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The Legume Research Network Project (LRNP)has adopted Farmer Field School (FFS) approach asone of the methodologies to disseminate promisinglegume green manure technologies in smallholderfarms. Four Network sites are already

Contents

Editors’ Note…………………………………. 1

Farmer field schools approach for disseminationand scaling up green manure technologies in LRNPsites……………... 2

Scaling up green manure technologies for soilfertility improvement using farmers field schoolsapproach in Kisii….……… 2

Malanga farmer field school for soil managementtechnologies launched in Western Kenya……... 5

Jembe farmers field school for scaling up legumegreen manure technology for soil fertilityimprovement at the coastal Kenya…………….. 7

The use of farmer field school approach for dissem-ination and upscaling green manure technology inKarurina site, Embu District………………… 9

Poem on Mucuna…………………………….. 10

Farmers’ experiences on green manure technologyin Gatanga ……………………………………..11

A summary report of the LRNP Phase II planningmeeting………………………………………. 12

Summaries of the proposed Ph D studies…….. 13

Announcements………………………………. 19

using the approach and this issue includes articlesreporting the initiation of their schools and currentstatus. Farmers continue to appreciate the use ofgreen manure cover crops for soil fertilityimprovement and crop yields. Two articles onfarmers' own experience with crotalaria (Crotolariaochroleuca) and mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) inGatanga are reported in this issue. A planningmeeting for LRNP Phase II research activities(2001 - 2005) was held at Kisumu on 15 -16th

October, 2001. The highlights of the meeting arepresented in this issue. Six proposal summaries fordetailed legume studies which are intended to leadto an award of Ph D degree were presented duringthe meeting and these have been included in thisissue. Of the six proposed Ph D studies, three willmainly address the role of GMCC in improving soilfertility and crop yields, one is on resourceuse/competition while the other two are on soil -legume - livestock interactions. We again extendour gratitude to all those who contributed articles tomake publication of this issue a success. We aregrateful to the financial and technical support wehave continued to receive from the RockefellerFoundation and we also sincerely acknowledge thesupport the LRNP has received from DirectorKARI since its inception.

EDITORS’ NOTE

LRNP newsletter is published in June andDecember of each year. The newsletterprovides a forum for highlighting Networkactivities and for sharing research findings withnetwork members and other projects, individualresearchers and farmers who are involved inlegume research work in Kenya. Mr. D. M. G.Njarui stopped being the editor of thenewsletter towards the end of the year.

LEGUME RESEARCH NETWORK PROJECTNEWSLETTER

KENYA AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTEP.O. BOX 14733, NAIROBI, TEL. 254-440935, FAX 254449810

E-MAIL Address: jmureithi@net2000ke.com

Issue No. 6 December 2001

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This is to give him more time to concentrate onhis Ph D studies. We take this opportunity tothank Mr. Njarui for having devoted some ofhis time to edit the newsletter and at the sametime wish him well in his Ph D studies. Yourcontributions (short articles) and constructivecomments should be addressed to the Editors ofLRNP Newsletter, C.K.K. Gachene or LRNPCoordinator, J. G. Mureithi.

Farmer Field Schools approach fordissemination and scaling up greenmanure technologies LRNP sites

Introduction

The Farmer Field School (FFS) approach is aparticipatory approach for scaling upagricultural information and technologies usingnon-formal adult education methods based onexperimental learning techniques andparticipatory training methods. The approachshifts from targeting with pre-set extensionmessages towards building on and improvingthe farmers’ capacity to analyze their farmingsystems and practices, and to develop and testpossible solutions that address their prioritizedneeds, combining local and scientificknowledge. FFS emphasizes learning by doing.The learning process takes place in the fieldand is normally designed to last for a fullgrowing/cropping cycle. This enables farmersto participate fully in the implementation of allcomponents of the technology from planting toharvesting. The learning process accordsfarmers opportunity to observe and reflect themerits and demerits of the technologies andthereby make informed decisions of whether toadopt them or not. FFS are not new in Kenya;the first ones were established in 1994-95following the original model promoted by FAOin Indonesia. As those in SE Asia, most FFScentered on integrated pest management (IPM)on various crops, with many focusing onvegetables and some on poultry production. In1996 the FAO's Special Program for FoodSecurity initiated FFS in Kakamega, Bungomaand Busia districts in the western Province ofKenya and later schools were initiated at theKenyan coast. The schools in western Kenyahave been reported to increase crop yield by up

to 3 times and reduced chick mortality from 80to 20%.The FFS approach is being implementedthrough two projects of KARI, the SoilManagement Project (SMP) and LegumeResearch Network Project (LRNP), which aresupported by theRockefeller Foundation. The approach startedbeing used in March 2001 on a pilot basis afterthe two projects successfully developed andtested a number of technologies with farmersand there was a need to adopt a methodology tohelp upscale the adoption of the technologies.Four LRNP sites; Kisii, Kakamega, Mtwapaand Embu are using the approach to scale upgreen manure legume technology. Twoscientists, one extensionist and a farmer fromeach of the sites attended a training workshopon the approach at Crop Management ResearchTraining facility at Egerton University from 12to 17th March 2001. During the trainingparticipants developed tentative workplans ofthe schools they were going to initiate in thefield. They also developed tentative trainingcurricula of the technologies to be scaled up.The following are reports from the LRNP siteshighlighting formation of the schools and theircurrent status.

Scaling up green manure technologiesfor soil fertility improvement usingFarmers Field Schools approachin Kisii

S. N. Maobe, A. R. Ondicho andS. Obaga, KARI, RRC–Kisii, P.O. Box 523Kisii

Introduction

Umoja farmer field school (UFFS) inMwamotaro village was formed primarily toscale up the use of soil improving legumesnamely, Mucuna pruriens and Crotolariaochroleuca in smallholder farms. Formation ofthe school commenced during the first week ofJune, 2001 and the first step involved holding ameeting with the government heads in thedivision particularly those in the extensiondepartment of the Ministry of Agriculture andRural Development. In the meeting,

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participants were briefed on the FFS approach.This was followed with another meeting in thedivision to sensitize FFS to local leaders,farmers and farmer organisations. Furtherconsultations were made with more farmersregarding the local needs and commitment tothe implementation of the FFS. Negotiationsfor the location of FFS site started and farmersselected a site that was accessible andappropriate for setting up demonstrations onthe legume technology.

The process of selecting a site was crucialbecause it was to become the classroom for theFFS learning activities for the entire season. Asite was identified in Mwamotaro village,Mwagichana location. It was agreed that thecrop produce from the demonstration site wasto be shared equally between the school and theowner of the farm, who was also a student ofthe school. Umoja FFS was finally formed in

July 2001 and it has currently 33 registeredmembers.

Prior to commencement of activities in theselected sites, the District Agricultural andLivestock Extension Officer (DALEO) wasvisited, briefed and plans made for his tour ofMarani division and specifically in the selectedareas where the schools were to be opened. Thetour, which took one day, comprised of theDALEO, farmers, researchers andextensionists. Dates were agreed upon togetherwith the extensionists in the division (livestockand crops), and the provincial administration atthe village level for start of groundwork in thesites.

