https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/96 2026-05-15T13:16:12Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6361 Effects of Farmers' Socio-economic Characteristics on Adoption of Push Pull Technology in Western Kenya: Insights from UPSCALE Project Esther Ng'ong'a, Benjamin Ombok, George Odhiambo, Fredrick Aila Agricultural technologies are being developed and improved to help in curbing constraints associated with agricultural production and income. Push pull Technology (PPT) is an organic approach in pest management that uses cereal asthe main crop and companion crops as Brachiaria.spp and desmodium.spp. UPSCALING the benefits of PPT and its adoption has the potential forintensification of farming systems, addressesfood security, livelihoods and climate change resilience in Kenya and beyond while reducing the environmental impact of agricultural practices. The technology significantly reduces Fall Army Worm (FAW), Striga weed and stem borer infestation which is still major menace to cereal yield losses in Kenya. Maize worth USD 1.5b is lost annually due to stem bore in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). Maize is a staple food in East Africa. PPT enhances quality of grains, retains soil moisture, improves soil fertility and protects the soil from erosion thus hasthe potential to increase cereal yields by 25 per cent-30 per cent. Thisstudy was done in Western Kenya with a focus of determining the effects of farmers' socio-economic characteristics on adoption of PPT. Sample size of 304 maize household farmers from five counties with UPSCALE project were proportionately sampled. Questionnaires and key informant interviews (KII) were used for data collection. The findings revealed that Striga weeds, stem borer and fall army worms are still the major menaces. Farmers practiced PPT for various combined reasons which included; to control striga, to increase crop productivity and to control stem borer at 76.70 per cent, 59.09 per cent and 57.39 per cent respectively. The outstanding observation is that only a few farmers (3.41%) practiced PPT as a response to climate change. This could be due to labourintensification of the technology. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6360 The Effect of Cropping Systems on component crop productivity and Land Resource Use Cosmas Kiprono, George Odhiambo, Fredrick Aila, Benjamin Ombok Adoption of intercropping has the potential to make efficient use of scarce land resource in densely populated AEZs of western Kenya and provide both livestock feed and human food while ensuring climate resilience. Most studies have focused on one intercrop while in this study, we tested Maize-Desmodium intercrop with vegetables on system productivity and land equivalent ratio (LER). Field experiment was conducted during short rains of 2023 and long rains of 2024 in Maseno to determine the effect of integrating kales and African nightshade into Maize-Desmodium spp intercrop on productivity of component crops and LER. Treatments consisted of sole Maize, Desmodium, Kales and Nightshade and their intercropping components of Maize-Desmodium, Maize-Desmodium-kales, Maize-Desmodium-Nightshade, Kales-Desmodium and Nightshade-Desmodium, arranged in RCBD with three replications. Data was collected on plant yields and used to determine land equivalent ratio (LER) and analysed using R software and significant means separated using LSD0.05 Maize yields in all cropping systems were not statistically significant in both seasons although Maize-Desmodium-kales had a slightly higher yields than other cropping systems on both season. Nightshade and Kales had no significant effect on dry matter biomass yield. Sole Desmodium (2.84t/ha) and Kale-Desmodium (2.34t/ha) had a significantly higher dry matter yield during the short rains but during the long rains, sole Desmodium (2.69t/ha) had a significantly higher dry matter. The LER for Maize-Desmodiumnightshade (2.8 and 1.96) and Maize-Desmodium-kales (2.45 and 1.88) was significantly higher indicating positive complimentary interaction between the crops Intercropping Desmodium with maize and kales or nightshade increases maize yields. Additionally, intercropping of Desmodium with maize, kales or nightshade significantly improves the land use efficiency. 