Browsing by Author "Ogolla, F.O."

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EFFECTS OF INTEGRATED APPLICATION OF RHIZOBIUM AND PHOSPHATIC FERTILIZER ON GROWTH, NODULATION AND YIELDS OF SOYBEAN IN MERU SOUTH KENYA
(J. Env. Sust. Adv. Res., 2019-10) Mulambula, S.; Gathungu, G.K.; Ndukhu, H.O.; Ogolla, F.O.; ; ;
The cultivation of soybean is increasing in Kenya due to its widespread use in the food and feed industry. Production is, however, constrained by low soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels. A field trial was conducted at Chuka University Research farm to determine effects of integrated application of rhizobium and phosphatic fertilizer on growth, nodulation and yields of soybean. Treatments included three rates of Triple superphosphate fertilizer (0, 20 and 30 kgha-1 ), and three rates of rhizobia (0, 100 and 200 g ha-1 ) using two soybean varieties (SB19 and SB24). Each treatment combination was replicated three times in a randomized complete block design in a split plot arrangement and the experiment was repeated once. Data collected included the plant height, number of branches, number and weight of nodules, number of pods, fresh and dry shoot weight and grain yield. The data was subjected to analysis of variance using SAS statistical programme and significantly different means were separated using Tukey’s Studentized range test. It was observed that rhizobia and phosphatic fertilizer had significant effect (p=0.05) on the plant height, number of nodules, fresh and dry weight of nodules and mean number of branches and pods, fresh and dry weight of shoots and weight of seed plant1 . The overall means for plant heights, nodule number, fresh and dry nodule weights, number of branches and pods, fresh and dry weight of shoots and weight of seeds plant1 were 29.35 cm and 26.79 cm, 38.71 and 35.14, 0.51 and 0.38, 5.5 g and 12.54g, 49.13 and 59.18, 77.65 and 90.91, 56.99 and 69.33g, 168.9g and 148.13g for SB19 and SB24 respectively. The SB24 genotype remained significantly superior to SB19, with same treatment levels employed. From the results, it can be concluded that integrated application of rhizobia and phosphatic fertilizer (TSP) has significant effect on growth, nodulation and yield of soybean.
Integrated Effect of Rhizobium Inoculation and Phosphorus Application on Tissue Content, Symbiotic and Phosphorus use Efficiency in Soybean Production
(International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology (IJEAB), 2019-10) Mulambula, S.; Gathungu, G. K.; Ndukhu, H.O.; Ogolla, F.O.; ; ;
Soybean (Glycine max) is an important legume crop that is cultivated all over the world as livestock feed, food for human consumption, soil fertility improvement and industrial products such as candles and paints. However, Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrient have been attributed to the decline in soybean yields. Furthermore, scanty information is documented on P-efficient soybean genotypes, which are a sustainable P management strategy for enhancing symbiotic efficiency (SEF) and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE). As a solution, field experiment was conducted at Chuka University farm to evaluate the integration effect of rhizobium inoculation (R) and P on tissue nutrient content, SEF and PUE in soybean production in Meru South Sub County. Two cultivations (Trial I and II) were done in 2018. Treatments included; three rates of R (0, 100 and 200 g ha-1 ), three rates of P (0, 20 and 30 kg- ha-1 ), either applied alone or integrated and soybean genotypes (SB19 and SB24). Both Trials were laid out in a randomized complete block design in split-split plot arrangement with each treatment replicated thrice. Genotypes were assigned main plot, R subplots and P in sub-subplots. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance using the Scientific Analysis System SAS and significantly different means separated using Tukey test at (p≤0.05). The results showed significant difference in N and P tissue content, SEF and PUE for SB19 and SB24 genotypes in both Trials at (p≤0.05). The highest N tissue content of between 1.73% and 9.10% was observed when integration of R and P were applied at the rate of 200 g and 30 kg for SB19 and SB24 in both Trials. While R and P at the rate of 200 g and 30 kg per ha showed the highest P content of between 849.6 ppm and 955.0 ppm in both Trials. The highest SEF recorded was 207% and 261%, and 201% and 227% in Trials I and II, respectively. The PUE was highest when R and P was applied at the rate of 200 g and 30 kg per ha for SB19 and SB24 soybean in both Trials. Integration of R and P at the rate of 200 g and 30 kg ha-1 and adoption of either SB19 or SB24 showed a potential in enhancing soybean cultivation.
Occurrence of fungal foliar diseases of tomato in different agro-ecological zones of Kirinyaga County, Kenya
(Fundamental and Applied Agriculture, 2022-03) Ogolla, F.O.; Muraya, M.M.; Onyango, B.O.; ; ;
Tomato production is characterized by inconsistent quality and yields due to biotic constraints such as fungal foliar diseases. Information on the occurrence of the diseases in different agro-ecological zones of Kenya is scanty. This study assessed the occurrence of early blight, late blight and Septoria spot diseases in tomato farms in five agro-ecological zones (AEZ) of Kirinyaga County in Kenya (UM2, UM3, UM4, LM3 and LM4) using cross sectional survey method. Macro plots were systematically established diagonally in tomato farms and were used to assess disease incidence and severity. Incidences and severity data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Kruskal Wallis is H test at α = 0.05. Median comparison was performed using Steel Dwass Critchlow Fligner with bonferroni adjustment in Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) version 9.4. Incidences and severity of early blight, late blight and Septoria spot in tomato farms were significantly different (p<0.05) among the villages and agro-ecological zones. Incidence of early blight ranged from 35.7% to 76.65% with severity ranging from 17.15% to 50.87%. The incidence of Septoria spot ranged from 23.56% to 93.42% with severity ranging from 16.67% to 44.44%. The incidence of late blight ranged from 33.33% to 86.63% with severity ranging from16.67% to 33.33%. The incidence of early blight was significantly higher in AEZ UM3 (Median = 75%), the incidence of Septoria spot was significantly higher in AEZ LM4 (Median = 83.33%) while the incidence of late blight was significantly higher in AEZ UM3 (Median= 50%). The severity of early blight was significantly higher in AEZ UM3 (Median = 38.89%), Septoria spot was significantly severe in AEZ LM4 (Median = 40.28%) while late blight was significantly higher in AEZ UM4 (Median = 32.72%). It can be concluded that the incidences and severity of the three foliar fungal diseases of tomato differed in different AEZ of Kirinyaga County. These findings serve as a baseline study and can be used to enlighten farmers on tomato fungal diseases in the area. However, there is a need for studies to evaluate predisposing factors and to determine the economic impact of foliar fungal diseases of tomatoes in Kirinyaga County