The effects of lake Ol’Bolossat’s sediments application on soil-chemical characteristics and productivity of swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.)

Sediments dredged from the lakes have emerged as successful soil amendment solutions, especially in alleviating soil fertility problems in poor soils. This study aimed to assess the effect of sediments from lake Ol’Bolossat on soil quality and the growth and yield of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.). A pot experiment was carried out in January-April and July-October 2020 in a polyethylene greenhouse using a completely randomized design at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. To achieve the study's objective, Swiss chard (Ford hook giant variety) was grown in pots, and five treatments were applied; (T1)-sediments from lake depth of 0-30 cm + soil, (T2)-sediments from lake depth of 30-60 cm + soil, (T3)-sediments from lake depth of 60-90 cm + soil, (T4)-inorganic fertilizer (NPK 150 kg/acre) + soil, (T5)-soil with no lake sediments or inorganic fertilizers, which acted as the control experiment. The sediments were mixed with soil at a ratio of 1:4

Smallholder Farmers’ Practices and African Indigenous Vegetables Affect Soil Microbial Biodiversity and Enzyme Activities in Lake Naivasha Basin, Kenya

Loss of soil biodiversity and fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) may put the food security of smallholder farmers in peril. Food systems in SSA are seeing the rise of African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) that are underexploited but locally consumed without being considered a primary source of food and income. Here we present a field study, a first of its kind, in which we investigated the effects of different cropping systems and inclusion of AIVs in the farming approach on bacterial and fungal biodiversity and community structures, enzymatic activity, and the alteration status of soils of the smallholder farmers in Kenya. When compared to mainstream farming approaches, the composition and biodiversity of bacteria and fungi under AIV cultivations was significantly different. Tillage had a significant impact only on the fungal communities. Fertilization and soil amendments caused shifts in microbial communities towards specialized degraders and revealed the introduction of specific microorganisms from amendments. Traditional homemade plant protection products did not cause any disturbance to either of soil bacteria or fungi. The soil alteration index based on enzyme activity successfully differentiated the alteration status for the first time in SSA. These findings could be useful for farmers to integrate AIVs with correct sustainable practices for a sustainable future