Working Document Series Open Access Soil nitrate and nitrite in different soil profiles of Peri-Urban and horticultural farm soils of Gaborone as indicators of nitrogen leaching. T. Mpuisang · T. Mubyana-John · N. Pabalinga · F. Pule-Meulenberg Soil nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) along the soil profile can be used as indicators of nitrogen loss by leaching. Preliminary studies have shown that excess usage of fertiliser is common amongst farmers who were aiming to increase crop… RUF-34098 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Conservation Agriculture effects on earthworm populations in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda soils D. Ashilenje · W. N’getich · J. Norton · U. Norton +7 more Conventional cultivation in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda over the years has resulted into decline in soil quality and food crop production. Studying soil biodiversity under Conservation Agriculture production systems (CAPS) will help u… RUF-34089 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of organic and inorganic sources of nitrogen on growth, seed yield and oil content of sunflower grown in highly weathered soils in Morogoro - Tanzania G. Chemining’wa · J. Kinama · I.A. Mwahija · A. Nyambilila Sunflower contributes about 40% of total national cooking oil requirement, ranking as one of the most important cooking oil with very high nutritional value in Tanzania. However, its production per unit area ranges between 800 to 1100 kg/h… RUF-34044 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Isolation and characterisation of Chilembwe and Sinda rock phosphate solubilising soil microorganisms A. P. Armstrong · G. Chilombo · E. A. Eckhardt · A. Mutiti Mweetwa +3 more The availability of native phosphorus in most Zambian agricultural soils is relatively low. This necessitates the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers for crop production. There are several deposits of rock phosphate in Zambia that can… RUF-34020 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Growth characteristics of selected indigenous legumes for livestock feeds in Namibia L. Kaholongo · A. Kahumba · E. Lutaaya · I. Mpofu +1 more The study was conducted to evaluate the growth characteristics of seven (7) indigenous forage legumes in Namibia in comparison to lucerne as potential livestock fodder. A split-plot design was used with fertiliser level as the main factor … RUF-33984 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Minjingu phosphate rock extractability by white lupin and chickpea in Njoro and Kiambu sub-counties, Kenya J.J. Lelei · R. O. Onwonga · J.P. Ouma Declining phosphorus (P) fertility is a major production constraint in Kiambu and Njoro subCounties of Kenya. Use of Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR) to rebuild soil capital P is limited by its insolubility in water. Field experiments were co… RUF-33952 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Does long-term low-rate organic and inorganic nitrogen management guarantee maize yield under semi-arid conditions of eastern Kenya? M. Oscar Kisaka · F.S. Mairura · M.W. Mucheru-Muna · D.N. Mugendi +2 more Drier parts of Embu County endure high atmospheric heat, prolonged dry spells, declining soil fertility and erratic rainfall. Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies have been developed, and tested, with standardized appli… RUF-33948 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of applying different levels of P fertiliser on growth and yield of soybean varieties in Mozambique O. Chichongue · M. Clarinda Pereira · Oya Tetsuji Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) can be successfully grown in many provinces in Mozambique using low agricultural input. Soybean cultivation in Mozambique has expanded as a result of its nutritive and economic importance and diverse domest… RUF-33892 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Technical reports Open Access Case studies on RUFORUM Regional PhD Programmes Rose Njeru Since 2008, RUFORUM has launched seven regional coursework based PhD programs which are hosted at different member universities. RUFORUM engaged a consultant to conduct case studies of five programs namely, PhD Dryland Resource Management … RUF-33591 2014 CC BY 4.0 19 Feb 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Productivity and Phosphorus Use Efficiencies of Soybean Genotypes on Fields of Differing Soil Fertility in Two Agroecological zones of Uganda P. Ebanyat · J. Ssekamwa · P. Tukamuhabwa On- farm trials were conducted in the Northern moist farmlands (NMF) and South and Eastern Lake Kyoga basin (SELKB) agro-ecological zones of Uganda for two seasons of 2011 to determine the yield response of soybean genotypes to phosphorus … RUF-33180 2012 CC BY 4.0 22 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Chemical Properties of Travertine from Different Sources in Rwanda with Regards to Their Calcium Oxide and Magnesium Oxide Contents E. Marwa · F.X. Naramabuye · E Semu · N.S. Sirikare This study was conducted in the districts of Rusizi, Korongi and Musanze districts, Rwanda in areas where travertine is found. The objective of the study was to characterize the chemical compositions of travertine for use in amending soil … RUF-33176 2012 CC BY 4.0 22 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Response of maize and soybean crops to inorganic fertilisers in Western Kenya A.K. Kipkoech · P.O. Mongare · A.O. Nekesa · J.O. Ochuodho +2 more Fertiliser performance trials involving three Farmer Associations (FAs) were set-up starting 2011 long rains to assess the output potential of five commercially available fertilisers, namely Calcium Ammonium Nitrate-CAN, Triple Super Phosp… RUF-32967 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of Integrated Water and Nutrient Management Technologies on Soil Profile Moisture Content and Grain Water Productivity in