Phosphorus influence on nitrogen uptake, nutrient and yield attributes of finger millet in semi-arid region of Kenya

N W Wekha, N K Korir, H F Ojulong, J P Gweyi-Onyango, 'Phosphorus influence on nitrogen uptake, nutrient and yield attributes of finger millet in semi-arid region of Kenya', p.188, 2017

An understanding of P efficiencies of finger millet is very importantin soil management and selection of varieties adaptable toP-deficient soils. Therefore, on-station experiments were conductedat the ICRISAT-Kiboko research station to evaluate theeffect of differential levels of P on nitrogen uptake, nutrient contentand yield. There were four P levels (0, 12.5, 25 and 37.5 kgha-1 P2O5) and three varieties (U-15, P-224 and Ekalakala). Ekalakalawas the local check while 0 kg/ha P2O5 was the control. Thetrial was laid out in a randomized complete block design in factorialarrangement with three replicates. Soil analytical resultsshowed moderately available P but very low N, organic carbonand zinc. Significant differences (P<.05) were observed betweenthe phosphate levels on the nitrogen contents, where the controlhad the lowest with 4.95% and 4.90% for the short and longrains respectively; while the 25 kg ha-1 P2O5 rate had the highest,with 5.66% in the short rains and 5.14% in the long rains. Theprotein content significantly increased with phosphorus application,peaking at 11.00 g/100 g on the 25 kg ha-1 P2O5treatment.The newly released variety (U-15) responded positively to Psupplemented at 25 kg ha-1 P2O5 , with a maximum grain yield of3,410 kg ha-1. It can, thus, efficiently utilize N in soils with low Nand is highly recommended. The application of P beyond 25 kgha-1 P2O5 would not be translated into profitable yields, but lossesto the farmer