Second Field Trial

Project Report for experiment set during the long-rain planting season 2019, By Richard Kiaka, Date of report: 29/11/2021

Background

This is the report for the experiment with the Geno Youth Group in Sauri that started in the long rains of 2019. This experiment was set in the presence of Richard Kiaka. This report is based on observation, meetings notes and discussions that were made with members of the group on field trips conducted in Yala in 2021. The report also draws from detailed phone conversations with the leaders of the group on several occasions.

Setting the experiment

Prior to setting up the experiments, a meeting was held with the Geno Youth group members to plan and decide on the seed varieties they wanted to plant in the season. The group members decided that they wanted to compare the multi-coloured local variety, Radier against Western Seed 505 (WH 505). Radier was selected because it is rare in the market and therefore the group members wanted to generate seed to sell to the local community. Therefore, their decision to plant it moved towards developing a seed bank. WH 505 was selected because the group members said that it is one of the variety that is marketed by One Acre Fund in the area. On another plot, members of the group decided to compare a local variety Rachar against DK 777 (from Monsanto). The reasons for this decision was because the group members wanted to repeat this experiment in the long rains since they did the same in 2019 short rains. They wondered if there could be any season-influenced change.

Planting

Two sub-experiments were set up and planted by members of Geno Youth Group in March 2019.

Sub-Experiment 1: Presumably a one-acre field was tilled and divided into two halves. One half was planted with one gorogoro (2Kg) local maize variety known as Radier. This is a multi-coloured maize variety. The seeds were purchased from local open-air market. The distance between seed holes was maintained at 25cm and the distance between rows was maintained at 75cm all through. In each hole, 2 seeds were planted using boma manure (compost cow dung). On the same day, the other half was planted with WH 505, a hybrid maize variety manufactured by Western Seed Company. WH 505 seeds were purchased from a local Agrovet shop in Yala. Similar planting specifics were followed in this plot as the plot planted with Rachar.  Planting was done during what the members of the youth group described as “good rains”.  It is important to note that the same number of holes was planted with 2 seeds per hole on both halves.

Sub-Experiment 2: Presumably one acre farm was tilled and divided into two halves. One half was planted with one gorogoro (2Kg) local maize variety known as Rachar. The seeds were purchased from local open-air market. The distance between seed holes was maintained at 25cm and the distance between rows was maintained at 75cm all through. In each hole, 2 seeds were planted using boma manure (compost cow dung). Each was planted with two seeds. On the same day, the other half was planted with DK 777, a hybrid maize variety manufactured by Monsanto. DK 777 seeds were purchased from a local Agrovet shop in Yala. Similar planting specifics were followed in this plot as the plot planted with Rachar.  Planting was done during what the members of the youth group described as “good rains”. 

Germination

Sub-Experiment 1: The local variety, Radier, was the first to sprout, albeit not uniformly. While some sprouted within 4 days after planting, others only did so on the 5th and 6th day. On the other hand, the hybrid WH 505 sprouted 4 days after local variety had germinated. The uniformity in germination of WH 505 was significantly different from that of Radier. That is, WH 505 seeds sprouted nearly on the same day. By and large, there was an estimated 90% germination rate for WH 505. Radier realized an estimated 65 -70% germination. This is a rough estimate by the members of the youth group according to their measure of the section of the plot that had seed germinated. At germination and sprouting, WH 505 looked stronger and more firmly held on the ground than Radier, which appeared weaker and loosely held on the ground. In addition, Radier soon suffered a huge blow having been attacked by birds that plucked and fed on the young leaves. This observation is associated with the fact that Radier sprouted before all the other varieties in the plots. According to the youth group members, the attack by birds indicated a serious failure for the variety. 

Sub-Experiment 2: The local variety, Rachar, was the first to sprout, albeit not uniformly. While some sprouted within 4 days after planting, others only did so on the 5th and 6th day. On the other hand, the hybrid DK 777 sprouted 4 days after local variety had germinated. The uniformity in germination of DK 777 was significantly different from that of Rachar. That is, DK 777 seeds sprouted nearly on the same day. This is a clear repetition of observation in the short rains 2019. By and large, there was an estimated 95% germination rate for DK 777. Rachar realized an estimated 70% germination. Again, this is a rough estimate by the members of the youth group according to their measure of the section of the plot that had seed germinated. At germination and sprouting, DK 777 looked stronger and more firmly held on the ground compared to Rachar, which appeared weaker and loosely held on the ground. Similar to experiment 1, the local variety rachar was attacked by birds that fed on the young leaves, though not as much as Radier was affected.  

