6 research outputs found
Effect of Mulching as a Weed Management Strategy in Field Production of French Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) in Western Kenya
No full textThere has been a 2% decrease on French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) production in Kenya due to factors such as weeds, pests and diseases and the challenge of controlling them using chemicals that result in high rejection rate or interception in the export market because of chemical residues. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of different mulching materials on the growth and yield of French bean cultivars and to determine the effect of different mulching materials on weed density. Field experiments were carried out at KALRO Kitale, Trans Nzoia county Kenya. Season 1 was carried out during long rains of April and June 2021 and season two during the short rains of August and October 2021. Black polythene and grass mulch were compared with two hand weedings and no weeding in a Randomized Complete Block Design experiment with three replications. Data on growth and yield of French Beans were collected and subjected to ANOVA using GenStat to determine the significant differences between the treatments. The means were separated using Fisher’s Unprotected LSD at 5% significance level. Growth and yield of French Beans was significantly influenced by the treatments (p≤0.05). Plants grown under black polythene and grass mulch had the tallest height and the highest number of leaves and branches as well as number of pods and cumulative pod yield as compared to those that were hand weeded and unweeded. The highest yield of 2138 and 2597 kg/ ha was obtained under black polythene mulch in season 1 and 2 respectively. This was significantly higher than that obtained from grass mulch, hand weeding and unweeding. In conclusion polythene and grass mulch improved growth and yield of French beans and reduced weed density. It is therefore recommended that farmers should adapt mulching as a cultural weed management strategy
Influence of Cultivars and Intra Row Spacing on Performance of Maize in Keiyo North Sub-County, Kenya
No full textMaize is a major crop grown in Kenya for human and animal feed. Its production is determined by farming practices such as plant population, climatic factors, pests, diseases and nutrition, among others. Farmers grow maize varieties and are subject to the same spacing, yet they have varying nutrient requirements, resulting in low yields. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of spacing and varieties on quality and yield of maize. A study was conducted between March to December 2019 at Bugar and Tambach in Keiyo North Sub-County, Kenya. The treatments were three plant spacing at 75 cm× 20 cm, 75 cm× 25 cm and 75 cm× 30 cm. The three maize varieties selected were Hybrid 614, Hybrid 624 and Hybrid 6218. A factorial experiment (3×3) in a Randomised Complete Block Design with three replicates was conducted in both sites. Data was collected on the number of cobs,1000 grain weight and yield per 90kg bag was recorded at the end of the experiment. Data was subjected to two-way analysis of variance and means were separated by Tukey’s Honest Significance test at p≤0.05 in GenStat 14th Version. Results showed that there was no significant difference in interaction between spacing and varieties in both sites. There was significant p≤0.05 difference on number of cobs in Bugar on spacing but not on variety. The 1000 grain weight was significantly p ≤0.05 different in Tambach for variety but not spacing. H624 under 75 cm×20 cm produced the highest number of cobs in Bugar, while H614 under 75 cm×20 cm was best in Tambach. In conclusion, farmers in Bugar should plant H624 under 75×25cm while those in Tambach should plant H614 under 75 × 30 cm for optimum yields. These should therefore be the recommended spacing for these hybrids in Bugar and Tambach, Elgeyo Marakwe
Effect of Site and Variety on Yield of Seed Potato in the North Rift Region of Kenya
No full textPotato is Kenya’s second staple food crop, grown by small scale farmers who recycle seed due to unavailability of certified one, resulting in diseases build-up that reduces yields. The subdivision of once seed farms and change of use in the 1980’s effectively limit availability of suitable land for seed production against high demand of quality seed. Hence search for alternative sites in the North Rift for seed production are being explored. However, current varieties in commercial production were not evaluated for their performance in this region. The objectives of the study were to identify suitable potato varieties for seed production and for which elevation in the region.Well sprouted seed tubers of six local varieties were planted at Kitale (1901 m), Kapcherop (2386 m) and Kibigos (2887 m) above sea level following recommended management practices. Plant emergence was slowest at Kibigos while fastest at Kitale. Stem density varied with varieties and attained maximum numbers at 56 days after planting. Most of the varieties had 80% of tubers in seed grade 70 days after planting at Kitale. Introduction of potato varieties should be preceded by evaluation for their performance as some varieties seem more suitable while others do well across the sites for seed production. In cooler areas like Kapcherop and Kibigos potato tubers remain younger, emerge slowly compared to warmer areas, but attain maximum emergence 30 days after planting. Some varieties like Dutch Ronjin, have high number of tubers in seed size category while some have more ware size potatoes grown in same elevation for the same growth period
Influence of Herbicides Application as Desiccant on Protein and Sugar Content of Soybean Seed
No full textSoybean, Glycine max is an annual crop belonging to the family Fabaceae, which has 40% protein, 20% oil and 30% carbohydrate and plays a very significant role in world agriculture. Some farmers hasten the maturity and desiccation of soybean crop by applying herbicides without giving attention to the effects on seed. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of herbicides as desiccant on protein and sugar content of soybean seed. For this, three cultivars of soybean seed SB 19, SB 25 and SB 3 were planted and applied with three types of herbicides Glyphosate, Paraquat, 2,4-D. The herbicides were sprayed at three stages of soybean seed development R6, R7, and R8. The herbicides effect was highly significant (P ≤ 0.001) on the protein content in two locations and were highly significantly different (P ≤ 0.001) on the sugar content in all locations. All the herbicides showed reduction in sugar content in all locations and were also lower in protein content as compared to the control. It is concluded that using herbicides as desiccant have negative effect on the protein and sugar content of soybean seed. Keywords: Herbicide, Stages of application, Protein, Sugar. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-18-07 Publication date:September 30th 201
Rice: Seed Systems, Production Characteristics, and Fungal Infections of Stored Grains in Major Production Zones of Liberia
No full textThe inadequacy of information on rice farmers' situations, particularly their access to propagation materials and grain storage and the impact thereof on Liberia's food security scenario, curtails the development of strategies and interventions meant to optimize rice production. This study investigated the rice seed systems, storage methods of the harvested rice grains, and degree of fungal contamination of stored rice seeds in the major rice-producing counties of Liberia: Lofa, Bong, Montserrado, and Nimba. A mixed data collection method, comprising interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) was adopted. Five hundred (500) farmers were purposefully selected for one-on-one interviews, and 12 FGDs were held (three in each county). The results indicated that 94.7% of farmers source seeds through informal channels. Grain for use as seed in the subsequent farming season is mainly stored in kitchen attics, a practice reported by 83.8% of the farmers, while 7.8%, 3.8%, and 4.6% of farmers stored seeds in plastic containers, nylon sacks, and jute bags, respectively. Land size was identified as the primary factor determining rice yield across the studied counties, R2 = 0.944, p = 0.001. Farmers in high-rainfall regions had a high likelihood of experiencing fungal infections on their stored grains; however, only 19.6% of farmers were aware of the health implications of consuming affected grains. Therefore, policies and support frameworks should be directed towards actualizing modern seed channels and extension services and creating awareness of the different nodes of the rice value chain
Evaluation of Promising Malting Barley Varieties Using Agronomic and Quality Traits in Kenya
No full textAbstract A study to select promising malting barley varieties was conducted at the University of Eldoret and Mau Narok i
