Effects of Different Tillage Practices and Planting Time on Maize Growth in AEZ III of Marsabit and Kirinyaga South Districts

Abstract

The experiment was aimed at studying the effects of different tillage practices and different planting time on yields in maize in Agro-Ecological Zone (AEZ) III of Kirinyaga South and Marsabit districts. Three tillage practices and three planting times were put under study in the sites. Maize variety DH04 was identified as a suitable variety for the zone and was used in the study. The three different tillage practices (minimum, conventional and oxen plough) did not show any significant difference in yield in both sites. Planting time gave significant differences in yields with early planting giving highest yields followed by mid - planting. The late planting treatment resulted into total crop failure in the two sites. The results suggest that farmers can use any of the tillage practices and early planting time to achieve superior maize grain yield for improved food security.