This study was performed to investigate how to smoke solution affects dry matter loss, crude protein (CP) and toxic compound ODAP contents of grass pea in hydroponic media during seven days period. Three doses of smoke solutions (1, 5 and 10%, V: V) by diluting with tap water were applied to seeds as priming agent, and tap water was used as a control (0%). The experiment was arranged according to the split-plot design with three replications. Compared to seed, significant change was detected in hydroponic sprouts depending on the day in terms of dry matter loss and chemical content. Grass pea sprouts had higher CP and lower ODAP content than seed, even in control treatment. Furthermore, smoke solution increased the efficiency of system by increase CP, decrease ODAP content and also decreases dry matter loss, with significant effect on doses. CP of sprouts increased day by day and was the highest on day 6 (36.27%) at the 10% dose of smoke solution followed by 5% on day 7 (36.09%). ODAP decreased up to day 6 and then began to increase, but it was lower than control at all doses of solution during to experiment. This study showed that grass pea is suitable crop for hydroponic forage produce and that smoke solution can make a significant contribution to yield and quality of sprouts, especially at the dose of 10%. However, when the yield, nutritional value, and safe use were evaluated together, it was observed that the best time for harvesting was the end of the 6th day and delaying did not provide a significant advantage and even occurred undesirable results in terms of ODAP and dry matter.

Improving nutrient management of soils is important in subsistence farming systems in the tropics due to declining soil fertility resulting from continuous cropping coupled with inadequate nutrient replenishment. Balancing nutrient inputs with crop removal is crucial in reducing the build-up of nutrients and minimises nutrient losses through different pathways, thus reducing the cost of production. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of N and P fertiliser on sorghum N uptake at Kampi ya Mawe (KYM) in Makueni County and Katumani (KAT) in Machakos County, Kenya. Two factors (nitrogen and phosphorus) each at two levels (0 and 75 kg ha-1) were evaluated, resulting in four treatments, each replicated thrice. At KYM, N content in sorghum tissues increased by 24.2% in comparison with the control following application of N at 75 kg ha-1. At KAT, plots amended with N and P at 75 kg ha-1 resulted in the highest N content in sorghum tissues at the three sorghum development stages assessed. At the seedling stage, an increase of 18.8% was observed. Sole N application led to an increase in N content in sorghum tissues of 17.6% at the seedling stage. A positive linear relationship between NO3- N and N content in sorghum tissues was also observed. The study showed that soil N uptake was higher in the early growth stages of sorghum. The results of this study are essential to farmers and extension officers as a guide to ensure timely fertiliser application to ensure optimum utilisation of nutrients during crop growth.