Influence of agroecological intensification techniques on soil moisture, nutrient status and yields of sorghum (sorghum bicolor (l.) moench) and cassava (manihot esculanta crantz) in Yatta sub-county, Kenya

Content Provider	Semantic Scholar
Author	Namoi, Litunya N.
Copyright Year	2014
Abstract	Soil moisture stresses combined with negative effects of climate change are fundamental factors limiting land productivity in the ASALs posing a serious threat to food security. Ecological farming practices have proven to be successful in improving moisture retention and crop yields. In this study, the influence of cropping systems and organic inputs 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 subcounty between October 2010 and August 2012. A randomised complete block design with a split plot arrangement was used. The 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). The split plots were organic inputs; Farm Yard manure (FYM), compost and control. Sorghum/pigeon pea intercrop+FYM treatment recorded high moisture levels during the SRS of 2010 at Katangi (5.21%), SRS of 2011 at Ikombe (5.19%) and LRS of 2011 at both sites (5.83%, 12.30%). Grain yields were highest under sorghum/dolichos intercrop+ FYM during the LRS of 2011 (Katangi 1.36 tha -1 , Ikombe 1.48 tha -1 ) and SRS of 2010 (1.39 tha -1 ) at Katangi only. Cassava/dolichos intercrop produced high soil moisture levels in both sites under sorghum/dolichos intercrop during SRS of 2010 (Katangi 6.48%, Ikombe 8.35%), LRS of 2011 (Katangi 7.63%, Ikombe 8.77%) and LRS of 2012 (Katangi 6.41%, Ikombe 3.65%). Tuber yields were higher under cassava/pigeon intercrop in Katangi and Ikombe during the SRS of 2010-LRS of 2011 (Katangi 18.63tha -1 , Ikombe 28.73tha -1 ) and the SRS of 2011-LRS of 2012 at Katangi (20.86tha -1 ). For enhanced performance of sorghum and cassava, it is recommended that the
File Format	PDF HTM / HTML
Alternate Webpage(s)	http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/bitstream/handle/11295/76186/Namoi_Influence%20Of%20Agroecological%20Intensification%20Techniques%20On%20Soil%20Moisture.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=4
Language	English
Access Restriction	Open
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article