Browsing by Author "Gachene, Charles"

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    Assessment of soil moisture and nutrients on terrace slope of hard-setting soils in semi-arid eastern Kenya
    (Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 2022) Njiru, Emerita; Baaru, Mary; Gachene, Charles
    Background: Terraces are structures consisting of ditches and embankments used to control erosion and increase land productivity. There is, however, little emphasis on the effects of the ditch dimensions on soil moisture and nutrient dynamics. Objective: To determine the effect of varying ditch depths on soil moisture and nutrient quantities and their variability within the terrace slope on hard-setting soils. Methodology: Soil samples were collected seasonally in 2014 and 2015 from terraces with different ditch depths (60, 30, and 0 [control] cm) for the determination of soil moisture content (SMC). The samples were collected from the upper, middle and lower slope positions of each terrace. Soil from the three slope positions of each terrace was also sampled at the end of the study and analyzed for total nitrogen (%TN), available phosphorous (Av. P), exchangeable potassium (K+ ) and % organic carbon (OC) contents. Data were subjected to a two-way analysis of variance and differences in means determined at a 95% level of confidence. Results: Significant interactions (P<0.001) in SMC were observed between seasons, ditch depths and slope positions. Higher SMC was found in treatments with 30 and 60 cm ditch depths in all the slope positions and seasons compared to the control. Soil moisture contents in the lower and upper slope positions were significantly different between the terraces with 30 and 60 cm ditch depths when rainfall was high and evenly distributed, but non-significant in poorly distributed rainfall seasons. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in contents of total nitrogen and available phosphorous were found between the upper and lower slope positions of the terraces with ditches. Implications: The effect of ditch depths on moisture, total nitrogen and available phosphorous contents and their variability within the slope depended on the amount and distribution of rainfall. Conclusion: Construction of terraces with shallow ditch depths (of 30 cm) is recommended to conserve soil moisture and nutrients nitrogen and phosphorous on hard-setting soils in the marginal areas of semi-arid Eastern Kenya.
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    DRIVERS OF GULLY EROSION: CASE STUDY, NAROK COUNTY, KENYA
    (International Journal of Social Science and Technology, 2017-04) Konana, Charity; Gachene, Charles; Mburu, David; Mureithi, Stephen; Gicheru, Patrick; Khalif, Zeinabu
    Soil erosion is a serious issue in Arid and Semi-Arid lands and affects community livelihoods and soil conservation efforts. The objective of this paper is to assess drivers of gully in Narok County, Kenya. The driving forces of soil erosion can lead to gradual loss of the adaptive capacity of the soil and its ecosystem.Agricultural intensity without soil conservation measures is linked to greater water erosion. Overgrazing is one of the main drivers of gully erosion in rangelands. Global warming puts more regions at high risk of gully erosion in the future. The projected scenario (2030) showed an increase in the area under shrubland, cropland and close natural forest and a decrease in grasslands and open natural forest in Narok County. This indicates overgrazing and deforestation will reduce vegetative cover resulting in increased runoff in the County.Further research in land use changes such as change in scale and intensity needs to be done particularly in the arid and semi- arid areas. More soil erosion studies that take into account socioeconomic factors are required. Projected land use and land cover change and climate scenarios are also needed particularly in relation to gully erosion.
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    Nitrogen Fixation by Natural Populations of Acacia Senegal in the Drylands of Kenya Using 15 N Natural Abundance
    (Taylor & Francis, 2013-03-05) Githae, Eunice; Gachene, Charles; Omondi, Stephen
    This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.