Publication: Soil water use efficiency under integrated soil management practices in the drylands of Kenya
dc.contributor.author | Oduor, Nathan O. | |
dc.contributor.author | Mucheru-Muna, Monicah | |
dc.contributor.author | Mugwe, Njeri Jayne | |
dc.contributor.author | Sijali, Isaya | |
dc.contributor.author | Nyabuga, George | |
dc.contributor.author | Mugendi, Njiru Daniel | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2023-12-07T14:38:37Z | |
dc.date.available | 2023-12-07T14:38:37Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2023 | |
dc.description | Author Affiliation: University of Embu | |
dc.description.abstract | Soil moisture scarcity and soil fertility decline in the drylands contribute to declining crop productivity. The possible synergistic effects of integrating soil & water conservation, and soil fertility management practices on soil moisture, and hence water use efficiency (WUE) in the drylands of Tharaka-Nithi County in Kenya was assessed. The experiment was laid in a three by three split plot arrangement, with four replications, for four cropping seasons. Minimum tillage with mulch, tied ridges, and conventional tillage formed the main plot factors. The sub-plot factors included animal manure plus fertilizer at 120, 60, and 30 N kg ha−1. There was significant improvement in soil moisture by 35 and 28% by minimum tillage with mulch and tied ridges, respectively, compared to conventional tillage. Manure plus fertilizer rates of 120 and 60 N kg ha−1 had significantly lower soil moisture by 12 and 10%, respectively than the 30 N kg ha−1 across the seasons. The WUE was significantly enhanced by 150 and 65% under minimum tillage with mulch and tied ridges, respectively, compared to conventional tillage. Compared with 30 N kg ha−1, the 120 N kg ha−1 and 60 kg ha−1 significantly enhanced the WUE by 66 and 25%, respectively. Across the seasons, the best treatment combination for improving WUE was minimum tillage with mulch at 120 N kg ha−1 rate of manure plus fertilizer. | |
dc.description.sponsorship | Flemish Interuniversity Council-University Development Co-operation through the (VLIR-UOS Project KE2019TEA486A101 on "Climate-Smart Options Allowing Agricultural Intensification among Smallholder Farmers in the Dry Zones of the Central Highlands of Kenya") | |
dc.identifier.citation | Oduor, N. O., Mucheru-Muna, M., Mugwe, N. J., Sijali, I., Nyabuga, G., & Mugendi, N. D. (2023). Soil water use efficiency under integrated soil management practices in the drylands of Kenya. Heliyon, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16145 | |
dc.identifier.issn | 2405-8440 | |
dc.identifier.issn | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16145 | |
dc.identifier.uri | https://repository.nrf.go.ke/handle/123456789/71 | |
dc.language.iso | en | |
dc.publisher | Heliyon | |
dc.subject | University of Embu | |
dc.title | Soil water use efficiency under integrated soil management practices in the drylands of Kenya | |
dc.type | Article | |
dspace.entity.type | Publication |
Files
License bundle
1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
- Name:
- license.txt
- Size:
- 1.62 KB
- Format:
- Item-specific license agreed to upon submission
- Description: