The role of indigenous knowledge in management of soil quality among smallholders in Chuka and Gachoka divisions, Kenya
2005
Mairura, F.S.(Kenyatta University, Department of Environmental Resource Conservation, Nairobi, Kenya) | Mugendi, D.N.(Kenyatta University, Department of Environmental Resource Conservation, Nairobi, Kenya)
Scientists and fanners possess qualitative knowledge of agro-ecosystems that they observe, which could be a valuable resource for science. A study based on participatory methods was conducted to determine fanners' soil quality perceptions and common soil management practices that influenced S soil fertility within fanners' fields in Chuka i1 and Gachoka Divisions, in Meru South and :fI Mbeere Districts Kenya. Soils characterized P by farmers were geo-referenced after which they were sampled at surface depth I (0-20 cm) for subsequent physical and n chemical analyses, to determine differences it withm farmers' soil quality categories.Fanners used sensory information, based n upon soil tactile and visible characteristics d to distinguish soil productivity. Indicators for distinguishing productive and non-productive S fields included crop yields and performance, a soil colour and soil texture. There were 0 significant statistical differences among soil fertility categories, using parametric 2 techniques (ANOVA) for key soil properties (: (p0.05), implying that the soils must have a, be!onged to different populations and that C there was a qualitative difference in the soils c that were chacterised as different by IT fanners. Soil fertility and crop management el practices that were investigated indicated g that farmers understood and consequently kJ utilized spatial heterogeneity and temporal h variability in soil quality status within their farms as a resource to maintain or enhance agricultural productivity.
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