Effect of lime and goat manure on soil acidity and maize (Zea mays) growth parameters at Kavutiri, Embu County- Central Kenya

Gitari, Harun I.; Mochoge, Benson Evans; Danga, B. O.

doi:10.5897/jssem15.0509

Cited by 23 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…It addresses missing components in the intensive tillage-based, standardized seed-fertilizer-pesticide approach to agriculture. In Kenyan highlands, farmers are faced with problems of low maize and bean yields and a decline in soil fertility [12,16,17]. This is a result of continuous cropping, nutrient loss through crop harvests, and the inability to replenish the soils…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tillage Methods and Inorganic Nutrients Source’s Interactive Effects in Maize and Beans Performance

Ogega

2022

ARR

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Maize and bean production have been on a declining trend in the majority of households in sub-Saharan African nations, Kenya inclusive. To improve the production of these crops, the current study aimed at assessing the interactive effects of minimum tillage and conventional tillage coupled with inorganic nutrient sources. The experiment was laid under a split-plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design where the tillage methods comprised the main plots whereas the sub plots were occupied by five inorganic fertilizers: NK, NP, KP, NPK, and NPK+Zn+B+Mg+Ca+S. The results indicated maize growth, yields, and chlorophyll concentration were significantly higher under minimum tillage and the combination of NPK+Zn+B+Mg+Ca+S nutrients. In addition, there was a significant effect on the interaction of tillage and inorganic nutrients on maize growth, yields, and chlorophyll concentration. The study, therefore, recommends the use of a combination of NPK+Zn+B+Mg+Ca+S in minimum tillage as viable options for optimal growth and production of maize and beans.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tillage Methods and Inorganic Nutrients Source’s Interactive Effects in Maize and Beans Performance

Ogega

2022

ARR

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“…Furthermore, the dominance of sand may be linked to the sorting of materials by clay eluviation and surface wind erosion [28]. e spatial variability of soil pH in the area is small, and the soils are slightly acidic that makes the soils of the study area suitable for maize cultivation [46]. Garba [3] and Aliyu [15] obtained similar pH values.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Spatial Variability of Soil Properties to Delineate Nutrient Management Zones in Smallholder Maize-Based System of Nigeria

Peter-Jerome

Adewopo

Kamara

et al. 2022

Applied and Environmental Soil Science

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Spatially explicit information on soil variability is relevant for agronomic decisions; however, such information is limited in the northern Guinea savanna (NGS) agroecological zone of Nigeria. This study was conducted to delineate soil nutrient management zones (MZs), based on spatial variability of soils in the smallholder maize-based farming system within the NGS. Two hundred and eighty-nine soil samples were analyzed for some physical and chemical properties. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to aggregate the soil properties into four principal components, which accounted for about 60% of the variation in the data, and spatial variability was assessed with a semivariogram. The ordinary kriging technique was used to predict soil properties at unsampled locations, while weighted overlay analysis was conducted to delineate nutrient management zones. Results showed that total nitrogen (0.06%), available phosphorus (5.6 mg kg−1), organic carbon (0.66%), and effective cation exchange capacity (5.6 cmol(+) kg−1) are below optimal requirement for maize production. Four MZs were identifiable in the region with the highest fertility (MZ3 and MZ4) associated with the northern area but covering a relatively small part (9.1%). The differences observed in soil properties among the MZs suggest that each zone requires different agronomic management, especially in relation to fertilizer application.

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“…The effect was even higher when lime and manure were combined. In Central Kenya, Gitari et al (2015) reported highest pH, maize height, biomass, and yield when supplied with either 12.5 t ha -1 of lime or 10 t ha -1 of goat manure. Other researchers have also reported these benefits across the country using varied application rates: 0.5-6 t ha -1 of lime in Western (Kisinyo et al, 2014;One Acre Fund, 2014); 2 t ha -1 of lime in Rift Valley (Osundwa et al, 2013); and 5-10 t ha -1 manure and 2 t ha -1 lime in Central (Verde et al, 2013).…”

Section: Soil Fertility Management Options For Maize Farmers In Kenyamentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of the Current State of Soil Infertility and Management Options in Kenya: The Case of Maize Growing Regions

Otieno¹

2021

IJIAAR

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Inappropriate soil fertility management has caused fertility to decline considerably over the years leading to low maize yields despite the growing human population with high food demand in Kenya. Despite high nutrient mining, fertilizer use and adoption of soil fertility improvement practices have remained low among maize farmers in the country. At the current yield levels, maize crops extract over 40, 8, 40.6, and 5.4 kg of N, P, K, and S per growing season, respectively. These extracted nutrients must be replaced to avoid nutrient depletion. Maize crop response to secondary macronutrients (S, Ca, and Mg) and micronutrients (Zn and B) is evidenced, signifying that these nutrients have also reached critical levels in Kenya soils. The rate of replenishing these lost nutrients is still low, farmers apply an average of 43.25 kg of fertilizer per hectare per season. The situation is worsened further by increasing soil acidity-currently below pH 5.5 in most maize-growing regions. Poor agronomic practices applied by farmers directly reduce yields and facilitate other factors leading to nutrient losses. For example, farmers across the country recycle seeds, apply low fertility rates, and rarely keep their fields weed-free. These practices lower the capacity of the crops to tolerate the impact of other production constraints including infertility.To realize yield improvement and return on investments, farmers must adapt and adopt crucial practices under integrated soil fertility management. Managing soil acidity should be the first approach to unlocking fixed nutrients. Fertilizer application should follow the right rate, right source, right time, and right placement approach. Also, improved cropping systems such as maizelegume rotation and intercropping should be considered for sustainable soil fertility management and crop production.

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Effect of lime and goat manure on soil acidity and maize (Zea mays) growth parameters at Kavutiri, Embu County- Central Kenya

Cited by 23 publications

References 19 publications

Tillage Methods and Inorganic Nutrients Source’s Interactive Effects in Maize and Beans Performance

Tillage Methods and Inorganic Nutrients Source’s Interactive Effects in Maize and Beans Performance

Assessing the Spatial Variability of Soil Properties to Delineate Nutrient Management Zones in Smallholder Maize-Based System of Nigeria

A review of the Current State of Soil Infertility and Management Options in Kenya: The Case of Maize Growing Regions

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