Browsing by Author "Gichangi, Elias"
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Publication Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on shoots and roots biomass of Brachiaria grasses in low fertility soils of North western Kenya(CABI Digitral Library, 2016-09-14) Wairimu, Keziah; Koech, Mary; Mutoko, Morgan; Gichangi, EliasOne of the major constraints to forage production in north western highlands of Kenya, is low soil fertility. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on growth and biomass production of Brachiaria grasses. Seven Brachiaria cultivars: Brachiaria brizantha cvs. Marandu, MG4, Piata, Xaraes, B. decumbens cv. Basilisk, B. hybrid cv. Mulato II and B. humidicola cv. Llanero were compared with two commonly grown forages, Rhodes grass and Napier grass cv. Kakamega 1. The treatments were tested in a split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design with two rates of NP fertilizer, 0 and 40 kg P ha-1 applied at planting and 50 kg N ha-1 as a seasonal top-dress assigned to the main plot and the grass varieties as subplots. Shoots biomass was determined 14 weeks after seedlings emergence (WAE) and subsequent sampling done after every eight weeks. Roots biomass was assessed from 0-15 and 15 - 30 cm depths at 22, 46 and 80 WAE. During the wet season, the shoots biomass was significantly influenced by NP fertilizer (p = 0.05) and cultivars (p=0.001), but no significant interaction effects occurred. Fertilized grasses yielded 17% more shoots biomass than the unfertilized grasses. Basilisk, Marandu and Xaraes had the highest biomass yields (8.6 – 11.3 t ha-1) and were higher (p = 0.05) than Rhodes grass, and also the other Brachiaria cultivars. Roots biomass was higher at the 0 - 15 cm depth at all sampling times and decreased with depth. Brachiaria cultivars had high roots biomass than Napier and Rhodes grass. Fertilizer response to roots biomass was only noted at 22 WAE only. Basilisk and MG4 are the best Brachiaria options for the north western highlands due to their higher shoots and roots biomass yields.Key words: Dry and wet season, fertilizer, soil quality, shoots biomass.Publication On-farm evaluation of improved brachiaria grasses in semi-arid eastern Kenya(CIPAV Foundation, 2017-10-01) Gatheru, Mwangi; Njarui, Donald; Gichangi, EliasThe arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya cover slightly over 80% of the land and are important for livestock production, with 60% of livestock found in this region. The main constraint to livestock production in this region is inadequate quantity and quality of livestock feed due to frequent droughts and reduced rainfall attributed to climate change. Participatory on-farm evaluation trials were conducted in agro-ecological zones Upper Midlands 3 (UM3) and Lower Midlands 4 (LM4) of Machakos and Makueni Counties respectively. The objective of the study was to assess agro-ecological adaptability and acceptability of four improved Brachiaria grass cultivars; Brachiaria brizantha cvs. Xaraes, Piatã, MG4 and Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk. Eight farms were selected in each area and herbage was harvested five times at two monthly intervals. In each harvest, dry matter was measured. Assessment on performance and farmers’ preference of the Brachiaria cultivars was carried out after two years using a structured questionnaire that was administered to 49 farmers (18 females and 31 males) in Machakos and 45 farmers (21 females and 24 males) in Makueni. No differences were found in the mean total dry matter yield between the grass cultivars in Machakos county. However, Brachiaria brizantha cvs MG4 gave the highest dry matter yield of 10.4 t ha⁻¹. There were differences in the mean total dry matter yield between the cultivars in Makueni county where Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã gave the highest dry matter yield of 8.4 t ha⁻¹. The most preferred cultivar in agro-ecological zone UM3 was Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes while Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã was the most preferred cultivar in agro-ecological zone LM4. Although Cv. Xaraes was not the most productive in agro-ecological zone UM3, it was preferred due to increase in milk production when fed to dairy cattle. Cv. Piatã was preferred due to its fast regrowth after harvesting.