Browsing by Author "Mucheru-Muna, Monicah"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Closing the Crop Yield Gap between Organic and Conventional Farming Systems in Kenya: Long-term Trial Research Indicates Agronomic Viability
    (Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 2024-11-04) Bautze, David; Karanja, Edward; Musyoka, Martha; Rüegg , Johanna; Goldmann, Eva; Kibo, Milka; Kampermann, Ivonne; Cotter, Marc; Muriuki, Anne; Ndung’u, Samuel; Mucheru-Muna, Monicah
    The production gap between current and attainable yields is highest on Africa's smallholder farms, and some studies indicate that they might not benefit from the yield gains offered by conventional farming. Simultaneously, alternative farming systems like organic provide biodiversity and soil fertility advantages, but their ability to produce sufficient food is still under debate. Additionally, comparative data on the productivity of organic versus conventional in tropical regions are scarce or short-term. We investigated the crop productivity of organic and conventional farming systems using 15 years in two long-term systems comparison trials in Kenya. The trials were established in 2007 at two sites in the Central Highlands of Kenya. At each site, conventional and organic systems were compared at high input levels. The trial involved a three-year crop rotation cycle of maize, vegetables, legumes, and potatoes, repeated five times since its establishment. Management practices were kept similar in the first four rotations and revised in the fifth to improve systems representing best practices. Our results showed that while maize and baby corn had relatively low yield gaps (−13 to +12 %) between organic and conventional systems, cabbage, French beans, and potato had high yield gaps (−50 to −30 %). We attributed this to nutrient limitations and higher pest and disease damage. The yield gap could partially be closed by adopting best practices in the organic system, including system diversification and effective soil fertility, nutrient, and integrated pest management.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Effect of Application of Different Nutrients on Growth and Yield Parameters of Maize (Zea Mays), Case of Kandara Murang’a County
    (Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN), 2017) Muthaura, Chrispaul; Mucheru-Muna, Monicah; Zingore, Shamie; Kihara, Job; Muthamia, Joses
    Soil fertility is a major challenge depressing yields in small hold farms of Sub-Saharan Africa. Growth and yield parameters are key indicators of soil fertility status in most agro ecosystems. A study was conducted in Murang’a County Kandara Sub-County in Kenya. This was to determine the effects of applying different nutrients on growth and yield of maize. The study was done in 2013 during the long rains season (LR13) and the short rains season (SR13). Twenty-three farmers were randomly selected for the study. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 8 treatments (control, NPK+ CaMgS micronutrient fertilizer (Ca, Mg, S, B, Mn, Cu, Zn,), NPK+ Manure, NPK+ Lime, NPK, NP, NK, and PK). Soil was sampled before establishment of the trials at a depth of 0–20 cm. The soil samples were analyzed for pH, total carbon, macro, and secondary nutrients. Treatment inputs were applied at rates of 100 kg ha-1 N, 30 kg ha-1 P, 60 kg ha-1 K, 10 kg ha-1 Ca, 10 kg ha-1 Mg, 5 kg ha-1 S, 10 t ha-1 manure and 1 t ha-1 lime. Data on maize plant height, leaf number, and basal diameter was collected at 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 days after planting (DAP). Grain and stover yield was collected at physiological maturity. The results showed that control, PK and NK treatment achieved means that were significantly different (p<0.05) for leaf number and bio-volume during the 2 cropping seasons. The grain and stover yields for control, NK and PK showed significant differences (p<0.05) during the two cropping seasons. Simple linear regression analysis between grain yield and leaf number achieved a coefficient of determination (R2 ) of 0.9 during both seasons. The coefficient of determination (R2 ) between bio-volume and grain yield at 42 DAP was 0.8 for LR13 season and 0.9 for SR1, respectively. The yield response to nitrogen application was 1.87 Mg ha-1 in the LR13 season and 1.90 Mg ha-1 during the SR13 season. The yield response (yield loss) for phosphorus was 0.84 Mg ha-1 in the LR13 season and 0.81 Mg ha-1 during the SR13 season. It was concluded that absence of N and P nutrients significantly affects maize leaf number and bio-volume and eventually these effects influence the achieved grain yield. The results of the study show the need to adopt specific nutrient application instead of the former use of blanket recommendation for whole regions.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Potential of Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Sources in Sub-Saharan African Crop Farming Systems
