Master of Science in Agriculture and Rural Development
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Item Effects of Inter-Cropping Amaranth with Common Beans, Green Grams and Cow Peas on the Growth and Grain Yield of Amaranth in Kitui Central Sub County(KeMU, 2019-08) Kiambi, James GitongaAmaranth is an important crop owing to its highly nutritious grains and leaves. The leaves have high vitamins and calcium levels while grains are rich in proteins. Amaranth flour is used to fortify other flours due to its highly digestible proteins. Some industrial and medicinal properties have also been associated with amaranth leaves and grains. Green grams, common beans, and cowpeas are important sources of proteins from plant. This makes them cheap and valuable substitutes for meat and other animal proteins.In this study, amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus), KAM 01 was intercropped with green gram (Vigna radiata) N-26, common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) KB9, and cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) M66 to compare and establish their effect on the growth and grain yields of amaranth. Pure stands of amaranth and the three legumes were also established for purposes of comparison. The study was carried out during the March May rainy season of the year 2017. Randomized complete block design (RCBD); replicated four times was used to test treatment combinations. Treatment means were differentiated at 95% confidence (P<0.05) upon carrying out of the analysis of variance. Post-hoc tests were carried out using Fishers' Least Significant Difference (LSD). Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) was used to assess the amaranth-legumes intercropping advantages relative to sole cropping. This study found that intercropping amaranth with green grams common beans, and cowpeas had significant effect (P<0.05) on grain yields and the above ground biomass. Amaranth grain yields were least (1,088 kg/ha) when it was intercropped with common beans and highest (1,741 kg/ha) when it was intercropped with green grams. The highest above-ground biomass for amaranth was recorded in amaranth-green grams intercrop (4,159 kg/ha) while common beans intercrop gave the least (2,241 kg/ha) biomass. The highest harvest index in amaranth (0.37) was recorded in amaranth-common bean intercrop followed by green gram intercrop (0.34), while Cowpeas intercrop had the least harvest index of 0.29. Land equivalent ratio (LER) was greater than one unit in all the treatments, indicative of intercropping advantage relative to sole cropping. Amaranth-cow pea inter-crop had the highest LER (1.95) followed by green gram inter-crop (1.90) while common bean inter-crop had the least LER at (1.67), respectively. It was concluded that inter-cropping amaranth with legumes was better than sole cropping and that green gram was the most suitable legume to inter-crop with amaranth in Kitui central sub county. It was therefore the one recommended for use by farmers.Item The Effects of Potassium Chloride Application Rates of Potato Growth, Weight and Yield in Saboti Sub County Kenya(KeMU, 2019-08) Ngomat, Martin SangulaIrish potato is one of the major staple food crops, only second after maize in Kenya. The low yield being realized in potato production is as a result of inadequate and wrong choices of fertilizers usage and application as well as the use of uncertified planting materials. The purpose of the study was to assess potato growth, weight and yield response to the application of potassium chloride in Milimani Location, Saboti Sub-County, Trans Nzoia County. The specific objectives were to assess the relationship between potassium chloride application rates to the growth of Irish potatoes, evaluate the relationship between potassium chloride application rates to the weight of different sizes of the three potato varieties-Markies, Kenya Mpya and Sherekea- and compare the relationship between potassium chloride application rates to the yield of the three potato varieties. A review of the related literature understudy as presented by various researchers, scholars and analysts was done. The location of the study was in Milimani location, Saboti Sub – County, Trans- Nzoia County. A randomized complete block design experiment with three replicates was conducted. Data from the measured variables were subject to analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine whether there was a significant difference between the variable means. The means were separated at (P<0.05) significant level using SPSS version 21. It was found out that there was a significant difference in yield and yield attributes. However, there were no significant differences in mean yield between the two sites of production. It was therefore recommended that the fertilizer industry should change fertilizer formulation; establish fertilizer blending plants and the ministry of agriculture should establish a fertilizer advisory service for farmers to boost harvest and incomes. It was too recommended that the fertilizer rate of 250 kg/ha be applied and Sherekea variety be used in Milimani Location, Saboti Sub-County.Item Evaluation of the Efficiency of Continuous and Single Batch Curing on Palatability, Production and Nutrients Availability on Wheat Straws.