Innovative agroecology practices improve maize and bean yields in nutrient-deficient sandy soils of Makueni, Kenya

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cg.authorship.typesCGIAR and advanced research instituteen
cg.contributor.affiliationInternational Center for Tropical Agricultureen
cg.contributor.affiliationInternational Institute for Tropical Agricultureen
cg.contributor.affiliationCenter for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestryen
cg.contributor.donorCGIAR Trust Funden
cg.contributor.initiativeAgroecology
cg.coverage.countryKenya
cg.coverage.iso3166-alpha2KE
cg.coverage.regionAfrica
cg.coverage.regionEastern Africa
cg.coverage.regionSub-Saharan Africa
cg.creator.identifierPeter BOLO: 0000-0002-4202-7557en
cg.creator.identifierHEZEKIAH KORIR: 0000-0001-5444-2662en
cg.creator.identifierBeatrice Adoyo: 0009-0007-8736-2539en
cg.creator.identifierAnne Kuria: 0000-0003-3420-7985en
cg.creator.identifierLisa Elena Fuchs: 0000-0002-8342-6087en
cg.identifier.urlhttps://www.tropentag.de/abstract.php?code=JGt7nihRen
cg.subject.actionAreaResilient Agrifood Systems
cg.subject.actionAreaSystems Transformation
cg.subject.alliancebiovciatAGRICULTUREen
cg.subject.alliancebiovciatBEANSen
cg.subject.alliancebiovciatFOOD SYSTEMSen
cg.subject.alliancebiovciatSOIL HEALTHen
cg.subject.impactAreaEnvironmental health and biodiversity
cg.subject.sdgSDG 1 - No povertyen
cg.subject.sdgSDG 2 - Zero hungeren
cg.subject.sdgSDG 12 - Responsible production and consumptionen
dc.contributor.authorBolo, Peteren
dc.contributor.authorKorir, Hezekiahen
dc.contributor.authorAdoyo, Beatriceen
dc.contributor.authorKuria, Anneen
dc.contributor.authorFuchs, Lisa Elenaen
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-02T12:35:49Zen
dc.date.available2025-01-02T12:35:49Zen
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/168466
dc.titleInnovative agroecology practices improve maize and bean yields in nutrient-deficient sandy soils of Makueni, Kenyaen
dcterms.abstractAgroecology has been highlighted as a sustainable approach with the potential to support food system transformation in both low and middle-income countries. Its potential to improve soil and crop productivity is unmatched. Implementation of innovative agroecology practices is key in promoting soil quality and health, improving agrobiodiversity and enhancing crop productivity. We assessed the influences of select agroecology practices on maize and bean crop performance in nutrient deficient sandy soils in Makueni County, Kenya. The study was conducted on 30 resource-constrained smallholder farms during the short rains season of the year 2023. The innovative agroecology practices tested involved; i) use of biopesticides (IPM); ii) terracing, and iii) use of organic inputs (manure). The three agroecology practices geared towards pest (IPM), water (terraces) and soil (manure) management. We present the results of one cropping season. Preliminary results show that agroecological practices involving combined use of biopesticides and organic inputs increased maize and bean yields relative to the rest of the practices. Across the three agroecology practices implemented, maize yields increased by at least 40 kilograms. Relative to control plots, maize yields increased by 109, 78 and 40 kilograms per acre respectively under terraces, manure and IPM practices, respectively. This was consistent to monetary gains averaging USD$ 50.26, 63.14 and 18.28 per acre in one season under terraces, manure and IPM, respectively. Similarly, increased by 20.7, 33.3 and 19.8 kilograms per acre per season, respectively under IPM, Manure and terraces. These were equivalent to monetary gains of USD$ 25.48, 40.98 and 24.37, respectively under IPM, manure and terraces. These results provide preliminary evidence to support the promotion of agroecological practices among farmers and policy makers. In addition, the outcomes indicate that agroecological practices are effective in boosting crop performance, underpinning the possibility to attain improved productivity and sustainability through integration of agroecology practices. Finally, farmers can effectively and cheaply manage crop pests through the use of biopesticides that reduces dependence on harmful and expensive chemical pesticides.en
dcterms.accessRightsOpen Access
dcterms.bibliographicCitationBolo, P.; Korir, H.; Adoyo, B.; Kuria, A.; Fuchs, L.E. (2024) Innovative agroecology practices improve maize and bean yields in nutrient-deficient sandy soils of Makueni, Kenya, Tropentag, September 11 - 13, 2024, Vienna. 1 p.en
dcterms.extent1 p.en
dcterms.issued2024-09-18en
dcterms.languageen
dcterms.licenseOther
dcterms.subjectagronomyen
dcterms.subjectinnovation systemsen
dcterms.subjectagrobiodiversity-agricultural biodiversityen
dcterms.typeAbstract

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Alliance Bioversity CIAT Conference Papers, Abstracts, and Proceedings
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