Working Document Series Open Access Physico-chemical properties and antioxidant potential of syrup derived from ‘Madhura’ sweet sorghum grown in different locations in Kenya E. M. Makori · Hunja Murage · Mwanjala Mwasaru · N. O. Ojijo +3 more Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) represents an analogous crop to sugarcane with similar accumulation of sugars in its juicy stems but with a higher agronomic stability to temperature fluctuations, less water requirement and bette… RUF-34211 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing transitory poverty among pastoralists of northern kenya using the stages of progress method W. Kogi-Makau · L. MacOpiyo · J.T. Njoka · W. P. Watete Assessment of poverty among pastoral households using conventional methods may at times give an inaccurate picture of pastoral poverty. Pastoral areas generally fare very poorly in terms of common standard indicators and are thus likely to… RUF-34201 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Cost-sharing of agricultural extension service: What patterns are most effective in Nigeria? N. Ozor With recent changes in the financing and delivery of agricultural extension service worldwide due to inability of some governments to cope with varied needs of clients, most reforms initiated tend towards a pluralistic approach and financi… RUF-34198 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Indigenous knowledge practices for production and management of spider mites and anthracnose in smallholder French bean farmers in Nakuru County, Kenya J. G. Nyaanga · S. O. Ochola · K. O. Ogayo · J. O. Ogendo +2 more A field survey was conducted to inventory the major crops grown, French bean production constraints, pests and diseases and indigenous control strategies. A total of 56 smallholder French bean farmers were interviewed using structured ques… RUF-34196 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The adoption and use of ICT by small scale farmers in Gezira State, Sudan K. El-siddig · J.M. Githeko · N.S. Musa In Sudan common sources of agricultural information that have been used are the radio, television, extension, magazines, newspapers and face-to-face communication. This paper sought to identify the key factors that influence the use of ICT… RUF-34195 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access University student-centered outreach for rural innovations and community transformation in northern Uganda S. W. Kalule · B. Mugonola · W. Odongo · D. Ongeng In Uganda, while Universities are considered centers of knowledge creation and dissemination, their explicit role in economic development is largely less developed. Gulu University, at its inception sought to respond to this concern and po… RUF-34193 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Local-scale governance: a review of the Zambian approach to fisheries management L. Haambiya · D. Kambewa · E. Kaunda · Jeremy Likongwe +1 more Despite recent policies for optimizing sustainable management of fisheries, their success has been modest in practice. Excessive fishing effort and use of unsustainable fishing methods attributed to common-property of and free access to th… RUF-34185 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Using Wikis to enhance interactivity in teaching and learning: An engagement with Gilly Salmon’s Model D. Sebbowa The teaching and learning process is becoming a big challenge at Higher Education Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is mainly due to the challenges created by the liberalization of University Education and the implied surge in stude… RUF-34170 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Impact of the zero grazing practice on milk production by the small scale farmers in Western Kenya H. Affognon · J. Nalunkuuma · F. K. Njonge · D. Salifu The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the zero grazing practice on milk production by the small-scale farmers’ in western Kenya. A cross sectional survey was undertaken on 520 livestock farmers from Kisii and Bungoma counties… RUF-34166 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The status of indegnous chicken production in northern Uganda A. Kayitesi · D.R. Kugonza · H. Mulindwa · C. Nakkazi +1 more Indegnous chicken production is important for many rural households. Although it is a small and sometimes unorganized sector, it makes a substantial contribution to food security by providing eggs and meat for home consumption and, to some… RUF-34162 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Stabilisation of silt clay soil using molasses for small dam embankment construction as inner zone T. Christiane · M. Ernest · A. N. Gitau · E. F. Mwanga The Agriculture sector contributes 45% of Tanzania’s GDP and about 30% of its export earnings, while employing over 80% of the nation’s work-force. Despite of its importance, agriculture is very much affected by inadequacy, seasonality and… RUF-34161 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of local dairy goat feed resources in Kongwa district, Tanzania S.W. Chenyambuga · T. Damas Msaki · D.M. Komwihangilo · E.E. Ndemanisho Decrease in quantity and quality of pastures during the dry season in Kongwa District has resulted into reduced milk production from the improved dairy goat breeds in the area. Available indigenous leguminous tree and shrub leaves can supp… RUF-34154 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Vegetative growth of Lablab purpureus and Canavalia ensiformis under differing P fertiliser applications in Namibia M. G. Appollis · L. Kaholongo · A. Kahumba · E. Lutaaya +1 more The level of N fixation from effectively nodulated legumes depends on the growth rate of the legume and upon soil conditions. The main objective of this study was to compare the vegetative growth of Lablab