    (INTECH, 2012) Ngetich, Felix K.; Shisanya, C.A.; Mugwe, Jayne; Mucheru-Muna, Monicah; Mugendi, Daniel
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Climate Change Perception of the Farmers in the Hiran Region of Somalia
    (African Journal of Climate Change and Resource Sustainability, 2024-12-10) Odawa, Abdiwali Abdulle; Mucheru-Muna, Monicah; Mburu, Benson Kamau; Mutambu, Dominic; Omari, Erick Nyaboga
    The accomplishment of sustainable development goals in Somalia remains severely hampered by changes in the climate, particularly when it comes to food security. It jeopardizes national food security by threatening agricultural productivity. Designing practical strategies and policies for agricultural development and food security requires an understanding of farmers’ perceptions and the factors that influence their perception of climate change. Therefore, this study was designed to, (i) Evaluate farmers' perceptions of climate change, and (ii) identify the socioeconomic factors that influence farmers' perceptions of climate change in the Hiran region of Somalia. The study encompassed 222 respondents from six villages within two districts in the Hiran region.Gender, family size, farm size, and ownership of communication devices, significantly influenced farmers' perception of climate change. Therefore, the study recommended that the federal government of Somalia, and local/international NGOs, should design and implement intervention strategies for climate change cognizance of these factors.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Socioeconomic factors influencing the uptake of tissue culture banana technology in Kisii County, Kenya
    (Enviromental Challenges, 2024) Omari, Erick Nyaboga; Mucheru-Muna, Monicah; Mburu, Benson Kamau
    Many nations have worked hard over the years to provide food security for there entire country, albeit with various degrees of success. The intensification of agriculture has been significant in order to feed the growing population. The banana tissue culture technology is one of the technologies used to aid the process of agricultural intensification. Due to its long history of food production, including the cultivation of bananas, the Kisii region is a significant contributor to Kenya’s food security. However, because of issues brought on by social and economic considerations, the region’s food output has been declining. Despite efforts to distribute this technology to small scale farmers, majority of research studies in Kisii County show poor rates of technology adoption. The objective of this study was to examine the socioeconomic factors affecting implementing tissue culture bananas in Kisii County. The research used a descriptive study design. Two hundred respondents were chosen at random from the sample to participate in the study. Survey forms, interview schedules, and observation checklists were used for data collection. The means between adoption categories were declared at p < 0.05 in t-tests between tissue culture banana adoption and numerical factors. Chi-square tests were performed between adoption and cate gorical factors, and p < 0.05 was used to determine whether there were significant connections between the variables. The study adopted a logistic regression model with maximum likelihood estimation to calculate the likelihood that farmers will adopt tissue culture bananas as impacted by various socioeconomic factors. Results showed that the availability of extension services (p = 0.000), cost of seedlings (p = 0.000, x2 =79.1), ability to purchase land (p = 0.006, x2 =16.3), access to financing (p = 0.007, x2 =7.468), education level (p = 0.015), ability to afford seedlings (p = 0.000, x2 =17.6), labour availability (p = 0.005, x2 =10.735), availability of farm inputs (p = 0.000, x2 =35.9) and the size of household (p = 0.05, Std=1.8) were significant to tissue culture banana adoption. Socio-economic factors ought to be taken into account in order to assist a number of stake holders in boosting banana output and enhancing food security
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Soil management practices affect arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi propagules, root colonization and growth of rainfed maize
