Effect of Integrating Chickpea and Organic Amendments on Yield and Quality Attributes of Tomato and Maize in Central Kenya
Journal Title: Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International - Year 2017, Vol 12, Issue 4
Abstract
A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of integrating chickpea on yield and quality attributes of tomatoes and maize under varying supply levels of farm yard manure (FYM) and phosphate rock (PR). The study was conducted both on-farm (farmer’s field in Kiserian, Kajiado County) and on-station at Kabete Campus field station, University of Nairobi, Kenya. The experimental design was a randomized complete block (RCBD) with four replications in a split plot arrangement where the main plots were three cropping systems; monocropping, intercropping and crop rotation and the split plots were FYM and PR. Crop yields, nutrients and physical attributes increased in the different treatments in the following order control < MRP < FYM in the three cropping systems across the four growing seasons at both sites. Tomato in season four in rotations with chickpea at Kabete had; FYM: 3.65% N, 597 ppm P, 3.95 Mg ha-1 fruit yield and 1.554 t ha-1 biomass, firm and >170g and 6cm. MRP: 3.09% N, 634 ppm P, 2.907 Mg ha-1 yield and 1.093 t ha-1 biomass, firm and >100 g and 3 cm. Control: 2.47% N, 533 ppm P, 2.149 Mg ha-1 fruit yield and 0.757 t ha-1, flaccid and <100 g and 3 cm. Monocrop gave; control: 2.17% N, 494 ppm P, 2.138 Mg ha-1 fruit yield and 0.697 t ha-1 biomass. FYM: 3.03% N, 587 ppm P, 3.59 Mg ha-1 fruit yield and 1.523 t ha-1 biomass. MRP: 2.56% N, 553 ppm P, 2.951 Mg ha-1 yield and 1.046 t ha-1 biomass. Similar trends were observed in maize and tomato performances in all the seasons at both sites. Thus it can be deduced that, FYM and MRP application and legume integration in cropping systems improve crop performance.
Authors and Affiliations
O. H. Ndukhu, N. R. Onwonga, G. R. Wahome, G. Kironch, H. H. Jensen
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP317235
- DOI 10.9734/JAERI/2017/16202
- Views 99
- Downloads 0
Assessment of Farmers’ Perception of Agroforestry Practices in Jhenaidah District of Bangladesh
Aims: The main objective of this study was to investigate and analyze the farmers’ attitude towards agroforestry, the reasons for adoption of agroforestry by farmers and the problems being faced by them in the Jhenaidah...
Efficacy of Kensil Fine, a Diatomaceous Earth, When Applied to Protect Maize Stored under Simulated and Real Farmer Situations in Kenya
Kensil fine, a local diatomaceous earth was evaluated under simulated and real farmer storage conditions. Three serial concentrations of: 0.3%, 0.5% and 0.7% w/w were applied on 8 kg of grain in mini sacks (simulation tr...
Assessment of Sulfur Deficiency in Soils through Plant Analysis in Three Representative Areas of the Central Highlands of Ethiopia-IV
Field survey was conducted in Arsi(Ar), East Shewa(ES) and Oromia Liuu(OL) zones in 2012-15 cropping seasons, aimed at assessing sulfur(S) status of soils through plant analysis. The general information on land-use, soil...
Investigation of Morpho-chemical Characteristics and Yield Potential of Five Local Rice Cultivars
Aims: To study morpho-chemical, yield and yield contributing characteristics of five local rice cultivars viz. Red Swarna, Jota pari, Pariza, Sugandhi and ShaitaBoro. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in Randomiz...
Uses and Relative Abundance of Non-Timber Forest Plants in Farmlands of Selected Tiv Communities in Benue State, Nigeria
Majority of the rural farmers in Nigeria supplement their livelihoods with goods and services within and around their farmlands. Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are harvested for their subsistence and commercial use a...