Meetings were scheduled at the various sites tosensitize local leaders and farmers in theselected sites. The following work plan wasagreed upon:

Workplan for Umoja FFS

Activity Time frameWeek month Year

Whom

Ground working 1 6 01 Res, Extn, FarmerVillage immersion 2 6 01 -do-Site selection 3 6 01 -do-Prioritize, plan and design PTDs 4 6 01 -do-Training curriculum on soil improvement usingDifferent technologies

1 7 01 -do-

Identification and acquisition of suitable legumes 2 7 01 -do-Check on land preparation 3 7 01 -do-Layout plots 4 7 01 -do-Planting test crop 1 8 01 -do-Intercropping legume and planting legume for seed 2 8 01 -do-Crop management 3 8 01 Res, Extn., and FFS

participantsObservation, data collection (field days etc) 4 12 01 -do-Harvesting 1 1 02 -do-Evaluation workshop 2 1 02 -do-Land preparation and legume incorporation 3 1 02 -do-Harvesting legume seed 4 1 02 -do-Laying out plots 1 2 02 -do-Planting test crops 2 2 02 -do-Interplanting legumes 3 2 02 -do-Crop management observation 3 2 02 -do-Data collection (field days etc.) 3 7 02 Res, Extn., and farmersHarvesting 4 7 02 -do-

Evaluation workshop 1 8 02 -do-

Graduation 2 8 02 -do-

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So far, implementation of the activities is onschedule. This mainly involves evaluatingMucuna pruriens and Crotolaria ochroleucafor improvement of soil fertility and maizeyields. Field experiments were started on 23rd

August 2001 by the student farmers. Thelegumes are being tested both as intercrop andas seasonal rotation with maize. Phosphoruswas applied to both maize and the legumes atplanting. Nitrogen requirement for maize wasto be provided by the herbaceous GMCCthrough biological nitrogen fixation. Cropperformance will be monitored till harvest.

Learning on the curriculum commenced in thefirst week of July 2001. Topics that have beencovered include, definition of soil, legume andfertilizer types; importance of green manures incrop production; soil nutrients and theirmanagement; planting materials and treatmentsin experimentation; interplanting of greenmanures and incorporation into the soil;bulking of planting materials; agro-ecosystemanalysis (AESA) and its importance, withexamples on bananas, maize, tomatoes andkales.

The first AESA session was a demonstration tothe student farmers. Procedures followed inmaking observations in experiment wereexplained. Reasons for making observations ortaking measurements were described. Theimportance of measurements as criteria forcomparing treatments in experiment wasclarified. Farmers were enlightened on variousagronomic parameters that are commonlymeasured in experimentation such as,germination, plant height, leafiness and grainyield.

In addition to AESA, farmers have beenexposed to special topics. Such topics coverother aspects of interest in smallhold farmingwhere farmers have problem and requireexpertise advice from both researchers andextensionists. These special topics have beengoing on well, sometimes consuming moretime than expected.

Farmers' reaction

The farmer field schools approach presentedgood opportunity for farmers, researchers,

extensionists, NGOs, CBOs to interact, reviewand discuss issues affecting agriculturalproduction in the study area. The interest fromfarmers was evidenced by their willingness toattend planning meetings for FFS activities. Inone of the sites, the meeting was attended by 37farmers most of whom expressed interest intrying the legumes for soil fertilityimprovement. It was appreciated that the ideaof using herbaceous legumes to improve soilfertility was new phenomenon hithertounknown to the community. The farmers raisedso many issues to the extent that the meetingoriginally scheduled for a single day took twodays to complete. In the meeting, it turned outthat farmers were not well equipped withimproved farming techniques almost in allaspects of farming. Major farming constraintswere identified on dairy cattle production, soilconservation, types of fertilisers to use,horticulture and sweet potato varieties. Thefarmers were willing to learn new ways ofimproving their farm yields. There were highexpectations especially on the learning processand farmers hoped that their problems would besolved instantly. Some of the farmers werequick to ask whether they would be providedwith free farm inputs such as seed maize andfertilizers for their own use. The farmers werebriefed on the various approaches that arecommonly used and the advantages of FFS inwhich they were to be involved.

The bringing together of farmers in FFS forumon regular basis within the community todiscuss agricultural production problems anddesign possible solutions was also perceived asnew phenomenon by the community.

Members agreed to register with Ksh. 50 for astart. The FFS is making arrangements forregistration with the Social ServicesDepartment of the government to attain officialstatus. Also, plans are underway to open upbank account with the Rural Savings and CreditCo-operative Organization (SACCO) which isa local banking facility. The farmers haveagreed on the norms for the school.

ConclusionSo far there has been a lot of interest with theFFS. The progress made is very encouragingand there is hope that more farmers will join

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the FFS. Umoja FFS members have requestedfor educational visits to other FFS in Kenyaundertaking similar activities. Facilitators ofthe school have identified Kakamega andMaseno as potential areas to be visited whenopportunity arises. The experience from suchvisits will improve the farmers' knowledge onGMCC technologies.

Malanga Farmer Field Schoolfor soil management tech-nologies launched in Western Kenya

J. O. Ojiem and E.A. Okwuosa, KARI, RRC-Kakamega, P.O. Box 169, Kakamega

Introduction

Legume green manure research begun in 1995with the screening of species for adaptability toecological conditions prevailing in Kenya. InWestern Kenya, five promising legume greenmanure species were selected. These wereMucuna pruriens (Velvet bean), Canavaliaensiformis (Jack bean), Lablab purpureus,Crotalaria ochroleuca (Sunnhemp) and Glycinemax (Soya bean). Two of these species- Mucunaand Crotalaria, were tested on-farm ascomponents of Integrated NutrientManagement (INM) in Kabras, KakamegaDistrict, between 1997 and 1999. The objectives

of these trials were to evaluate the effect oflegume green manure biomass on soil fertilityand maize

grain yield. Green manure was applied alone andin combination with inorganic nitrogen andfarmyard manure. The trials were conducted atthree sites in Kabras and involved twentysmallhold farmers.

Results obtained from these trials were veryencouraging. A number of the options testedwere superior to the farmer practice. The mostpromising options were inorganic N, andcombinations of green manure and inorganic N.On average, grain yield increases of up to 2 tha-1 were recorded with these options. Basedon these results, the Legume Research NetworkProject (LRNP) incorporated the Farmer FieldSchool (FFS) approach in its strategy fordissemination and scaling up of INM options inWestern Kenya.

The Malanga Farmer Field School

The school was established in August 2001after a lengthy process of consultations withMalanga farmers of Yala Division, SiayaDistrict. During the process, farmers weresensitized on the basic FFS principles,approach and objectives. Due to great

FFS in progress, Western Kenya

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enthusiasm shown by farmers, it was decidedthat participants be drawn from 23 activeagriculture oriented farmer groups in the area.Each group nominated two participants to theFFS. To take care of gender concerns, thegroups nominated a male and femalerepresentative.

The groups whose representatives areparticipating in the school are:

Mwandi Allied Youth, Uzima Development,Ujimbe Self Help, Nyi-kisumu, Bidii, MalangaDevelopment, Sanjro, North Gem CommunityResource Centre, Chuth Ber, ChandruokWomen, Otuodi Women, Adhira Women, BadOpanga Women, Dak Maber Women, MotoMoto Development, Ratego, Ayieko, TausiWomen and Malanga Group.

