Browsing by Author "Gitaari, Mwingirwa Joshua"

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    Maize Grain Yield, Profitability and Selected Soil Properties as Influenced by Tillage Systems and Polyacrylamide Application in Meru County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2023-06) Gitaari, Mwingirwa Joshua
    Poor tillage practices and inadequate amelioration are threats to sustainable agricultural production in the central highlands of Kenya. The objective of this research was to evaluate how selected soil properties, maize grain yield and economic returns are affected by different tillage systems and polyacrylamide application. This study was carried in Meru county at the Meru University of science and technology farm during October to December SR (simn rains) of the year 2018 and March to May LR (long rains) of the year 2019. The test crop was maize. The experiment was a randomized complete block design (RBCD) with six treatments replicated 5 times. The treatments were; Deep strip till (DST); Conventional tillage and polyacrylamide application (CTPAM); No-till and polyacrylamide application (NTPAM); Deep strip till and polyacrylamide application (DSTPAM); the control being conventional tillage (CT) only and No till (NT). Soil moisture content, aggregate stability, particle density, total nitrogen and available phosphorous were measured up to a depth of 20cm. Bulk density and hydraulic conductivity were obtained at a depth of 17.0cm-22.3cm. Soil porosity was derived from the values of bulk density and particle density realized for the respective plots. Maize grain yield was measured at the end of each season to compare productivity under different treatments. Benefit cost ratio, gross margins and return to labour were calculated and compared for different treatments to establish the economic viability of different practices.