Effects of Conservation Tillage on Maize (Zea Mays L.) and Beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) Chlorophyll, Sugars and Yields in Humic Nitisols Soils of Embu County, Kenya
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Date
2019
Authors
Munyao, Joseph Kyalo
Gathaara, Moses Hungu
Micheni, Alfred Ngera
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Agricultural Research
Abstract
An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of conservation tillage (CT) practices on leaf
chlorophyll content, sugars and yields of Zea mays L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L. for two consecutive
cropping seasons at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization farm in Embu County,
Kenya. The experimental design was a Randomized Complete Block Design with 9 treatments replicated
3 times. The treatments were, conventional tillage sole maize, zero tillage sole maize, Furrows/Ridges
sole maize, conventional tillage sole bean, zero tillage sole bean, furrows and ridges sole bean,
conventional tillage maize-bean intercrop, zero tillage maize-bean intercrop, furrows/ridges maize-bean
intercrop. Zea mays L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants grown under the CT plots had significantly
more chlorophyll content, more sugar content and more grain weight than those under conventional
tillage practices (CVT). The results provided a physiological basis for the observed increase in yields.
They led to a conclusion that the CT method is suitable for improving crop productivity through
enhancing physiological functions in the leaf.
Description
article
Keywords
Conservation tillage, chlorophyll, grain weigh
Citation
Munyao, J. K., Gathaara, M. H., & Micheni, A. N. (2019). Effects of conservation tillage on maize (Zea mays L.) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) chlorophyll, sugars and yields in humic nitisols soils of Embu County, Kenya. Afr. J. Agric. Res, 14(29), 1272-1278.