Working Document Series Open Access Biochar and Inorganic NPK Fertilizer or Compost Application Improves Soil Quality and Cabbage Yield C. Abbey · C.M. Agbale · E.A. Ampofo · K.A. Frimpong +2 more Soil fertility decline and loss of organic matter are widespread challenges to crop production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Combined biochar and compost application has potential to increase crop yield due to direct nutrient addition and l… RUF-40533 2019 CC BY 4.0 7 Jun 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Biochar and Inorganic NPK Fertilizer or Compost Application Improves Soil Quality and Cabbage Yield C. Abbey · C.M. Agbale · E.A. Ampofo · K.A. Frimpong +2 more Soil fertility decline and loss of organic matter are widespread challenges to crop production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Combined biochar and compost application has potential to increase crop yield due to direct nutrient addition and l… RUF-40532 2019 CC BY 4.0 7 Jun 2023
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 Influence of soil organic carbon, fertiliser management, and weeding regime on weed dynamics and maize productivity on sandy soils in eastern Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · J. Chipomho · S Mabasa · A. B. Mashingaidze +2 more Labour bottlenecks and multiple operations at the start of a cropping season often result in inadequate early weed control and subsequent poor crop performance. Therefore, there is a need to establish management practices that provide the … RUF-39302 2021 CC BY 4.0 21 Jun 2021
Working Document Series Open Access Soil analysis for fertilizer recommendation in Kenya: A review A. Galgallo · M. Gatari · D. M. Miano · K.D. Shepherd Agriculture is key to Kenya’s economy and food production but the per capita food production has been declining. Soil nutrient depletion has been identified as one of the major causes of the declining food production. However, use of chemi… RUF-39050 2018 CC BY 4.0 25 Feb 2021
Books and Book Chapters Open Access Kersting’s groundnut [Macrotyloma geocarpum (Harms) Maréchal & Baudet]: A versatile & underutilized grain legume for subhumid zones E.E. Agoyi · A.E. Assogbadjo · B. Sinsin · F. A. Sodédji +1 more Legume crops, with their high protein contents and ability to improve soil fertility, have great potential to contribute toward food security in Africa. Orphan crops have greater potential because of their resilience and contribution to fo… RUF-38803 2020 CC BY 4.0 27 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Is there potential for integrated soil fertility management use in Machakos County, Kenya? B. Danga · K. Kwena · R. Osiyo · S. W. Wamalwa Chronic food insecurity in Machakos and other semi arid areas in Kenya could be attributed to climate variability but mainly to soil nutrient decline. A lot of resources have been directed to smallholder farmers in drylands in the past but… RUF-38658 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Socio-cultural aspects in harvesting of Jackfruit in Busia County, Kenya C. Gitonga · V. O. Kirigua · G. Mbure · V. Ochieng +2 more This study assessed the socio-cultural dimensions of harvesting jackfruit in Busia County of Kenya. Data were collected using quantitative and quantitative methods with farmers (i.e., structured interviews, key informant interviews and fie… RUF-38653 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of controlled release urea on soil nitrogen mineralization and maize yield in Siaya County, Kenya A. N. Karanja · B. Mochoge · R.N. Onwonga · C. Shisanya +1 more Although nitrogen (N) is a major limiting nutrient in most soils in Kenya, it is often lost before it is used up by crops. This is due to the high dynamics of its transformations in the soil, making it easily lost from the soil. This usual… RUF-38651 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of inorganic fertilizer applications on grain yield, nutrient use efficiency and economic benefits of maize in Western Kenya G. Chemining’wa · C.K.K. Gachene · H. M. O. Otieno · S. Zingore Declining soil fertility levels due the application of low rates and unbalanced nutrients is the main cause of low yields in western Kenya. We therefore designed a randomized complete block nutrient omission trial with six replications to … RUF-38629 2018 CC BY 4.0 7 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of organic mulch on soil properties and yield composition of groundnut on a typical latosol J. K. Ahiakpa · N. P. Kolliesuah Given the deficient nature of the Liberian soil (low N, P, K and acidic soil condition), a field experiment was conducted in 2016 and 2017 at the College of Agriculture and Sustainable Development Experimental Field using Biochar, Sawdust … RUF-38607 2018 CC BY 4.0 4 Sep 2020
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
Working Document Series Open Access Bioconversion of rice straw using lignocellulolytic microorganisms for improved soil fertility and sustainable crop productivity in Mwea, Kenya A. W. Karanja · J. M. Maingi · Ezekiel Mugendi Njeru Soil fertility in most crop producing areas in Kenya has greatly declined due to practices such as continuous cultivation and nutrient extraction through crop harvest without adequate nutrient replenishment. Presently, the need to boost su… RUF-38591 2018 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2020