In general, both the hybrid variety WH 505 and DK 777 had better germination rates than the two local varieties. Also, rainfall was reported to have been too much from germination. This affected the growth of all varieties.

Weeding   

Weeding was done by the members of Geno Youth Group on both experiments on the same day. As is the practice in the Yala area, weeding was done across the lines to prevent soil erosion. No organic manure or top dressing inorganic fertilizer was added to any of the experimental plots at the time of weeding. Rainfall increased in amounts and frequency significantly stressing the plants. The plots were water-logged for some time. Soon after weeding, the following were observed:

Sub-Experiment 1: Local variety – Radier, began growing stronger and more firmly held to the ground than WH 505. In terms of physical appearance, Radier looked healthy with lash green leaves, totally appealing to the eye. In contrast, WH 505 was slightly pale showing symptoms of nutrient and moisture stress, according to members of Geno Youth Group. This difference continued until the plants began to flower. While approaching flowering stage, WH 505 was heavily attacked by armyworms, which made the plants to become very unhealthy with worn out leaves. By contrast, Radier was far less affected by armyworms, save for the plants bordering the lines planted with WH 505. No pesticide treatment or any other intervention was applied in order to control armyworms. The heavy downpour during the time helped to reduce complete loss to armyworms. By the time the plants were flowering, WH 505 was severely eaten by armyworms. On the other hand, radier largely remained either resistant to armyworms or not liked by the pests.  

Sub-Experiment 2: Similar growth patterns and conditions were observed in experiment 2. Local variety – Rachar, began growing stronger and more firmly held to the ground than DK 777. On the one hand, Rachar looked healthier with lash green leaves, totally appealing to the eye. On the other hand, DK 777 became pale and looked stressed. This difference continued until the plants began to flower. Towards flowering stage, DK 777 was attacked by armyworms, putting the variety to further stress. By contrast, Rachar was far less affected by armyworms, save for the plants bordering the lines planted with DK 777. No pesticide treatment or any other intervention was applied in order to control armyworms. The heavy downpour helped to reduce complete loss to armyworms. By the time the plants were flowering, DK 777 was severely eaten by armyworms. On the other hand, rachar largely remained either resistant to armyworms or not liked by the pests.  

Flowering

Sub-Experiment 1: Radier flowered first before WH 505 and the other varieties in experiment 2. However, the flowering of Radier was not uniform, as some plants flowered before others. One month later, WH 505 flowered uniformly across the plot. When WH 505 was flowing, radier was already producing cobs.While flowering and cob development was taking place, rainfall became low in amounts and less frequent and plants looked frail, however the observation was more severe on WH 505.

Sub-Experiment 2: The local varietyRachar flowered first before DK 777 but one week after radier. Similar to Radier, the flowering of Rachar was not uniform, as some plants flowered before others. Some 3 weeks later, DK 777 flowered. Therefore, DK 777 flowered 1 week before WH 505. Again, when DK 777 was flowering, Rachar was already producing cobs.As reported in experiment 1, rainfall reduced so significantly at flowering and cob development stage. Generally, both varieties i.e. DK 777 and Rachar grew unhealthy with more impacts on the hybrid.

Maturity and harvesting   

Sub-Experiment 1: On this trial plot, Radier variety was the first to mature in 2 months 3 weeks from planting. In comparison, WH 505 was ready for harvesting 4 months after planting.  However, overall, Radier was second in maturity after Rachar. During maturity, birds easily pecked open and fed on WH 505 cobs in the field more than it occurred to Radier. It is believed that the cobs of Radier are enclosed in a thick layer of husks/ears that makes it difficult for the birds to peck-open especially if an easier option is available. In comparison, the cobs of WH 505 are enclosed only thinly in the husks/ears. This difference in cob protection, for the youth group members, explains why birds attacked and destroyed the cobs of WH 505 more easily than they did to Radier cobs.

