Working Document Series Open Access Effects of agronomic management practices on soil microbial communities in a maize cropping system J. M. Maingi · M. Mucheru-Muna · E. M. Njeru · M. M. Nyamwange Conventional and organic agriculture are mainstream soil agronomic management practices used by farmers in Kenya to improve crop production and soil fertility. However, long-term use of these soil management systems can have deleterious or… RUF-39764 2018 CC BY 4.0 18 Jan 2023
Journal articles Open Access Characterization of soil phosphate status, sorption and saturation in paddy wetlands in usangu basin-Tanzania Patrick A. Ndakidemi · W. Blake · S. Comber · T. H. Hutchinson +2 more Phosphorus (P) is a vital plant macronutrient required for plant growth which usually available in limited amount. P availability for plant uptake in highly weathered soil is controlled by soil erosion and high fixation. The availability of… RUF-39384 2021 CC BY 4.0 19 Aug 2021
Journal articles Open Access Coconut-gliricidia mixed cropping systems improve soil nutrients in dry and wet regions of Sri Lanka A. J. Atapattu · Sylvanus Mensah · S. P. Nissanka · S. A. S. T. Raveendra +1 more Agroforestry systems are alternative solutions for production and management of agricultural systems which may improve soil quality. In this study, we evaluated the potential of coconut Cocos nuciferabased Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) sy… RUF-39288 2021 CC BY 4.0 7 Jun 2021
Working Document Series Open Access Influence of Mavuno and farm yard manure fertilization on soil carbon fractions in soils of western Kenya S. C. Kamanga · R.N. Onwonga Soil management practices alter organic carbon fraction distribution and hence the ability of the soil to sequester carbon and/or resist erosion. The current study’s main objective was to investigate the influence of organic (FYM) and inor… RUF-38593 2018 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2020
Journal articles Open Access Topsoil removal and cultivation effects on structural and hydraulic properties P.O. Abam · S. Omovbude · Bassey Etim Udom Topsoil removal and intensive cultivation of fragile sandy loam soil may reduce water movement into and within the soil and decrease available water capacity. The purpose of this study was to determine if topsoil removal (SSR) and 10-year … RUF-38065 2018 CC BY 4.0 29 May 2019
Journal articles Open Access Soil physical properties and carbon/nitrogen relationships in stable aggregates under legume and grass fallow S. Omovbude · Bassey Etim Udom Short-season fallow with legumes and/or grasses can restore the soil organic C and nitrogen (N) and improve soil structure. In this study, we accessed the effects of 2-season legume and grass fallow on structural properties and C/N relatio… RUF-38062 2019 CC BY 4.0 29 May 2019
Journal articles Open Access Plastic limits and aggregates of soil after five annual applications of poultry manure and spent mushroom substrate Joy John Oluchi · Bassey Etim Udom Background and Objective: Information concerning moisture properties of soil on account of their direct relation with changes of soil matrix can be obtained by evaluating the Atterberg limits of the soil. The study was carried out to evalu… RUF-38059 2019 CC BY 4.0 29 May 2019
Journal articles Open Access Critical moisture content, bulk density relationships and compaction of cultivated and uncultivated soils in the humid tropics Joy Ehilegbu · Bassey Etim Udom Soil compaction affects soil fertility through increasing bulk density and soil strength. It also decreases infiltration rate, total porosity and amount of water stored in the root zone for crop use. In this study, we evaluated the optimum… RUF-38055 2018 CC BY 4.0 29 May 2019
Working Document Series Open Access Manipulating the soil ecosystem for improved management of soil-borne pathogens in small holder ‘greenhouse’ tomato production in Kenya D. Chepkoech · D. Fundi · J. Mbaka · L.K. Murungi +2 more The livelihoods of about 40-60% small and medium scale farmers in Kenya is dependent on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production, farmed mainly under open field conditions and/or until recently under modified high tunnels popularly known a… RUF-36502 2016 CC BY 4.0 22 Nov 2016
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Physio-chemical characteristics, isotopic signatures and hydrochemistry of two contrasting wetlands in two agro-ecological zones of Lesotho R. Mating Agricultural activities; grazing and cropping are thought to be the major contributors to non-point wetland pollution and other land degradation forms in the highlands and foothills while industrial effluents and domestic waste disposal ar… RUF-35534 2012 CC BY 4.0 30 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Experiences in the ‘One health approach’: Situational analysis of preparedness for Epi-Zoonotic emergencies in six Eastern Africa countries W. Bazeyo · G. Burnham · J. Keyyu · J. Kiguli +9 more This paper reports on a situation analysis that assessed the capacity for response to zoonotic emergencies in 6 countries, namely Uganda, Kenya, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Tanzania. Most of the countries did not have policies for prepa… RUF-34908 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Influence of seed bed preparation on morphometric characteristics of Eragrostis superba, Cenchrus ciliaris and Enteropogon macrostachyus in southeastern drylands of Kenya W.N. Ekaya · D.M. Nyariki · F. E. O. Omondi This study compared over a 6-month period effects of tractorploughing and hand-clearing seedbed preparation on morphometric characteristics of three arid and semi-arid grass species, namely; Eragrostis superba Peyr, Cenchrus ciliaris L