Increased Maize Yields through the Transdisciplinary Process with Site Specific Fertilizer Recommendation in Small Holder Farms in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of site-specific fertilizer recommendations on maize yield using the transdisciplinary (TD) process. 144 farmers participated in the study for the two seasons. Experiments were laid on the farmers’ fields at four sites (Kapyemit, Kipsomba, Ngenyilel and Ziwa, in Uasin Gishu County) using Randomized Complete Block Design in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement. Treatments included farmers who participated in the TD process (TD2) and those who did not (TD1) in using the interventions for soil fertility improvement which were farmer own practices (ST1); farmers who applied government recommendations (ST2), and site-specific fertilizer recommendations (ST3) which was based on soil testing results. The Data collected was the dry weights of maize which were measured at the end of the seasons and subjected to Analysis of Variance using Genstat 14th edition. Means separation was done using Fischer’s unprotected Least Significant Difference.. There was a significant effect on maize yields by soil testing and participation in TD process p = 0.01. The mean maize grain yield for season one was 5.43 ton ha-1 while for season two was 5.73 ton ha-1. Control farmers (TD1) maize grain yield of 5.27 ton ha-1, had a significant difference (p = 0.05) from the yield of participating farmers (TD2) who had 5.96 ton ha-1. Maize grain yield was increased by the application of site specific fertilizer recommendations which gave an overall mean of 6.57 ton ha-1 for season one and 6.56 ton ha-1 for season two. Following (ST3) recommendations and participation in the TD process, improved soil nutrient content thus maize yield increased. We recommend soil testing and consequent site-specific fertilizer recommendations for any initiative in managing soil fertility.