Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of soil and landform characteristics for implementation of conservation agriculture in West Usambara Mountains, Lushoto District, Tanzania D. Kimaro · L.A. Kyaruzi · H.B. Msita Developing strategies that promote conservation agriculture in the West Usambara Mountains in Tanzania poses a particular challenge. This research used empirical and qualitative method to assess soil and landform characteristics in relatio… RUF-34613 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Genetic variation of Zambian maize inbred lines commonly used in breeding Richard Chanda · C. Mungoma · M. Mwala · K. Mwansa +1 more In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), breeders have the challenge of developing high yielding maize hybrids that are adapted to farmers’ conditions. This however requires knowledge on the breeding value of elite maize germplasm. Ten (10) maize inbr… RUF-34610 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Phosphate sorption by andisols and ultisols, and its implication on phosphorus bioavailability in the wet tropics of Tanzania E. Kisetu · J.P. Mrema Phosphorus (P) sorption and desorption behaviour of Andisols of Siha - Kilimajaro and Ultisols of Magadu -Morogoro, Tanzania was studied in pot experiments. This was to facilitate development of P management strategies for enhanced maize p… RUF-34606 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing factors influencing types, rate of application and timing of fertilizer use among small-scale farmers of western Kenya M.K. Kifuko-Koech · A.K. Kipkoech · K.W Ndungu · A.O. Nekesa +1 more Many soil fertility amelioration technologies exist in western Kenya, but the factors that influence the adoption, and the economic returns of these technologies needs to be assessed. In this study, the value cost ratios (VCR) of five diff… RUF-34603 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of improved scald tolerant barley varieties with superior enduse (malt) and nutritional quality for dry land areas of the northern Ethiopia Asmud. Bjornstad · R. Edema · Abay. Feiten Barley is an important cash crop for resource-poor farmers in Tigray region of northern Ethiopian where options are very limited, and barley is often the only possible crop. Biotic stresses plus a harsh environment have contributed to low … RUF-34600 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Determining appropriate mode and rate of applying lime to improve maize production in acid soils of north Kakamega and Siaya districts, Kenya J.K. Kiplagat · J.R. Okalebo · C.O. Othieno Increasing soil acidity is a major cause of low soil fertility in western Kenya where about 57,670 hectares is acidic. While liming can increase soil pH, the most appropriate method of application needs to be determined. This study aimed a… RUF-34599 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Studies on the etiology, epidemiology and management of dieback disease of passion fruit in Kenya R. Gathu · N. Kori · J. Mbaka · M. Mwangi +1 more Passion fruit (Passiflora spp.) is an important cash crop in Kenya. In the recent past, diseases have increasingly reduced its production with yield losses ranging from 50 – 100%. Dieback is a recently emerged disease that is highly virule… RUF-34598 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Testing the efficacy of artificial microRNAs to control cassava brown streak disease T. Alicai · Y. Baguma · Claude M. Fauquet · Settumba B. Mukasa +4 more Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is a major constraint to cassava production in East Africa. It is caused by at least two single stranded (+) RNA viruses (CBSV and CBSUV). To date, only a few genetic sources of resistance to the disease… RUF-34597 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Comparative effects of Minjingu phosphate rock and triple super phosphate on residual P in an Ultisol A.M. Kalala · J.M.R. Semoka A glasshouse experiment was conducted at Sokoine University of Agriculture to compare the effects of Minjingu Phosphate Rock (MPR) and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) on Residual Phosphorus in an Ultisol. The soil was collected after seven ye… RUF-34593 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Parametric pedotransfer functions for predicting soil water retention in a Ngerengere Subcatchment, Morogoro -Tanzania Kitalyi. Aichi · J. Dietz · J. Kaingo · H. Mahoo +1 more The soil water retention-release characteristics (SWRC) are essential to understand water redistribution in agricultural systems. However, direct measurements of SWRC are constrained by costs, scarcity of equipment and time. Pedotransfer f… RUF-34592 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of a hot pepper root rot and wilt disease management strategy through genetic resistance, chemical application and proper choice of rotational crops E. Awori · S. Nkalubo · P. Tukamuhabwa · S. Tumwekwase +1 more This study seeks to contribute to increased productivity of hot pepper (Capsicum chinense) by incorporating an integrated pest management (IPM) package for root rot/wilt disease (Phytophthora capsici). Pathogen host diversity will be deter… RUF-34591 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Comparative effect of farmyard manure, cowpea residues and NPK Fertilizer on maize grain yield in Morogoro G. Habonayo · C.L. Rweyemamu · J.M.R. Semoka Optimal combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers can give rise to increased maize yields in nutrient depleted soils. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of cowpea residues and combinations of inorganic fertilizers on maiz… RUF-34587 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Farmers’ perceptions on maize ear rots and the prospects for breeding farmer preferred varieties in Uganda G. Asea · P. Gibson · P. Okori · L. Tembo Maize ear rots are a major constraint to maize production globally, and yield loses of up to 70% have been reported in Uganda. Developing varieties resistant to ear rots is a practical strategy that provides better insurance for the small … RUF-34586 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Biological N2 fixation of three Acacia senegal varieties in the drylands of Kenya using 15N natural abundance method E.W. Githae A study is on-going in Kenya to identify Acacia senegal varieties with high symbiotic biological N2 fixation capacity. Balanites aegyptica, a non-legume species, has been included for comparison. Variety senegal has so far shown the highes… RUF-34584 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of selected arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi on the growth of Calliandra calothyrsus and Sorghum bicolor in eastern Uganda E. Adipala · G. Eilu · C.L. Kizza · J.G.M. Majaliwa +2 more Successful consistent revegetation of drastically disturbed areas throughout the world has been achieved using biological “tools” including mycorrhizal fungus inoculated tree seeds, seedlings, native shrubs, and grass species. However, the… RUF-34583 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of tied ridges for rainwater harvesting on maize yields in Swaziland O. T. Edje · E.M. Ossom This study assessed options for use of tied-ridges for on-farm water harvesting in Swaziland. Results showed that farmers in sandy and loamy soils need different sizes of ridges, 4 m and 2 m, respectively. RUF-34582 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Relationship between grain yield and Fusarium head blight in soft red winter wheat as influenced by cultivar resistance L. V. Madden · A. P. Pierce · J. D. Salgado · M. W. Wallhead Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is a serious disease in all wheatgrowing areas in the world. FHB affects wheat by reducing yield and grain quality. Our objective is to characterize the relationship between FHB and grain yield. Three soft red wi… RUF-34578 2010 CC BY 4.0 7 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Studies into slow rusting resistance among selected wheat lines F.M. Nzuve · D. Singh · G. Tusiime Wheat is an important staple crop in East Africa whose consumption outweighs its production partly due to the emergence of a virulent strain of Puccinia graminis fsp tritici, strain ug99 that cause stem rust disease. A study was carried ou… RUF-34573 2010 CC BY 4.0 7 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Biotic constraints to banana production in Eastern and Central Provinces of Kenya R. Gathu · J. Mbaka · R. Muasya · Maina Mwangi +1 more Banana is an important crop whose production faces major challenges, especially pests and diseases. A banana pests survey was carried out in Eastern and Central Provinces of Kenya. Results showed Fusarium wilt as the most widespread diseas… RUF-34571 2010 CC BY 4.0 7 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Strategy for improving bush bean production on a phosphorus fixing Andosol with aquic moisture regime A. Cyamweshi Rusanganwa · J.S. Tenywa In Uganda, bean is a food security and income sourcing crop, particularly for the rural poor. The highlands of southwestern Uganda are major producers and consumers of the crop. The arable soils in the highlands bordering Rwanda and DR Con… RUF-34570 2010 CC BY 4.0 7 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Tomato curl stunt virus management strategies for all year round tomato production in Mozambique C. Ecole · B. Francisco · A. Mondjana · B. Nhaulaho +1 more Tomato is the most popular vegetable in the home garden all over the World as well as in Mozambique. Tomato production in Mozambique has been recently affected by Tomato curl stunt virus (ToCSV) disease, a devastating viral disease that is… RUF-34569 2010 CC BY 4.0 7 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of aluminium toxicity tolerance system for sorghum in agro ecological region three of Zambia S. Chikuta The overall objective of this study was to characterize selected sorghum varieties for Aluminium (Al) tolerance. The specific objectives were to determine performance of selected sorghum varieties grown in Al prone environments, identify r… RUF-34568 2010 CC BY 4.0 7 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Sediments and nutrients hotspot areas dynamics in selected micro-catchments of the Lake Tanganyika basin in Democratic Republic of Congo E. Azanga · F. Kansiime · J.G.M. Majaliwa This study aims at mapping changes in landuse in the Lake Tanganyika micro-catchments in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It also aimed at assessing the level of pollution of L. Tanganyika resulting from offloaded material and nutrients f… RUF-34566 2010 CC BY 4.0 7 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of the soil fertility status in relation to crop nutritive quality in the selected physiographic units of Mbeya Region, Tanzania N. Amuri · J.M. Anthony · L. Mhoro · B.M. Msanya +1 more This study is assessing soil fertility status in Mbeya region of Tanzania in terms of adequacy for crop growth and crop nutrient status in terms of human nutrition. It will examine levels of macro and micronutrient. The study has just been… RUF-34565 2010 CC BY 4.0 7 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of drip irrigation system and fertigation on growth, yield and quality of banana cv. Grand Nain (Musa AAA) B. A. Ahmed · M.I. Ihsan · A.A. Mohammed Banana cv. Grand Nain is a newly released cultivar in Sudan with high yield potential and less sensitivity to cool temperature. There is a high demand for exporting this cultivar which will replace the widely grown banana cv. Dawarf Cavend… RUF-34560 2010 CC BY 4.0 7 Sep 2015