Interactive effects of lime, manure, N and P fertilizers on maize (Zea mays L.) yield and N and P uptake in an acid mollic Andosol of Molo Kenya
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Date
2006
Authors
Mochoge, B. O.
Lelei, Joyce J.
Onwonga, Richard N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Penerbit UTHM
Abstract
Maize production in Molo division, situated in the central Rift Valley is constrained by acid soil infertility and high P fixation. To realize maximum crop production, the acid infertile soil may be corrected through liming, use of organic manure or high application rates of P and N fertilizers. Use of high N and P fertilizer doses is however unviable to small-scale farmers. It was thus hypothesized that use of lime, manure, urea and TSP in combination would improve the immediate availability of N and P to crops and consequently boost maize yield. The study was conducted at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) farm, Molo. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a 23 factorial arrangement was used. Lime (L), manure (M), and urea/TSP (NP) ferti1izers each at two levels; 0 (as the first level for all treatments) and 2.5 t ha-1, 5 t ha-1, and 50/75 kg ha-1, respectively as the second level, were the factors. The NP fertilizers and manure treatments gave significant increases in maize grain and DM yields. L*M*NP interaction gave the highest grain (4387 kg ha-1) and DM (7410 kg ha-1) yields. The lowest grain (3067 and 3158 kg ha-1) and DM (5250 and 5300 kg ha-1) yields were obtained in the control and lime treatments, respectively. Plant N and P uptake was significantly higher in L*M*NP, NP, L*NP and M*NP interactions and M treatment. In a para1lel study the effect of lime on P availability and consequently maize yield was investigated using a RCBD. The treatments were 2.5 t ha-1 of lime (blanket application) and four rates of TSP (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg ha-1). Liming did not reduce P application rates as higher P rates combined with liming gave significantly better grain and stover yields than the lower (0 and 25 kg ha-1) rates. The results of this study show that to enhance maize production and available N and P in the acid soil, application of manure (5t ha-1) two weeks before planting and/or TSP (75 kg ha-1) at planting and urea (50 kg ha-1) as a top dress a month after planting is necessary.
Key words: Acidity, andosol, interactions, Kenya, lime, manure, TSP, ure
Description
Keywords
Acidity, andosol, interactions, Kenya, lime, manure, TSP, urea