Effects of lime and phosphorus fertilizer on maize performance in acid soils of western Kenya
Abstract
136 words
Western Kenya continues to experience food insecurity due to
increasing soil acidity and consequent phosphorus deficiencies
with 0.9 million hectares of land having pH < 5.5. Liming is one
of the interventions recommended to ameliorate such soils. Field
trials were conducted in Siaya and North Kakamega districts
to evaluate and compare direct and residual effects of
agricultural lime and Mavuno fertilizers on soil properties and
maize performance. Lime was obtained from two Kenyan
sources, Homa Hills and Athi River mining companies and
Tanzania (Minjingu Phosphate Rock). Preliminary results show
that the highest plant height was obtained from Mavuno fertilizer
followed closely by agricultural lime from Homa Hills. There is
need to determine the properties of the lime from the different
sources in order to recommend that with highest potential of
improving maize yield in the region.
Subjects
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