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EFFECT OF PHOSPHATE FERTILIZER APPLICATION METHODS AND NITROGEN SOURCES ON MAIZE IN WESTERN KENYA: AN AGRONOMIC AND ECONOMIC EVALUATION

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 October 2007

P. A. OPALA ,
B. A. JAMA ,
C. O. OTHIENO  and
J. R. OKALEBO
P. A. OPALA
Affiliation:
Bukura Agricultural College, P.O. Box 23, Bukura, Kenya
B. A. JAMA
Affiliation:
International Center for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), P.O. Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya
C. O. OTHIENO
Affiliation:
Moi University, Department of Soil Science, P.O. Box 1125 Eldoret, Kenya
J. R. OKALEBO
Affiliation:
Moi University, Department of Soil Science, P.O. Box 1125 Eldoret, Kenya
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Abstract

Simultaneous deficiencies of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) which limit crop production in western Kenya can be overcome through a combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers. An experiment was conducted with maize (Zea mays) for two seasons to compare two methods of applying inorganic P fertilizer (broadcast versus spot) in a factorial combination with three N sources, i.e. farmyard manure (FYM), Tithonia diversifolia green manure (tithonia) and urea. Net financial benefits of the tested practices were computed using partial budgeting. Maize yield was not significantly affected by the P fertilizer application method in the first season, but the broadcast method was generally superior to spot application in the second season. The three N sources produced maize yields that were comparable in both seasons. FYM integrated with P fertilizer applied using the broadcast method, however, had the highest cumulative net benefit and was therefore the most economically attractive input combination.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 43 , Issue 4 , October 2007 , pp. 477 - 487
Copyright
© 2007 Cambridge University Press

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