Feedback: Fix nitrogen in soil using rhizobia
What you need to know:
- Rhizobia bacteria are found in the root nodules of legumes and have a symbiotic relationship with the plant.
- Most of the French bean varieties mature in 6-8 weeks (a month-and-a-half to two months) during which the immature pods are picked and this continues for up to two months.
- Apart from watermelon, other crops which can do well in Malindi are bixa, passion fruits, pineapples, chillies, onions, brinjals, okra, tomatoes and cowpeas.
- The real cause of hunger is the powerlessness of the poor to have access to the resources they need to feed themselves.
USE OF RHIZOBIA INNOCULANTS
I am a peas farmer in Nyandarua County. I was researching on ways to improve peas production and landed onto something known as rhizobia isolate.
I want to know whether these bacteria occur naturally and how they can be captured or are they bought and if so where?
D. Kariuki
Rhizobia are bacteria that occur naturally in the soil and fix nitrogen.
However, their population in a particular soil may be below that which is required for them to effectively fix nitrogen when it comes to peas.
Research has been done on the rhizobia and products called rhizobia inoculant have been manufactured and are applied to the seed before planting.
There is a factory in Nakuru called MEA Ltd that manufacture the inoculants called Biofix and sell them to farmers through agrovets.
After inoculation, the population of the rhizobia can then build-up for the next seasons’ crop.
Hezekiah Korir,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University
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Second response:
Rhizobia bacteria are found in the root nodules of legumes and have a symbiotic relationship with the plant.
The bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia and thus help the legume to fix nitrogen, which is then used for plant growth and this in turn improves crop yield.
Inoculation of legume seeds with a rhizobium inoculant before planting will help to increase yields.
You can buy rhizobia inoculant (Biofix) from MEA Fertilisers.
Carol Mutua,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.
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THE BEST VARIETIES OF FRENCH BEANS
Which variety of French beans can mature in less than three months and where can I get it?
Shadrack Kipekemboi,
Eldoret.
Joshua Etiang' and a member of Tugumo Youth Group harvest frenchbeans in a farm in Elgeyo Marakwet County. Most french bean varieties mature in 6-8 weeks during which the immature pods are picked and this continues for up to two months. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Most of the French bean varieties mature in 6-8 weeks (a month-and-a-half to two months) during which the immature pods are picked and this continues for up to two months.
The most common varieties in Kenya are Samantha, Monel, Paulista, Gloria, Morgan, Army, Coby, Claudia, Maasai, Espada, Vernadon and Serengeti and they are available from most of the seed companies like Kenya Seed Company, Amiran Kenya, Royal Seed and Simlaw Seeds.
Carol Mutua,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.
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GROWING FODDER UNDER IRRIGATION
I want to irrigate 20 acres for fodder farming. I need the contact of an irrigation expert.
Emily Ann Maina
An industry that feeds you is an industry worth fighting for.
Contact Agri-Irrigation Borehole Services in Nairobi or Nakuru on 0706366866 to sort your irrigation matters.
Alex Akidiva,
Biological Sciences Department, Egerton University
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BOREHOLE DRILLING FOR IRRIGATION
I am an aspiring farmer and I recently acquired land in Marereni, Malindi and would like to practice mixed farming but with my research, I have seen watermelons do well.
However, I would like to do more than melons with water being one of my limitations. I am planning to dig a borehole but got a few quotations from different companies though the price per sqm is unaffordable.
Boys fetch water from a manually operated pump borehole in Siaya. Water from the boreholes can be used in farming of an array of crops. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Please advise what other crops do well in this area and do you have any leads for a borehole drilling company.
Maria
Apart from watermelon, other crops which can do well in Malindi are bixa, passion fruits, pineapples, chillies, onions, brinjals, okra, tomatoes and cowpeas.
There are many borehole drilling companies in Kenya including Davis and Shirtliff Ltd, Basil Drilling Company Ltd, Almak Aqua Drillers and African Borehole Initiative Ltd. I would advise you to get quotations from as many companies as possible then select the cheapest.
Carol Mutua,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.
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PERSIMMON SEEDS
Where can I get persimmon seeds or seedlings?
Munene
Please contact Wilson Ndungu on 0714080532.
Carol Mutua,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.
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WATER HARVESTING
The need for harvesting water cannot be overemphasised. I would like to take a lead on this in my village so that the model is picked up by others.
Ephantus Muigai in his farm in Maragua Ridge, Murang'a County. He harvests water from the roof of his house and stores it in pans in the farm, which he uses for farming. FILE PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Please provide a simple design of a water pan to enable me build one.
Jediel Mwirebua, Meru
The real cause of hunger is the powerlessness of the poor to have access to the resources they need to feed themselves.
First, I would like you to know that there are cheap means to harvest rain water without relying on expensive plastic tanks.
You are required to excavate ponds preferably rectangular or square into which you place dam liners.
I will provide you with the design and any other assistance you might need. Contact Akidiva Alex on 0718636413 or write to [email protected] for more information.
Alex Akidiva,
Biological Sciences Department, Egerton University.