Sub-Experiment 2: Rachar matured first in 2 months 2 weeks after planting. In comparison, DK 777 was ready for harvesting 3 months 2 weeks after planting. During maturity, birds easily pecked open and fed on DK 777 cobs in the field more than it occurred to Rachar. Like in experiment 1, it is believed that the cobs of Rachar are enclosed in a thick layer of husks/ears that makes it difficult for the birds to peck-open especially if an easier option is available. In comparison, the cobs of DK 777 are enclosed only thinly in the husks/ears. This difference in cob protection, for the youth group members, explains why birds attacked and destroyed the cobs of DK 777 more easily than they did to Rachar cobs. These observations are not different from those made in 2019 short rains.  

Post-harvest management

The harvest from the two plots was shelled separately and stored in separate sacks without any treatment against pests. The following results are worth noting:

  • Yield:

Radier: Produced 2 bags(80 gorogoros).

Rachar:Produced 1.5 bags (60 gorogoros).

WH 505: Produced 1.5 bags but after drying the yield shrunk to 1 bag (40 gorogoros)

DK 777: Produced 1 bag (40 gorogoros).

  • Grain sizes

WH 505: biggest grain sizes

Radier: Bigger grains

Rachar: Small grains

DK 777: Smallest

  • How the yield is to be used
  • Radier: Of the 2 bags, one bag will be sold around December 2021 or January 2022 when prices will be up, about 150 per gorogoro. It will be sold for local farmers who want it for seed. The remaining one bag will be saved as seed for use in future experiments and for members who wish to plant radier.  
  • Rachar:Of the 60 gorogoros yield, 30 will be sold to local farmers who need it for seed and the remaining will be saved for future experiments and shared amongst members of the youth group who may want to plant it in their own plots.
  • WH 505: The 1 bag yield will be sold to people who need it for food. They are already selling it in order to avoid attack by weevils.
  • DK 777: Was shared to individual members to eat. This decision was made because they feared that DK 777 would be attacked by weevils in the store soon after storage begins.  

The money received from the sales of the maize would be saved in the account of the Youth Group and be reinvested in the experiments and further development of the seed banks. Part of the money will also be used to finance other group activities.

Dynamics of Geno Youth Group

  1. In total there are now 16 members. 
  2. Two members of the group moved to Nairobi to join university. One joined JKUAT to study Agro-ecology and the other to Mount Kenya University to study Education degree.
  3. The need for group members to work elsewhere to provide for their own needs sometimes affect their time input in the project.
  4. There is a perception from the members of the group that the leaders, especially Jethro, is getting money from the Europeans (Especially Conny and Paul). This puts a lot of pressure on the leaders. However, their explanation to the members sometimes yields some understanding.

Experience with One Acre Fund (OAF)

  1. In the long rain season of 2021, I bought Western Seed WH 505 from OAF shop in Bondo at 550KES per 2KG bag. There was no room to bargain as I would in other Agrovets around. I would have negotiated/bargained the price to 500KES in a local Agro-vet shop in Bondo. Since I was buying without credit, I was able to escape the condition of buying the seeds as a package i.e. together with other items such as solar panels, water pumps etc. Nevertheless, the agent selling at the shop persuaded me with through his marketing skills to buy fertilizers as well. Despite my high level of education, I was unable to resist his forceful persuasion. In short I found OAF prices not cheaper than prices in Agrovet shops, something that members of Geno youth group also attest to. 
  2. Members of Geno Youth Group complain of the unfriendly way in which OAF recovers their credits from participating farmers. For example, in case a farmer is unable to pay back the credit on time (for example during crop failure like this year), OAF is said to be taking any productive item that is at least the value of the loan e.g. chicken, bag of maize, bag of beans, etc. I have observed similar cases in areas around Bondo. For example, a relative was so terrified to think of how she would approach OAF after crop failure of 2021.

Short rains 2021

For the short rains 2021, members of Geno group had planned to set up another experiment. Their plan was to compare Nyamula vs DK 777 and Ababari vs WH 505. The expenditure for the seeds were made, and money for tilling the land and other expenses given. However, the experiment was set because the rains failed to come in good time. The delays in the rain, made the members to cancel the plan and will resume in the long rains 2022.