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Evaluation of Soil properties and response of Maize (Zea mays L.) To bioslurry and mineral fertilizers in terraced acrisols and lixisols of Rwanda A. Fashaho Land terracing is promoted as a management practice for effective soil conservation in hilly areas of Rwanda. However, terraced lands are likely to have low crop productivity where management practices, especially fertilizer application, d… RUF-38462 2020 CC BY 4.0 8 Aug 2020
Journal articles Open Access Variations in Soil Chemical Properties, Bacteria and Fungi Populations Along Slope Positions and Profile Depths in Terraced and Non-terraced Lands of Rwanda highlands A. Fashaho · J.J. Lelei · A. O. Musandu · S.M. Mwonga +1 more The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of terracing on soil chemical and biological properties in the Rwanda highlands. The study was done in March 2017. Composite soil samples were collected from the top, middle and… RUF-38418 2019 CC BY 4.0 30 Jul 2020
Journal articles Open Access Effect of land terracing on soil physical properties across slope positions and profile depths in medium and high altitude regions of Rwanda A. Fashaho · J.J. Lelei · A. O. Musandu · S.M. Mwonga +1 more Although land terracing is promoted as a management practice for effective soil conservation in hilly areas, construction of terraces causes changes in soil properties. This study evaluated the effect of land terracing on some soil physica… RUF-38413 2019 CC BY 4.0 24 Jul 2020
Journal articles Open Access Experiences of soil fertility management through legume based farmer participatory experimentation in Malawi A. Kabuli · J. Kamoto Soil fertility, participatory research, green manure, best bet. Soil infertility is the most outstanding threat to agricultural productivity in Malawi. This is mainly due to low use of organic and inorganic materials to restore fertility. … RUF-38277 2004 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2020
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
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of combining in-situ rainwater harvesting technologies and organic manure on soil moisture and maize performance in Morogoro, Tanzania J.J. Balilemwa · J. Mugwe · K. Mwetu · A.K.P.R. Tarimo Tanzania is among the Sub-Saharan Africa countries that experience water scarcity. Water scarcity is caused by unreliable rainfall and prolonged drought which greatly affects both soil moisture and crop productivity. The study was conducte… RUF-37019 2016 CC BY 4.0 18 Sep 2017
Working Document Series Open Access Productivity of Solanum potato varieties and their yield responses to nitrogen fertilizer application rates in Eastern Rwanda C. Karemangingo Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important crop widely grown in cool and high moist conditions of Rwanda. This study explored the productivity of different potatoes varieties under increasing nitrogen fertilizer application rates in d… RUF-37017 2016 CC BY 4.0 18 Sep 2017
Working Document Series Open Access Factors affecting sweetpotato production and soil fertility challenges among smallholder farmers in Kenya Carolyne Jepkemboi · S.J. Kebeney · J.K. Kitilit Sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas) is an important food crop in Kenya, but farmers experience low production and thus their food and income security is threatened. This study was done to document factors affecting sweetpotato production and soil… RUF-37016 2016 CC BY 4.0 18 Sep 2017
Working Document Series Open Access Farmer practices influencing sweetpotato – soy bean production and rabbit farming in selected sub-counties in Elgeyo Marakwet and Kakamega, Kenya Carolyne Jepkemboi · P.C. Kale · S.J. Kebeney · J.K. Kitilit Sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas), is a tuber crop that plays a significant role in soil fertility, provides animal protein, improves human nutrition and generates income. Sweetpotato has however remained under low production with little attent… RUF-37009 2016 CC BY 4.0 18 Sep 2017
Working Document Series Open Access Maize yield in Sudan as influenced by inorganic and organic fertilizers A.A.A. Ala · M.M. Lubna · A. M. E. Nagat · A.E.A. Nura +1 more The main objective of this research was to investigate the effect of chemical fertilizer, organic fertilizer and a combination of the two on maize (Zea mays L.) yield in Sudan. Three levels of fertilizer: 86 kgN/ha, 4 tonnes chicken manure… RUF-36983 2016 CC BY 4.0 18 Sep 2017
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of organic and inorganic ammendments on soil chemical and maize yield characteristics in Zimbabwe S. Angombe · T. Chitata · R.L. Mhindu · A. Munodawafa +1 more Performance evaluation of five treatments on soil chemical characteristics and yield of maize was carried out in Lower Gweru, Zimbabwe. The treatments were gypsum, mopane ash, green manure, combined gypsum and green manure (green manure + … RUF-36977 2016 CC BY 4.0 18 Sep 2017