2025-06-27T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5889 Comparative analysis of immediate and residual effects of farmyard manure, triple superphosphate, and lime on maize yields in western Kenya Opala, Peter; Odhiambo, George; Anzetse, Erastus The effects of farmyard manure (FYM) and triple superphosphate (TSP) as sources of phosphorus, when applied with or without lime, on selected soil chemical properties, and the initial and residual maize yields, were compared for two consecutive seasons at two acidic, phosphorus-deficient sites, Khwisero and Maseno, in western Kenya. Nutrient inputs, consisting of two sources of phosphorus: TSP and FYM, applied as sole or in combination at two rates of 30 and 60 kg P ha-1 , and lime were applied in the first season only. All treatments with lime maintained the soil pH above 5.5 and reduced exchangeable acidity for the two seasons. Application of FYM also raised the soil pH, but this did not exceed 5.5, and also significantly reduced exchangeable acidity, especially at Khwisero. Sole application of TSP failed to significantly increase maize yields above the control with no nutrient inputs likely due to aluminium toxicity. Sole application of FYM, however, significantly increased maize yields above the control with no nutrient inputs due to the nutrients it contained and its ability to reduce Al toxicity. When TSP was combined with lime or FYM, the deleterious effects of soil acidity were ameliorated and maize responded to the applied TSP. Application of FYM to provide 60 kg P ha-1 together with lime gave the highest maize grain yields at both sites in both seasons. FYM treatments had the highest residual maize yields but inorganic fertilizers did not show significant residual effects. Combining lime with FYM at 60 kg P ha-1 is a promising strategy to manage acidity and P deficiency at these sites. DOI: 10.5897/AJAR2023.16505 2023-10-26T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5774 Soil Acidity and Liming Handbook for Kenya AO Esilaba, PA Opala, D Nyongesa, EM Muindi, E Gikonyo, AN Kathuku-Gitonga, DM Kamau, M Kamau, PO Kisinyo, J Wendt, J Mutegi, D Mbakaya, I Adolwa, M Nyambura, N Mangale, FW Maina, SO Gudu, JM Wanyama, B Biko Soil acidity develops from a combination of natural and anthropogenic processes. Its effects can be evaluated through its impact on soil’s physical, chemical, and biological activities that ultimately affect nutrient availability and uptake by plants. Soil testing and data interpretation are integral parts of soil acidity management. Soil testing provides information on the acidity status of soils that can be used for making lime application recommendations. Soil acidity has adverse impacts that threaten Kenya’s food security and limit agribusiness potential. Acidic soils hamper crop production and are a major cause of crop yield reduction, resulting in reduced agricultural incomes. Currently, 13% (7.5 million hectares) of Kenya’s soils are acidic, which translates to approximately 63% of Kenya’s arable land. Soil acidity is concentrated in the Central, Western, and Rift Valley regions – the main food baskets of Kenya. In addition, soil acidity is also found in some parts of Eastern and Coastal regions. Several strategies have been documented for managing acid soils in Kenya. These include addition of liming materials, use of organic materials, judicious choice and application of fertilizers combining lime with organic materials and inorganic fertilizers (Integrated Soil Fertility Management or ISFM) and growing acid tolerant crop species. However, these options for managing soil acidity are not currently accessible to most farmers. Liming of acid soils is the most common and effective amelioration strategy for improving crop production. It enhances the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The reduction of soil acidity indirectly mobilizes plant nutrients immobilizes toxic aluminium (Al) and manganese (Mn) and improves soil structure. As the term is used in agriculture, liming is the addition of any calcium (Ca) and/or magnesium (Mg) containing compounds that can reduce soil acidity. A range of liming materials, which vary in their ability to neutralize soil acidity, is available. The most used liming materials are carbonates of Ca or Ca and Mg, including ground limestone, dolomitic ground limestone, and ground chalk. The amount of liming material required to achieve a target pH that is favourable for crop production is defined as lime requirement. Many methods are used in different countries to determine lime requirements. Regardless of the method used to determine lime requirement, it is advisable to avoid excessive lime applications because it can significantly depress yields. The efficiency of lime use can be improved by applying the 4R principle that is used in improving fertilizer use i.e., right source, right rate, right placement, and right timing. Although the agronomic benefits of liming are well known, the practice is not yet common in Kenya. As of 2023 adoption of lime by farmers was very low ranging between 1% and 8%. Considerable research on lime use has been conducted in Kenya. However, the range of crops studied is not wide and most focus is on maize, which is the staple food. These studies show that yield response to liming vary from 0 to > 400%. The increase in yields depends on initial soil pH, the crop, soil characteristics, and