Working Document Series

J. Ambuko · M. Hutchinson · J. Njuguna · L. Ouma +2 more

Harvesting mango (Mangifera indica) fruits at the right stage for the destination market and use requires reliable maturity indices. There are various indices that are used to determine harvest maturity for mango fruits. However, differenc…

RUF-34021 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

A. P. Armstrong · G. Chilombo · E. A. Eckhardt · A. Mutiti Mweetwa +3 more

The availability of native phosphorus in most Zambian agricultural soils is relatively low. This necessitates the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers for crop production. There are several deposits of rock phosphate in Zambia that can…

RUF-34020 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

H. Jurua · J. Karungi · M.K.N. Ochwo-Ssemakula · P. Sseruwagi

Tomato production in Uganda is constrained by among others use of low quality planting materials, non-availability of inputs, sub-optimum agronomic practices, pests and diseases. Studies have shown that viral diseases have quickly become a…

RUF-34016 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

P. M. Kimani · M. M. Mulanya

Runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.) offers considerable potential as a high value vegetable and grain crop for domestic and export markets in eastern Africa. However, production and utilisation of vegetable runner beans in Kenya is severe…

RUF-34006 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

E. Afutu · O-A. Danquah · Y. Opoku-Asiamah

Many chilli pepper (Capsicum frutescens) growers in the region have moved from chilli cultivation to other crops due to the continuous decline in yields as a result of disease problems, of which fruit rot is paramount. The study was carrie…

RUF-34004 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

L.C. Bebora · S. Kiambi · P. Kitala · P.K. Kosgei +1 more

Brucellosis is an infectious, contagious and important zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of genus Brucella. World Health Organization considers brucellosis the most spread zoonosis in the world. Brucellosis has been documented to be high…

RUF-34003 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

D. Cugala · I. Mugovo · L. Santos

The sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is important food and cash crop and is considered as one of the most important crop for food security in Mozambique. Sweetpotato is grown extensively by small scale households and mostly managed by wome…

RUF-34001 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

A. Kayitesi · D.R. Kugonza · H. Mulindwa · C. Nakkazi +1 more

In Uganda, the local chicken population is estimated at 44 million and these chickens play an integral role in the smallholder farming systems. Contribution of local chicken in rural household economies is mainly limited by its low output …

RUF-33992 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

L. Gohole · W. Motanya · R. Muasya · J. Ochuodho

The low levels of germination, varied vigour and long periods required to attain required stand establishment in pasture fields compromises the expected quality standards of marketed seed. This study was carried out to explore the effects …

RUF-33991 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

L. Kaholongo · A. Kahumba · E. Lutaaya · I. Mpofu +1 more

The study was conducted to evaluate the growth characteristics of seven (7) indigenous forage legumes in Namibia in comparison to lucerne as potential livestock fodder. A split-plot design was used with fertiliser level as the main factor …

RUF-33984 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

D. Cugala · L. Jose · O. Miguel

The whitefly (Aleurotrachelus atratus Hempel) is a Neotropical whitefly, originally described from coconut (Cocos nucifera) in Brazil. In the Comoro Islands, A. atratus was responsible for an economic loss of 55% to local coconut producers…

RUF-33976 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

B.E Isabirye · A. Mayamba · C. Nakato · I. Rwomushana +1 more

Anthrax is one of the seven major neglected zoonotic diseases in Africa. The disease is responsible for enormous economic losses as well as considerable human morbidity, especially in endemic areas. Despite this, the ecology and distributi…

RUF-33975 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

Ahmed Osman Abunearan Medani

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) as leguminous crop was being needed by the people to supplement their diet in form of protein. Our local cultivars did not provide the continuous yields throughout the year; therefore the current research is requ…

RUF-33973 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

J. S. K. Banda · Ndashe Kapulu · Malama Mulenga · A. Mutiti Mweetwa +2 more

The use of inoculants is a critical strategy in legume production. Several factors determine the efficiency of an inoculant, including the competitiveness of the inoculated against indigenous strains. Although Rhizobia seems to be widely d…

RUF-33969 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

K. Dipheko · J.M. Kamau · W. Mahabile · G.S. Mpapho +1 more

Feeding protein is important for milk production in lactating animals. Unavailability of proteinous feeds in Botswana negatively affects dairy goat production. Dairy goat farmers utilise lucerne (Medicago sativa) and hyacinth bean (Lablab …

RUF-33967 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

D. Cugala · S. Ekesi · A. Majacunene

The invasive fruit fly, Bactrocera invadens, was first detected in Mozambique in 2007 (Cuamba District, Niassa Province) and is now well established and widespread in the North and central regions. Direct damage to mango and guava due to B…

RUF-33960 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015

J.J. Lelei · R. O. Onwonga · J.P. Ouma

Declining phosphorus (P) fertility is a major production constraint in Kiambu and Njoro subCounties of Kenya. Use of Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR) to rebuild soil capital P is limited by its insolubility in water. Field experiments were co…

RUF-33952 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015

M. Kinyua · O. Kiplagat · F. K. Kiunga

The cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) originated from the Andean region of South America. Kenyan farmers started potato cultivation in 1920 and entered the export market in 1923. However, while average potato yields in North America…

RUF-33950 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015

M. Oscar Kisaka · F.S. Mairura · M.W. Mucheru-Muna · D.N. Mugendi +2 more

Drier parts of Embu County endure high atmospheric heat, prolonged dry spells, declining soil fertility and erratic rainfall. Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies have been developed, and tested, with standardized appli…

RUF-33948 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015

E. Chepkoech · S. Kimno

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is the fifth most important cereal crop of the world and serves as a major staple food and fodder resource, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. This crop has a big potential to be grown and cultivated owi…

RUF-33946 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015

G. Kironchi · A. Suleiman · M.S. Suleiman

This study is designed to assess the determinants of non-timber forest resources conservation of the Falgore Game Reserve (FGR) Kano, Nigeria. Specifically the study seeks to determine the spatial temporal quantity of non-timber forest res…

RUF-33945 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015

S. Ahabwe · H. Jurua · J. Karungi · M.K.N. Ochwo-Ssemakula +1 more

Tomato (Lycoperscum esculentum) is one of the priority crops considered to drive development and food security in Uganda. However, severe levels of viral diseases have been found to constrain productivity in Uganda: A survey found mean inc…

RUF-33944 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015

D. J. Brus · J. Kaingo · B. P. Mbilinyi · S.D. Tumbo

Management of water in cropping systems necessitates a characterisation of spatial variability of soil hydraulic properties (SHP) (water retention and hydraulic conductivity). Digital soil mapping (DSM) provides a toolset of statistical me…

RUF-33939 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015

Traoré. Adama Perry · M. Famanta · E. Mitcham · P. Nadou Sanogo +1 more

Among the three species of pepper (Capsicum sp.) grown in West Africa, Capsicum chinense and C. frutescens are the most popular in Mali; C. annuum being hardly known to consumers. However, the latter is the easiest to grow, harvest, and pr…

RUF-33937 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015

D. Cugala · M. De Meyer · L. Jose · L. Santos

Fruit flies are among the most important pests of fruits and vegetables in the world. The invasive fruit fly Bactrocera invadens (Diptera:Tephritidae) was first detected in Africa in 2003 in Kenya, has spread to at least 27 countries attac…

RUF-33931 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015