Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 79: 6983 - 6991 Published July 31, 2014
Maize response to Tithonia diversifolia and rock phosphate application under two maize cropping systems in Kenya
Filbert L. Ahmat1*; Jayne N. Mugwe2; Stephen K. Kimani3, and Joseph P. Gweyi-Onyango11Department of Agricultural Science and Technology, Kenyatta University, P.O Box 43844-00100 Nairobi, Kenya.
2Department of Agricultural Resources Management, Kenyatta University, P.O Box 43844-00100 Nairobi, Kenya.
3Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, P.O Box 57811 Nairobi, Kenya
*Corresponding author: filbertleone@gmail.com , Mobile: (+254) 712173466
Original submitted in on 7th July 2014. Published online at www.m.elewa.org on 31st July 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jab.v79i1.18
ABSTRACT
Objective:
The experiment was conducted with the aim of investigating maize
response to Tithonia diversifolia and Minjingu Rock phosphate (MPR)
applied under maize-bean intercrop as compared to the traditional maize
monocrop to improve maize grain yields.
Methodology: The experiment was conducted in pots in a greenhouse for the duration of 8 weeks.. The trial was laid out in a split plot arrangement with three replicates. The main plots comprised of sole maize crop and maize-bean intercrop whereas the sub plots included the control (no input), Tithonia biomass applied alone, MPR also applied alone, TSP again applied alone and Tithonia biomass co-applied with MPR. Soil samplings were done at 4 and 8 weeks after planting and assessed for .P availability and soil labile P. Data was also taken on maize dry matter yield at 8 weeks. ANOVA was done using SAS (version 9.2) and means separated at 5% probability level using DMRT.
Results: Maize-bean intercrop was effective in increasing PR solubilisation, P availability and shoot dry matter production. At the same level of P input from MPR, P availability under maize-bean intercrop increased above the ones under sole maize by 154.8% and 91.4% in the first and second samplings, respectively. The increase is thought to have been partly due to the effect of the rhizosphere acidification by bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) during the process of biologically nitrogen fixation.
Implications: This farmers-practices matching and also environmentally-friendly low input approach enables farmers to boost production, cut down the cost of production and consequently increase the profit margin.
Key words: Maize-bean intercrop; Maize shoot dry matter yield; P availability; Rock phosphate solubilityMethodology: The experiment was conducted in pots in a greenhouse for the duration of 8 weeks.. The trial was laid out in a split plot arrangement with three replicates. The main plots comprised of sole maize crop and maize-bean intercrop whereas the sub plots included the control (no input), Tithonia biomass applied alone, MPR also applied alone, TSP again applied alone and Tithonia biomass co-applied with MPR. Soil samplings were done at 4 and 8 weeks after planting and assessed for .P availability and soil labile P. Data was also taken on maize dry matter yield at 8 weeks. ANOVA was done using SAS (version 9.2) and means separated at 5% probability level using DMRT.
Results: Maize-bean intercrop was effective in increasing PR solubilisation, P availability and shoot dry matter production. At the same level of P input from MPR, P availability under maize-bean intercrop increased above the ones under sole maize by 154.8% and 91.4% in the first and second samplings, respectively. The increase is thought to have been partly due to the effect of the rhizosphere acidification by bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) during the process of biologically nitrogen fixation.
Implications: This farmers-practices matching and also environmentally-friendly low input approach enables farmers to boost production, cut down the cost of production and consequently increase the profit margin.
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