Maize Response to Organic and Inorganic Soil Amendments Grown Under Tropical Acidic Soil of Kenya

Kisinyo Peter Oloo

 

Full Length Research Paper I Published April,2016

 

Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology  Vol. 2 (3), pp.35-40

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

The one year field study evaluated the effectiveness of cattle manure (CM), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers on some soil chemical properties and maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield in Migori County, Kenya. CM was alkaline and of good quality, likely to increase soil pH and mineralize to release N and P to soil solution. The soil was acidic (pH = 5.5), had low Ca, N, P and C. CM increased soil pH by 9 to 15%, P by 7 to 9%, N by 17 to 60% and C by 22 to 36% while the inorganic fertilizers reduced soil pH by 4 to 6%. N and P fertilizer increased soil N by 50 to 120% and P by 7 to 14%. Grain yield increased by 36, 108, 157, 189 and 203% due to 2 tons CM, 26 kg P+75 kg, 2 tons CM 26 kg P+75 kg N, 52 kg P+75 kg N and 2 tons CM+52 kg P+75 kg ha^-1, respectively. Organic and inorganic materials have the potential to increase maize grain yield on tropical acid soils with low N, P and organic matter such as reported in this study. 2 tons CM+52 kg P+75 kg N ha^-1 was most suitable for soil fertility replenishment necessary for high maize grain yield.

Key Words: Soil, Cattle Manure, Phosphorus, Nitrogen and Maize.
 

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