Impacts of Selected Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices on African Indigenous Vegetables in Kenyan Drylands

Background and Objective: African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) are important food crops used in combating malnutrition and food insecurity. However, their production is constrained by poor soil fertility caused by soil degradation and poor farming practices. The objective of this study was to evaluate the Impacts of climate-smart agricultural practices on the yield parameters of two AIVs in Kenyan drylands over two growing seasons. Materials and Methods: Separate research plots were laid out in randomized complete block design and sowed with cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata L.) and black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) seeds six treatments of organic manure, commercial organic fertilizers, irrigation, mulching, farmer practices and control were used. The ANOVA was conducted on the data and post hoc analysis was carried out for significant means using Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) Test at p≤0.05. Results: The results revealed significant differences in plant height and the primary yield across all climate-smart treatments (p≤0.05). Plots applied with dry grass mulches had significantly higher yields followed by plots applied with organic manure (p≤0.05). Control plots had the lowest amounts of yields. The African indigenous vegetables and pulses yield levels were significantly influenced by the climate-smart agricultural products (CSAPs) used. Conclusion: The African indigenous vegetable yield levels were significantly influenced by the CSAP products used. Organic manure, mulching and organic fertilizers had significantly higher yields. Control plots had the lowest yields followed by farmer’s practices.