Action Plan for season long FFS- TOT ( June 2001 - September 2002

Activity Time ResponsibilitiesCommunity mobilization and sensitization. 1st - 4th week of June Res, Extn

Planning meeting to• Discuss curriculum• Discuss management structure of FFS

and agree on responsibilities• Agree on suitable FFS site• Discuss official launching of the FFS• Official launching of the FFS

4th week July- 1st week August Res, Extn

Field transect walk and establishment ofPTD activities

2nd week Aug to 2nd week Sept.2001

Res. Extn, Farmers

Preparation of training materialsTraining session I• Introduction to the basic principles of

soil and crop management

4th week Aug. - 4th week Dec.2001

Res, Extn

Field day 3rd week Dec 2001 Res, Extn, FarmersTraining session II Establishment of PTDactivities continues• Biomass incorporation• Planting of test crop (maize)

3rd week Jan. -2nd week Feb 2002 Res, Extn

Training session III• Collection and interpretation of PTD

data

3rd week Feb - 2nd weekAug.2002

Res, Extn, Farmer

Training session IV• Training on principles and skills of INM

continues• Evaluation of yield

3rd week Feb - 2nd week Aug.20023rd -4th week August 2002

Res, Extn

Res, Extn

Field day 4th week May 2002 Res, Extn, FarmerMonitoring and evaluation• Monitoring and backstopping

• Progress reports

4th week July, 4th week Oct, 4th

week April 2002, one more time ifneed arises.3rd week Sept, 3rd week Jan, 4th

week April, 4th week Aug

FAO Facilitators

Res, Extn

Graduation of FFS participants• Preparations for graduation• Graduation ceremony

1st week Sept 20022nd week Sept. 2002

Res/Extn Facilitators,Farmers, Project Co-ordinator

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FFS Curriculum and Activities

The first task of the school was to review andagree on the proposed curriculum, work plan(see above) and Participatory TechnologyDevelopment (PTD) activities that wereformulated during a TOT course for FFSfacilitators held in Njoro in March 2001. Thiswas followed by election of the FFSCommittee. Then, assisted by the Committee,the participants formulated a set of rules toguide the operations of the FFS. According tothese rules, arrival time is 8.00 am, school daybegins with a prayer, the committee has thepower to decide the fate of a member who isabsent for three consecutive school days, etc.

Farmers discussed and selected the followingtechnologies for evaluation at the school:

i. Green manure + TSP ii. Compost iii. Compost + CAN iv. Green manure + TSP +CAN v. Control (no inputs)

These activities were initiated in lateSeptember 2001 (short rain season), whenfarmers planted Crotalaria and Mucuna greenmanure plots which will be incorporated intothe soil in mid January 2002. These plots willbe planted with maize in March (long rainseason) to evaluate the effect of legume greenmanure on maize yield. However, in the shortrain season, compost, and compost + CANwere evaluated against a control treatmentwhich received no inputs. This is the practiceby majority of farmers in the area. The plotshave been harvested and farmers are currentlyprocessing the information to determine whatlessons they can draw from the results. Buteven before drying and weighing the outputfrom the three treatments, it was visually clearto farmers that improving fertility, eitherthrough compost alone or compost augmentedwith CAN, is vital for improving yields.

In addition to PTDs, participants have gonethrough a number of theory lessons. Theseinclude:

• The soil and its components• Essential plant nutrients and factors

influencing their availability

• Sources of plants nutrients (organic andinorganic fertilizers)

• The role of legume green manure in soilfertility improvement

• Striga control• Appropriate maize varieties and seed

selection.

Jembe Farmers Field School forscaling up legume green manuretechnology for soil fertilityimprovement at the coastal Kenya

H.M. Saha, A. Mzingirwa, F. Piko and C.Masha, KARI, RRC – Mtwapa, P.O. Box 16,Mtwapa

Introduction

Jembe Farmers Group (JFG) has been inexistence for the last seven years. Mostprojects of JFG are agricultural based. Thisgroup participated in the LRNP's IntegratedNutrient Management (INM) on-farm trials.

Members of the group meet on Wednesdays toperform planned tasks at the group farm. TheFFS was formed for the purpose of scaling upgreen manure legume technology as acomponent of INM in smallholder farms.

School formation

The process of forming the school started witha meeting on 28th March 2001 to sensitizemembers of JFG on the concept of FFS as anextension tool. This meeting was scheduled tocoincide with the weekly meeting of thefarmers group. During this meeting, thefarmers chose the portion of the field that wasto be used for the PTDs. They then planned tohave it ready by the next meeting so that plotlayout could be done. Plot sizes were to bedetermined during the layout. After a lengthydiscussion, the farmers chose Wednesday to betheir school day. They also agreed that schooldays should run from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.After this period, the farmers would thenimplement recommendations from AESAs ordo other group activities. Fridays were chosenfor implementing what was recommended onWednesdays, as per the AESA charts.

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The different roles of farmers and TOTparticipants were also discussed. Since theapproach is fully participatory, the farmerswere encouraged to do everything bythemselves. The facilitators would only offerguidance and provide all the necessaryrequirements for learning, including invitationof specialists to teach special topics. Thefarmers group already has a constitution inplace and its activities are run under theguidance of the constitution. However, thefarmers were informed about the importance ofsetting up norms to ensure successful runningof the farmers’ school. They were asked tocome up with a list of norms for discussionduring the second meeting.

During the second meeting, experimental plotseach measuring 15 x 5 m were laid out. Fivesub-groups were formed, each to take care ofone experimental plot. The farmers conductedan election for officials of their school andelected:- a chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

Technological components

The following technological components arebeing demonstrated and investigated:1. Mucuna + half rate FYM2. Mucuna + half rate N3. Mucuna + half rate FYM + half rate N4. Half rate FYM + half rate N5. Farmers practice (FP)

Curriculum for Jembe FFS

(i). Soil Fertility Management: Soils (types,formation, composition), the plant (parts andtheir functions, requirements), nutrientdeficiencies, soil fertility decline, nutrientsources, soil improving legumes,handling/storage of nutrient sources andapplication of nutrient sources (what, how,when, how much, and why?).

(ii). General Crop Management: Landpreparation (timing, tillage method, whyprepare land), planting (seed selection andacquisition, planting time and depth, spacing),weeding (weed types and effects, methods andtiming of weeding), pest control (what a pest is,damage symptoms, control), diseases (types,symptoms, control), harvesting (timing) andstorage (methods, storage pests, damage,control).

(iii). Social Aspects: Grouping and groupdynamics, norms, roles (members, officials),attitudes/beliefs and sustainability. The schoolis to run up to end of February and farmers arescheduled to graduate in March 2002.

Progress so far

So far, the school has been going on for 35weeks and most of the topics for the curriculumhave been covered including a special topic on

Jembe FFS in session

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improvement of indigenous chicken. Theschool has completed one season, during whichmucuna biomass was raised on three plots asgiven in the treatment layout. Four weeks aftermaize was harvested, legume biomass andmaize stover were chopped and incorporatedinto the soil during the subsequent season. On10th October 2001, the farmers opted to do dryplanting of maize in their experimental plots.By 7th of November 2001, no emergence hadbeen observed and the farmers had to re-plantmaize. One week later, very poor emergenceof maize was observed and this was attributedto low seed viability. They therefore resolvedto re-plant maize using new seeds. Tagging ofmaize plants was done for field observations.The farmers had planned to undersow mucunain the respective plots within two weeks aftermaize emergence but this has not beenaccomplished yet because of very low soilmoisture. The farmers intend to continuediscussing special topics on poultry. The nexttwo topics that will be discussed are poultryhousing and control of poultry diseases.

