Changes in Soil Organic Matter as Influenced by Organic Residue Management Regimes in Selected Experiments in Kenya

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dc.contributor.authorWaswa, B. S.
dc.contributor.authorMugendi, D.N.
dc.contributor.authorVanlauwe, B.
dc.contributor.authorKung'u, J.B.
dc.date.accessioned2014-02-03T08:56:15Z
dc.date.available2014-02-03T08:56:15Z
dc.date.issued2007
dc.descriptionDOI 10.1007/978-1-4020-5760-1_43en_US
dc.description.abstractThe failure to understand the dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) is a major limitation to the sustainability of smallholder production systems that predominantly relied on organic resources for the maintenance of soil fertility. This study evaluated the influence of organic resource management on SOM in three selected experiments in central and western highlands of Kenya. Results showed that soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and carbon-13 (13C) values in the three experiments were depending on the amounts of the organic residues applied as well as the duration of application indicating that organic residue management practices have a profound impact on the final contribution to the SOM pools. Kabete experiment had the narrowest C, N and 13C values pointing to its young age as well as the low quantity of the organic residues applied. On the other hand, Embu experiment had soil C values above the critical level of 2.0% indicating a positive effect of continued application of organic residues. In all the three sites, aggregate mineral fraction (MF) size distribution were dominated by macroaggregates (250–500μm and >500 μm) which on average accounted for about 72%, 65% and 69% of the dry soil weight for Maseno, Kabete and Embu experiments, respectively. Similarly higher proportions of aggregate light fractions (LF) C and N were observed in macroaggregate fractions for the three experiments with organic treatments having higher proportions. The 13C signatures of the LF in the macroaggregates (>250 μm) were more negative as compared to the 13C values in the microaggregate (53–250 μm) LF suggesting a more C contribution from C3 vegetation to the most recently incorporated SOM poolen_US
dc.identifier.citationAdvances in Integrated Soil Fertility Management in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities 2007, pp 457-470en_US
dc.identifier.issn978-1-4020-5760-1
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/8905
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherSpringer Netherlandsen_US
dc.subjectSoil organic matteren_US
dc.subjectorganic resourcesen_US
dc.subjectfractionationen_US
dc.titleChanges in Soil Organic Matter as Influenced by Organic Residue Management Regimes in Selected Experiments in Kenyaen_US
dc.typeBook chapteren_US
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