Assessment of farmers' perceptions of soil quality indicators within smallholder farms in the central highlands of Kenya
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Date
2007
Authors
Mairura, F.S.
Mugendi, D.N.
Mwanje, J. I.
Ramisch, J. J.
Mbugua, P. K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
A study was conducted to determine farmers' perceptions of soil quality and soil management practices that influenced
soil fertility within farmers' fields in Chuka and Gachoka divisions in central Kenya highlands. Soils were
characterized by farmers after which they were geo-referenced and sampled at surface depth (0-20 ern) for subsequent
physical and chemical analyses, to determine differences within farmers' soil quality categories. Special
attention was given to agricultural weed species. Indicators for distinguishing productive and non-productive fields
included crop yield, crop performance, soil colour and soil texture. A total of 18 weed species were used to distinguish
between high and low soil categories. Significant differences among soil fertility categories implied that
there were qualitative difference in the soils that were chacterised as different by farmers. Fertile soils had significantly
higher pH, total organic carbon and exchangeable cations, with available-N being significantly different in
Gachoka. Factor analysis on 15 soil properties identified 4 factors that explained 65% of the total variance in soil
quality. Soil fertility and crop management practices that were investigated indicated that farmers understood and
consequently utilized spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability in soil quality status within their farms as a
resource to maintain or enhance agricultural productivity.
Description
Book chapter
Keywords
Farmers, Indicator weed species, Local indicators, Scientists, Soil fertility, Factor analysis