Farmers’ views about the school

Most farmers attending the FFS were happythat the school was started at their group farm.Two neighboring farmers got interested in theschool and were allowed by the JFG to jointhem. The farmers reported that they havelearnt a lot by closely following activities onthe farm and continuous monitoring of cropgrowth. They have benefited more from thefield observations and discussions duringpresentations and lessons. The farmers werealso happy that they had been educated on anumber of issues about farming e.g. efficientland use.

Constraints

When the FFS was started, most members wereexcited about the school. Twenty-seven of themenrolled with the school. However, theattendance went down after the first week.Some farmers, especially the illiterate ones,shied away from the school. A meeting washeld between the farmers and facilitators to findout the reasons for the poor attendance. Fromthe discussions, it became evident that the word

"school" scared off the illiterate farmers. Afterthe meeting, the attendance improved a bit.The average daily attendance is currently 15farmers per school day, which is still too low.Ways are still being sought to improve theschool attendance.

The use of Farmer Field Schoolapproach for dissemination andupscaling green manuring technologyin Karurina site, Embu District.

J.N. Gitari, S. K. Karumba, C.N. Kirumia andA.M. Mwaniki, KARI, RRC-Embu, P.O. Box 27,Embu

Introduction

Green manuring trials were conducted between1997-99 at Karurina and Gachoka LRNP sitesin Embu and Mbeere districts, respectively, onthe south-eastern slopes of mount Kenyaregion. The results showed that green manure(GM) is a feasible option for use in alleviatingthe declining soil fertility status in the region.In order to upscale and disseminate thistechnology to the local farming communities,the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach toagricultural extension was chosen as the mainmethod to train and educate the farmers.

Steps followed in establishingKarurina FFS

1) The village immersion activities wereconducted on August 30, 2001.

2) Farmer enrolment was done during the fieldimmersion activities.

3) Farmers selected the field to act as theirclassroom.

4) Farmers enrolled in the school and selectedgroup officials.

5) School registered with the Ministry ofSocial Services as a self-help group on 31August 2001.

6) Group officials opened a bank account atEmbu Farmers SACCO for the groups’financial transactions on 6th September2001.

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7) First day of group meeting to draw upschool norms was on September 6, 2001.

8) First day of school learning activities wason September 17, 2001.

9) Completion of the two season-long learningcycles in the GM technology is expected tobe in September 2002.

10) After graduation farmers will be free toform their own schools on GM technology.

Technological components of theKarurina FFS

During the experimentation phase the legumegreen manure treatments proved effective as

the source of nitrogen particularly during therelatively wet seasons. In the less wet seasons,a combination of organic (green manure) and asmall dosage of the inorganic N was moreappropriate. From these conclusions thetechnological components of the Karurina FFSwere identified, namely:

1) Legume residue only

2) Legume residue plus half rate (25 kg ha-1)of inorganic N

3) Legume residue with half rate (2.5 t ha-1) ofanimal manure

4) Untreated check

POEM ON MUCUNAby Benson Gacithere, organizing secretary, Karuruna FFS

My name is mucuna. I am a leguminous plant. I grow in a cool to warm climate. I can help farmers ofKarurina FFS who do not have adequate money to purchase fertilizers, who cannot use recommended amountof fertilizers due to lack of enough supplies and who cannot use other manures like Boma or chicken manure, toimprove their soil fertility.

I am in two seed types - black and white seeded. I will help the farmers in the following ways: as a cover crop Iwill control soil erosion; if I am incorporated in the soil as green manure I will add nitrogen to the soil; myorganic matter will improve water holding capacity, nutrient content in the soil, balance nutrient in the soil andmy legume residue will provide nitrogen for the growth and development of maize.

Using me is a low cost method of improving soil fertility. Please note that I am in short supply and hence, youmust grow me in bulking plots for seed production. Karurina FFS students are already bulking me in theirschool plot.

My recommendation to Karurina FFS is that you tend the demonstration plots and keep them free from weedsand observe me as I grow and mature. Discuss all observations among yourselves and with the facilitators. Ihope I have not bored you with this story of myself and I hope one day we shall be real friends and partners inimproving our soil for your survival, and mine too!

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Curriculum for the Karurina FFS

The curriculum for the year-long Karurina FFSis as follows: Soil (definition, importance,genesis, composition, macro and microelements, nitrogen, nutrient depletion), greenmanure legumes, (definition, characteristics,growth cycle, nodulation, incorporation,decomposition and nutrient release), maizecrop husbandry (varieties, spacing and plantpopulations, use of fertilizers, use of manure,weeding, pest management, harvesting andstorage), economics of maize cultivation (grossmargin, net benefit, cost benefit analysis).

Farmers' experiences on greenmanure technology in Gatanga

Peter Mwaura c/o KARI—NARL P.O. Box 14733 Nairobi

Brief introduction

The legume screening work was started inGatanga in 1994 by the LRNP with the aim ofselecting the best bet species for soil fertilityimprovement. In 1997, legume residuemanagement trial was started to evaluate theeffect of incorporating legume biomass into thesoil, leaving it as surface mulch or removing itfrom the plot, on maize performance in amaize/crotalaria or maize/mucunaintercropping systems. At the beginning someof the farmers were in doubt about the greenmanure technology and there were some fewdropouts. The following highlights theexperiences of two participating farmers,namely, Pauline Waithera and Susan Wanjiru,on GMCC technologies in Gatanga area.

Waithera's experiences

Pauline Waitheraparticipated in the legumescreening trial and was oneof the farmers whovolunteered to implementthe legume residuemanagement trial in 1997.

Her farm is 1.2 ha and the soil is low in pH andorganic matter. She initially chose crotalaria for

soil fertility improvement but after 2 years sherealized that it was not improving her soil andmaize yields as she had expected. She replacedit with mucuna, which she had seen growing inanother participating farmer’s plot, andobserved that it produced a lot of biomass andcovered ground quickly. She planted pure standmucuna at the onset of the short rains 2000which was later cut and incorporated into thesoil at the start of long rain 2001. She did notadd any other source of nutrients to the maizecrop. The maize looked green and strong andthis encouraged her and her husband to planhow they could put a bigger area under mucunaas a source of nutrients, and as a ground coverto control soil erosion.

Waithera also started using mucuna as a covercrop in her established tea seedlings. She hadobserved that mucuna is good for controllingsoil erosion and during the same year, sheplanted mucuna in an erosion prone area in herfarm. Through her own initiative, she hasestablished mucuna seed bulking plot, so thatshe can get enough seeds to plant in her farm.Though she has constructed many soil erosioncontrol structures, she has observed that theyare not effective in controlling erosion andwould like to reinforce them with cover cropslike mucuna to reduce soil erosion.

Waithera has planted other legumes such asdesmodium, which is planted under avocadoand macadamia trees. The desmodium wasplanted in 1997 and she had been using thelegume as fodder. The LRNP has provided herwith glycine and siratro. The areas plantedwith glycine and siratro under avocado trees are60 x 15 m, and 17 x 30 m, respectively.

Waithera is willing to continue with the greenmanure technology in order to improve thefertility of her soil. She would like to introducemucuna under her coffee and tea bushes toprotect the soil from erosion. Having seen thebenefits of using legume cover crops, Waitherawould like to see more farmers in Gatanga areausing green manure legumes in their farms.

