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Effectiveness of Agroecological Intensification Techniques Towards Enhancing Soil Nutrient Status, Moisture Content, and Crop Productivity in Semi-Arid Lands of Kenya

Onwonga, Richard Ndemo; Lelei, Joyce J. Ndemo and Namoi, Nictor Litunya (2015) Effectiveness of Agroecological Intensification Techniques Towards Enhancing Soil Nutrient Status, Moisture Content, and Crop Productivity in Semi-Arid Lands of Kenya. In: Rahmann, Gerold; Olabiyi, Timothy Ipoola and Olowe, Victor Idowu (Eds.) Achieving Social and Economic Development Through Ecological and Organic Agricultural Alternatives, Proceedings of the Scientific Track, 3rd African Organic Conference, 5 - 9 October 2015, Lagos, Nigeria, pp. 247-256.

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Summary

The current study investigated effectiveness of selected agroecological intensification techniques on soil moisture, nutrient (N, P, and organic C) status, and crop yields in semi-arid Katangi division of Yatta sub-County, Kenya. The study was conducted for two seasons; long and short rains of 2010. The experimental set up was a split plot fitted to a randomized complete block design. The main plots were three cropping systems (CS); monocropping (cassava and sorghum), intercropping [sorghum/dolichos (Lablab purpureus), sorghum/pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh), cassava/dolichos, cassava/pigeon pea) and rotation (dolichos - sorghum, pigeon pea - sorghum, dolichos - cassava and pigeon pea-cassava). The split plots comprised organic fertilizers (OF); farm yard manure (FYM) and compost. Measured N, P and organic C levels, in the LRS, were significantly higher in crop rotation, followed by intercropping and monocropping systems with application of FYM. The crop yields were significantly higher in the SRS across all CS and OF with crop rotation and monocropping performing better than intercropping system. Crop diversification in both space and time with application of organic fertilizers could thus boost soil nutrient status, soil moisture and cassava and Sorghum yields in the semi-arid Yatta Sub-county.
Key words: Agroecological Intensification; cropping systems; grain legumes; Organic Fertilizers; plant nutrients; Traditional crops.


EPrint Type:Conference paper, poster, etc.
Type of presentation:Paper
Keywords:Agroecological Intensification; cropping systems; grain legumes; Organic Fertilizers; soil nutrients; Traditional crops
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
Organic fertilizers
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_4592
English
cropping systems
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1971
English
Grain legumes
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3351
Subjects: Crop husbandry > Crop combinations and interactions
Crop husbandry > Composting and manuring
Soil > Nutrient turnover
Farming Systems > Farm nutrient management
Research affiliation: International Conferences > 2015: 3rd African Organic Conference
Kenya
ISBN:978-979-4563-7-3
Deposited By: Onwonga, Dr. Richard N.
ID Code:28879
Deposited On:19 Sep 2016 07:41
Last Modified:19 Sep 2016 07:41
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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