dc.contributor.author | Karuku, G. N. | |
dc.contributor.author | Namoi, N. L | |
dc.contributor.author | Onwonga, R. N | |
dc.contributor.author | Onyango, C. M | |
dc.contributor.author | Kathumo, V. M | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2021-02-08T09:30:24Z | |
dc.date.available | 2021-02-08T09:30:24Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2014 | |
dc.identifier.citation | and N. L. Namoi, R. N. Onwonga OKKCMGNV. "Influence of Selected Ecological Farming Practices on Soil Moisture Retention and Yield of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and Cassava (Manihot esculanta Crantz) in Semi-Arid Yatta Sub-County, Kenya." Journal of Agricultural Science. 2014;6( 9):214-231 . | en_US |
dc.identifier.uri | https://profiles.uonbi.ac.ke/gmoe/publications/influence-selected-ecological-farming-practices-soil-moisture-retention-and-yield- | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/154709 | |
dc.description.abstract | In this study, the influence of ecological farming practices on soil moisture and yield of cassava (Manihot
esculanta Crantz) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) was investigated. The study was conducted in
semi-arid Katangi and Ikombe divisions of Yatta sub-county between October 2010 and August 2012. A
randomised complete block design with a split plot arrangement was used. Main plots were three cropping
systems: (i) Intercropping; (Dolichos [Lablab purpureus]/Cassava, Dolichos/Sorghum, Pigeon pea [Cajanus
cajan (L.) Millsp.]/Sorghum, Pigeon pea/Cassava); (ii) Rotation; Dolichos-Cassava, Dolichos-Sorghum, Pigeon
pea-Cassava, Pigeon pea-Sorghum and (iii) Monocrop (pure cassava and sorghum). Split plots were organic
inputs; farm yard manure (FYM), compost and absolute control. Sorghum/pigeon pea intercrop+FYM treatment
had high moisture levels during short rain season (SRS) of 2010 at Katangi (5.21%), SRS of 2011 at Ikombe
(5.19%) and long rain season (LRS) of 2011 at both sites (5.83%, 12.30%). Grain yields were highest under
sorghum/dolichos intercrop+ FYM during LRS of 2011 at Katangi (1.36 t ha-1) and Ikombe (1.48 t ha-1), and
SRS of 2010 at Katangi (1.39 t ha-1) only. Cassava/dolichos intercrop recorded high soil moisture levels in both
sites under sorghum/dolichos intercrop during SRS of 2010 (6.48%, 8.35%), LRS of 2011 (7.63%, 8.77%) and
LRS of 2012 (6.41%, 3.65%) for Katangi and Ikombe, respectively. Tuber yields were higher under
cassava/pigeon intercrop in Katangi (18.63 t ha-1) and Ikombe (28.73 t ha-1) during SRS of 2010 and LRS of
2011, and SRS of 2011 and LRS of 2012 at Katangi (20.86 t ha-1). Intercropping sorghum with dolichos and
cassava with pigeon pea + FYM would be a viable strategy to boost crop yields in smallholder farming systems
of Yatta sub-county. | en_US |
dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
dc.publisher | University of Nairobi | en_US |
dc.rights | Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States | * |
dc.rights.uri | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ | * |
dc.subject | compost, intercropping, Farm Yard Manure, moisture, organic inputs, rotation | en_US |
dc.title | Influence of Selected Ecological Farming Practices on Soil Moisture Retention and Yield of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and Cassava (Manihot esculanta Crantz) in Semi-Arid Yatta Sub-County, Kenya | en_US |
dc.type | Article | en_US |