Wanjiru's experiences

Susan Wanjiru was among the volunteers forthe legume residue management trial. During

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harvesting, she notedthat maize yieldswere higher in plotswhere crotalariabiomass wasincorporatedcompared to the plotwhere maize wasplanted withoutcrotalaria biomass.She decided toincrease the areaunder the greenmanure legumes dueto the benefits sheobtained. Wanjirucontinued with thesame work this time using mucuna instead ofcrotalaria. Maize yields were even bettercompared to what she was getting fromcrotalaria plots. She explained that, yields werehigh due to high mucuna biomass, which wasincorporated into the soil thus leading toimproved soil fertility, and crop yields.

Most of the visitors to her farm wanted legumeseeds after being shown and explained theactivities of GMCC technology in her farm.However, she could not provide the seeds, asthey were in short supply. Wanjiru has trainedother farmers on the use of green manuretechnology and she visits them to see how theyare progressing.

She is of the feeling that if the technology isintroduced to many farmers, Gatanga area willbenefit in terms of improving soil fertility, soilerosion control and crop yields. For thetechnology to be sustainable, she is in theprocess of starting seed bulking using a largerplot.

A SUMMARY REPORT OF THELRNP PHASE II PLANNINGMEETING

Introduction

The LRNP planning meeting for phase IIresearch activities (2001 - 2005) was held from15th to 16th October 2001 at Sunset Hotel,Kisumu. The purpose of the meeting was toreview the current status of the network and

plan for the LRNP Phase II research activities.The meeting was attended by network membersfrom KARI, NGOs (C-MAD and EAT), andthe University of Nairobi. Highlights of thePhase I activities (1994 – 2000) and anoverview of the proposed Phase II (2001 –2005) network research activities werepresented during the meeting.

LRNP Research Agenda for Phase IIActivities (2001 – 2005)

In summary the Phase II Network proposalswill include research to fine tune GM legumetechnologies that were developed in Phase I.This will focus on identification of appropriatetime of planting GM legumes with respect tothe test crops and optimal plant population tomaximize legume biomass production andminimize inter-species competition, and time ofincorporation of legume biomass tosynchronize nutrient release and uptake. Otherresearch activities to be undertaken in thesecond phase include, quantification of fixednitrogen by the best-bet GM legumes,evaluation of the GM legumes as a componentof integrated nutrient management, species andintra-species diversification, studies to identifyniches for GM technologies, studies to evaluateGM legumes as livestock feed and human foodand the trade offs of using the legume biomassfor soil fertility improvement compared tofeeding livestock. Studies to assess diffusion ofthe GM technologies and their adoption willalso be undertaken. Approaches for

Wanjiru’s mucuna bulking plot

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disseminating the technologies will beevaluated.

Implementation of research activities

The proposed research work will beimplemented over a period of five years.Coordinated trials will be carried out by theNetwork members in their respective researchsites. Collaboration will be sought in researchareas that the Network lacks in expertise (e.g.micro-biology) and with institutions andNetworks in the region doing research in any ofthe themes identified by the LRNP. SixNetwork members have expressed interest toundertake Ph.D. studies in the local universitiesthat will be based on the proposed researchthemes. These members will conduct researchin their respective network sites, but part of theresearch work will be replicated in the Networksites that have similar agro-ecological andfarming characteristics. The LRNP welcomesthis initiative as it sees it as an opportunity tokill two birds with one stone; quality researchwill be undertaken leading to award of Ph.D.degrees and GM technologies will bedeveloped for on-farm testing.

SUMMARIES OF THE PROPOSEDPH D STUDIES

Use of green manure legumes toenhance soil fertility for maizeproduction in Embu and Mbeeredistricts, Kenya

J. N. Gitari, KARI RRC Embu, P O Box 27,Embu, Kenya

The traditional methods of maintaining soilfertility in African farming systems throughdifferent forms of fallowing has becomeinefficient and unsustainable due to small landsizes caused by high population pressure. Theresult has been a net removal of nutrients,which has led to a depletion of the soil nutrientreserves. Recent studies in Embu and Mbeeredistricts located in the south-eastern slopes ofmount Kenya indicated that nutrient depletionon district basis might reach –55 and –15 kgha-1 per year of N and K, respectively. Thus,nitrogen nutrient budgets at farm level are the

most affected. Highest levels of N depletionoccur in land use systems which are dominatedby food crops where annual losses of about 126kg ha–1 have been reported. Maize is the mostimportant cereal/food crop in Kenya. It isplanted either as a sole crop or as an intercropwith beans or other crops. Maize yields infarmers’ fields have declined to about 1.0 Mgha-1 whereas the present maize cultivars have apotential of about 6.0 Mg ha-1. These lowyields are partly due to the sub-optimal use ofinorganic fertilizers or farmyard manure due tothe high cost or unavailability of these farminputs.

Legume green manure/cover crops (GMCC)offer a low cost opportunity for maintainingsoil fertility by mainly improving nitrogensupply to the soil. They also conserve soilmoisture, reduce soil erosion and lower labourcosts for weeding. Herbaceous legumes aremore widely used worldwide as cover cropsand green manures. Screening herbaceouslegumes for soil fertility improvement in theeastern slopes of mount Kenya has recentlybeen concluded. Some of the best-bet speciesfor GMCC which were identified include thevelvet bean (Mucuna pruriens), Tanzaniansunnhemp (Crotalaria ochroleuca), anddolichos (Lablab purpureus). The legumesestablish easily, nodulate profusely and are

resistant to pests and diseases. These legumenodulate in the absence of any externalinoculation. They may be grown as anassociated crop with maize for the provision ofN to a growing maize crop and improve theavailability of P and K to subsequent crops.

The study proposed here aims to developefficient and cost-effective methods ofimproving soil productivity using N-fixing,high biomass producing herbaceous legumesfor the smallhold resource poor farmers ofcentral Kenya highlands. It is hypothesizedthat inclusion of legume cover crops in themaize-based cropping system is beneficialthrough the improvement of soil N status andbetter nutrient cycling if appropriate residuemanagement techniques are employed. In orderto achieve this objective, experiments will beconducted to:

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• Document and validate farmer perceptionson the extent of the problem of soilproductivity and the use of plant residues toalleviate the soil infertility in the study area.

• Determine the performance of GMCCundersown to maize.

• Investigate the relative efficiency ofdifferent legume residue managementtechniques and determine the role ofmineral N supplementation.

• Determine the role that low quality plantresidues (maize stover) can play in slowingdown the rate of fast-decomposing mucunaresidue for timely release of N to agrowing.

These objectives will be achieved byconducting four separate experiments over aperiod of three consecutive cropping seasons.The study will commence with a formal surveyto appraise and validate the farmers’perceptions on the extent of the decline of soilfertility and the use of plant residues in soilfertility enhancement.

The second part of the study will be todetermine the performance of GMCCherbaceous legumes undersown to maize. Thisstudy will evaluate the growth performance ofthe above three legume species for theirsuitability as GMCC when undersown tomaize. The third part of the study will be todetermine the most appropriate mucuna residuemanagement technique(s) together with thelevel of mineral Nsupplementation required for the production ofa reasonable crop of maize. Two residuemanagement techniques, namely, mulching andincorporation each supplemented with 0, 30and 60 kg ha-1 of mineral N will beinvestigated. The fourth part of the study willbe to determine the role that organic residueswith high C: N ratio play in slowing down therate of N-mineralization of mucuna residue.Mucuna residue will be tested at 6.0 Mg ha-1

whereas the rate of the maize stover residuewill be varied at 0, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%(8.0 Mg ha-1). Data analysis of the survey inexperiment one as well as the other socio-economic parameters obtained in the otherthree experiments will be analyzed using

statistical package for social scientists (SPSS)computer software. Experiments two, three andfour will be laid out and analyzed asrandomized complete block design with fourreplicates. The biophysical data of the legumeand maize, which will be obtained from theseexperiments, will be analyzed using theanalysis of variance (ANOVA). Separation ofthe means will be by least significancedifference (LSD) procedure. Single degree offreedom contrasts will also be performed fordifferent treatments. The expected output fromthis study is the generation of useful, scientificcost-effective technologies which if adoptedwill lead to increased agricultural productivityamong the smallhold farming communities ofthe study area.

