Water use of young apple trees related to leaf area development

Biodiversity in agro-ecological zone UM1 on southern slopes of Mt. Kenya commonly termed as tea zones has been declining due to many factors among them soil acidification. In Embu tea zone specifically Kavutiri area, acidification has been increased by intensive agriculture without proper soil management . Soils have developed high acidity level ranging between pH 4.2 – pH 4.6 . Whereas lime has been used in the past to reduce the soil acidity in many parts of the world, it has not been experimented for flora and fauna diversity in Kenyan acid soils. This research was conducted to test the effect of soil liming on biodiversity in the acidic soils of Kavutiri area of Embu County. A randomized complete block design with four blocks and four treatment plots per block was laid out. The treatments comprised rates of lime which were broadcasted on plots as follows; 0 (L0), 2.4t/ha (L1), 6t/ha (L2), 8t/ha (L3). Soil, flora and fauna data were sampled 9 months after liming. Soil parameters that increased with increase in liming from L0 to L3 were pH, BS%, available phosphorus and exchangeable bases (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , K + and Na + ). However, ECEC, extractable Al and Mn decreased from L0 to L3. Flora characteristics within the treatment plots differed with particular species. Fauna diversity increased with increase in flora diversity. Limed plots had significantly (p<0.05) more benefits to biodiversity than the control plots. Liming level L2 gave the most recommendable results.