Journal of
Soil Science and Environmental Management

  • Abbreviation: J. Soil Sci. Environ. Manage.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2391
  • DOI: 10.5897/JSSEM
  • Start Year: 2010
  • Published Articles: 315

Full Length Research Paper

Integrating scientific and farmers’ perception towards evaluation of rain-fed agricultural technologies for sorghum and cowpea productivity in Central Kenya

Njeru P. N. M.
  • Njeru P. N. M.
  • KARI Muguga South, P.O Box 30148-00100, Nairobi.
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Mugwe J.
  • Mugwe J.
  • Kenyatta University, P.O Box 43844, Nairobi.
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Maina I.
  • Maina I.
  • KARI Headquarters, P.O Box 57811-002004, Nairobi
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Mucheru-Muna M.
  • Mucheru-Muna M.
  • Kenyatta University, P.O Box 43844, Nairobi.
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Mugendi D.
  • Mugendi D.
  • Embu University College-Nairobi University, P.O Box 6- 60100, Embu.
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Lekasi, J. K.
  • Lekasi, J. K.
  • KARI Muguga South, P.O Box 30148-00100, Nairobi.
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Kimani S. K.
  • Kimani S. K.
  • KARI Muguga South, P.O Box 30148-00100, Nairobi.
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Miriti J.
  • Miriti J.
  • KARI Muguga South, P.O Box 30148-00100, Nairobi.
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Esilaba A. O.
  • Esilaba A. O.
  • KARI Headquarters, P.O Box 57811-002004, Nairobi.
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Muriithi F.
  • Muriithi F.
  • KARI Headquarters, P.O Box 57811-002004, Nairobi.
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  •  Accepted: 24 April 2013
  •  Published: 29 November 2013

Abstract

Soil fertility degradation remains the major biophysical cause of declining per capita crop production on smallholder farms in Central Kenya highlands. A study was conducted to compare farmers’ perception and biophysical data on selected water harvesting and integrated soil fertility management technologies on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) production in Central highlands of Kenya. Three hundred and seventy one smallholder farmers were invited to evaluate thirty six plots laid out in Partially Balanced Incomplete Block Design (PBIBD) replicated three times. The treatment which was ranked best overall rated as ‘good’ by the farmers was farmers practice with a mean score of (2.78) and yielding (3.5 t/ha) under sorghum alone plus external soil amendment of 40  kg P /ha+20 kg N /ha. This was closely followed by tied ridges and contour furrows overall rated as ‘good’ by the farmers under sorghum alone plus external soil amendment of 40 kg P /ha+20 kg N /ha+manure 2.5 t/ha and 40  kg P /ha+40  kg N /ha+manure 5 t/ha both with a mean score of (2.7) and yielding (3.0 t/ha) and (2.9 t/ha) respectively.  Generally, all experiment controls were overall scored as ‘poor’ yielding as low as 0.3 t/ha to 0.6 t/ha. Therefore, integration minimal addition of organic and inorganic inputs on highly valued traditional crops with adequate rainfall under normal farmers practice in semi arid lands could be considered as an alternative option contribution to food security in central highland of Kenya. 
 
Key words: Food security, water harvesting, integrated soil fertility management, Central Kenya.
 

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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