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 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 Protein nutritional quality of soy fortified complementary flours from Western Kenya E.H. Kamau · C.A. Serrem · F.W. Wamunga Protein Energy Malnutrition accounts for 50% of the annual deaths of children aged below 5 years. Complementary foods for such young children should be protein efficient and nutrient dense. Compositing complementary flours with legumes of … RUF-34147 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 Essential oils of Cupressus lusitanica and Eucalyptus saligna as fumigants of stored product insect pests: The hope of the future for small-scale farmers P.K Bett · A.L. Deng · S.T Kariuki · J.M. Mihale +3 more Laboratory studies were conducted in the Biotechnology Laboratory, Egerton University, Kenya to determine fumigant activity (space and grain fumigation) of essential oils of the Mexican cypress (C. lusitanica) and Sydney blue gum (E. Salig… RUF-34135 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 Food losses and waste in the context of sustainable food systems J. Ambuko Although accurate estimates of losses and waste in the food system are unavailable, the best evidence to date coming from Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) indicates that approximately 1.3 billion tonnes per year (one-third of the f… RUF-34124 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of farming practices on the occurrence of scab of wheat and its management through cultivar resistance C.K. Mutegi · J.W. Muthomi · R.D. Narla · N.K. Njeru +2 more A survey was carried out in Nakuru and Narok Counties at hard dough stage and at harvest. A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information on wheat production practices. Fusarium head blight incidence and severity in each fa… RUF-34118 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 Comparison of quality attributes of mango fruits produced from two contrasting agro-ecological zones of Kenya J. Ambuko · L. Ouma · W.O. Owino · S. Shibairo Mango (Mangifera indica) is a tropical fruit adapted to a wide range of agro-ecological conditions. In Kenya, mango fruits are produced across various agro-ecological zones (AEZs); from sub-humid to semi-arid. The diverse production condit… RUF-34096 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 Role of agronomic practices on the occurrence of Fusarium head blight of wheat C. Mutegi · J. Muthomi · R. Narla · O. Okumu +1 more Fusarium head blight is a disease of small grain cereals that reduces yield and causes mycotoxin contamination. The role of agronomic practices on the occurrence of wheat agronomic practices was studied. In the experiment, a survey to dete… RUF-34088 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 Biofficacy of lion’s ear and African basil extracts in management of adult twospotted spider mite on french beans J. G. Nyaanga · S. O. Ochola · K. O. Ogayo · J. O. Ogendo +2 more Methanol extracts of Lion’s ear, Leonotis nepetifolia L. (LN) and African basil, Ocimum gratissimum L. (OG), were evaluated for their toxic and ovicidal effects against the female adult two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. La… RUF-34061 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Role of soil and crop residues as sources of inoculum for Fusarium head blight of wheat C.K. Mutegi · J.W. Muthomi · N.K. Njeru · J.M. Wagacha A field survey was carried out in Narok County, Kenya, at hard dough growth stage (GS 65- 69) during the 2013 cropping season and sampling done in 51 wheat farms in different agroecological zones. Samples of soil and crop residues were col… RUF-34060 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access In vitro evaluation of Leonotis nepetifolia L. and Ocimum gratissimum L. plant extracts against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum J. G. Nyaanga · S. O. Ochola · K. O. Ogayo · J. O. Ogendo +2 more The potential of crude plant extracts as antimicrobial agents has been demonstrated both in animal and plant health. Extracts with potential for control of plant pathogens such as Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (causal agent for bean anthro… RUF-34059 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Farming characteristics in urban districts of Nairobi county - Kenya A.W. Kihurani · P.W. Masinde · J.B. Mukundi · J. N. Njenga Urban farming practitioners face challenges like lack of quality irrigation water, poorly decomposed manure, diverse inputs of unknown sources, unhealthy farm environment and abject poverty. All these contribute to production of unsafe foo… RUF-34041 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Selection for multiple disease resistance in bush snap bean lines developed in Kenya P. M. Kimani · M. M. Mulanya · R.D. Narla Production of snap beans (French beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Kenya is severely constrained by diseases. Use of fungicides increases cost of production, reduces profitability and competitiveness of snap bean in domestic and export mark… RUF-34035 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of ethephon and potassium nitrate on off-season flower induction in mango J. Ambuko · M. Hutchinson · S. Maloba · W.O. Owino Mango (Mangifera indica) fruit production in Kenya is seasonal with peak and off seasons – one of the contributing factors to postharvest losses. Off-season flower induction is a strategy that can be used to address mango seasonality. Mani… RUF-34031 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Role of Universities in development of improved crop varieties, seed production, dissemination and impacts: Case studies of dry, canning, snap and runner beans, pigeonpea and onions P. M. Kimani Mandates of universities in east, central and southern Africa have considerably changed from their traditional teaching and research roles, to greater active involvement in the development agenda of their countries, a phenomenon referred t… RUF-34029 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Breeding runner bean for grain yield, disease resistance and short-day adaptation in eastern Africa P. M. Kimani · M. M. Mulanya · R.D. Narla Although runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.), also known as butter bean, is grown in high altitudes of eastern Africa where common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) is adapted, its productivity is poor because no improved short-day varieties ar… RUF-34025 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The use of rice and fish polyculture in rice fields to improve rice yields hence food security in Bunyala - Kenya F.W. Kariuki · A.N Leguuto Rice is an important food crop in Kenya’s drive to attain food security. However, its productivity remains low against an overall increase in national demand due to overdependence on rice monoculture leading to decline in soil fertility re… RUF-34024 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access A comparative evaluation of maturity indices of mango fruits produced in two contrasting agro-ecological zones of Kenya 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