Zimbabwe L. Mhaka · I. Nyagumbo · P. Nyamugafata This paper reports results of an on-farm experiment done to quantify soil moisture storage, water and water productivity of maize and soybean as affected by tillage and fertility management systems during 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 cropping s… RUF-32954 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access On Farm Evaluation of Legumes Biomass for the Management of Striga in Iringa District, Tanzania D.M. Mabula · J.J. Msaky · K.P. Sibuga A mother-baby trial using farmers’ groups was set up to evaluate the effect of legumes biomass in the management of Striga in Iringa district, Tanzania. A randomised complete block design was used in the experimental lay-out. Two maize gen… RUF-32939 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access The effect of gypsum and NPK fertiliser on groundnut performance in Western Tanzania F.M. Bagarama · Z.P. Matata · E. Shenkalwa This study was carried out to determine the effect of amending soil with gypsum rich material on the performance of groundnuts (Arachis hypogea L.) grown in low fertile sandy textured soil in the miombo woodland ecosystem, western Tanzania… RUF-32893 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Speargrass as a Soil Fertility Indicator along a Deforestation Chronosquence A.K. Amoding · M. Karuhanga-Beraho · S. Kiconco · K. Senkosi +1 more This study estimated the time taken for speargrass (Imperata cylindrica) to occur on arable fields along a deforestation chronosquence; established the effect of burning on soil properties and determined the reliability of speargrass as a … RUF-32750 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Translating Integrated Soil Fertility Management Empirical Knowledge into Action through Participatory Learning and Marketing Agricultural Produce in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · D. Dhliwayo · P. Mapfumo · F. Mtambanengwe +2 more The study sought to identify suitable mechanisms for transferring the available knowledge on concepts and principles of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies to smallholder farmers and agricultural service providers in Z… RUF-32722 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Spatial and Temporal Distribution and Utilisation of Fallow Land in South Central Zimbabwe E. Manzungu · L. Mtali The purpose of this study was to assess the spatial and temporal distribution of fallow land between 1984 and 2010 in Zimbabwe’s communal areas and its utilisation. Chivi district, which is located in south central Zimbabwe, was used as a … RUF-32695 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Factors Influencing Levels of Knowledge in Soil Fertility Management in the Central Highlands of Kenya J.M. Macharia · M.W. Mucheru-Muna · D.N. Mugendi · J.N. Mugwe Soil nutrient depletion is one of the major biophysical constraints affecting agricultural production in Sub Saharan Africa. Despite past research developing soil fertility management options, few of the recommendations from this research … RUF-32692 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Mineralogy of Africa’s Soils as a predictor of Soil Fertility M.N. Kamau · B. Mochoge · K.D. Shepherd Soil mineralogy is essential to understanding many facets of land use and a key determinant of all soil functional properties that are expensive or time-consuming to measure, and can solve specific agricultural and environmental problems. … RUF-32683 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Influence of Legume Biomass on Soil Fertility Status and Maize Performance in Striga Infested Soils of Iringa, Tanzania R. Hepelwa · J.J. Msaky · K.P. Sibuga Striga asiatica is one of the most severe biological constraints to cereal production in low soil fertility areas, reducing maize and sorghum yield by 10-100%. The use of inorganic nitrogen fertilisers counteracts the effect of this parasi… RUF-32675 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Factors Influencing Access to Integrated Soil Fertility Management Information and Knowledge and its Uptake Among Smallholder Farmers in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · T. Gwandu · P. Mapfumo · T.C. Mashavave +2 more Lack of access to information and knowledge generated through formal research has been identified as a major drawback to adoption of agricultural technologies among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. This study evaluated how farmers acquire,… RUF-32277 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Potential Role of Cereal-Legume Intercropping Systems in Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Small holder Farming Systems of Sub-Saharan Africa J.M.M. Matusso · M.W. Mucheru-Muna · J.N. Mugwe The sub-Saharan Africa’s population is growing exponentially and it has to fulfill its food and nutrition requirement. An attractive strategy for increasing productivity and labour utilization per unit area of available land is to intensif… RUF-32039 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Influence of soil moisture levels and packaging on postharvest qualities of tomato J.N. Aguyoh · A.M. Opiyo · C.I. Sibomana Plants respond to reduced soil water availability without experiencing any detectable change in shoot-water relations. The tomato seedlings (cv. ‘Moneymaker’) were planted in plastic pots under greenhouse conditions under five different so… RUF-31863 2012 CC BY 4.0 11 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of NP Fertilisers and Manure Application on Maize-bean Yields, and Soil Nitrogen Mineralisation in Machakos County, Eastern Kenya C. Kibunja · B.E. Mochoge · N. Ogucha The inherent poor fertility of soils in Kenya constitute a major constrain to sustainable smallholders agriculture and more especially in arid and semi-arid parts of the country. The solution herein lies in the efficient use of nutrients a… RUF-31846 2012 CC BY 4.0 8 May 2014
