Effects of Fertilization and Spacing on Growth and Grain Yields of Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana L.) in Ainamoi, Kericho County.

Abstract

Finger millet was once an important diet in Southern Africa since it was annual cultivation of cereal commonly cultivated in multiple ecological areas in Kenya for its seed. The cereal crop, an extremely nutritious meal for baby food, special dishes for ill individuals and unique drinks, is used for some individuals such as "eraki" beer. In Ainamoi, Kericho County, a field trial has been performed to assess the effects of separation and fertilizer concentrations on Finger Millet development and outputs (Eleusine coracana). There were three types of plant spacing and fertilizer. The RCBD experiment was laid out with three replicates. The results showed that the effect of spacing on plant height was not significant (P=0.918). Fertilizer effect was significant (P=0.00), while the interaction effect of spacing and fertilizer (P=0.999). The spacing had no significant difference in leaf length (P= 0.556). Whereas the fertilizer effect had a significant effect on leaf length (P= 0.00). The interaction effect of spacing and fertilizer was not significant (P=0.998). Furthermore, the results indicated that fertilizer application showed a significant difference in the number of tillers (P= 0.003), while spacing had no significant difference (P= 0.316). The interaction effect of fertilizer and spacing had no significant difference with the number of tillers formed. Results showed that spacing had no significant difference in the number of heads formed (P= 0.624), but fertilizer effect showed a significant difference (P=0.004). Also, the interaction effect of fertilizer and spacing was not significant (P=0.930). With regards to biomass, results showed that fertilizer had no significant difference in biomass, (P=0.009), while spacing had a significant difference (P=0.005). The interaction effect of fertilizer and spacing had no significant difference in biomass (P=0.777). Finally, it was observed that fertilizer application and spacing had a significant difference in the grain yield, with a P-value of 0.004, and 0.002 respectively. Furthermore, the interaction effect of fertilizer and spacing did not show any significant difference (P=0.764). It is recommended that farmers adopt the closer spacing of 20x10 cm for Finger millet in the study area for higher crop yield and farmers to apply a minimum of 125 kg DAP/ha. However, specific soil tests are recommended to establish the appropriate levels at which to apply the N and P fertilizers. Further research is recommended to establish the correct plant populations for optimum production as the current three levels were inadequate for a conclusive determination of the exact plant population desirable for the variety P224.