Browsing by Author "Makokha, George L."

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    Effects of mulching on soil hydro-physical properties in Kibaale sub-catchment, south central Uganda
    (Science and Education Publishing, 2015) Joel Kakaire; Kakaire, Joel; Makokha, George L.; Mwanjalolo, Majaliwa; Mensah, Albert K.; Menya, Emmanuel
    Mulching is one of the major soil and water conservation measures applied for conserving soil moisture and modifying soil physical and chemical environment. The study aimed at assessing the effect of mulching on soil hydro-physical properties in Kibaale sub-catchment in South Central Uganda. Samples were obtained between 0-20 cm depths and under 0, 5, 10 and 15 cm mulch thickness levels. The experiment involved 3 farmers and 4 treatments of corn residue mulch thicknesses each replicated thrice on each of the farmer sites. The main parameters of study were; bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) and water retention. The parameters were determined using core method, constant head method and pressure plates’ method respectively. Laboratory data was statistically analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) from Genstat software Edition 4 and the means differentiated using 5 % least significant difference (LSD). The application of mulch significantly improved all the soil hydro-physical properties that were studied (bulk density, Ksat, field capacity, wilting point, porosity, soil organic matter (SOM), mean weight diameter (MWD) after two seasons. The level of improvement was highest with 10 cm mulch thickness while Ksat, porosity and SOM varied significantly (P< 0.05) with mulch thickness. The study recommends the use of 10 cm mulch thickness. This study provides information to stakeholders such as agricultural experts, watershed managers, farmers and policy makers which will help in formulating guidelines on how to incorporate mulching as an effective method for soil and water conservation in the Sub-catchment
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    Investigation of Rainfall Variability over Kenya (1950-2012)
    (JEAS, 2018) Sagero, Philip O.; Shisanya, C.A.; Makokha, George L.
    This study investigates the rainfall variability from 33 stations, for a period of 63 years (1950 – 2012) over Kenya. Coefficient of Variability and non-parametric Mann- Kendall test at 5% level of significance was used to assess the variability and trend, respectively. The Sen’s slope estimator was then used to find the magnitude of the changeover the time period. It was observed that October to December season had a high inter-annual variability, with most stations having greater than 50% of the Coefficient of Variation compared to March to May season, which had only 4 stations with over 50% Coefficient of Variation. Insignificant decreasing trend was noted during the March – May rains, while insignificant increasing trend in October – December rains. On a spatial scale, a negative trend was noted in the northern part of the country and the opposite condition was noted in western regions of the country, around Lake Victoria area. The results indicate a likelihood of negative impact on sectors of the economy that relay on rainfall, because of negative trend in March – May long rains, which accounts for most of rains received annually in Kenya. Although the October – December rains have an increasing trend, they are unreliable due to high inter-annual variability.