the lime rate. It is therefore vital to have soils tested for soil pH and exchangeable acidity before liming is recommended. Lime must, however, be applied with other nutrients, particularly macronutrient NP and NPK fertilizer which are usually the most limiting on most smallholder farms. Kenya does not have a fully developed supply chain for agricultural lime (ag-lime). The value chain of ag-lime and policy considerations have not been extensively evaluated, shared and exploited. The ag-lime business in Kenya is still in early development stages. Aspects of ag-lime market dynamics such as market overview, market drivers, supply chain analysis and market challenges/constraints need to be studied. Comprehensive policy, legal and regulatory frameworks that lead to increased use of ag-lime need to be developed to encourage local manufacturing, distribution, and utilisation. Although soil acidity has been identified as a major constraint to crop production by the Government of Kenya and other stakeholders in agriculture, there are no comprehensive plans to correct it. To address acidity, the use of lime is encouraged. However, inefficiencies and challenges arise due to several reasons. A key recommendation is the creation of a national action plan to rehabilitate acidic soils. Various stakeholders should coordinate efforts (national and county governments, development partners, private sector, and other players) to increase awareness and support for soil acidity and liming. Executive Summary XIV Soil Acidity and Liming Handbook for Kenya In conclusion, strategic research is needed to develop and promote liming in addition to integrated crop, soil, water, soil fertility management practices for acidic soils. Manuals for simple field tests, laboratory procedures, and lime requirement recommendations based on the soil test results need to be developed for different crops and varieties. Further, lime response studies need to be conducted to determine economical and optimum rates of liming soils in Kenya. In order to improve lime and liming materials’ adoption, the government should increase its budgetary allocation to support agricultural research, development and knowledge dissemination that addresses soil acidity. There is also a need for a national economic assessment of the benefits of liming agricultural soils in Kenya. The government should put together new regulations as part of a comprehensive policy framework for regulating lime use and application, with an appropriate legal framework that aligns with the current global liming trends. A lime business model for management of acidic soils in Kenya is urgently required. A first step is a detailed action plan, which is a step-by-step approach to develop the lime value chain. This will serve as a basis for donors, the national and county governments to fund activities that develop the value chain. 2023-07-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5699 Promoting Conservation Agriculture through Push-Pull Technology as an Agroecological Transition Mulupi, Dennis , Kiprono, Cosmas , Ng'ong'a, Esther ,Oliech, Winnie , Aila, Fredrick Ombok, Benjamin , Odhiambo, George, Low soil fertility, weeds, pests, and climatic change severely threaten crop productivity and agricultural sustainability, especially in SSA. Despite decades of research finding adequate technical solutions for most situations of food systems, the problem of low food productivity has persisted. In an effort to counter this, intensive agricultural systems have been mooted including the high application of agrochemicals to control weeds, and pests and increase production. However, these initiatives have not lasted beyond the project cycle and they have instigated land degradation through unsustainable practices. As a solution, conservation agricultural practices have been promoted among small-scale farmers. These practices focus on minimizing soil disturbance, crop diversification, and cover cropping. Push-pull technology is an aspect of conservation agriculture where intercropping a cereal crop with a repellent plant, such as desmodium and planting an attractive trap plant, such as brachiaria or Napier grass as a border crop around this intercrop. This paper aimed at reviewing existing literature to establish the linkage between conservation agriculture components, push-pull technology, and a sustainable agroecological transition. A list of questions directed the discussion where push-pull technology has been proven to be an aspect that promotes conservation agriculture. It has been able to increase crop yields, reduced tillage, established a cover crop on the farm, and further, PPT has a regenerative aspect through the integration of livestock husbandry providing organic manure that and together with the nitrogen fixation ability of the grass, improve soil fertility, conserved soil moisture, and reduce erosion. This reduces the use of inorganic input, and machinery making farming economical for small-holder farmers. