INTRODUCTION

1. Comparative growth responses of range grasses to varying watering schedules in the rangelands of KenyaKOECH OSCAR KIPCHIRCHIR Prof. Robinson KinuthiaNgugiDr. George KarukuDr. Raphael WanjoguNIB RESEARCH AND PROPOSAL PRESENTATION, KSMS 13TH TO 14TH JUNE 2013 okkoech@yahoo.com

2. INTRODUCTION • African dry lands have been facing challenges of food insecurity due to frequent droughts and other extreme climatic events • L/s production is the main activity in the D/L of Kenya • Plays crucial role in Kenyan economy, contributing ~10% of NGDP and 40% of AGDP (GoK, 2004) • In ASALS, L/s contributes ~90% of employment opportunities and ~ 95% of family incomes

3. Potential productivity KSh212.5 billion annually • The main constraint is loss of livestock due to high annual mortality (Serna, 2011) • Estimated value of losses is KES 2 billion annually (ILRI 2011) • This is due to low Q and Q of feed, high disease incidences, poor management

4. Pastoralism/irrigated agriculture complex LIVESTOCK CROP LAND Manure, draft power, capital for inputs in crop lands HUMAN Water for crop growth, nutrients cycling Nutrients flow from feeds Nutrients flow/manure, urine, dispersal PASTURE LANDS WATER RESOURCE/IRRIGATION Control of siltation, hydrological flow maintenance Water for growth, nutrients

6. My study • This study seeks to evaluate irrigated pasture species production in the drylands of Kenya, and how scarce water resource can be optimized • Currently during dry seasons, fodder is sourced from far and at higher price due to transportation costs and is of poor quality • This calls for local fodder production within the dry lands of Kenya, to ensure timely supply and of good quality

7. Objectives The main objective of this study is to increase feed availability for livestock in pastoral areas through integration of crop and pasture production under irrigation. Specific objectives • To determine the growth responses (aboveground biomass yield, tiller density, leaf-stem ratio, seed quantity/quality) of six range grasses growing singly, to different watering schedules. • To determine the interspecific competition growth responses of five range grasses growing in mixtures, to different watering schedules. • To determine the effect of different watering schedules on forage quality, curability and storability of forage from the six grass species. • To estimate water use efficiency and water stress tolerance of the six grass species.

8. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study area • This study is being conducted in Tana river county-Bura and Katilu Methodology • Field experiments were set up in 6x4 factorial experiments in Completely Randomized Design. • There are two treatments: One; watering schedules at 80%, 50% and 30% Field Capacity), and two; six range grass species. Data collection • Data collection on primary productivity, forage quality and seed yield and quality, water stress tolerance and calc8ulation of WUE using evapotranspiration.

9. Preliminary Results-Yields ABOVE GROUND BIOMASS

12. Results on yields of the six species • Ch ga shows continued production >10000kg/ha at all irrigation levels; no significant differences on yields (P>0.05) • So bi produces high biomass at 80% FC irrigation level, and lowest at 30% FC (13664kg/ha) and 7664kg/ha respectively (P<0.05) . No sig diff btw 80 and 50 % Irrigation level • Ce ci and En ma produced least biomass yield at 80%, does best at 50 % (9132kg/ha, 10464kg/ha) respectively. Significant diff btw 80 %, FC 50% FC and 30% FC • Er su does better at 80%FC (5600kg/ha) than all the two levels (P<0.05) • Chl rox has no significant differences (P<0.05) in yields at all irrigation levels (btw 2000-3500kg/ha)

13. QUALITY- CP % All the forages had above minimum CP at wk 14. So bi had below 7% cp at wk 16

14. Insacco DMD % • IVDMD decreased with growth stages of the spp • SB and CG declined faster with maturity • CR, ES and CC showed higher D even at wk 16

15. Seed yields on dry matter basis (Kg/ha) of six range grass species at 80, 50, 30 % FC -So bi showed significant decline in seed yields at lower moisture levels -Ch ga and Ch rox showed higher seed yields at lower moisture levels -Ce ci had lowest yield with no significant diff in both irrigation schedules -Er su and enma had no significant difference in seed yields across the irrigation levels

16. Returns from biomass

17. Returns from seed yields

18. Number of Animal (TLU’s) to be sustained for 3 months

19. Animal sustainance in a year and sales

20. Conclusion • Soil moisture levels affects range grass species primary productivity differently, either positively, negatively and others not affected • Seed yields of the six range grasses are also influenced by soil moisture levels • There is potential for cultivation of range grasses as source of L/S feed and income. The final results out of this study will provide more insights into pragmatism of this. • The range grass seeds production from irrigated pastures can also be used for rangeland rehabilitation in pastoral grazing lands to enhance sustainability of livestock production.

21. Recommendations • Irrigated pasture production should be up-scaled and establishment of fodder banks for use during harsh climatic conditions. • From the preliminary results, a few species can be piloted on large scale production. These are Sorghum bicolor, Chloris gayana and Eragrostis superba. • There is need for increased awareness and training on irrigated pasture cultivation in the study areas. • The communities are not used to pasture production, grass seed bulking, hay baling and pasture sales and marketing.

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