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 Agriculture Advisory Services on Adoption of Sorghum Production Practices among Smallholder Farmers in Tharaka South Sub-County, Kenya
(Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 2022) Nyanchoka, R. O.; Muchiri, J. M.; Omukoko, C. A.; Gikunda, R. M.; Mbaka, F. K.
The development and dissemination of agricultural advisory services (AAS) amongst smallholder sorghum farmers (SHFs) has played a crucial role in sorghum yield improvement in Kenya. However, there is limited information on the influence of AAS on adoption of sorghum production practices amongst SHFs in Tharaka Nithi County particularly Tharaka South Sub-County. The purpose of the study was to generate information that would deepen the understanding of the influence of AAS in enhancing the adoption of sorghum production practices in Tharaka South Sub- County. A descriptive research design was used to describe the characteristics of the study sample. The study targeted 16,437 smallholder sorghum farmers with a sample size of 108 participants. Stratified proportionate random sampling technique was utilized to select farmers from three strata; Marimanti, Nkondi, and Chiakariga wards. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Piloting study was carried out in South Imenti Ward, Meru County which helped to check and advance the validity of research instrument. The reliability of the research instrument was estimated by computing Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the variables. The Cronbach’s alpha values for the study were: adoption of sorghum production practices (α = 0.771), while that of AAS was 0.710. The SPSS (V.22) was utilized for computing both the inferential (independent samples t-test) and descriptive (percentage, median, frequency, mean and standard deviation) statistics. The study findings indicated that there was no significant difference in the access and adoption of sorghum production practices between farmers with access to AAS from those who did not t (106) = 0.843, p = 0.401, d = 0.1684 and t (106) = 0.203, p = 0.839, d = 0.041, at 95% confidence interval, respectively. It was concluded that AAS had no influence on the adoption of sorghum production practices amongst SHFs in Tharaka Sub-County. Therefore, the study recommends the government through the State and County departments of agriculture should support impactful agricultural advisory programs that target sorghum farmers to increase the productivity of the crop.
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.
Use of Cost-Effective Biofertilizers Interventions for Enhanced food Security and Soil Management Amidst Covid-19 Crisis. Review
(2022) Mbaka, F. K.; Oloo-Abucheli, G. O.; Ndukhu, H. O.
Current soil management strategies are mainly dependent on inorganic chemical-based fertilizers, which are expensive and have led to a serious threat to human health and environment. Moreover, COVID-19 pandemic caused economic recession coupling with the effects of climate change. The effect of the pandemic has led to increased prices of inputs particularly chemical fertilizers, resulting in a reduction in crop production. Soil fertility which is a function of agricultural production has declined overtime due to nutrient depletion. The exploitation of cost effective and beneficial microbes as a biofertilizer has become paramount importance in agriculture sector for their potential role in food safety, sustainable crop production and soil fertility improvement. The eco-friendly approaches inspire a wide range of application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs), endo- and ectomycorrhizal fungi, cyanobacteria and many other useful microscopic organisms that have led to improved nutrient uptake, plant growth and plant tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress. The present review highlights; biofertilizers relevance and plant tolerance to environmental stress, biofertilizer exploitation and nutrient profile of crops, potential significance of beneficial microbes in sustainable agriculture. The knowledge gained from the literature appraised herein will help in understand the benefits of biofertilizers towards sustainable agriculture in reducing problems associated with the use of chemicals fertilizers.