Effect of Organic Inputs and Mineral Fertilizer on Maize Yield in a Ferralsol and a Nitisol Soil in Central Kenya

摘要: Declining land productivity is a major problem facing smallholder farmers in Kenya today. This decline primarily results from reduction soil fertility caused by continuous cultivation without adequate addition of external nutrient inputs. Improved management combining organic and mineral fertilizer inputs can enable efficient use the applied increase overall system’s productivity. Field trials were established at three sites distinct agro-ecological zones central (one site Machang’a two Mucwa with different status) aiming to determine effects various sources (tithonia, lantana, mucuna, calliandra manure) combinations N on maize grain yield during four consecutive seasons. In site, sole manure recorded highest across poor tithonia gave seasons, while good yields. Generally, yields lower treatments alone compared organics seasons due poorly distributed rainfall. SR 2004 2005 integration significantly higher than treatment organics; however, sites, generally did better ones exception mucuna which application.