Peterson Njeru, Joakim Hjältén, Stephen. K. Kimani

The effect of Push-pull management and fertilization in central Kenya

The effect of Push-pull management and different fertilization strategies on maize crop yield in central Kenya

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

The high population pressure in central Kenya has lead to continuous cultivation with minimal application of nutrient, resulting in nutrient depletion. A study was conducted to determine the effect of Push-pull (intercropping maize with Desmodium and Napier grass) strategy management and nitrogen application on maize grain yield and soil fertility on smallholder farmer s fields in three districts of central Kenya highlands. The experiment design was a split plot design with two factors ( Push-pull vs monoculture and manure (5 t/ha) only vs manure and fertilizer (40 kg/ha) replicated four times.I found an increase in maize yield in Push-pull fields compared with monocultures with only manure added (5t/ha) and the yield increased even more with modest application of fertilizer (40KgN/ha) combined with manure (5t/ha).There was strong significant difference (p0.001) on maize grain yield between Push-pull (5.52t/ha) and monoculture (1.93t/ha) cropping systems in the three districts ofcentral Kenya.From management perspective, the different fertilization regimes had strongest positive effect on maize yield in well managed Push-pull cropping systems.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing
• Seitenzahl: 72
• Erscheinungstermin: 12. Dezember 2012
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 220mm x 150mm x 5mm
• Gewicht: 125g
• ISBN-13: 9783843363761
• ISBN-10: 3843363765
• Artikelnr.: 36883630

Autorenporträt

Peterson Njeru obtained Master of science on biological diversity(major in environmental science) SLU Uppsala Sweden (2007-2009)Currently am working with Kenya Agricultural Research Institute(KARI) as a Research officer.