International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research
Abbreviation: IJIAAR | ISSN (Online): 2602-4772 | DOI: 10.29329/ijiaar

Review article    |    Open Access
International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research 2021, Vol. 5(2) 241-256

A review of the Current State of Soil Infertility and Management Options in Kenya: The Case of Maize Growing Regions 

Hillary M. O. Otieno

pp. 241 - 256   |  DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/ijiaar.2021.358.9

Published online: June 30, 2021  |   Number of Views: 156  |  Number of Download: 534

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Abstract

Inappropriate soil fertility management has caused fertility to decline considerably over the years leading to low maize yields despite the growing human population with high food demand in Kenya. Despite high nutrient mining, fertilizer use and adoption of soil fertility improvement practices have remained low among maize farmers in the country. At the current yield levels, maize crops extract over 40, 8, 40.6, and 5.4 kg of N, P, K, and S per growing season, respectively. These extracted nutrients must be replaced to avoid nutrient depletion. Maize crop response to secondary macronutrients (S, Ca, and Mg) and micronutrients (Zn and B) is evidenced, signifying that these nutrients have also reached critical levels in Kenya soils. The rate of replenishing these lost nutrients is still low, farmers apply an average of 43.25 kg of fertilizer per hectare per season. The situation is worsened further by increasing soil acidity- currently below pH 5.5 in most maize-growing regions. Poor agronomic practices applied by farmers directly reduce yields and facilitate other factors leading to nutrient losses. For example, farmers across the country recycle seeds, apply low fertility rates, and rarely keep their fields weed-free. These practices lower the capacity of the crops to tolerate the impact of other production constraints including infertility.

To realize yield improvement and return on investments, farmers must adapt and adopt crucial practices under integrated soil fertility management. Managing soil acidity should be the first approach to unlocking fixed nutrients. Fertilizer application should follow the right rate, right source, right time, and right placement approach. Also, improved cropping systems such as maize-legume rotation and intercropping should be considered for sustainable soil fertility management and crop production.

Keywords: : Agronomic practices, ISFM, fertilizer application, maize production, soil infertility, soil acidity

How to Cite this Article

APA 6th edition
Otieno, H.M.O. (2021). A review of the Current State of Soil Infertility and Management Options in Kenya: The Case of Maize Growing Regions  . International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research, 5(2), 241-256. doi: 10.29329/ijiaar.2021.358.9

Harvard
Otieno, H. (2021). A review of the Current State of Soil Infertility and Management Options in Kenya: The Case of Maize Growing Regions  . International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research, 5(2), pp. 241-256.

Chicago 16th edition
Otieno, Hillary M. O. (2021). "A review of the Current State of Soil Infertility and Management Options in Kenya: The Case of Maize Growing Regions  ". International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research 5 (2):241-256. doi:10.29329/ijiaar.2021.358.9.
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