Improving resource use under maize-green manure cover crop systems incoastal lowland Kenya

H. M. Saha, KARI RRC Mtwapa,P O Box 16 Mtwapa

The three most important food crops grown onsmallholder farms in coastal lowland Kenya aremaize (Zea mays L.), cowpea (Vignaunguiculata L. Walp.) and cassava (Manihotesculenta Crantz). Tree crops such as coconut(Cocos nucifera L.), cashewnut (Anacardiumoccidentale L.), mango (Mangifera indica L.)and citrus (Citrus sp.) are also grown. Maize isthe staple food for the region. It is produced on99% of the farms while cowpea and cassava areproduced on about 70 and 60% of the farms,respectively. The three food crops are usuallygrown in intercropping or relay croppingsystems. Occasionally, the farmers growcomplex intercrops of the three food cropsunder tree crops. Over 90% of the farmers inthe region practice intercropping (usually maizeand cowpea) during the long rains season.

Most of the smallhold farmers grow the foodcrops entirely for subsistence. These farmers,however, are faced with the problem of lowagricultural productivity. The average yields ofmaize and cowpea on-farm are only about 1.0and 0.3 t ha –1, respectively. Low soil fertilityand weed infestation have been identified as twoimportant factors contributing to the low maizeyields. The farmers in the region cannot afford

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inorganic fertilizers, the currently recommendedsolution to the problem of low soil fertility.They have either consciously or unconsciouslyrelied on the intercropping or relay cropping ofgreen manure cover crops (GMCC) with cerealsfor improving soil fertility.

The problem of low soil fertility is made worseby severe weed infestation on most smallholdfarms. The coastal climate favours rapid weedgrowth, leading to serious crop-weedcompetition for resources. Smallhold farmers inthe region are currently dealing with theproblem of weed infestation by weedingfrequently, at least twice in a maize crop.Weeding is mostly carried out by women, whospend most of their time in a cropping seasoncontrolling weeds using hand tools. Whilethere is no doubt about the need fortechnologies to improve soil fertility andreduce weed infestation in the coastal region, itis quite important that such technologies shouldensure more efficient use of resources.Technologies that minimize weed infestationon farms will certainly contribute toward moreefficient use of resources. Such technologieswill also cut down the time spent on weedingso that the farmer can have more time toperform other home activities.

Cropping systems may be manipulated to ensurethat different component of a given system tapresources more efficiently and, therefore,maximize productivity. Most of the smallholdfarmers are using maize - GMCC systemsmerely as a tradition. Very little effort has beenmade to maximize productivity of the systemsthrough improved resource use. Intervention istherefore necessary to work out strategies forbetter use of the maize-GMCC systems.

The proposed studies will be carried outbetween latitudes 30 and 40 S and longitudes390 and 400 E, covering two coastal lowland(CL) agro-ecological zones namely CL3 andCL4. These zones receive bimodal rainfall withannual averages of about 1200 and 800 mm,respectively. Luvisol is the major soil type inthe two agro-ecological zones. These soils aremoderately well drained and normally deficientin essential plant nutrients, especially nitrogen,and are prone to leaching. The pH of the soilsranges from 5 and 7.

Studies will be carried out at two on-stationsites, to devise ways of improving resource useby the components of maize-GMCC systems.Availability of resources and their use will beinvestigated in two categories of croppingsystems: (1) maize-forage legume inter- orrelay-crop, and (2) maize-grain legume inter- orrelay-crop. The two green manure (GM)legumes to be used in the proposed studies arevelvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) and cowpea,respectively. The broad objective of theproposed studies is to increase maizeproduction on smallhold farms through bothimproved soil fertility and improved resourceuse.

The studies will be carried out under thefollowing research themes:

• Manipulating plant density and time ofundersowing GM legume to maize in orderto improve resource use and maximizeyields,

• Using GM legume fallows betweencropping seasons to minimize crop-weedcompetition and improve resource use bymaize in a subsequent season,

• Explaining the differential effects of GMlegume incorporation and mulching on cropyields.

A randomized complete block design will beused, with factorial arrangement of treatments.Treatment combinations will be replicated fourtimes. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) will becarried out using the SAS GLM computersoftware. The least significant difference(LSD) will be used to separate means.Experimental plots will be maintainedthroughout the study.

Determination of optimum quantity ofgreen manure application fromMucuna pruriens for improvement ofsoil fertility in maize (Zea mays L.)production

S. N. Maobe, KARI Regional Research Centre -Kisii, P.O Box 523, Kisii.

The proposed research addresses someknowledge gaps in the use of green manurecover crops (GMCC) to alleviate problem of

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declining soil fertility in smallholder farmingsystems. It is considered that the practice ofgrowing a leguminous GMCC offers a low-costalternative to mitigate the problem, andsupplement the sub-optimal levels of inorganicfertilizers used by farmers. It is hypothesized inthe research that major decisions in the use ofGMCC systems partly revolve around thefollowing two aspects:

(i) Amount of green manure that is optimal forimprovement of soil fertility and crop yield,(ii) Reduction in nitrogen losses andsubsequent season fertilizer requirement forcropping through residual influence andquantity of green manure that is practicallyattainable under prevailing farming system andagro-ecological condition.

The purpose of the proposed research work isto define the optimum green manureapplication rate for improvement of soilfertility and maize yield. Specific objectives areto determine the effect of;

(i) incorporated mucuna green manure biomasson nitrogen uptake, growth and yield of maize,(ii) applying different rates of mucuna biomasson soil microbial activity, mineralization andnitrogen release patterns over time undercontrolled laboratory conditions and(iii) residual effect of various rates of legumebiomass on subsequent fertilizer Nrequirements and maize yield. Also theresearch aims at evaluating the contribution ofdifferent green manure rates, and below groundbiomass of Mucuna pruriens to nitrogendistribution in the soil profile at various soildepths.

The research will be carried out using twotypes of experiments:

(i) Laboratory study (Experiment I) involving,various quantities of mucuna green manurebiomass, simulating different combinations ofabove and below ground biomass rates, andvarying nitrogen fertilizer levels, incubated atthree different soil moisture conditions in orderto simulate different agro-ecologicalenvironments used for maize production inKenya.

(ii) Field study (Experiment II) entailing theplanting of maize on-farm under depleted soilconditions, with treatments of differentcombinations of above and below groundmucuna biomass rates, and varying nitrogenfertilizer levels, similar to those studied in thelaboratory. The design of the field plantedmaize experiment will be a randomizedcomplete block design with four replicationsusing plot sizes of 5 m x 8 m. The N fertilizerrates will be used to generate N responsecurves for the soil used. Phosphorus andpotassium will be applied at optimal levels.

