Maintaining and regaining soil fertility by organic methods in Embu District, Kenya

Diploma Thesis from the year 2004 in the subject Geography / Earth Science - Physical Geography, Geomorphology, Environmental Studies, grade: 1,0, University of Trier, language: English, abstract: The maintenance and restoration of soil fertility in Kenyan Highlands by organic methods is the principal objective of the study. A field trial was carried out during the short rainy season 2003/2004 at the Regional Research Centre (RRC)- Embu, Embu District, to discover the effect of organic methods on crop growth and yields of maize and beans and soil chemical properties. Sole cattle manure, and the combination of cattle manure with the Effective Microorganisms (EM)- Technology were applied to reveal the effects of EM on cattle manure decomposition and thus on crop yields and soil chemical properties. To obtain comparable result for a classification of the organic agricultural techniques, plots with inorganic fertilizer application at recommended rates and of absolute control were established.