Effect of Cropping System and Nitrogen on Maize and Soy Bean Yields in Western Kenya

P O Mongare,J O Ochuodho,A N Otinga,J R Okalebo,C O Othieno,R Njoroge

doi:10.5539/sar.v9n3p39

Abstract

Inherent low soil fertility in the highly weathered and degraded soils largely accounts for low and unsustainable crop yields in most African countries (Okalebo et al., 2006; Sanchez et. al., 1997). Productivity of maize and soybeans in Kenya, particularly in the western region is generally low. The high costs of inorganic fertilizers and the possibility of decreasing soil productivity in due to soil mining and environmental pollution demands a reassement of their use, vis-a-vis, other alternative technologies. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of selected cropping systems, N fertilizer and manure on maize and soy bean crop yields in western Kenya (Bungoma, Vihiga, and Teso). The experiment was a split plot design arranged and laid down in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Cropping systems (mono cropping, MBILI and conventional) were the main factor while fertility interventions (FYM and CAN) were the treatments. The cropping systems consisted of conventional (Maize and soy beans were planted as intercrop in 37.5 cm alternating rows), MBILI (Managing Beneficial Interactions in Legume Intercrops), maize and soybean monocrop. Five fertilizer treatments were used: calcium ammonium nitrate and farm yard manure, both applied at the rate of 30 kg N ha-1 and 75 kg N ha-1, respectively, and absolute control that had no added treatment. Field experiments were planted during two cropping seasons of short rains season (August to December 2011) and one long rains season (April to August 2012) Generally, maize yields were found to be significantly higher in both the mono cropping system (mean yield: 2.00 t/ha) and MBILI system (mean yield: 1.77 t/ha) compared to conventional farming (mean yield: 1.27 t/ha). Soybean yields were found, overall, to be significantly higher in the mono cropping system (mean: 1.00t/ha) compared to both MBILI (mean: 0.75 t ha-1) and conventional system (mean: 0.59 t ha-1). For both maize and soy bean grain, application of CAN75N and planting with FYM75N were found to significantly increase yields, compared to either top dressing with CAN30N or planting with FYM30N. CAN generally produced higher yields with monocrop system whereas MBILI system did better when FYM is used, suggesting that an optimal system could consist of MBILI with organic fertilizers. The mean Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) values were always greater than 1.0 for intercropping and I.0 for mono cropping system. Manure was found to produce similar yields as those in fertilizer applications. This study recommends MBILI system and organic manure as a beneficial way of growing maize and soy beans

Highlights

Agricultural productivity drives many economies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with the production of cereals and legumes playing a major role both in terms of food and income generation
The cropping systems consisted of conventional- that is of maize & soybean intercrop of alternate single rows of each crop, MBILI- planted with maize & soybean intercrop of alternate double rows of each crop- and maize and soybean monocrops
The fertilizer interventions comprised of calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) and farmyard manure (FYM), both applied at two rates of 30 kg N ha-1 and 75 kg N ha-1, and without fertilizer

Summary

Introduction

Agricultural productivity drives many economies in SSA with the production of cereals and legumes playing a major role both in terms of food and income generation. Whereas the demand for these crops is expected to increase two-fold, yields are expected to decline – leading to larger global prices, malnutrition, and poverty (Pagano and Miransari, 2016). This notwithstanding, the productivity of maize and soybean in Kenya is generally low. Despite efforts to promote productivity-enhancing technologies, output has declined against ever-increasing consumer demand. This has transformed the country into a net grain importer (Njagi et al, 2017). Productivity of soybean in the country is just 0.45 t ha-1, which is about seven times lower compared with Brazil (3.05 t ha-1) and USA (2.92 t ha-1)

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Conclusion