Working Document Series

G. Chemining’wa · C.K.K. Gachene · H. M. O. Otieno · S. Zingore

Declining soil fertility levels due the application of low rates and unbalanced nutrients is the main cause of low yields in western Kenya. We therefore designed a randomized complete block nutrient omission trial with six replications to …

RUF-38629 2018 CC BY 4.0 7 Sep 2020

Patrick A. Ndakidemi · M. Chacha · E. R. Mbega · N. Zekeya

Thirteen regions were surveyed for the presence and abundance of the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) in Tanzania. The survey was conducted in 2015, 2016 and 2017 across selected agro-ecological regions of Tanzania. Monitoring was conducte…

RUF-38627 2018 CC BY 4.0 7 Sep 2020

G. Munkombwe · M. Mwala · D. Nguni

Twenty-eight sesame landraces were grown in the field at Mt Makulu Research Station during the 2013/14 cropping season and agro-morphological variation estimated based on 24 morphologic and agronomic descriptors. The landraces were obtaine…

RUF-38626 2018 CC BY 4.0 4 Sep 2020

W. K. Ngetich · E. K. Ronoh · V. K. Rotich · C. Serem

Western Kenya, the area considered the grain basket of the country, is heavily infested by Striga, reducing maize yields by up to 30-100%. On-farm trials were conducted in two cropping seasons between August 2014 to July 2015 at Ugunja, Si…

RUF-38623 2018 CC BY 4.0 4 Sep 2020

O. A. Auma · L. Ngode · L. M. Oimbo

Plants affect other plants growing in their vicinity either positively or negatively by producing exudates known as secondary metabolites. These secondary metabolites, also known as allelochemicals, can be harnessed and utilized in control…

RUF-38619 2018 CC BY 4.0 4 Sep 2020

S. I. Idres · S. A. Yousif

A study was conducted at the University of Gezira in Wad Medani experimental farm in Sudan during May - September 2014 to determinate the optimum date for sowing kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.). Two kenaf genotypes, i.e., GS and RS were use…

RUF-38613 2018 CC BY 4.0 4 Sep 2020

F. K. Kathimba · P. M. Kimani · L. M. Kiriika · R.D. Narla

Understanding the phenotypic traits of germplasm through cultivation and assessing the morphological and agronomic characters facilitates selection of suitable parents for a breeding programme. Although tomato is the leading vegetable crop…

RUF-38610 2018 CC BY 4.0 4 Sep 2020

J. K. Ahiakpa · N. P. Kolliesuah

Given the deficient nature of the Liberian soil (low N, P, K and acidic soil condition), a field experiment was conducted in 2016 and 2017 at the College of Agriculture and Sustainable Development Experimental Field using Biochar, Sawdust …

RUF-38607 2018 CC BY 4.0 4 Sep 2020

G. Chemining’wa · E. C. Kirwa · W. N. Mnene · E. K. Ngugi

Cenchrus ciliaris is widely promoted as a choice grass species for reseeding Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASALs). Nine ecotypes of C. ciliaris collected from selected sites in Kenyan ASALs were evaluated for seed yield and related traits in t…

RUF-38602 2018 CC BY 4.0 4 Sep 2020

S. O. Nyalala · P. C. Otieno · J.N. Wolukau

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important fruit vegetable crop for human health and nutrition as well as for income generation. The quality of the transplant affects the overall quality and yield of the crop. However, poor soil cond…

RUF-38596 2018 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2020

S. C. Kamanga · R.N. Onwonga

Soil management practices alter organic carbon fraction distribution and hence the ability of the soil to sequester carbon and/or resist erosion. The current study’s main objective was to investigate the influence of organic (FYM) and inor…

RUF-38593 2018 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2020

A. W. Karanja · J. M. Maingi · Ezekiel Mugendi Njeru

Soil fertility in most crop producing areas in Kenya has greatly declined due to practices such as continuous cultivation and nutrient extraction through crop harvest without adequate nutrient replenishment. Presently, the need to boost su…

