| dc.description.abstract | A study was conducted in the semi-arid Kibwezi division of Kenya to investigate the
effect of moisture availability on nitrogen and phosphorus uptake by plants. The study consisted of
four treatments i.e. control, grass, legume, and grass/legume mixture. These were replicated on two
sites with different soils. On each site, two sets of treatment were set up whereby one was given
additional water, whereas one remained unwatered. The experiment was conducted during the short
and the long rains. CP and P contents were determined for each of the treatments and seasons.
The CP content of plants generally decreased as they grew from vegetative to seeding stage. Watering
had no significant effect (P<0.05) on the CP content of plants during the short rains. During both
seasons, the legume component had higher CP content than the grass. The effect of watering on P
content was only significant during the long rains. Overall, during the long rains, plants had less P
content. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in the P content of the watered plots between
sites during the short rains season. Generally, the level of CP and P of grass and legume depended on
the level of available nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil, as well as soil moisture content. | en |
