Improving soil fertility, sorghum productivity and economic returns through organic and inorganic inputs in semiarid Kenya
Abstract Sorghum is crucial for food and income generation in semiarid regions, but unreliable rainfall and poor farming practices negatively impact yields. Effective soil management practices can restore fertility and increase sorghum production. This study investigated the effects of incorporating...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Discover Soil |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44378-025-00068-x |
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| Summary: | Abstract Sorghum is crucial for food and income generation in semiarid regions, but unreliable rainfall and poor farming practices negatively impact yields. Effective soil management practices can restore fertility and increase sorghum production. This study investigated the effects of incorporating crop residues (Lablab purpureus L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)) combined with inorganic fertiliser and farmyard manure on selected soil properties, sorghum growth parameters, yields, and short-term economic returns. The experiment was performed for two seasons during October–December 2018 and March to May 2019 cropping seasons. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 13 treatments replicated four times. The treatments included combinations of crop residues, farmyard manure at 10 t ha−1 and 5 t ha−1 and mineral fertiliser at 30 kg ha−1 and 60 kg ha−1. The economic returns were computed via the gross margin (GM), benefit/cost ratio (BCR), and return to labour (RTI). Results showed that the soil pH increased slightly in all treatments, apart from the control. Total N significantly (P = 0.007, P = 0.003, and P = 0.006) increased in the DR + NP + 1/2FYM, DR + 1/2NP + FYM and DR + NP + 1/2FYM treatments. The sorghum growth parameters (plant height, number of tillers, number of panicles, number of nodes) were consistently and significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the treatments with NP and farm yard manure, that is, without crop residues incorporated. Throughout the seasons, sorghum yield and stover biomass yield were significantly greater (p ≤ 0.05) in the NP + FYM and NP + 1/2FYM treatments and lowest treatments with Dolichos residues. Treatments with NP and FYM gave sorghum yields of 2.7–2.9 t ha−1. This is an increase of 350–383% above the control treatment. The most profitable treatment was 1/2NP + 1/2FYM, with a net profit of 56,769 Kshs ha−1 (p = 0.001). It is economically viable to recommend 1/2 NP + 1/2FYM for sorghum production in semiarid areas. |
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| ISSN: | 3005-1223 |