purpureus and Canavalia ensiformi… RUF-34148 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Comparative study on kits used for diagnosis of Brucellosis in humans L. Bebora · P. Kinyanjui · L. Waiboci · N. Waringa Brucellosis is an infectious zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genera Brucella. Brucellosis is mainly a disease of livestock infecting cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs and marine mammals. In humans, the disease is acquired directl… RUF-34141 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Soil microbial biomass changes with application of organic and inorganic in acid soil of Embu County, Central highlands of Kenya B.O. Danga · J.N. Mugwe · B. Verde Most studies are focused on fertiliser either organic or inorganic to improve soil fertility, health and crop yields in most of the farming systems worldwide. Although organic and inorganic soil fertility improvements impact indirectly on … RUF-34133 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Interactive effect of goat manure, phosphate fertiliser and lime on soil fertility in Embu County, Kenya B.O. Danga · J. Mugwe · B. Verde Nutrient mining resulting from crop uptake and erosion; and soil acidity which makes plant nutrients less available through different means such as phosphorus fixation and impairment of biological mediated processes in the soil. A study wa… RUF-34126 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of organic and urea nitrogen fertilisers on soil properties and maize yield in highlands of Rwanda B.O. Danga · C. Karemangingo · O. Tuyishime Continuous cropping without nutrient restitution under smallholder farms in Rwanda has led to serious nutrient depletion and reduced maize (Zea mays) yields. This is further exacerbated by low soil organic matter and soil erosion. The smal… RUF-34122 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access In-season nitrogen prediction for the quality protein maize using the pocket hand-held NDVI sensor on farmers’ field around Ilu-Gelan and Bako-Tibe, Ethiopia Tolera Abera · Tolessa Debele · Haekoo Kim · Ernest Semu +1 more The “pocket” hand-held Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) sensor for inseason highland quality protein maize nitrogen rate determination for side-dressing was conducted in 2013cropping season on seven farmers’ field around Bako-… RUF-34117 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Biomass accumulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean varieties, grain yields of soybean and maize intercropped at different planting densities in western Kenya F. Baijukya · R. Onwonga · M. Simbine Biomass accumulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean (Glycine max) and grain yields of maize (Zea mays) and soybean intercropped at different planting densities was assessed in two villages of Butere and Mumias district of western Kenya d… RUF-34108 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum insect vector activity on banana across altitude and seasons in Rwanda G. Blomme · G. Night · W. Ocimati · A. Rutikanga +1 more Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) ( Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum -Xcm) disease is considered the most important threat to banana production in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. Insect vectors are one of the key ways through which the … RUF-34104 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Soil nitrate and nitrite in different soil profiles of Peri-Urban and horticultural farm soils of Gaborone as indicators of nitrogen leaching. T. Mpuisang · T. Mubyana-John · N. Pabalinga · F. Pule-Meulenberg Soil nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) along the soil profile can be used as indicators of nitrogen loss by leaching. Preliminary studies have shown that excess usage of fertiliser is common amongst farmers who were aiming to increase crop… RUF-34098 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of sweet sorghum varieties for multi-purpose utilisation in Kenya B. Gathitu · B. Mukabane · N. O. Ojijo · W.O. Owino +1 more Sweet sorghums (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) are sorghum varieties that accumulate high levels of sucrose in the parenchyma juicy stems. Sweet sorghum (SS) is a multifunctional crop. It that can be cultivated for simultaneous production of g… RUF-34094 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Conservation Agriculture effects on earthworm populations in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda soils D. Ashilenje · W. N’getich · J. Norton · U. Norton +7 more Conventional cultivation in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda over the years has resulted into decline in soil quality and food crop production. Studying soil biodiversity under Conservation Agriculture production systems (CAPS) will help u… RUF-34089 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of phosphorus deficiency on secondary metabolites and African nightshade distribution in Kisii, Siaya and Kakamega counties, Kenya J. P. Gweyi Onyango · W. Musila · P. Nawiri · J. Ogembo Oyaro African indigenous vegetables form an integral part of the Kenyan diets, among the most commonly consumed being the African nightshade. These vegetables contain important phenolics that have medicinal values and good health attributes. The… RUF-34074 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Breeding for common bean rust in Uganda S. Nkalubo · B. A. Odogwu · P. Rubaihayo Rust caused by the fungi Uromyces appendiculatus is considered as one of the most variable pathogens documented world-wide. In Uganda, rust has been identified as an emerging common bean disease and this has contributed to its being given … RUF-34067 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
