Browsing by Author "Barasa Exevier"

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    Physico-Chemical Study of Soil from Selected Maize Farms in Kamelilo, Kericho County
    (Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2015) 4(10): 438-447, 2015) T. Anthoney Swamy; Terer Erick Kipngetich; Barasa Exevier; Magut Hillary
    Physico-chemical study of soil was performed in this study to determine the levels of different physical and chemical parameters in seven selected maize farms. A total of 21 samples were collected in ploughed maize farms in Kamelilo Village in Kericho County for physico-chemical study. Samples were obtained from seven selected maize farms in triplicates. The physical parameters that were studied are pH and organic carbon while the chemical parameters like phosphorus, Sulphur and Nitrogen were determined. From the study, 71% of the soil samples had a low pH which makes the soil unsuitable for maize farming. The recommended pH for maize growing is 5 7 which has a positive effect on the availabilty of nitrogen and other plant nutrients. The percentage of organic carbon was rated as high in 90% of the soil samples with a minimum value of 1.03% organic carbon to a maximum value of 2.85% except in two sampling sites, sample 3a with 0.45% and sample 5a with 0.49% respectively exhibiting a low organic carbon value. It is the recommendation of the researchers that regular soil testing should be done to determine if the soil is in the ideal condition for a specific crop.