Variation of Soil Nutrients in Maize Growing Areas along the Altitudinal Gradient of Taita Hills Transect in Kenya
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Date
2015
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Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
Altitudinal gradient, Soil nutrient, Transect, Soil texture, Soil pH, Leaching
Citation
Njuguna, E., Le Ru, B., Okuku, G., Gathara, M., Mwalusepo, S., Juma, G., Sambai, K., Johansson, T., Ong’amo, G., Gatebe, E. and Calatayud, P.A., Variation of soil nutrients in maize growing areas along the altitudinal gradient of Taita hills transect in Kenya.