The Potential of Farm Yard Manure as Alternative Supplementary Nutrient Source in Production of Cold Tolerant Dual Purpose Sorghum in Kenya

An experiment was conducted over these seasons to evaluate the effects of different rates of application of Farmyard manure (FYM) on growth and yield of cold tolerant sorghum. The trial was conducted on a sandy loam soil at the Beef Research Centre, Lanet Kenya. Prior to planting, land was ploughed and harrowed to fine tilth. Cold tolerant sorghum cv E1291 was planted at the onset of the long rains according to recommendations. Farmyard manure obtained from the centre cattle shed was incorporated into the soil at the time of sowing at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 tones per hectare in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Standard inorganic fertiliser rate of 60 Kg N and 30P2O5 was included as a control. The highest grain yield was produced where 5 tones of farmyard manure was applied during the 1996 rainfall season while 40 tones/ha higher yields compared to standard inorganic fertiliser recommendations. During the 1997 season significantly (P<0.05) higher grain yields were from treatments of 30 sand 40 tones/ha. Inorganic fertilisers once again produced lower yields. In 1998 no significant differences were (P>0.05) were observed among the manure treatments. however 30 and 40 tones/ha produced highest yields while the standard control produced lowest yields. After three seasons of evaluation 10 tones of FYM produced similar grain yields to the standard control however, 30 and 40 tones of FYM consistently produced highest yields. These yield difference were not significantly different from treatments with 15 tones of FYM. It can Therefore be concluded that application of FYM beyond 10 tones per hectare will result in higher sorghum grain yields