Integrating Different Soil Fertility Managements Practices Towards Improving Rain-Fed Maize Productivity in The Central Highlands of Kenya
Abstract
Low maize productivity in central highlands of Kenya is contributed by various factors, such as low soil fertility, poor agronomic practices, minimum use of agricultural inputs, pest and diseases and use of recycled seed. Soil fertility decline has the greatest contribution to this low productivity. The objective of the study was to evaluate nutrient management technologies on acidic soils using organic and inorganic commercial fertilizers to improve soil fertility and to monitor soil pH status following application of these enhancements. The study was conducted in six counties; namely, Nyeri, Embu, Kirinyaga Meru, Murang’a and Tharaka Nithi. The test crops were two maize hybrids; that is, H517 and Duma 43. The plots were laid in Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated three times in different counties. The plot size was 10 m × 10 m. At harvest, the outer rows on either side of the plot and the last plant in each row were removed and data collected from the middle rows. The treatments included NPK 23.23.0 at 250 kg/ ha + cattle manure at 5.0 t/ ha, Mavuno fertilizer applied at 250 kg/ ha + cattle manure at 5.0 t/ ha, and cattle manure alone at 5.0 t/ ha. The three treatments were applied in furrow and tied ridges, as well as on the flat bed, with all the plots being top dressed with CAN at 60 kg/ ha at knee height. Data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the means separated using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) method. The results showed significant differences in plant height (P < 0.0017) across the treatments. A combination of Mavuno blend fertilizer and manure applied on furrow and tied ridges produced the tallest plants (232.80 cm), highest weight of stovers (10.05 t/ ha) and highest grain weight of 6.67 t/ ha, while manure alone applied on the flat bed recorded the lowest grain weight (4.16 t/ ha), plant height (185.60) and stover weight (4.28 t/ ha). Therefore, small-scale farmers have a potential of increasing yields through integration of furrow and ridges combined with Mavuno blend fertilizer and manure.
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