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5661 The use of phosphate rocks in East Africa: A review Opala, P.A. The use of locally available phosphate rock (PR) has often been proposed as a cheaper alternative to the more expensive superphosphate fertilizers to alleviate severe phosphorus deficiencies that threaten food security in East Africa. Extensive research has therefore been conducted in the region over the years focusing on the PR sources, their reactivity, agronomic effectiveness and the economics of their use and adoption. The agronomic effectiveness varied with the type of PR, the site, seasons and crop. IMinjingu PR was the most promising among the PRs for direct application but others such as Panda, Sukulu and Busumbu PR were largely ineffective. The financial returns due to use of PR ranged from negative to positive but in many cases were economically not attractive. The adoption of PR use among farmers was dismal with the unavailability of the PR in the market and high cost, paradoxically being cited as the main constraints to its adoption. To enhance the chances of adoption, it is recommended that participatory approaches to research that involve the targeted beneficiaries especially the PR marketers and smallholder farmers be used. The article can be accessed in full via:https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:ar&volume=44&issue=1&article=004 2023-04-06T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/4848 Influence of plant density and nitrogen application on growth and quality of sweet pepper (capsicum annuum) in Uasin Gishu county Peter Opala Sweet pepper an important export in Uasin Gishu had been facing a problem of rejection at the international market due to failure to meet the specified quality standards. The field experiment was conducted during the short rainy season between July 2009 January 2010 in Turbo and Kapseret aimed at determining the influence of plant density and nitrogen on the growth and quality of sweet pepper. Three plant densities; 23,809 plants / ha (70 × 60 cm), 31,746 plants / ha (70 × 45 cm), 47, 619 plants / ha (70 × 30 cm ) and 4 nitrogen levels 0, 40.5, 81 , 121.5 (from CAN) and 80 kg N /ha (from farmyard manure) were combined in a factorial arrangement laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Growth Parameters recorded included plant height, number of branches and number of days to attainment of 50% flowering. Quality parameters of fruit diameter, mechanical damage and pest incidence were captured during harvesting. The data was subjected to ANOVA using Genstat statistical package and means separated by Tukey’s Studentized Range (HSD) at P≤0.05. Plant height and the number of branches increased at low plant density. The interaction effects of plant density and nitrogen were significant whereby, a treatment combination of 70 × 45 cm and 81 kg N / ha recorded low pests and disease incidence while producing fruits with the specified diameter size (40 – 44 mm). Turbo site produced vigorously growing sweet pepper plants which were tall, had the highest number of branches with no incidence of mechanical damage and blossom end rot recorded. The intermediate plant density (70 × 45 cm) and 81 kg N/ha produced fruits with the specified diameter size and recorded low pests and diseases incidence and should be adopted by the growers to meet the export market standard. Sweet pepper should be grown in lower altitude areas like Turbo for enhanced plant growth and high quality fruits in Uasin Gishu County 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/4845 Influence of plant density and nitrogen application on growth and quality of sweet pepper (capsicum annuum) in Uasin Gishu county Bunde M.A., Omami E.N., Mutui T.M., Opala, P and Angima R.O Sweet pepper an important export in Uasin Gishu had been facing a problem of rejection at the international market due to failure to meet the specified quality standards. The field experiment was conducted during the short rainy season between July 2009 January 2010 in Turbo and Kapseret aimed at determining the influence of plant density and nitrogen on the growth and quality of sweet pepper. Three plant densities; 23,809 plants / ha (70 × 60 cm), 31,746 plants / ha (70 × 45 cm), 47, 619 plants / ha (70 × 30 cm ) and 4 nitrogen levels 0, 40.5, 81 , 121.5 (from CAN) and 80 kg N /ha (from farmyard manure) were combined in a factorial arrangement laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Growth Parameters recorded included plant height, number of branches and number of days to attainment of 50% flowering. Quality parameters of fruit diameter, mechanical damage and pest incidence were captured during harvesting. The data was subjected