(KeMU, 2019-04) Siele, JoseahIn Kenya, many farmers are engaging in wheat production throughout the year, this makes the availability of straws huge. However, the presence of lignocellulosic complex makes their palatability and general intake limited. Intake also has been reduced by the rigid procedures available to the farmers. The nutritional value for wheat crop residue to ruminants is constrained by low nitrogen and high fibre contents. Introducing the continuous procedure of urea – ammonization and liming intends to take advantage of the excess ammonia on the already cured feed and the peak volumes of urease enzymes to quickly break urea to ammonia which is known to cure feeds in synergy with lime. Urea-Ammonization and liming of straws seem to be a feasible option for improving nutritive value, hence reducing the limiting effects of livestock production through feeds in the country. Treated wheat straws samples were ground in the laboratory hammer mill and the sample sieved through a 1mm screen and then analyzed in a laboratory to study the associative effect of ammonia and lime on the chemical composition of straws. The study analyzed for dry matter, total ash and crude protein of feed types. Data collection covered result from the three dairy cows in the three replicates. The dairy cows selected were those on zero-grazing setup and feeding will be uniform. The nine dairy cows, in three replicates were put on trials for a period of eighty four days. Specific data is on palatability and production of milk from benefits from treated straws on procedures of continuous and single batch methods of applying treatment. Secondly, with respect to the effect of effect of a single batch and continuous curing of wheat straw on dry matter intake by lactating dairy cows, the study concludes that there is no statistically significant difference in dry matter intake of wheat straw between single batch and continuous curing of wheat straw. However, urea treatment of wheat improves dry matter of wheat straw since there were significant differences in the amount of dry matter intake between treated and untreated wheat straw. Finally, in terms of the effect of a single batch and continuous curing of wheat straw on daily milk production of lactating dairy cows, it is concluded that urea treatment increases average daily milk production increased by approximately 20 %. However, the average differences are not statistically significant whenever the lactating cows are fed on continuously cured and single batch cured wheat straws. The study recommends that that dairy farmers should endeavour to utilize this technology to improve not only feed utilization efficiency of their dairy stock but also milk production which will ultimately lead to economic efficiency and higher profit margins. The non-significant differences between dry matter intake and average daily milk production of lactating cows when fed on either single batch of continuously cured wheat straw serves to advise dairy farmers that they should judiciously adopt continuously curing model which reduces the time taken to have the cured feeds available for consumption by dairy cattle.Item Effects of Fertilization and Spacing on Growth and Grain Yields of Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana L.) in Ainamoi, Kericho County.(KeMU, 2019-08) Korir, Andrew KiokuruiFinger millet was once an important diet in Southern Africa since it was annual cultivation of cereal commonly cultivated in multiple ecological areas in Kenya for its seed. The cereal crop, an extremely nutritious meal for baby food, special dishes for ill individuals and unique drinks, is used for some individuals such as "eraki" beer. In Ainamoi, Kericho County, a field trial has been performed to assess the effects of separation and fertilizer concentrations on Finger Millet development and outputs (Eleusine coracana). There were three types of plant spacing and fertilizer. The RCBD experiment was laid out with three replicates. The results showed that the effect of spacing on plant height was not significant (P=0.918). Fertilizer effect was significant (P=0.00), while the interaction effect of spacing and fertilizer (P=0.999). The spacing had no significant difference in leaf length (P= 0.556). Whereas the fertilizer effect had a significant effect on leaf length (P= 0.00). The interaction effect of spacing and fertilizer was not significant (P=0.998). Furthermore, the results indicated that fertilizer application showed a significant difference in the number of tillers (P= 0.003), while spacing had no significant difference (P= 0.316). The interaction effect of fertilizer and spacing had no significant difference with the number of tillers formed. Results showed that spacing had no significant difference in the number of heads formed (P= 