and… RUF-34755 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Climate variability and Tillage practices: Effect on soil moisture, carbon dynamics and crop productivity in semi arid Zimbabwe J. Keter · J. M. Kinama · R. Moyo · I. Nyagumbo +1 more To improve on low yields of rainfed agriculture which are a result of soil degradation, low fertility and low moisture levels in semi-arid areas and increased climatic variability due to climate change, conservation agriculture (CA) is bei… RUF-34505 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access An evaluation of the effect of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) on soil fertility of sandy soils in central Zimbabwe F Mapanda · A. Tumbure · M. Wuta Crop production in smallholder farming systems of Zimbabwe is limited by low inherent soil fertility, particularly N and P and available soil moisture. The use of efficient N fixing legumes is one way that can sustain soil fertility and co… RUF-34460 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The effect of timing of earthing up on the performance of four Bambara groundnut landrace cultivars in the Mutasa District of Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe Z.A. Chiteka · S. Mhungu An experiment was carried out at two sites to investigate the effect of timing of earthing up on the yield of four landrace cultivars of Bambara groundut (Vigna subterranean [L.] Verdc.) cultivars in Zimbabwe during the 2006/2007 season. T… RUF-34411 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Analysis of multipurpose uses and management of Zizphus spina-christi (L.) desf. in semi-arid Ethiopia: Implications for food security Feyssa Debela Hunde · J.T. Njoka · M.M. Nyangito · Asfaw Zemede Quantitative ethnobotanical study of Ziziphus spina-christi was undertaken in six areas of east Shewa, Ethiopia. Both structured questionnaire and focus-group interviews were conducted with about 200 households. Arable land cultivation, an… RUF-34380 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Stabilisation of silt clay soil using molasses for small dam embankment construction as inner zone T. Christiane · M. Ernest · A. N. Gitau · E. F. Mwanga The Agriculture sector contributes 45% of Tanzania’s GDP and about 30% of its export earnings, while employing over 80% of the nation’s work-force. Despite of its importance, agriculture is very much affected by inadequacy, seasonality and… RUF-34161 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of farming practices on the occurrence of scab of wheat and its management through cultivar resistance C.K. Mutegi · J.W. Muthomi · R.D. Narla · N.K. Njeru +2 more A survey was carried out in Nakuru and Narok Counties at hard dough stage and at harvest. A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information on wheat production practices. Fusarium head blight incidence and severity in each fa… RUF-34118 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Biomass accumulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean varieties, grain yields of soybean and maize intercropped at different planting densities in western Kenya F. Baijukya · R. Onwonga · M. Simbine Biomass accumulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean (Glycine max) and grain yields of maize (Zea mays) and soybean intercropped at different planting densities was assessed in two villages of Butere and Mumias district of western Kenya d… RUF-34108 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Heavy metal distribution in soils of some urban and peri-urban horticultural farms in Botswana J. Agbenin · T. Mpuisang · T. Mubyana-John · L. C. Obuseng +1 more Despite the fact that there is high usage of agrochemicals and use of urban waste water for irrigation, the concentration of potentially toxic metals in urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) farms has not been widely investigated in Botsw… RUF-34051 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 Spatial Variation of Soil Organic Carbon under the Linear Simultaneous Agroforestry System S. Balaba Tumwebaze · E. Bevilacqua · Russell Briggs · T. Volk Most research on spatial variability of soil organic carbon (SOC) has been conducted in forest and grassland soils, but no research has been conducted on agroforestry soils. Knowledge about the variability of SOC can assist in generating e… RUF-32256 2012 CC BY 4.0 15 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of Soil Quality on Potential of Forage Establishment in Chivi Fallow Lands, Zimbabwe E. Manzungu · S. Ncube · B. Tavirimirwa There have been concerns about the poor communal grazing resources and the resulting degradation and depletion of communal rangelands in Zimbabwe. Different government departments, researchers, and non-governmental organisations have imple… RUF-32030 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of different tillage methods on soil moisture Dynamics in Maize-bean Cropping Systems in Semi Arid Mwala District, Kenya N. Amuri · C.K.K. Gachene · A.N. Karuma · P.W. Mtakwa Water is an important factor affecting plant growth especially in semi arid areas. A study to determine the effects of tillage and cropping systems on soil surface roughness, moisture storage and maize and bean yields was conducted in semi… RUF-31920 2012 CC BY 4.0 12 May 2014
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Impact of Tree Species on Maize Productivity by Smallholder Farmers in Eastern Kenya Elton Ndlovu Low maize productivity due to declining soil fertility is a major problem faced by smallholder farmers in Eastern Highlands of Kenya. Adoption of agroforestry which has a huge potential to halt land degradation on farms is however, very lo… RUF-31729 2013 CC BY 4.0 7 Apr 2014
