I’m Gloria Nasimiyu Werunga second born of the family, i dreamed of becoming a create Researcher in future since I was in primary school. I loved writing,farming and any other related activities, havinggrown up in a family practiced faming I attended Namawanga girls high school in Bungoma county I loved agriculture
as a subject and i was active in many agriculture related activities including farming and establishing of demo-plots.Later I joined Masinde Muliro Diploma course in Sugarcane agronomy then joined BSc. In Agriculture biotechnology in the same university graduated in 2014, in 2017 i joined University of Nairobi for MSc.in Agronomy did my research and a waiting for graduation this year 2022 Currently am a Technical training and vocational trainer in Marsabit county, through this it has given me abilities and skills needed to grow crops, identify crop diseases, crop protection and crop agronomy and management
Abstract
Sugarcane fertilization is largely concentrated on Nitrogen (N). Recent soil Abstract analysis results indicate that soils in the Mumias region of western Kenya are low in content. In assessing the quality factors in sugarcane systems, adoption of balanced nutrition would help to improve sugarcane productivity and quality.
This study reports the effect of N-rate on growth and yield of two phonologically contrasting sugarcane varieties. Two experiments were set up simultaneously in KALRO-SRI-Kibos and Mumias farm from October 2018-July 2019 cropping season. Treatments of two sugarcane varieties KEN 82-216 and KEN 82-601 and
three N rates of N (0, 60 and 120 kg N/ha) in a randomized complete block design with a 3 x 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of the treatments with three replications.The two sugarcane varieties recorded a significant difference at P≤0.05 in number of tillers in both Mumias and Kibos. The varieties recorded a non-significant
variation to N rate treatments. N rate × variety interactions for chlorophyll content did not record significant effect at Mumias and Kibos. At Mumias, interactions between varieties and N rate resulted in a significant effect in leaf area index in the 5th month. A significant effect of N rate on plant height was recorded in the
7th and 10th months and N rate. Varietal interactions recorded a significant effect on stalk height in response
to different N rates. N rate varietal interactions,resulted to a non-significant effect in dry mass production. In Kibos, a higher stem girth of 2.4 cm at 60 kg N/ha was recorded compared to control (2.3 cm)
and 120 kg N/ha (2.2 cm) while in Mumias, a higher stem girth of 2.3 cm (120 kg N/ha) compared to 2.2 cm at 0 kg N/ha (control). Higher N rates increased plant population compared with unfertilized plots in both sites.
In conclusion,variety KEN 82-216 responded better to N application compared with KEN 82-While crop growth rates and yield improved with higher N rates, economically optimal N rates in sugarcane production require more research.
Research Supervisors
DR.ONESMUS M.KITONYO-UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
PROF.GEORGE N.CHEMING’WA- UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
