simariya, Bhaluwa and Kaptanganj of Sunsari district to assess the changes in soil chemical properties under conservation agriculture (CA)-based practices in two cropping systems namely rice-kidney bean-maize at Salbani and rice-wheat at rest of the locations. In rice-wheat cropping system, there were four treatments: (1) conventional tillage (CT) for rice transplantation and subsequent wheat sowing, (2) conventional tillage rice transplantation followed by zero tillage (ZT) wheat, (3) unpuddled rice transplantation followed by zero tillage wheat, (4) zero tillage in both rice and wheat. Similarly, in rice-kidney bean-maize cropping system, there were four treatments; (1) conventional tillage for rice transplantation and sowing of both kidney bean and maize, (2) conventional tillage rice transplantation followed by zero tillage in both kidney bean and maize, (3) unpuddled rice transplantation followed by zero tillage in both kidney bean and maize, (4) zero tillage in all three crops. Soil samples were taken at initial and every year after rice harvest.The soil samples were analyzed for total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, pH and soil organic matter.Total nitrogen (N) showed a slightly decreasing trend in the first three years and showed a slight increase at the end of experiment under ZT in all locations. The total N under ZT changed from 0.12 to 0.13%, 0.05 to 0.06%, 0.10 to 0.12%, 0.11 to 0.08% and 0.09 to 0.13% in Salbani, Bhokraha, Simariya, Bhaluwa and Kaptanganj, respectively. All locations showed the positive values of available potassium; Salbani revealing considerable change of 64.3 to 78.5 mg/kg in CT while 68.4 to 73.3 mg/kg in ZT condition. The treatment where rice was transplanted in unpuddled condition and zero tilled to wheat, had a mean value of available phosphorus and potassium as 87.3 and 81.9 mg/kg respectively. Soil pH ranged from 4.8 to 7.1 in CT while it was 5.2 to 6.8 in ZT across the locations. The change in soil organic matter in CT of all locations except Salbani was narrower as compared to ZT.

Download Full-text

Medium-term effects of different types of N fertilizer on yield, apparent N recovery, and soil chemical properties of a double rice cropping system

Field Crops Research ◽

10.1016/j.fcr.2019.02.012 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 234 ◽

pp. 87-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Wenhai Mi ◽

Qiang Gao ◽

Siqi Xia ◽

Haitao Zhao ◽

Lianghuan Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Properties ◽

Cropping System ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

Soil Chemical Properties ◽

N Recovery ◽

Medium Term ◽

Different Types ◽

Apparent N Recovery ◽

Double Rice

Download Full-text

Lime, manure and Inorganic Fertilizer Effects on Soil Chemical Properties, Maize Yield and Profitability in Acidic Soils in Central Highlands of Kenya

Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology ◽

10.9734/ajee/2021/v16i330250 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 40-51

Author(s):

W. Winnie Kimiti ◽

M. W. Mucheru-Muna ◽

J. N. Mugwe ◽

K. F. Ngetich ◽

M. N. Kiboi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Inorganic Fertilizer ◽

Soil Chemical Properties ◽

Fertilizer Treatment ◽

Acidic Soils ◽

Maize Grain Yield ◽

Maize Grain

In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), acidic soil covers 29% of the total area. About 13% of the Kenyan total land area has acidic soils, widely distributed in croplands of the central and western Kenyan regions. The high soil acidity, coupled with soil nutrient depletion, negatively affects crop productivity in the region. We conducted an on-farm experiment to determine the effect of lime, manure, and phosphatic fertilizer application, either solely or combined, on soil chemical properties, maize yield, and profitability in acidic soils of Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The treatments were different rates of manure, lime, and P fertilizer. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block design replicated ten times in farmer’s fields. Soil sampling was done at a depth of 0-20 cm prior to the start of the experiment, after crop harvest of SR2016 and LR2017 seasons. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory following standard methods. Results showed that lime significantly increased soil pH by 10.6% during the SR2016 and by 17.7% during the LR2017. Similarly, treatments with lime reduced exchangeable acidity and increased soil available P. Treatments with inorganic fertilizers had significantly higher maize grain yield in comparison with treatments with the sole application of lime, manure, and lime + manure. Lime + fertilizer + manure treatment gave the highest average maize grain yield (5.1 t ha−1), while control gave the lowest (1.5 t ha−1) during the LR2017 season. Economic returns were low due to the prevailing low rainfall experienced during the study period during the SR2016 season. Lime combined with inorganic fertilizer treatment recorded the highest returns (128.75 USD ha-1) followed by sole inorganic fertilizer (105.94 USD ha-1) during the LR2017 season. The study recommends a combination of both lime and inorganic fertilizer for enhanced maize production and profitability in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya.

Download Full-text

Influence of Different Soil Application Methods of Mucuna puriens on Soil Chemical Properties and Maize Yield in Ghana

International Journal of Plant & Soil Science ◽

10.9734/ijpss/2018/43186 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (6) ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Benette Yaw Osei ◽

Kofi Agyarko ◽

Emmanuel Kwasi Aseidu ◽

Martha Agyiri ◽

Kwabena Kyere ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Properties ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Soil Chemical Properties ◽

Soil Application ◽

Application Methods

Download Full-text

Effect of pH on Soil Chemical Properties and Maize Performance in Abakaliki, Nigeria

Agricultural Science Digest - A Research Journal ◽

10.18805/ag.df-409 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

J.N. Nwite ◽

A.J. Ajana ◽

I. Alinchi

Keyword(s):

Chemical Properties ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Laboratory Method ◽

The State ◽

Soil Chemical Properties ◽

Soil Productivity ◽

Effect Of Ph ◽

Traditional System ◽

Ph Values ◽

Nutrients Availability

Background: Low soil productivity in Nigeria and Africa sub sahara is considered as one of the major causes of food insecurity and under nutrition. This area is considered among the most regions affected by acidity on soil nutrients optimization. Despite of its severity, there is limited knowledge about limiting effect of pH on nutrients availability and maize yield in the state. Evolving a technology that does not depend on traditional system of amendment for pH assessment for increased soil productivity must first of all go through a good knowledge of the nature and distribution of soil studied. The present study aimed to evaluate three pH (4, 7 and 9) values on soil chemical properties in the state and assess maize performance under these conditions in order to control and manage pH related problems. Methods: In the field-laboratory investigation during 2018-2019 at different localities of Ebonyi State were surveyed. Three sampling localities were selected based on geographical situation, climate and local condition. In the laboratory, the soil samples of natural stock collected were processed for mean pH values and confirmed with pH meter using standard laboratory method. Maize was used as test crop to assess effect of pH on its performance. Result: Our investigations in Ebonyi State have allowed us to inventory three pH values. Among the inventoried pH values, some are regarded adverse for soil productivity. The implication of soil pH on nutrients availability and maize performance was discussed. The current work will be a complementary contribution of detailed study of effect of pH on soil productivity.

Download Full-text