Abstract:
Green gram (Vigna radiate l.) is a legume in the family of fabaceae which is grown in Kenyan
Coast for local consumption. Despite the crops importance as a locally available nutrient
supplement, its production is constrained by land degradation leading to limiting soil fertility
status. A field experiment was established during the March-June, 2019 long rains at Matuga in
Kwale County. The experiment was aimed at investigating the effect of zinc application methods
on soil fertility, growth and yield of green grams. Treatments were laid out in a Randomized
Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments included: soil zinc,
foliar zinc and control .Green gram variety tested was KS20. Data collected included: Initial soil
chemical properties, plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of pods per plant, grains
per pod, weight of 100 grains, biomass and grain yield. Results showed that Soil zinc application
method significantly promoted green grams plant height, number of leaves and nodulation rate
better than foliar application method. Soil zinc applied plots recorded 15% higher yield
compared to foliar zinc. From the results of this experiment, it can be concluded that soil zinc
application is more effective than foliar zinc application |