0.624), but fertilizer effect showed a significant difference (P=0.004). Also, the interaction effect of fertilizer and spacing was not significant (P=0.930). With regards to biomass, results showed that fertilizer had no significant difference in biomass, (P=0.009), while spacing had a significant difference (P=0.005). The interaction effect of fertilizer and spacing had no significant difference in biomass (P=0.777). Finally, it was observed that fertilizer application and spacing had a significant difference in the grain yield, with a P-value of 0.004, and 0.002 respectively. Furthermore, the interaction effect of fertilizer and spacing did not show any significant difference (P=0.764). It is recommended that farmers adopt the closer spacing of 20x10 cm for Finger millet in the study area for higher crop yield and farmers to apply a minimum of 125 kg DAP/ha. However, specific soil tests are recommended to establish the appropriate levels at which to apply the N and P fertilizers. Further research is recommended to establish the correct plant populations for optimum production as the current three levels were inadequate for a conclusive determination of the exact plant population desirable for the variety P224.Item The Efficiency of Botanicals and Inorganic Chemicals in Management of Pest and Diseases in Snow Peas (Pisum Sativum Var. Saccharatum) in Ngusishi Location , Buuri District ,Kenya.(KeMU, 2010-04) Thuranira, James GitongaSnow pea is a high value export crop grown in Ngusishi location and about 65% of farmers derive their income directly from the crop. The problems of Snow pea production are low yields, poor pods quality and chemical residue on pods. The general objective was to determine the effect of selected botanicals on insect pests and fungal diseases, plant growth, and pods yields and quality of Snow peas. On-farm experimentation was done for two seasons to evaluate four botanicals and two chemical pesticides. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with eight treatments namely; Garlic, Pyrethrum, Citrus peel, and Mexican marigold water extracts; Dynamic 018 EC (Abamectin 18g per litre), Decis 025 EC (synthetic pyerthroid with deltamethrin 25g per litre); Hand wash liquid Soap; and absolute control. The treatments were significantly different at a<0.05 on mortality rate of insect pests and fungal diseases severity. Garlic water extracts was the best in management of leafminers and thrips with efficacies of 87.3 and 85.2%. Pyrethrum water extract was also the best in control of aphids with efficacy of 86.7% and Mexican marigold water extract was the most effective against whiteflies with efficacy of 85.9%. Plots sprayed with botanicals had the lowest fungal diseases (powdery mildew, downy mildew, and early blight) severity as compared to those sprayed with Soap, Decis, and Abamectin and the absolute control. There was significant difference in export grade and reject weights across treatments. The results suggest that the four botanicals can be used as suitable replacements for chemical pesticides in managements of specified insect pests and fungal diseases in Snow peas.Item The Effect of Timing Transplanting on Performance of Baby Corn (Zea Mays L).(KeMU, 2011-09) Murithi, Richard KirigiahThe country is facing the problem of rainfall shortage due to global warming as a result of climatic change. Horticulture farming helps the farmer to generate income and also helps the country to generate foreign currency through the export of vegetables and creates employment to many unemployed youth in Kenya.It was in the light of the above that the study was designed to establish the right transplanting stage of baby corn. The overall objective of this study was to establish the effect of timing of transplanting of baby corn on its performance. Specifically, the study sought to establish the effect of transplanting age on cob length, cob diameter and cob weight, establish the relationship between transplanting age and maturity period and establish the effect of transplanting age on plant maturity height. This study was an experimental one and was limited to Imenti Central district. The treatments were based on the age of the seedlings at transplanting stage. There were four treatments namely; Direct seeding – T0, Fourteen day old seedlings – T1, Twenty one day old seedlings - T2, Twenty eight day old seedlings - T3. The study was carried out in researcher's farm in Nduruma location of Abothuguchi West division of Meru County. The farm had been previously been under horticultural crops cultivation including cabbages, carrots, french beans and snow peas. The farm had not been under maize crop for the last five (5) years. The nursery bed and the seedbed were prepared on the same day. The seedbed was prepared by digging and thereafter, the land was harrowed to attain a medium tilth. Planting holes of 10cm depth were dug up at 15cm intervals along the row. Transplanting of maize on each of the plots was done on defined variable times and plots for each of the category and treatments were labelled accordingly. The plants were closely monitored and follow up was made on a routine basis to ensure that the experiments captured all observations in each of the plots. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data obtained from the field. One-way ANOVA with Turkey post-test was performed. Study findings revealed that 14-day old seedlings produced the highest performance yields and beyond 21-day old seedlings performance was reduced significantly. This study established that transplanting after 14 days decreased the flowering age, while transplanting after 28 days delayed the maturity. It was also established that transplanting at 14 days significantly increased cob weight. This study also concluded that transplanting after 14 days increased the apical height of baby corn, while transplanting after 28 days resulted into significantly shorter baby corn. Generally yield attributes like length of cob, number of cobs per plant and cob weight reduced gradually with the increment of age of seedlings. The study established that there was no significant relationship between transplanting and leaf length. Transplanting at days 14, 21 and 18 did not affect leaf length of baby corn, an implication that transplanting increased yield in terms of number of cobs per plant. This study therefore recommends that baby corn seedlings transplanting should be performed at the age of 14 days to achieve the highest performance in terms of yield. This study did not establish the influence of transplanting labor cost on the profit margin. Further research is needed to evaluate whether transplanting is economical as compared to direct planting in respect to labor cost.Item Comparison of Tithonia Green Manure (Tithonia Diversifolia) ,Poultry Manure and Inorganic Nitrogenous Fertilizers as a Source of Nitrogen in Growing of Kales (Brassicae Oleracea) in Nyeri Municipality (Nyeri District).(KeMU, 2010-06) Muchiri, Peter MwangiThe research was conducted to compare the influence of tithonia diversifolia green manure, poultry manure, calcium ammonium nitrate ammonium sulphate nitrate and urea as a source of nitrogen in growing kales (Brassica oleracea) in Nyeri Municipality, Nyeri district. It was carried at Wambugu Farmers' Training Centre and at Kagumo Teachers' Training College, located in Nyeri municipality and separated by a distance of five kilometers. The treatments were solely applied in two levels of 30 kgs N/ha and 60 kgs of N/ha. Except for tithonia green manure, all the other treatments were administered at the time of transplanting. The experiment was a completely Randomized Block design with five treatments in two levels replicated three times. Individual plots measured (4x3) meters at interplant and inter row spacing of 60 cms and 60 cms respectively. The inter-plot spacing was 50 cms and inter-block spacing was 100 cms .The fresh weight of kales was compared for all the treatments as well as the control. The data collected was subjected to F-test using SPSS proprietary software (version 12.0).Treatment means found to be significantly different from each other were separated by Duncan Multiple Range Test at (a<0.05).Results showed that tithonia applied at 60 kgs of N/ha produced the highest fresh weight of kales followed by CAN at similar rates. The difference was significant ( a<0.05) and higher by an average of 7.65 % from the two experimental sites. Nevertheless, it was not easily available during the traditional planting season in the region. Further research is needed to explore the possibility of drying and grinding tithonia green manure to produce foliar spray or organic solid fertilizer .This would solve the relatively high labor requirements required for biomass transfer.Item The Influence of Fertilizer Rates and Plant Density on Grain Yield ,Yield Components and Head Blast of Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana(L.) Gaertn ) in Kisii Highlands.(KeMU, 2010-06) Wakhungu, Judith NafulaThis study investigated the effect of plant population density and fertilizer levels (specifically N and P) on finger millet grain yield, grain yield components and head blast incidence and severity in Kisii highlands specifically at Kisii Agricultural Training Centre as the experimental site. The broad objective of this study was to develop a package on appropriate fertilizer levels and plant population for reduced blast disease and improved finger millet production in Kisii highlands. The treatments were population density and fertilizer level in a split plot design where the population levels was in the main plots and the fertilizer levels in the sub plots. The experiment was replicated thrice with variety P224 as the plant material. The data collected included; plant parameters (for direct analysis) as levels of head blast incidence, levels of head blast severity, number of productive tillers per plant, number of fingers per head, grain yield and 1000-seed weight (g) at 14% moisture content all of which taken at physiological maturity. Also taken were soil parameters initial organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, pH and soil texture and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), base saturation (BS), % Al and % Mn at harvest these being mainly to help understand some responses and define circumstances surrounding the experiment. The data was analyzed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) and means separated using the least significant difference (LSD). Correlation coefficients of the parameters were derived using pearsons correlation coefficients. The result showed that high grain yields and low head blast severity of finger millet is achievable through use of proper agronomic practices of proper fertilization regime and plant population. Population level of 222,222 plants ha-1 and fertilizer level of 10 kg P and N ha-1 or unfertilized plots lowered blast severity and increased number of tillers per plant, fingers per head and grain yields.Item Effect of Di-Ammonium Phosphate Application on the Yield Components of Three Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas (L.) Lam) Varieties in Homabay District.(KeMU, 2011-07) Ocharo, Julius OtekiSweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) is a drought tolerant root crop consumed as human food and its vines fed to livestock as fodder. Currently the average national yield is 5.6 ton/ha against a potential of 50 tons/ha in Kenya. The low production is attributed to poor agronomic practices like poor land preparation, variety selection, and low use of fertilizers. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Diammonium phosphate application on the yield components of sweet potato and examine the response of SPK004, the local check (Odinga) and Mugande varieties to the same fertilizer. The research was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with fifteen treatments replicated three times from September 2010 to February 2011 at the Homa-bay Agricultural training centre farm . Data was collected on yield components of sweet potato mainly fresh roots and vines and harvest index was determined. Data collected was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS for the analysis of variance (ANOVA) to check whether there were significant differences between the treatments. Pair wise comparison was then conducted to determine where the differences were where necessary (a= 0.05). The yield components increased with the DAP application levels. The rate of increase was highest at 125 kg/ha but reduced at 150 kg/ha where the number of roots increased while their weight reduced. 125 kg/ha of DAP is best level of application. SPK004 increased most in fresh root yield followed by Mugande and then the local check Odinga. Mugande led in fresh vine yield and total biomass followed by SPK004 and then Odinga. The mean harvest index was above 0.44. Mugande can be planted as a dual purpose variety while SPK004 can be planted when roots are a priority. The local check variety (Odinga) should be improved through breeding to increase both root and vine biomass production potential.Item Effects of Plant Population Density and Leaf Harvesting on both Grains and Vegetable Yields of Amaranth.(KeMU, 2011-06) Mwai, Benard WahomeAmaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is a newly introduced C4 dicotyledonous pseudo-cereal crop in Kenya. Amaranth has high potentials in seeds used as a grains and leaf as vegetables, yet factors affecting grains and leaf yields have not been fully investigated. Field experiments were carried out in Meru Imenti north district of eastern Kenya to investigate the effects of plant density and leaf harvesting on both gains and leaf weight of amaranth (A. cruentus). A randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment was used where inter and extra rows spacing with different plant density (1 million ha-1, 2 million ha-1, 3 million ha-1, and 4 million ha-1,) and Leaf harvesting intervals (four, six and eight days) were the treatment. Data was collected on Leaf dry weight (g) and grain yields dry weight (g) and then analyzed using SPSS software (vision 15.0). One-way ANOVA and Tukey post-test method was performed to determine statistical difference for group means, while LSD was used to separate the means. Fresh leaf harvested from amaranth plants varied slightly with the plant density. However, beyond a plant density of 3 million plants ha-1, there was a decrease in leaf weight. Increasing plant density did not affect individual plants since the inter-space between plants was not altered. However there was no statistical significant difference in leaf yield p>0.05 between leaf harvest interval of six days leaf harvest interval of eight days. Grain yield was indirectly proportional to leaf harvesting intervals. The study revealed that planting amaranth at 3 million plants per ha-1 and harvesting leaf at six days interval regime, yielded more fresh leaves and grains were obtained. This study recommends that, the best combination between harvesting regime was harvesting amaranth after every six days for optimum fresh leaves and grain yield.