MST-Department of Agricultural Resources Management (ARM)

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Browsing MST-Department of Agricultural Resources Management (ARM) by Author "Mucheru-Muna, M."

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    Effects of maize (zea mays l.) – soybean (glycine max (l.) merrill) intercropping patterns on yields and soil properties in two contrasting sites of Embu and Meru counties, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2015-01) Matusso, Jossias Mateus Materusse; Mugwe, J. N.; Mucheru-Muna, M.
    In the central highlands of Kenya, the adoption of integrated soil fertility management technologies such as maize-soybean intercropping system is being promoted as one of the options to address low crop productivity and soil fertility depletion among the farmers of this region. This study aimed to: (i) determine the effects of maize-soybean intercropping patterns on yields, N uptake, and soil properties; (ii) determine the effects of different maize-soybean intercropping patterns on light interception and leaf area index; (iii) quantify the land equivalent ratio of various maize soybean intercropping patterns. The study areas were Embu – Agriculture Training Centre in Embu district (Embu County) and Kamujine in Tigania East district (Meru County). The main treatments were four maize – soybean intercropping patterns (conventional-1maize:1soya; MBILI-2maize:2soya; 2maize:4soya; 2maize:6soya) and two sole crops of maize and soybean, respectively. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replications, and plot size of 7.0 m by 4.5 m. The study was carried out in two seasons (long rain 2012 and short rain 2012). The soil was sampled at 15 cm depth. All biophysical data were subjected to Analysis of Variance and means separated using Least Significant Difference of mean at 95% (p ≤ 0.05). The results showed that, the maize-soybean intercropping patterns had significant effect on maize stover and grain yields during both seasons at Embu site. During the long rain 2012, the soybean yields were reduced by 60 and 81% due to the intercropping with maize, at Embu and Kamujine, respectively; whereas during the 2012 SR, the yields were reduced by 52 and 78% as effect of intercropping with maize at Embu and Kamujine sites, respectively. In general, the soil nitrate-N was reduced due to intercropping patterns. The soil organic matter was significantly (p≤0.05) affected by the treatments at Kamujine site. The intercropping patterns affected significantly (p≤0.0001) the photosynthetically active radiation intercepted and the leaf area index at both sites. During both seasons at both localities, the total land equivalent ratio values greater than unit. From the results of this study, the use of MBILI maize-soybean intercropping pattern can be recommended to the farmers of central highlands of Kenya because of more efficient resources use and higher yields
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    Effects of Phosphorus Sources and Starter Nitrogen on Soybean Yield and Selected Soil Properties in Tharaka Nithi and Meru Counties of Kenya
    (2014-02-24) Abuli, Jackson Sianje; Mugwe, J. N.; Mucheru-Muna, M.
    Integration of legumes into farming systems is one of the Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) options for improving soil fertility. Farmers can save their cost of production by using legumes, which, in association with rhizobia, can fix atmospheric nitrogen. Soybean is an important legume compatible with the smallholder farming systems in Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties. However, low P and N, a situation prevalent in the two counties can limit its performance. The study was carried out in Kigogo in Tharaka Nithi County and Kamujine in Meru County. Sources of P, with or without starter N application were evaluated while pursuing the following objectives: (1) to determine the effects of different phosphorus sources and starter N on soybean yield and selected soil chemical properties, (2) to evaluate the effects of different phosphorus sources and starter N on nodule numbers and soybean growth parameters. Finally, the study assessed the effects of different phosphorus sources and starter N on the amount of N fixed by soybean and their economic suitability. A trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), having 13 treatments with four replications each on a 4.0 m by 4.5 m plot size. The P sources were Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), Minjingu rock phosphate, Mavuno fertilizer, diammonium phosphate (DAP), animal manure and fortified manure (animal manure with Minjingu fertilizer at 1:1 ratio) all providing 30 kg P ha-1. Diammonium phosphate (DAP) was reference input as it has both P and N and was the farmers’ choice in the study area. Data collected were soybean growth parameters, biomass and grain yields, soil chemical characteristics and soybean and fertilizer market prices. Data was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means separated using t-test and Least Significant Difference (LSD) (P<0.05). The use of Mavuno fertilizer in combination with CAN as nitrogen source significantly (P<0.01) improved soybean yield and significantly (P<0.05) enhanced BNF compared to the control and ranked higher than TSP, DAP, Minjingu and animal manure. Addition of CAN alone as starter N restricted BNF in N rich Kigogo but enhanced it in N deficient Kamujine, giving 56.32 kg ha-1yr-1. This increase was however not significant. Starter N did not enhance soybean nodulation but increased yield in combination with other P sources by 14.95% in Kamujine and 14.28% in Kigogo. The least costly source of P was DAP and therefore recommended for use in soybean production with consideration for liming to address possible reduction in soil pH. Farmers may also improve soybean yield and enhance their incomes while sustaining their soil fertility by using Mavuno fertilizer suppliments or Minjingu phosphate rock.