Effect of starter nitrogen on Striga incidence and maize grain yield in the sub-humid bimodal rainfall areas of western Kenya
1999
Ogendo, J. O. | Macharia, C. N. | Musandu, A. O. | Kamau, A.W. | Shiluli, M.C. | Obura, R.K. (Crop Management Research Training Project, Njoro (Kenya))
A study was conducted onfarm in Yala division, Siaya district, in 1996 and 1997 to determine the critical starter inorganic nitrogen rate for increased maize productivity under Striga hermonthica infestation. Starter N treatments were laid out in randomized complete blocks with three replicates per site. Results indicate that inorganic N applied at planting significantly (P0.05) increased maize grain yields at one and three sites in 1996 and 1997 respectively. Application of 20 kg N/ha at planting increased maize grain yield by 2.4 t/ha at Marenyo in 1996 and by 2.5, 2.1 and 1.3 t/ha at Ulumbi, Jina and Lihanda respectively in 1997 compared to the unfertilized treatment. Increasing starter N rate to 40 kg/ha consistently gave higher grain yields than the unfertilized treatment at all sites during both seasons. Delaying N until 30 days after emergence (DAE) reduced maize grain yields at two sites in 1997 only. Applying N at planting or 30 DAE did not suppress Striga infestation during both seasons, However, the results of this study show that 40 kg/ha is the critical starter inorganic N rate required for increased and economic maize production in the Striga hermonthica infested areas of western kenya.
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