Publication Date

8-2024

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Bruce Schulte, Natalie Mountjoy, Doug McElroy

Degree Program

Department of Biology

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Globally, the adverse effects of climate change are forcing farmers to adapt their practices or risk crop failures. Throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture is the largest source of food, income, and employment, so threats such as climate change can put millions of lives and livelihoods in peril if modifications are not made to the existing system. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is a potential solution, as CSA techniques aim to increase the productivity and resilience of land affected by climate change. While CSA is a relatively new conceptual approach, many traditional and Indigenous techniques can be considered “climate-smart”. Understanding what biotic and abiotic factors make these techniques successful can allow smallholder farmers to prioritize actions that will enhance crop productivity given limited resources. This thesis studied two CSA techniques that have traditionally been used in Kenya – zai pits and intercropping. Zai pits have proven to be effective, but they are labor intensive, limiting their adoption. Zai Pits as a Climate-Smart Agriculture Technique in Southern Kenya: Maize Success is Influenced by Manure not Depth assesses the two main components of zai pits – depth and manure – to see whether farmers need to dig as deep as they have traditionally done for maize (Zea mays). Appendix I: Supplemental Data provides information on the zai pit study not directly related to the tested hypotheses. Intercropping is becoming more common in Kenya, but the factors that influence crop success in an intercropped system are understudied. Appendix II: Intercropping in Southern Kenya: Factors Influencing Variation in Maize Success and Crop Raiding Events compares variation in crop development, productivity, and crop raiding events between experimental fields using an exploratory approach.

Disciplines

Agriculture | Biology | Life Sciences

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