Effect of phosphorus fortified compost on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and Lablab (Lablab purpureus L.) intercropped maize in acidic soils of Western Kenya
| Autor: | Lauren Julie, Mwonga Samuel, Ojiem John, Orandi Jairus |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
060201 languages & linguistics
Lablab purpureus biology Compost Phosphorus 05 social sciences Tithonia chemistry.chemical_element Intercropping 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences engineering.material biology.organism_classification food.food food Agronomy chemistry Phosphorite 0602 languages and literature 040103 agronomy & agriculture engineering 0401 agriculture forestry and fisheries Phosphorus deficiency Soil fertility General Agricultural and Biological Sciences |
| Zdroj: | African Journal of Agricultural Research. 17:329-336 |
| ISSN: | 1991-637X |
| DOI: | 10.5897/ajar2020.15408 |
| Popis: | Phosphorus deficiency majorly constrains maize (Zea mays L.) production in acidic soils of western Kenya. This requires high doses of expensive inorganic P fertilizers to correct. Recommended rock phosphates and manures are lowly adopted because of low solubility and P content respectively. A Randomized Complete Block Design experiment was conducted for two seasons to assess effect of a cheaper alternative P source, Phosphorus fortified Tithonia compost (PCM), on growth and yield of maize and lablab-intercropped maize on two sites with different soil fertility. The experiment was set up on seven farms per site in Kapkerer (low fertility) and Koibem (higher fertility). Three P source treatments of Minjingu rock phosphate (MRP), Phosphorus fortified Tithonia compost and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) were applied at an equivalent rate of 26 kg P/ha for maize and maize-lablab intercrop. Data on plant height, Leaf Area Index (LAI), aboveground biomass, leaf P concentration and grain yield were collected. PCM treatment significantly (p≤0.05) increased maize height, LAI, aboveground biomass and grain yield compared to TSP in Kapkerer. No significant differences were noted in leaf P concentrations. PCM is a good alternative to expensive inorganic P fertilizers in acidic soils of western Kenya. Key words: Tithonia P-fortified compost, Rock phosphate, intercropping, lablab. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|