Working Document Series Open Access Optimization of biosolids as a substrate for quality tomato transplant production 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
Working Document Series Open Access Influence of Mavuno and farm yard manure fertilization on soil carbon fractions in soils of western Kenya 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
Working Document Series Open Access Bioconversion of rice straw using lignocellulolytic microorganisms for improved soil fertility and sustainable crop productivity in Mwea, Kenya 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
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of seed source on crop establishment, bacterial blight intensity, grain and dry matter yield in Cowpeas 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
Working Document Series Open Access Influence of fruit type and seed fermentation durations on seed germination and seedling vigour in pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) 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
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of feed quality and challenges facing indigenous chicken production in Western Kenya 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
Working Document Series Open Access Fresh fruits and vegetable consumption among HIV-infected pregnant women in urban resource-constrained areas 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
Working Document Series Open Access Potential benefits of dietary Chia in the primary prevention of pardiovascular piseases: A review 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
Working Document Series Open Access The nutrient diversity of baobab Adansonia digitata L. across different geographic zones in Eastern Africa 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
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of low tannin sorghum on sensory characteristics of layer eggs and broiler meat 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
Working Document Series Open Access An assessment of the nutritional quality of ecotypes of Digitaria macroblephara at different phenological stages in southern Kenya 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
Working Document Series Open Access Influence of crop age on nutritional quality of fresh roots from popular coastal Kenyan cassava varieties 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
Working Document Series Open Access Role of cassava in nutrition of 2-5 years old children in coastal Kenya 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
Working Document Series Open Access Prevalence and factors asssociated with child stunting in Migori County, Kenya 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
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of land use types and seasons on species diversity and abundance of dung beetles in Eldoret, Kenya 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
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of biochar on water use efficiency of legume fodder Dolichos lablab (Lablab purpureus L.) Sweet in semi-arid and arid soils of Mwea and Bura, Kenya C. C. K. Gachene · S. O. Keya · T. J. Njoka · E. A. Ouna +1 more Production of legume fodder in arid and semi-arid regions remains a problem due to constraints of low soil moisture and limited farming technologies that can improve water retention in soil. Mwea and Bura soils are vertisols, compacted, wi… RUF-38523 2018 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Intercropping potato with grain legumes for enhanced productivity and climate change adaptation in smallholder farms, Kenya C.K.K. Gachene · E. Geldermann · H.I Gitari · N.N. Karanja +2 more This study evaluated the effect of potato-grain legume intercropping systems on best land equivalent yield ratios, crop water productivity and net profits in field trials conducted in three agro-ecologies of Kenya: upper highland with seas… RUF-38517 2018 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Analysis of strategies used in mitigating dry spells occurrences on rainfed agriculture in Homa Bay County, Kenya E. M. Mugalavai · J. O. Ogenga Dry spells have been on the increase in both spatial and temporal scales in the last few decades exacerbating rainfall variability. Homa Bay County which is located in the Western part of Kenya in the Lake Victoria Basin is a sub humid reg… RUF-38511 2018 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Using system of rice intensification practices to mitigate climate change effects on rice production in Western Kenya E. C. Kipkorir · E. M. Mugalavai · C. K. Songok · P. O. W Webi The increasing impacts of climate change and the demand for food threaten the productive and service capacity of agro-ecosystems. Consequently, adoption of irrigation alternatives that enhance water use efficiency in crop production is vit… RUF-38509 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Hydrolyzed Prosopis juliflora pods substitute 50% maize in indigenous chicken layers feed D. K. Gichungu · A. M. Kingori · A. M. Wachira Cereals are a major source of human food, hence their use as livestock feed causes competition and shortage leading to increased prices. Consequently, it is essential to explore alternative feed resources that are locally available and aff… RUF-38494 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Hydrolyzed Prosopis juliflora pods substitute 50% maize in indigenous chicken layers feed D. K. Gichungu · A. M. Kingori · A. M. Wachira Cereals are a major source of human food, hence their use as livestock feed causes competition and shortage leading to increased prices. Consequently, it is essential to explore alternative feed resources that are locally available and aff… RUF-38493 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Characterizing cassava marketing value chain in Kenya: A review D. Kilalo · W. O. Kosura · A. W. Mwang’ombe · H. Nyanganga +1 more This paper reviews the cassava value chain with an aim of characterizing the value chain by focusing on the marketing part of the value chain, the actors, and marketing channels. The data used in this review were obtained from secondary so… RUF-38489 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Characterization of fish markets for small-scale farmers in Kenya J. G. Maina A study was done to determine the characteristics of fish markets for small-scale fish farmers in four Counties in Kenya, namely, Kirinyaga, Busia, Kakamega and Migori. The objectives of the study were to i) assess the social-economic char… RUF-38482 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Economic analysis of Consumer demand for indigenous chicken eggs in Kenya E. K. Bett · L.W. Kabuage · C. Ndenga The World Health Organization recommends a daily protein requirement of 55 grams per person to avert health and nutritional related problems. Indigenous chicken eggs have the potential to supply these proteins in developing countries where… RUF-38478 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Post-harvest handling, safety and nutritional contribution of cassava in coastal Kenya G. O. Abong · D. Kilalo · A. W. Mwang’ombe · M. W. Okoth +1 more Post- harvest losses is still a common challenge in most African countries. At the Kenyan coast, farmers are faced with the challenge of handling cassava produce due to the short shelf-life of the product. Due to inadequate knowledge by th… RUF-38472 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2020
