Inorganic Fertilizer vs. Cattle Manure as Nitrogen Sources for Maize (Zea Mays L.) in Kakamega, Kenya

Abstract

Despite worldwide efforts, food security has not improved in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) since 2000 when the United Nations published its Millennium Development Goals.  Inconsistent and inefficient soil management by farmers is a major contributing factor.  Maize (Zea Mays L.) is a staple foods Kenya, but neither fertilizer nor manure are economically available to farmers in sufficient quantities.  The objective of this study was to compare an inorganic fertilizer with an equivalent dry-weight rate of N from cattle manure for maize production in Western Kenya using six maize plots at four farm sites.

Results from this study conducted in 2007 showed that inorganic fertilizer produced grain yields 68% higher than that from manure. However, yields were low. Analysis of maize leaves at initial silking stage showed that many nutrients were below the critical levels. Further estimates showed that up to twice the amount of N applied to the field is exiting the field via maize grain and stover, thereby creating a negative nutrient budget. For these reasons, it can be concluded that the recommended N rate of 50 kg/ha is not enough to either sustain crop yields or restore the degraded soil systems.