Effect of Application of Different Nutrients on Growth and Yield Parameters of Maize (Zea Mays), Case of Kandara Murang’a County

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dc.contributor.authorMuthaura, Chrispaul
dc.contributor.authorMucheru-Muna, Monicah
dc.contributor.authorZingore, Shamie
dc.contributor.authorKihara, Job
dc.contributor.authorMuthamia, Joses
dc.date.accessioned2017-06-30T10:12:49Z
dc.date.available2017-06-30T10:12:49Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.descriptionResearch Articleen_US
dc.description.abstractSoil 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.en_US
dc.identifier.citationARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science Vol. 12, No. 1, January 2017en_US
dc.identifier.issn1990-6145
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/17688
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherAsian Research Publishing Network (ARPN)en_US
dc.subjectLimiting nutrientsen_US
dc.subjectNutrient amendmentsen_US
dc.subjectCrop bio-volumeen_US
dc.subjectGrain yielden_US
dc.titleEffect of Application of Different Nutrients on Growth and Yield Parameters of Maize (Zea Mays), Case of Kandara Murang’a Countyen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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