Browsing by Author "Kifuko-Koech, M."

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    Growth and Yield Evaluation of Urochloa Grass Cultivars in Sub-Humid Region of Kenya
    (Uknowledge, 2021-10-17) Kifuko-Koech, M.; Ndung’u-Magiroi, K.; Mutoko, M.; Kamidi, M.; Njarui, Donald
    Livestock production in sub humid region of Kenya is constrained by inadequate and low quality pasture. Astudy was conducted to evaluate growth and productivity of eight improved Urochloa grass cultivars inlower midlands, upper midlands and lower highlands agro-ecological zones (AEZ) in Eldoret, Kitale andAlupe respectively, western Kenya. The grass cultivars were; Urochloa brizantha cvs. Marandu, Xaraes,Piata, and MG-4, U. decumbens, cv. Basilisk, U. humidicola cvs. Humidicola and Llanero and Urochloahybrid cv. Mulato II. Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) and Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv.Kakamega 1) were included as controls. At establishment stage, growth parameters (height, cover andspread) and dry matter yield (DMY) were monitored at 14 weeks after seedling emergence (WAE) andstandardization cut conducted to stimulate uniform plant growth. Thereafter (production stage), the plantswere repeatedly harvested for DMY determination at 6, 8 and 12 weeks intervals. The growth parametersand DMY varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the cultivars in all the AEZ in all the measurement dates.Napier grass recorded the highest mean height (60 to 120 cm) at the end of establishment period whileamong Urochloa cultivars, MG-4, Basilisk and Xaraes recorded the highest mean height and plot coveracross all AEZs. All Urochloa cultivars gave significantly (p < 0.05) lower DMY than Napier grass in Kitaleand Alupe while Basilisk and Xaraes recorded similar DMY to Napier grass in Eldoret. In Eldoret, Xaraesrecorded the highest DMY (2.54 t ha-1) while in Kitale and Alupe the highest DMY was recorded in MG-4(3.7 t ha-1) and Basilisk (4.72 t ha-1), respectively. Increasing cutting interval increased DMY but reducednutritive value of Urochloa cultivars in Kitale. Basilisk, MG-4, Xaraes and Piata showed potential toestablish and grow well across AEZs and to maximize production and nutritive value cutting at 8 weeksinterval is recommended.
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    The impact of Desmodium spp. and cutting regimes on the agronomic and economic performance of Desmodium–maize intercropping system in western Kenya
    (Elsevier, 2012-10-20) Kifuko-Koech, M.; Pypers, P.; Okalebo, J. R.; Othieno, C. O.; Khan, Z. R.; Pickett, J. A.; Kipkoech, A. K.; Vanlauwe, B.
    Low soil fertility, stemborers (particularly, Chilo partellus) and Striga weeds (Striga hermonthica and Striga asiatica) are major limitations to production of maize in western Kenya. The “Push–Pull” technology (“PPT”) has been described as an appropriate innovative technology capable of addressing these constraints. The technology involves intercropping maize with Desmodium and planting Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) around the intercrop, but in the current study a modified PPT was used and Napier grass was not included. Field trials were conducted in two locations in western Kenya during 4 subsequent seasons to test the hypothesis that maize yield, the degree of Striga suppression and economic benefits of intercropping maize with Desmodium are affected by: (i) the related biomass production by different Desmodium species and (ii) the cutting regime of the Desmodium. Maize was intercropped with Desmodium uncinatum (Jacq.) DC, cv Silverleaf or Desmodium intortum (Mill.) Urb. cv Greenleaf, and treatments with sole maize (with and without urea) were included for comparison. To eliminate phosphorus (P) deficiency, all treatments received basal P. The first two Desmodium cutting events were fixed at land preparation i.e. at the start of every season, and 4 weeks later, following the recommended practice, while the third cutting was varied and conducted at 9, 12 or 18 weeks after planting maize. Maize yield in the Desmodium–maize intercropping system was only higher than sole maize without urea from the third season. This implies that when P is not limiting inclusion of Desmodium spp. into the maize cropping system would provide a substitute for inorganic N fertilizers to enhance crop growth and yield after Desmodium becomes well established. Cumulative maize grain yield over the four seasons with the D. intortum and D. uncinatum intercrops were 6.3 and 7.0, and 10.9 and 11.6tha−1 in Busia and Siaya, respectively, and significantly higher than or comparable to a maize monocrop (5.8 and 11.8tha−1). Average net benefits from Desmodium intercropping over the four seasons were increased by 1290 and 918$ha−1 relative to the maize monocrop in Busia and Siaya, respectively. Biomass yields were significantly higher for D. intortum than for D. uncinatum. Varying the time of the third Desmodium cutting had little effect on Desmodium biomass yields or maize grain yields in Busia, while in Siaya, D. intortum biomass yields were highest when cut at 12 weeks after planting. In the Desmodium intercropping systems, Striga counts were reduced by 95% in Busia and by 65–90% in Siaya with higher reductions when Desmodium was cut at 18 weeks after planting. In summary, the use of PPT provides robust and high economic benefits to smallholder farmers in western Kenya. The use of D. uncinatum with the third cutting at 18 weeks after planting is recommended, but can be modified according to the need for fodder without much effect on maize yield or revenue.