    (AIMS Press, 2018-06) Nyamwange, Methuselah Mang’erere; Njeru, Ezekiel Mugendi; Mucheru-Muna, Monicah; Ngetich, Felix
    Agronomic management practices influence beneficial soil biota, especially arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). AMF colonizes about eighty percent of land plants, promoting absorption of essential nutrients and crop growth. Here, a 5-year field experiment was carried out in Central Kenyan Highlands to determine the effect of tillage, mulching and inorganic fertilizers on the number of infective AMF propagules in the soil, mycorrhizal root colonization of maize and uptake of P and N from the soil. The study involved conventional and minimum tillage systems, mulching using dried maize stovers and inorganic fertilizers (120 kg N/ha). The experiment was set up in randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. The number of infective AMF propagules decreased in the following order; V4 stage (p < 0.0001), V6 stage (p < 0.0001), maize harvest (p = 0.0076) and before maize planting (p = 0.0061). Minimum tillage + mulch + no NP fertilizer (ZRO) treatment recorded the highest number of infective AMF propagules with an average of 90 propagules g-1 of soil whereas conventional tillage + mulch + NP fertilizer (CRF) and conventional tillage + no mulch + NP fertilizer (CWF) treatments recorded the lowest number of AMF propagules with an average of 1.33 propagules g-1 of soil. Besides, AMF colonization of maize roots at V4, V6 and harvest stages was significantly affected by tillage (p < 0.0001), mulch (p = 0.0001) and fertilizer (p < 0.0001). Results at juvenile stage showed a strong positive correlation between AMF colonization and shoot P (r = 0.933, p < 0.0001) and N (r = 0.928, p < 0.0001). These findings demonstrate a strong effect of agronomic management practices on soil AMF propagules which subsequently affected root colonization and uptake of essential nutrients such as P and N.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Effects of Integrated Soil Fertility Management and Cropping Systems onSoil Water Content on Sorghum and Cowpea Production in Central Highlands of Kenya
    (Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 2024-09-07) Njeru, Peterson Newton; Mugwe, Jayne; Mucheru-Muna, Monicah; Kimani, Stephen
    Background: Soil fertility degradation remains the major biophysical cause of declining per capita crop production on smallholder farmers in Central Kenya highlands. The study was carried out for 3 consecutive seasons in Embu County classified as semi-arid lands in Kenya. Objectives: To determine the effect of Soil Water Harvesting (SWH), cropping systems and Integrated Soil Fertility Management technologies on sorghum and cowpea production in Mbeere South Sub-County, Kenya. Methodology: The treatments were arranged in a factorial structure with 3 levels of SWH, 2 cropping systems and 6 soil fertility management options laid out in a partially balanced incomplete block design. The SWC was measured after 2 weeks after planting interval stages in the whole season. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and significant means separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 95% Confidence Interval. Results: There was a two way interactions effect between SWH*Fertility management options on sorghum grain yields was significant (p=0.0027, p=0.0008 and p=0.0057) during long rains (LR) of 2011 and 2012, and short rains (SR) of 2011, respectively. Additionally, SWH methods significantly affected sorghum grain yields in a similar trend (p=0.002, p=0.0005 and p=0.0003) in their respective seasons. In SR 2011 and LR 2012, soil fertility options also produced significant effects (p=0.0047 and p=0.0024) on cowpea grain yields, respectively. The results further indicated that there were significant higher SWC measurements at initial stages of 2 WAP, 4 WAP and 6 WAP intervals as compared to the late stages of the season. However, sole cropping systems had significantly more SWC measurement than those in intercropping systems in both seasons. Implications: Manure added treatments positively affected SWC conservation and this could be as a result of increased soil organic carbon which improved soil fertility. The available SWC played a great role in drought effect mitigation by availing moisture to sorghum and cowpea productivity especially when prolonged dry spells coincide with crop’s sensitive phenological growing stages. Conclusions: Water harvesting methods cropping systems and soil fertility management options had positive influence on soil moisture conservation and crop yields production in Central Kenya Highland.