Healthy Beans - Farmer Managed Field Trials and Collaborative Soil Health Management on Small-Holder Farms in Western Kenya.

We have completed four seasons of researcher-managed and three seasons of farmer-managed, on-farm trials in which the inputs biochar, vermicompost and mineral fertilizer were tested for their ability to suppress soil-borne bean diseases and improve yields in western Kenya. In farmer-managed trials in 2015 and 2016, 31 small-holder farmers were trained in how to install trials that tested no inputs, inoculation, fertilizer and vermicompost separately and in combination; and in identification of nodulation, nematode galling and soil-borne fungal diseases. In 2016, on-farm testing of a household pyrolysis cook stove was implemented. Trials were installed in the 2015 and 2016 long rains and field days were held mid-season on all farms. Farmers led discussions on their field trials and demonstrated use of the pyrolysis cook stove and how to use biochar in their fields. Project staff demonstrated how to prepare and use compost that does not divert resources from other farm needs. In the short rains of 2015, maize was planted in the previous bean crop rows and carry-over effects evaluated. Anecdotes of improved maize yields in biochar-amended bean plots were confirmed in these trials. Bean yields in 2015 on-farm, farmer-managed trials were increased significantly by use of vermicompost or mineral fertilizer. Inoculation did not improve yields, but resulted in lower yields at a majority of sites. Use of biochar with inoculation significantly increased bean yields, but use of biochar did not increase yields over those where vermicompost or mineral fertilizer we used alone. Other successes and challenges will be discussed.