Onyango, J W and Esilaba, A O and Rao, K P C (2013) Critical analysis of tillage practices with fertility levels in maize and populations in beans as adaptation measures to climate change to enhance food security at Kabete. In: Joint proceedings of the 27th Soil Science Society of East Africa and the 6th African Soil Science Society, October 20 – 25, 2013, Nakuru, Kenya.
|
PDF
- Published Version
Download (266kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Trials were carried out in 2012/2013 short and 2013 long seasons at Kabete site representing a warm and wet environment in Kenya to determine, the appropriateness of combining fertilizer levels for maize and population levels with tied ridges for beans, as adaptation measures under changing climate. The maize experiment consisted of three fertilizer levels of 0, 20 and 40 kg/ha N while the bean experiment had three spacings of 12, 15 and 20 cm in a split plot design. The experiments were replicated thrice and consisted of conventional tillage and tied ridges as main plots representing the two soil water management practices while the three soil fertility levels (in maize N0, N20 and N40) or spacing options (12, 15 and 20cm) were sub plots in a Completely Randomized Block Design. The ridges were tied at intervals of 1 m and spaced at recommended crop spacings (i.e. 75cm for maize and 45cm for beans) and the crop planted on the slope of the ridge in 6 by 5 m plots. Basal phosphate (P205) fertilizer in the form of Triple Superphosphate was applied at planting time at the rate of 40kg/ha. Nitrogen in the form of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate was applied at 20 Kg/ha in the 20 and 40 N treatments at planting and further 20kg/ha N top dressed in the 40 treatment level. Harvesting was done at physiological maturity of grain which was air dried. Statistical analysis was done of the treatments and comparisons done of the adaptation advantages of the treatments. Tied ridging increased maize yields at the medium fertilizer level of 20 (+5.22%) but were negative under both zero (-15.56%) and 40 kg/ha application of fertilizers (-5.42%). In the short season, increased bean spacing from 12 to 20 decreased yields under normal (-13.6%) and tied ridges (-37.3%) but remained higher at populations of 12 and 15. In the long season increasing bean population from spacing of 12 cm to 20 had no advantage and under tied ridging compared to normal tillage. Tied ridging as a climate change adaptive measure should not be instituted as a blanket recommendation across rainfall regimes, crops, fertilization levels or plant populations and is more advantageous in drier seasons.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Divisions: | UNSPECIFIED |
| CRP: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Tillage practices, maize, beans, climate change, food security |
| Subjects: | Others > Maize Others > Climate Change Others > Food Security Others > African Agriculture Others > Legume Crops |
| Depositing User: | Mr Ramesh K |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Sep 2017 06:42 |
| Last Modified: | 26 Apr 2018 09:33 |
| URI: | http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/10186 |
| Acknowledgement: | We acknowledge project funding provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany and the conducive working environment provided by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute and Kabete University campus field office. The many hours provided by the technical assistance of Messrs Kenneth Mungai and Phillip during data collection and casuals is also greatly acknowledged. Theme of the conference: “Transforming rural livelihoods in Africa: How can land and water management contribute to enhanced food security and address climate change adaptation and mitigation?.” |
| Links: |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
Altmetric
Altmetric