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The Structural Quality of Soil Organic Matter under Selected Soil Fertility Management Practices in the Central Highlands of Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Miriam Githongo

    (Rosewood Futures, Nyahururu P.O. Box 2171-20300, Kenya)

  • Lucy Ngatia

    (College of Agriculture & Food Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA)

  • Milka Kiboi

    (Cortile Scientific Limited, Nairobi P.O. Box 34991-00100, Kenya
    Division of Research Innovation and Outreach, KCA University, Nairobi P.O. Box 56808-00200, Kenya)

  • Anne Muriuki

    (National Agriculture Research Laboratories, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Nairobi P.O. Box 14733-00800, Kenya)

  • Andreas Fliessbach

    (Department of Soil Sciences, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FIBL), Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland)

  • Collins Musafiri

    (Cortile Scientific Limited, Nairobi P.O. Box 34991-00100, Kenya)

  • Riqiang Fu

    (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, 1800 E. Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA)

  • Felix Ngetich

    (Cortile Scientific Limited, Nairobi P.O. Box 34991-00100, Kenya
    School of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Bondo P.O. Box 210-40601, Kenya)

Abstract

As influenced by agricultural practices, soil organic matter (SOM) stability is imperative in maintaining soil fertility and crop production. Integrated soil management practices have been recommended for soil fertility improvement by enhancing soil organic matter. We examined the SOM stability under integrated soil management practices for six consecutive cropping seasons in the high agricultural potential area of the Central Highlands of Kenya. The experimental design was a complete randomized block design with fourteen treatments replicated four times. The treatments were minimum (Mt) and conventional tillage (Ct) combined with sole mineral fertilizer (Mf), crop residue combined with mineral fertilizer (RMf), crop residue combined with mineral fertilizer and animal manure (RMfM), crop residue combined with animal manure and Dolichos Lablab L. intercrop (RML), crop residue combined with Tithonia diversifolia and animal manure (RTiM), and crop residue combined with Tithonia diversifolia and phosphate rock (Minjingu) (RTiP), as well as a control (no inputs). SOC was higher in treatments with organic inputs and a combination of organic and inorganic inputs. Treatments with sole mineral fertilizer and no input recorded lower SOC amounts. The C functional groups followed the sequence: alkyl C (53%) > O-alkyl C (17%) > aromatic C (9%) > carboxyl C (8%) > methoxyl C (7%) > phenolic C (6%). The alkyl C proportion was higher in organic inputs treatments, while O-alkyl C was higher in organic and inorganic fertilizer treatment combinations. Methoxyl C, aromatic C, and phenolic C proportion of SOC was greater in crop residue and mineral fertilizer combination, while carboxylic C was lower than the control in most treatments. In addition, the organic inputs treatments had a higher alkyl C/O-alkyl C ratio, increased aliphaticity, and higher hydrophobicity. Applying organic fertilizers individually or in combination with inorganic fertilizers could potentially increase C storage in the soil, thereby enhancing SOC stocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Miriam Githongo & Lucy Ngatia & Milka Kiboi & Anne Muriuki & Andreas Fliessbach & Collins Musafiri & Riqiang Fu & Felix Ngetich, 2023. "The Structural Quality of Soil Organic Matter under Selected Soil Fertility Management Practices in the Central Highlands of Kenya," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:8:p:6500-:d:1121080
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Johannes Lehmann & Markus Kleber, 2015. "The contentious nature of soil organic matter," Nature, Nature, vol. 528(7580), pages 60-68, December.
    3. Kiboi, M.N. & Ngetich, K.F. & Fliessbach, A. & Muriuki, A. & Mugendi, D.N., 2019. "Soil fertility inputs and tillage influence on maize crop performance and soil water content in the Central Highlands of Kenya," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 316-331.
    4. Miriam W Githongo & Collins M. Musafiri & Joseph M. Macharia & Milka N. Kiboi & Andreas Fliessbach & Anne Muriuki & Felix K. Ngetich, 2022. "Greenhouse Gas Fluxes from Selected Soil Fertility Management Practices in Humic Nitisols of Upper Eastern Kenya," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-21, February.
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