to ANOVA using Genstat statistical package and means separated by Tukey’s Studentized Range (HSD) at P≤0.05. Plant height and the number of branches increased at low plant density. The interaction effects of plant density and nitrogen were significant whereby, a treatment combination of 70 × 45 cm and 81 kg N / ha recorded low pests and disease incidence while producing fruits with the specified diameter size (40 – 44 mm). Turbo site produced vigorously growing sweet pepper plants which were tall, had the highest number of branches with no incidence of mechanical damage and blossom end rot recorded. The intermediate plant density (70 × 45 cm) and 81 kg N/ha produced fruits with the specified diameter size and recorded low pests and diseases incidence and should be adopted by the growers to meet the export market standard. Sweet pepper should be grown in lower altitude areas like Turbo for enhanced plant growth and high quality fruits in Uasin Gishu County. 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/4696 Novel sources of resistance to blast disease in finger millet Mathews M. Dida1 Chrispus A. Oduori2 Samuel J. Manthi3, 4 Millicent O. Avosa3 Erick O. Mikwa3 Henry F. Ojulong3 Damaris A. Ode Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. subsp. coracana) is the most important millet in eastern Africa and perhaps the oldest domesticated cereal grain in Africa. One of the major factors limiting finger millet production is blast disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe grisea. Crop wild relatives and landraces present a potential source of novel genes. This study investigated the response of cultivated and wild relatives of finger millet to an isolate of blast disease from western Kenya. Previous germplasm collections were purified through two generations of single-seed descent before screening alongside improved and farmer-preferred varieties (FPVs) under a screen house across three seasons. Farmer-preferred varieties were identified through participatory varietal selection (PVS). The plants were inoculated twice during each growth period using hand-spraying method and data on disease incidence recorded at grain-filling stage. Genotypic data was generated using diversity arrays technology (DArT) sequencing and data analysis done using Genstat 18.2 and TASSEL 5.2.58. We observed high heritability (81%), indicating that the variation observed was predominantly genetic. Wild accessions were generally more resistant to the disease in comparison to the cultivated accessions. Preliminary genome-wide association study (GWAS) using general linear model with principal component analysis led to the identification of 19 markers associated with blast disease that will be be developed into assays for genotype quality control and trait introgression. Wild accessions and landraces of finger millet present a good reservoir for novel genes that can be incorporated into crop improvement programs. URI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20378, 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/4662 Effect of nitrogen sources on the yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in western Kenya Fanuel Kawaka, Mathews Dida, Depletion of soil nutrients due to continuous cultivation without adequate external fertilization is one of the challenges facing many smallholder farmers in western Kenya. This study was conducted to assess the effects of organic (water hyacinth compost), inorganic (urea) nitrogen (N) sources, and commercial Rhizobia inoculant on the yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) for two consecutive seasons in the short rains (2013) and long rains (2014). The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated four times. Triple superphosphate was applied to all treatments except those with compost to ensure that the soil had adequate phosphorus (P). Yellow and Rose coco bean varieties grown with urea and inoculated with commercial Rhizobia inoculant gave significantly higher yield of 382 kg ha−1 and 341 kg ha−1, respectively in the short rains (SR) season. In the long rains (LR) season bean yield was high in water hyacinth compost (1526 kg ha−1) and control with non-limiting P (1300 kg ha−1) treatments. Commercial Rhizobia inoculant did not significantly increase in yield in the SR and LR seasons. There was no significant influence on soil properties after two seasons of continuous cultivation of common bean and application of organic and inorganic fertilizers. These results demonstrate that water hyacinth compost improved bean yield in the LR season. However, longer field testing and economic analysis are required for it to be recommended as a substitute for inorganic N source among smallholder farmers. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01904167.2018.1458870 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z