Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on maize yield and soil fertility improvement in Kisii and Gucha Districts, South West Kenya
2002
Nzabi, A.W(KARI-Regional Reseach Kisii) | Makinii, F.(KARI-Regional Reseach Kisii) | Onyango, M.(KARI-Regional Reseach Kisii) | Kidulai, N.(KARI-Regional Reseach Kisii) | Muyongai, C.(KARI-Regional Reseach Kisii) | Mirukai, M.(KARI-Regional Reseach Kisii) | Mutai, E.(KARI-Regional Reseach Kisii) | Gesarez, M.(Ministry of Agriculture, Gucha, Ogembo) | Mwagi, G.(Ministry of Agriculture, Gucha, Ogembo)
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercises conducted in Nyamonyo and Nyatieko villages south west Kenya, indicated that farmers were getting low crop yields mainly due to low soil fertility. A trial was therefore initiated in order to determine the effect of organic and inorganic fertilisers on maize grain yield. Five treatments were tested in a randomised complete block design replicated on 8 farmers' fields. The treatments were: 1) 10 t ha-I compost/farm yard manure(FYM) , 2) 15 kg N ha.l + 15 kg PzOs, ha-l + 10 t ha.1 Compost/FYM, 3) 30 kg N ha-I+ 30 kg PzOs ha.1 + 10 t ha-I Compost/FYM, 4) 60 kg N ha-l + 60 kg PzOs ha-I (research recommended rate) and 5) 75 kg N ha.l + 50 kg PzOs ha-I (FURP recommended rate). At Nyamonyo site application of 60 kg N ha.1 + 60 kg PzO ha.l gave the highest mean yield followed by application of 75 kg N ha-I + 50 kg PzOsha-l. At Nyatieko site, 75 kg N ha -I + 50 kg PzOsha -I gave the highest mean yield (2430 kg ha-I) followed by 30 kg N ha -I + 30 kg PzOs ha -I + 10 t ha.l compost/FYM. Use of 10 t ha-l compost/FYM alone resulted in the lowest yield.
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