Browsing by Author "Mbaka, F. K."

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Effect of Rhizobium Inoculation and Phosphate Rock Fertilizer Application on Biomass Production, Nutrient use Efficiency and Yield Parameters of Green Gram (Vigna radiata)
(Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate (KEPHIS), Kenya, 2022) Mbaka, F. K.; Ndukhu, H. O.; Oloo-Abucheli, G. O.; Kiplangat, C. T.; ; ;
The research was focused on an ecologically sound and highly production of legumes particularly green gram through the application of Rhizobium and rock phosphate fertilizer. Therefore, biomass production, nutrient use efficiency and yield parameters were determined for two growing seasons (November 2019 - January 2020 and February - April 2020), at Chuka university horticultural research farm. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in green grams can improve sustainable soil fertility management and increased production. In Kenya, green gram is a major source of food security particularly in Tharaka Nithi County. However, green gram yields are usually low due to low phosphorous and nitrogen levels of the soil. A factorial experiment of 2 x 2 x 2 was laid out in a randomized complete block design. There were three factors, varieties (N26-nylon and KS20- uncle), phosphate rock (0 and 30 kg P ha-1 ) and Rhizobium MEA 716 (0 and 100 g ha-1 ) making a total of eight treatments which were replicated three times. Soil sampling and analyses were done before planting and after harvesting of green grams. Data on grain yield, total dry biomass, shoot and root dry weights. Phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) were done. Data was analysed using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). Significant means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at probability level of 5 %. Results for both wet and dry seasons indicated that variety KS20 under Rhizobium inoculation and phosphate rock fertilizer (R1P1V2) showed significantly (P<0.05) higher increase in shoot dry biomass (52.01 gplant-1 ), root dry biomass (7.60 g plant-1 ), total dry biomass (146.4 g plant-1 ), number of pods (84 plant-1 ) and yield (2158 kg ha-1 ). Also, there was significant (P<0.05) higher phosphorous use efficiency of 279.32 Kg/ha and nitrogen use efficiency of 1732 kg/ha in treatment R1P1V2 over other treatments. From these results it was concluded that variety KS20 (V2) performed better compared to N26 (V1) under combined application of Rhizobium and phosphate rock fertilizer. Hence, based on the findings, for sustainable and improved green gram production farmers in Tharaka Nithi County.
Influence of Rhizobium Inoculation and Phosphate Rock Fertilizer Application on Growth and Yield Components of Green gram (Vigna radiata) in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya
(Asian Journal of Research in Crop Science, 2021-03) Mbaka, F. K.; Oloo-abucheli, G. O.; Njoroge, P. K.; Ndukhu, H. O.; ; ;
Green gram is an important drought tolerant grain legume crop in Kenya. In Tharaka Nithi County green gram is as a major source of food security. Hence, there is need for a cheap and sustainable system of agricultural production is needed to increase its production. The legume/Rhizobium symbiosis in combination with phosphate rock offers a natural system for improving green gram nitrogen fixation. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the effect of Rhizobium and phosphate rock fertilizer application on growth and yield attributes of N26 and KS20 varieties. The study was carried out at Chuka University Horticultural Research Farm for two seasons, November 2019 to January 2020 and February to April 2020. Factorial experiment of 2x2x2 was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). There were three factors, variety (N26 and KS20), phosphate rock (0 and 30 kg P ha-1) and Rhizobium MEA 716 (0 and 100 g ha-1). The experiment contained eight treatments which were replicated three times. The data was collected fortnightly on four randomly selected plants on parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, branches, pods, total dry biomass, shoot and root dry weight and grain yield. These data was analysed using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). Significant means are separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at probability level of 5%. Results for both seasons indicated that combined application of Rhizobium MEA 716 Rhizobium 100 g ha-1 and phosphate rock 30 Kg ha-1 phosphate under variety in treatment (R1P1V2) showed significantly (P<0.05) higher plant height (76.07 cm), number of branches (14.08 plant-1), shoot dry biomass (52.01 g plant-1), root dry biomass (7.60 g plant-1), total dry biomass (146.4 g plant-1), number of pods (84 plant-1) and yield (2158 kg ha-1) compared to variety N26 in treatment (R1P1V1). Therefore, combination of Rhizobium MEA 716 100 g ha-1 and phosphate rock 30 Kg ha-1 under variety KS20 led to improved growth attributes equally yield components of KS20 variety over N26. From these findings, application of Rhizobium MEA716 at 100 g ha-1, and 30 Kg ha -1 phosphate rock under variety KS20 was recommended for improved and a sustainable green gram production in the study area.