RUF-38591 2018 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2020

Most cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.Walp) farmers use informal seed. The quality of this seed is unknown and thus crop establishment and performance is often uncertain. A study was conducted during the 2016 short rains in Makueni County in Ke…

RUF-38588 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2020

D. Maleko · G. Msalya · K. Mtei · A. Mwilawa +1 more

Dairy industry is among the important components of the livestock sub-sector in Tanzania and it is of great potential towards contributing to poverty reduction and improving food security. The industry in the country comprises of smallhold…

RUF-38587 2018 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2020

J.O. Ochuodho · N.K. Rop · W. J. Tarus

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) is an important fruity vegetable belonging to the family cucurbitaceae and it is cultivated for its nutritional and medicinal purposes. Rural farmers usually harvest the fruits of pumpkin purposely for food afte…

RUF-38586 2018 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2020

J.O. Ochuodho · J.A. Omega · H.A. Rachuonyo · J.K. Tarus

Besides generation of extra income, indigenous chicken provide food for majority of households in rural areas in form of quality meat and eggs. A baseline survey was conducted to determine status of indigenous chicken production in Busia, …

RUF-38584 2018 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2020

W. Kogi-Makau · J. Ochieng · R. O. Opiyo

The FAO/WHO recommends a minimum intake of fruits 160 g/day and 240 g/day of vegetables, and a combined intake of 400 g/day for normal healthy adults for prevention of chronic diseases and alleviation of micronutrient deficiencies. For vul…

RUF-38583 2018 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2020

B. N. Kiage · F.D. Mihafu

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are mainly caused by atherosclerosis which occurs when artery walls become widened due to accumulation of fatty deposits, smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissues collectively termed plaque. Plaque …

RUF-38575 2018 CC BY 4.0 19 Aug 2020

J. Chepngeno · W. Owino

Food and nutrition insecurity is a common occurrence in arid and semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa, with communities resorting to wild foods and forest products such as baobab in times of scarcity, to derive energy and nutrition. The…

RUF-38573 2018 CC BY 4.0 19 Aug 2020

M.G. Gicheha · L. Kabuage · J.N. Kinyuru · J. N. Mburu +2 more

The sensory characterization of food and food products is necessary to measure its consumer acceptance as it rates the preference of consumer with regards to the intervention made. low tannin sorghum is important as a feed but its acceptab…

RUF-38568 2018 CC BY 4.0 19 Aug 2020

O.K. Koech · W. N. Mnene · P.L.N. Ndung’u · V.O. Wasonga

Livestock production is a key economic activity in drylands all over the world. Drylands support a majority of the world’s livestock population. Local and indigenous communities in these areas have for long relied on experientially acquire…

RUF-38567 2018 CC BY 4.0 19 Aug 2020

G. O. Abong · C. K. Katama · M. W. Okoth · S. Shibairo

Cassava is an important crop in coastal Kenya commonly harvested at 12 months after planting but earlier during food shortages. Effect of early harvesting on root quality has not been well established. Varieties Tajirika, Karembo and Kiban…

RUF-38566 2018 CC BY 4.0 19 Aug 2020

G. O. Abong · J. A. Aguk · C. Katama · P. O. Lamuka +3 more

Cassava roots are a good source of calories in the tropics. However, they lack most of the other nutrients such as Zinc, Iron and Vitamin A. Populations that solely rely on cassava are therefore prone to suffer deficiencies from most of th…

RUF-38553 2018 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2020

G. A. K. Ettyang · C. O. Kimamo · W. Kogi-Makau · C. J. Sawe

Globally, an estimated 139 million children are stunted with majority living in low and middle-income countries. Stunting at early age has been associated with diminished survival, impaired cognitive development and may be irreversible aft…

RUF-38548 2018 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2020

F. Ayuke · H. Churu · N. Karanja · K. Odhiambo

Dung beetles are crucial in livestock systems due to their contribution to dung removal, nutrients cycling, carbon sequestration and sustainable pasture production. There are limited studies to elucidate abundance and species diversity acr…

RUF-38544 2018 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2020