Department of Mathematics

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Variation of Soil Nutrients in Maize Growing Areas along the Altitudinal Gradient of Taita Hills Transect in Kenya
(2015) Njuguna, Elijah; Le Ru, Bruno P.; Okuku, G.; Gathara, Mary; Mwalusepo, Sizah; Juma, Gerald; Sambai, K.; Johansson, Tino; Ong’amo, Georges; Gatebe, E.; Calatayud, P. A.
Maize is the main staple food crop in Kenya but its yield is being affected by biotic and abiotic factors which reduce maize yield while soil nutrient elements increase the yield. Most plants grow by absorbing nutrients from the soil depending on the nature of the soil. Soil texture affects how well nutrients and water are retained in the soil. Clays and organic soils hold nutrients and water much better than sandy soils. As water drains from sandy soils, it often carries nutrients along with it through leaching. When nutrients leach into the soil, they are not available for plants to use thus affecting the plant health. This study evaluated several physical and chemical properties of soil along the altitudinal gradients of Taita hills which is characterized by graded changes in climatic conditions. Both nitrogen and carbon increased with increase in altitude while Potassium, phosphorus and pH deceased with increase in altitude. Moisture and temperature appear to be important drivers in soil parameter and therefore biological patterning along the transect.