Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Levels of Knowledge in Soil Fertility Management in the Central Highlands of Kenya

This study aimed to first assess knowledge levels of the farmers in the use of manure, fertilizer and combinations of manure and fertilizer and secondly to identify the socioeconomic factors influencing the levels of knowledge in the use of animal manure, inorganic fertilizers and combination of animal manure and inorganic fertilizers in Meru South, Maara and Mbeere South districts of the central highlands of Kenya. Data were collected from a random sample of 300 households through face to face interviews using an interview schedule. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. Results showed that 75% and 73% of the respondents had high levels of knowledge in use of manure and fertilizers, respectively, while 43% of the respondents had moderate levels of knowledge in the use of manure ＋ fertilizers. Age of the household head （HHH） training in the use of animal manure and group membership significantly influenced household levels of knowledge in use of animal manure. In regard to levels of knowledge on fertilizer use, group membership, age of the HHH and total farm size were important explanatory variables while gender of the HHH, household size, training on manure ＋ fertilizers, group membership and total farm size were important in influencing the levels of knowledge in use of manure ＋ fertilizers. The implication of these results is that training and belonging to a group enhances level of knowledge on soil fertility management and development, so workers should focus on these two aspects.

The Effects of Manure, Lime and P Fertilizer on N Uptake and Yields of Soybean （Glycine max （L.） Merrill） in the Central Highlands of Kenya

Soybean （Glycine max （L.）） is one of the most important legume crops being introduced in the CHK （Central Highlands of Kenya） expected to increase yields. However, low levels of soil N （nitrogen） and other plant nutrients and soil acidity are seen as the major causes impairing goal achievement. To evaluate the influence of manure, lime, P （phosphorus） fertilizer and their combination on N uptake and soybean performance, an experiment was conducted in Embu ATC （Agricultural Training College） comprising 9 treatments, arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 4 replicates in plots of 4 m×4.5 m. The study included manure （0, 5 and 10 t-ha-1）, lime （0 and 2 t.ha-1） and P fertilizer （0, 30 and 60 kg.P.hal）. The treatments significantly influenced N uptake and soybean yields. Both parameters responded well to application of manure both alone or combined to lime and TSP （triple super phosphate）. From these it was concluded that organic and inorganic resources have potential to enhance N uptake and soybean and other crops yields in CHK.

Modelling Soil Erosion for Land Management in Ungauged Golole Catchment in Marsabit County, Kenya

This study modeled soil erosion between January 2016 and September 2018 for land management in Golole catchment. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) constituting the main agents of soil erosion was modeled in a Geographical Information System (GIS) environment. The objective of this study was to model soil erosion for land management in the ungauged Golole catchment. The Golole catchment soil erosion map reveals that within the catchment the soil loss was not homogeneous and erosion risk was not the same. The catchment experiences an annual mean score soil loss rate of 279 t/ha that is above the recommended maximum allowable annual soil loss rate of 4 t/ha. The catchment’s soil loss rate is described as high and severe representing 70% and 30% of landmass respectively. This study found the need to decelerate the above soil loss rates to moderate and low levels by adopting soil erosion mitigation measures such as stone contour ridges, manure, strip cropping, and terracing in the cultivated areas and controlled grazing in the lowland rangeland. The study strongly felt the need to protect the forest reserve from tree cutting and further human encroachment. This study concludes that there is the need for further research 1) in the forest reserve areas that showed the greatest rates of soil erosion menace to determine the underlying causes, and 2) to assess the temporal trends of the soil erosion hazard using high-resolution data.