Soil fertility dynamics in Bambara groundnuts (Vigna Subterranea) and Nerica rice (Oryza Sativa) intercrop system in small holder farms in Western Kenya.

Abstract

Agricultural production in Kenya has stagnated since 1980s resulting in malnutrition in over 89% of Kenya’s population. Food insecurity has been identified as the prime cause of malnutrition. Low agricultural productivity due to declining soil fertile from poor cropping systems and use of non adapted exotic crop species has worsened this situation. Intercropping offers advantages if well planned including improved soil fertility and yields. Bambara groundnuts have shown high yield in low fertile been described as a complete food. NERICA rice has been reported to offer higher yields and shorter growing seasons. Cropping systems that combine both these crops in production systems will help alleviate malnutrition and food insecurity soil fertility. The objective of this study was to assess the soil fertility variation in bambara groundnut and NERICA rice I system in small holder farms in Western Kenya. Five treatments including without intercropping with bambara groundnuts, T3: Rice NERICA 4 intercropped with bambara groundnuts, T4: Rice NERICA 11 without intercropping with bambara groundnuts and T5: Rice NERICA 11 intercropped with bambara groundnuts we analyses including nitrogen, phosphorous, pH and soil moisture were done to evaluate soil fertility variations in the course intercrop system. Data obtained was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine if the treatment ef at 5% level. Separation of means was done by Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5% level. Soil fertility under intercropping system was significantly higher in the subsequent seasons as compared to the initial season with bambara the soil N through its association with N fixing bacteria. This study provides an understanding of the effect of NERICA rice bambara groundnuts intercrop system on soil fertility. This allows us to understand the response mechanisms both below and above ground of the two crops to resources.