The parameters to be measured in thelaboratory experiment are nitrogen release(NH4-N and NO3-N) and microbial activity. Inthe field experiment, measurements will bemade on nitrogen uptake, maize growth, andyield. The research intends to achieve itsobjectives by defining the relationshipsbetween quantity of green manure (aboveground biomass) incorporated, available N anddistribution in the soil profile; contribution ofbelow ground biomass (roots), microbialactivity, residual influence in subsequentcropping season, coefficient of N utilization,nitrogen uptake, maize growth and yield. Thedata will be subjected to analysis of varianceand mean separation using the least significantdifference method (LSD) to identify thestatistically significant results. Regressionprocedures will be used in analysing trends oftreatment effects over the two seasons.Economic analysis will be done on theagronomic data obtained to compare leguminousgreen manure from mucuna and inorganicfertilizer, as sources of nitrogen for maizeproduction.

Enhancing livestock feed supply andmaize production by integratingforage legumes in semi-arid region ofeastern Kenya

D. M. G. Njarui, KARI NARC, Katumani,P. O. Box 340 Machakos

The majority of the smallhold farmers within thesemi-arid region of eastern Kenya practice mixedcrop-livestock farming. Declining soil fertilityand inadequate livestock feeds particularly

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protein are the major production constraints inthe region. Farmers continuously plant cerealcrops on their land with little or no addition offertilizers leading to decline in soil fertility. Thesituation is aggravated by severe soil erosion thatoccurs during the rainy season. Short-termfallow system is practiced in some farms as amean of recuperating soil fertility. The availablelivestock feeds are fibrous and are particularlylow in crude protein content. The maincontributory factor to inadequate feeds is poorquality pastures, low soil nitrogen and prolongeddry seasons. Intensive fodder productionsystems based on Pennisetum purpureum andPanicum maximum have been introduced tofarmers who keep improved dairy cattle. In thisregion, a production system that combines soilfertility improvement and fodder production canbe more appealing to smallholders practicingmixed farming.

The aims of this study are:• To utilize the short-term fallow period for

production of quality fodder and enhance soilfertility improvement during the fallowperiod for maize production by introducingherbaceous legumes into the fallow system

• To incorporate forage legumes into theintensive fodder grass production systems toimprove availability of quality feeds.

Two major experiments will be conducted usingfour selected herbaceous forage legumes; Lablabpurpureus, Mucuna pruriens, Stylosanthesscabra and Macroptilium atropurpureum, atNational Dryland Farming Research Centre,Katumani, within the semi-arid region of easternKenya. In the first experiment, the first twolegumes will be grown in

the short-term fallow period and the amount ofbiomass available for livestock feeding and theirvalue on livestock productivity evaluated. Theeffect of incorporating varying proportions of thelegume biomass into the soil on soil fertilityimprovement and on maize yield will be studied.The second experiment will investigate thecontribution of the other two forage legumes tototal forage yield when grown in intercroppingsystem with the two fodder grasses. Thequantity and quality of the forages will beassessed as well as their value as livestock feeds.To support the two major experiments, two side

experiments will be conducted. The first will beto assess the phosphorus requirement of the fourlegumes, as phosphorus is an important nutrientthat influence productivity of the legumes. Thesecond experiment will be to study the effect oftwo planting patterns of the legumes (single ordouble legume rows planted between the foddergrasses rows) on productivity of thegrass/legume system.

Potential of legume cover crops forsoil fertility and weed management ina maize and potato rotation system

Wycliffe Kiiya, KARI - Kitale, P. O. Box 450,Kitale

The problem of declining soil fertility in Kenyacannot be effectively addressed throughagronomic practices like fallowing, croprotation, application of organic manures and tosome extent application of inorganic fertilizersdue to various constraints. Fallowing is notfeasible because of the diminishing farm sizes.Due to the introduction of perennial cash cropssuch as pyrethrum, sugarcane, tea and coffee indifferent areas where the land is arable and theemphasis on cultivation of food cereal cropsmainly maize, sorghum and finger millet,chances for rotating crops with contrastingnutrition characteristics are drastically reduced.Since smallhold farmers do not keep a lot oflivestock, farmyard manure is inadequate tomeet soil fertility requirements associated withcontinuous cultivation and is in most casesimproperly managed thereby reducing itsquality. Use of inorganic fertilizers hasdeclined sharply in recent years due to the highcosts relative to the low crop market prices. Toaddress the problem of declining soil fertility,there is therefore need to search for alternativestrategies to supplement costly inorganicfertilizers and inadequate farmyard manure.The alternative strategies should be low costand fitting into the current farming systems ofthe target area. Soil improving legumes used asgreen manures have been shown to havepotential to improve soil fertility in variousparts of the world. In Kenya, the LegumeResearch Network Project (LRNP) hasachieved quite some milestone in identifyinglegume green manures for different agro-

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ecological zones of the country. However, thecool upper highland zone of the country, (LH)which is the zone of interest in this study, hasnot benefited from this work. The specificobjectives of this study are:

• To evaluate and identify suitable greenmanure legumes for the UH zone andappropriate time of relaying in maize andpotato crops.

• To assess the effectiveness of green manurelegumes in improving soil fertility forincreased maize and potato yields.

• To evaluate the effectiveness of greenmanure legumes with low inorganicnitrogen in controlling sheep’s sorrel weed(Rumex acetosella L.)

The first activity will be a Participatory RuralAppraisal (PRA) and soil sampling andanalysis exercise to establish soil fertility levelsand trends, extent of sheep’s sorrel weedproblem, causes, farmer management practicesand the perceived maize and potato yieldlosses. In addition to visual observationsacross the farm’s slope, vegetation cover, soiltypes, crops grown and their status, the spreadof the sheep’s sorrel weed and densities, astructured questionnaire will be used togetherwith other necessary data. Soil samples will becollected from a depth of 0-15 cm for physicaland chemical analysis to establish levels of P, Cand available N. At the main site, soilsampling will be carried out on the basis of thedistribution and density of sheep’s sorrel weed.Data collected from the survey will be analysedusing the Statistical Package for Socio-Scientists (SPSS). The second activity willinvolve the evaluation of legume cover cropsand relaying time in maize and potatoes.

Three green manure legumes; purple vetch(Vicia benghalensis), Lana vetch (Viciadasycarpa) and lupins (Lupinus albus will beevaluated in pure stands as well as in intercropwith maize and second season potato crop. Thegreen manure legumes will be introduced insecond potato crop two weeks after emergence,and in maize at the tasselling stage. Treatmentswill be laid out in a RCBD replicated 3 times.Pure stand vetches will be drilled 30 cm apartbut lupins bean will be planted 2 seeds per hole

at 40 cm between rows and 15 cm betweenholes. One row of vetches will be drilledbetween maize and potato rows as relays. Arow of lupins will each be planted betweenmaize and potato rows at an intrarow spacing of15 cm and at 2 seeds per hole.

Plot size will be 6 m by 6 m long. At planting,maize will be intercropped with peas (Pisumsativum) which is the normal practice in thearea. Green manure legumes will beintroduced after harvesting the peas to beincorporated into the soil prior to planting thenext season’s crop. Soil samples will be takenprior to planting and at the time of introducinglegumes, other data to be collected will be:percent germination biomass at one monthintervals, persistence in terms of survival rate,nodule numbers and whether N-fixing or not,days to the initiation of flowering, quality interms of C: N ratio, lignin and polyphenoliccompound levels through tissue analysis atflowering time and pests and diseases.

