Effectiveness of Agroecological Intensification Techniques Towards Enhancing Soil Nutrient Status, Moisture Content, and Crop Productivity in Semi-Arid Lands of Kenya

The current study investigated effectiveness of selected agroecological intensification techniques on soil moisture, nutrient (N, P, and organic C) status, and crop yields in semi-arid Katangi division of Yatta sub-County, Kenya. The study was conducted for two seasons; long and short rains of 2010. The experimental set up was a split plot fitted to a randomized complete block design. The main plots were three cropping systems (CS); monocropping (cassava and sorghum), intercropping [sorghum/dolichos (Lablab purpureus), sorghum/pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh), cassava/dolichos, cassava/pigeon pea) and rotation (dolichos - sorghum, pigeon pea - sorghum, dolichos - cassava and pigeon pea-cassava). The split plots comprised organic fertilizers (OF); farm yard manure (FYM) and compost. Measured N, P and organic C levels, in the LRS, were significantly higher in crop rotation, followed by intercropping and monocropping systems with application of FYM. The crop yields were significantly higher in the SRS across all CS and OF with crop rotation and monocropping performing better than intercropping system. Crop diversification in both space and time with application of organic fertilizers could thus boost soil nutrient status, soil moisture and cassava and Sorghum yields in the semi-arid Yatta Sub-county. Key words: Agroecological Intensification; cropping systems; grain legumes; Organic Fertilizers; plant nutrients; Traditional crops