Soil chemical properties, sunflower growth and yields as affected by double digging, mulch and compost in central Kenya
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Date
2003Author
Miriti, J.M.
Thomas, D.B.
Gachene, C.K.K.
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Double digging as a form of deep tillage and the
utilisation of compost and mulch for improved crop
production in the densely populated areas of Kenya
is rapidly gaining attention the Kenya Institute of
Organic Farming (KIOF, 1994). The aim of double
digging is to loosen the deep soil layers for
intensive crop production. Compost is aimed at
supplying essential plant nutrients and enhancing
soil physical properties through addition of organic
matter (FAO, 1977; Pfirter et al., l98l). Organic
matter has beneficial effects on soil fertility because
it increases nutrient storage capacities (Tisdale et
al., 1985; Woomer et al., 1995), Mulch modulates
soil diumal temperature, reduces evaporative soil
water loss and improves infiltration (Russell, 1988).
All these have positive influences on crop growth.
These management systems are being applied to
Nitisols which have a generally good workability
GAO-LTNESCO, 1988). However, concerns have
been raised as to whether double digging is actually
beneficial. There is little information on the effects
of tillage systems in combination with compost and
mulch application on soil chemical properties of
Nitisols and crop growth. The objective of this
study, therefore, was to determine the effects of
double digging, compost and mulch on soil
chemical properties of a humic Nitisol and growth
characteristics of sunflower.
Citation
East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal, (2003)68(3), 159-163Publisher
Department of soil science
Subject
Soil chemical propertiesSunflower growth
Sunflower yield
Double digging
Mulch
Compost
Central Kenya