Effect of legume cover crops onprimary production and soil fertilityin semi-arid rangelands of KajiadoDistrict, Kenya

P. N. Macharia, KARI- NARL, P. O. Box14733, Nairobi

The arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) of Kenyaare more than four-fifths of the country’s totalland surface and the main land use system inthese regions is livestock production. This isthe best avenue to convert range forage intomeat, milk and other animal products forpeople living in these rangelands, while thesurplus enters the export market. However, theprimary and secondary productivity of theseareas have been declining mainly due tomismanagement of natural resources. The soilsare also of low inherent fertility.

The impact of unsustainable management ofrangelands is a decreased biodiversity,increased soil and nutrient loss, intermittentprimary and secondary production, increasedfood insecurity and poor environmental quality.On the other hand, the rainfall factor in ASALregions is both inadequate and erratic. One wayof increasing the grazing resources and primary

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production of semi-arid rangelands would be tofind means of integrating legume cover cropsso as to raise the primary productivity in termsof pasture quality and quantity. The legumecover crops would also contribute toenvironmental conservation in terms of reducedsoil losses, addition of organic matter and soilnutrients (especially nitrogen). Some legumespecies also have a positive effect to the soil asregards soil moisture conservation.

Little effort has been done to study foragelegume cover crops as constituents of naturalpastures in semi-arid rangelands and theireffect on primary production and soil fertility.Further, little has been done to study theinteractive effects of defoliation intensity andfrequency on forage production of suchlegume/grass mixtures in natural pastures. Theproposed study will try to address theintegration of legume cover crops to increasethe primary production as well as enhancing ofsoil fertility in the rangelands.

The study site will be located in MashuruDivision of Kajiado District in agro-climaticzone V that is the dominant zone in thedivision. The proposed study will be carriedout in two phases, with phase one being legumescreening experiment to identify the best twolegumes out of ten which can be adopted to thearea. These species are: Stylosanthes scabravar. seca, Macropitilium atropurpureum,Neonotonia wightii, Centrosema pubescens,Mucuna pruriens, Lablab purpureus cv.Rongai, Macrotyloma axillare, Stylosanthesguianensis, Canavalia ensiformis andMacrotyloma uniflorum. The experiment willbe conducted for one year in an enclosure plotwhereby data on soil and legume establishmentwill be collected

Phase two of the study will be on-farm experi-ment in two enclosures of five blocks each.The treatments will be Legume 1 alone,Legume 2 alone, Grass alone, Grass/Legume 1and Grass/Legume 2. The treatments will befurther subjected to two defoliation intensities(15 and 30 cm heights) and three defoliationfrequencies i.e. after 2, 4 and 6 months peryear. The experiment will be conducted for twoyears and data collected on soils, biomassproduction and nutritive value of grass and

legume plants. The main output of this studywill be recommendations for pasturemanagement after integration of legume covercrops into semi arid rangelands.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Legume Seed StoreThe table below shows the amount of seedavailable in the Network seed store. Specialthanks goes to Mtwapa site for forwarding tothe LRNP store 900 kg of mucuna white seed.In year 2001, about 40 requests for legume seedwere received from international and nationalresearch organizations, NGOs, individualfarmers and scientists. All Network sites areasked to take seed bulking seriously becausewe anticipate an increase of legume seeddemand as a result of great interest shown onlegume based technologies.

Award: During the ASA/SSSA/CSSA AnnualMeeting held in North Carolina on 22 October,2001, the American Society of Agronomypresented (in absentia) a Certificate ofExcellence to Messrs. S. M. Kanyanjua, J. G.Mureithi, C. K. K. Gachene and H. M. Saha.This was in recognition for the development ofoutstanding educational material on "Soilfertility management hand book for extensionstaff and farmers in Kenya". This publicationhas already been issued to differentorganizations/ institutions and individuals inKenya

LRNP represented in INM andREFORMAT meetings: The ProjectCoordinator and Assistant Project Coordinatorattended a Rockefeller Foundation funded INMmeeting and 2nd Forum on REFORMAT held atNjoro (September 2001) and Nairobi(November 2001), respectively. Presentationswere made on LRNP activities during the twomeetings.

Regional and InternationalConferencesAnimal Production Society of Kenya ScientificSymposium to be held on 21st and 22nd March2002. Symposium Theme: Enhancing uptake ofappropriate livestock technology. For furtherdetails contact david.kari@net2000ke.com orsabdulrazaak@hotmail.com

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Legume seed bulking; amounts of seed received from sites, issued out and amount available instore by 12th February 2002

SpeciesAmount of seedreceived from sites(kg) by Feb. 2002

Amount of seedissued out (kg)so far

Amount of seed instore (kg) by 12th Feb.2002

Canavalia ensiformis 531 315 222Crotalaria juncea 13 8 5Crotalaria ochroleuca 269 188 81Desmodium uncinatum 9 3.5 5.5

97 78 19Lablab purpureus: (Brown) (Black) 27 16 11Phaseolus lunatus 29 13 16Macroptilium atropurpureum 74 65.5 8.5

1560 511 1049Mucuna pruriens: (White) (Black) 453 50 403Neontonia wightii 69 67.9 1.1

19 19 -Vigna unguiculata: (Cowpea K80 ) (Cowpea M66) 9 8 1.0Vicia villosa 9 8.6 0.4

14 13.3 0.7Phaseolus coccineus (Black) (White) 18 14 4Vicia benghalensis 6 4 2.0Vicia dasycarpa 5 3.4 1.6Vicia sativa 7 5.4 1.6

International Workshop on ModernizingAgriculture Visions and Technologies forAnimal Traction and Conservation Agriculture.To be held in Sunset hotel & conference centerJinja Uganda 19-25th May 2002. For furtherinformation contact ATNESA LinkDr. Pascal G. KaumbuthoP.O. Box 61441 Nairobi, KenyaEmail: KENDAT@africaonline.co.kehttp://www.ATNESA.org

Short Course Training on Biological NitrogenFixation. Organised by Faculty of AgricultureCentre for postgraduate studies University ofZimbabwe in collaboration with AfricanAssociation for Biological Nitrogen Fixation on22 April 2002 to 18 May 2002. For furtherInformation contact facpse@agric.uz.ac.zw

12th International Soil ConservationOrganization Conference, 26 -31 May 2002,Beijing, China. Contact Secretariat of the 12th

ISCO Conference, E-mail:isco2002@swcc.org.cn, paper@swcc.org.cn orhttp: //www.swcc.org.cn/isco2002,http: www.isco2002.org

International Agricultural ExtensionConference, May 26-30, 2002. Durban, SouthAfrica. jcoertse@scientia.up.ac.za

The 17th World Congress of Soil Science, 14th -20th August 2002, Bangkok, Thailand. Formore information, write to: World Congress ofSoil Science, Information Centre, KasetsartUniversity, P. O. Box 1048, Bangkok 10903,Thailand or Email: o.sft@nontri.ku.ac.th,http://www.17wcss.ku.ac.th

Participatory Approaches In SustainableAgriculture. 2nd Regional Course. October 13-18, 2002. Regional Workshop. Jinja, Uganda.Dr. Eusebius J. Mukhwanasacred@africaonline.co.ke

Third International Symposium: AGRO-ENVIRON -2002: Sustainable Agro-Environmental Systems. October 26-28, 2002Cairo, Egypt.Email: sirahman@intouch.com