Journal articles Open Access Trait association and stability of virus resistance among cowpea genotypes in Uganda Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) grain constitutes an important source of protein for several households in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, widespread occurrence of viral diseases is a serious constraint to productivity of the crop and its … RUF-37699 2018 CC BY 4.0 25 Jul 2018
Journal articles Open Access Farmer knowledge of bacterial wilt and root-knot nematodes and practices to control the pathogens in high tunnel tomato production in the tropics Davis Fundi Ireri Sustainable production of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under high tunnels is threatened by bacterial wilt (caused by Ralstonia solanacearum) and root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.). Knowledge was generated about the concomitant occur… RUF-37698 2018 CC BY 4.0 25 Jul 2018
Journal articles Open Access Big data: deep learning for detecting malware Kyanda Swaib Kaawaase · Emmanuel Masabo · J. Sansa-Otim Malicious software, commonly known as malware are constantly getting smarter with the capabilities of undergoing self-modifications. They are produced in big numbers and widely deployed very fast through the Internet-capable devices. This … RUF-37696 2018 CC BY 4.0 17 Jul 2018
Journal articles Open Access A more complete definition for promiscuous soybean E. Afutu · E.E. Agoyi · A.E. Assogbadjo · Godfrey Chigeza +2 more Following a series of research on promiscuous nodulation, it came out that it is incomplete to define ‘promiscuous soybean’ as soybean cultivars with the sole ability to form nodules freely with indigenous Bradyrhizobium strains without re… RUF-37692 2018 CC BY 4.0 17 Jul 2018
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Value chain analysis of baobab products for improved marketing and sustainability of their trade in Malawi Nellie Amosi There is very little information on the basic market functioning and actors involved in baobab product trade of baobab products which has predominantly remained informal with limited commercialization. A study was carried out to analyse th… RUF-37688 2018 CC BY 4.0 17 Jul 2018
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Phenotypic characterization, reproductive biology and vegetative propagation of Adansonia digitata L. wild populations in Malawi Herbert Jenya Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) is a multipurpose indigenous fruit tree with high nutritional and economic value and contributes significantly to livelihoods of local people, particularly in areas where it occurs. For this study, phenotypic… RUF-37686 2018 CC BY 4.0 17 Jul 2018
Working Document Series Open Access Smallholders and powerholders: transforming food systems from the ground up RUF-37685 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Jul 2018
Journal articles Open Access Adoption drivers and its intensity on smallholder goat farming in southern Malawi Edwin Kenamu · F. Maguza-Tembo This study identifies drivers of adoption and its intensity on smallholder goat farming in southern Malawi. A Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial model was estimated using survey data collected in Balaka and Nsanje districts in 2014/15 croppin… RUF-37684 2016 CC BY 4.0 11 Jul 2018
Journal articles Open Access Does adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies reduce household vulnerability to poverty? F. Maguza-Tembo Climate variability is one of the limiting factors to increasing per capita income and food production among smallholder farmers in Africa. This study investigated if the adoption of climate smart agriculture (CSA) technologies reduce hous… RUF-37683 2016 CC BY 4.0 11 Jul 2018
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Repellency activity of Commiphora swynnertonii exudates against Rhipicephalus appendiculatus larvae Evaluating plant extracts for anti-tick properties is essential towards development of alternative method for controlling tick infestation and other harmful insects. This study aimed to evaluate repellency activity of Commiphora swynnerton… RUF-37682 2017 CC BY 4.0 11 Jul 2018
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Effects of intercropping arrangements and fertilizer application on growth and yield of African nightshade (Solanumnigrum L.) in Kisii County, Kenya The study evaluated effects of intercropping arrangements and fertilizer combinations on growth and yields of Solanum nigrum L., soil nutrient balances and gross margins. The study was carried out at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Resear… RUF-37681 CC BY 4.0 11 Jul 2018
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Aboveground biomass allometric equations and carbon content of the shea butter tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn., Sapotaceae) components in Sudanian savannas (West Africa) Vitellaria paradoxa is one of the most economically important trees in West Africa. Although being a key component of most sub-Sahara agroforestry systems, little information and argument exist regarding its biomass and carbon potential. H… RUF-37680 CC BY 4.0 11 Jul 2018
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Morphological and genotypic characterization of African nightshade cultivars Characterization of African nightshade cultivars is important in identifying the genetic diversity that exists among different cultivars. Genetic diversity can be utilized in breeding programs to develop improved African nightshade cultiva… RUF-37679 CC BY 4.0 11 Jul 2018
Journal articles Open Access Acute and sub-acute toxicity of Commiphora swynnertonii extracts: an experimental study on albino mice and rats M. Chacha · Edwin Disela · P. Erasto · S. Temba The acute and subacute toxicity of Commiphora swynnertonii extracts on albino mice and rats was verified. For the acute toxicity study, oral administration of C. swynnertonii hexane and chloroform extract with doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 … RUF-37669 2017 CC BY 4.0 3 Jul 2018
Journal articles Open Access Seasonal variations in the availability of fodder resources and practices of dairy cattle feeding among the smallholder farmers in Western Usambara Highlands, Tanzania D. Maleko · G. Msalya · K. Mtei · A. Mwilawa +2 more The aim of this study was to assess the seasonal effects on quantity and quality of fodder resources and associated utilization practices among smallholder dairy farmers in Western Usambara Highlands (WUHs) in Tanzania. The WUHs are among … RUF-37668 2017 CC BY 4.0 3 Jul 2018
Journal articles Open Access Agrobiodiversity conservation enhances food security in subsistence‑based farming systems of Eastern Kenya Jacinta Malia Kimiti · Gilbert Koskey · John Maingi · Simon Wambui Mburu +2 more Globally, there is great concern about expanding agricultural activities due to their impact in the conservation of agrobiodiversity. African continent is known for its richness in biodiversity. In Kenya, there is a continuous unabated exp… RUF-37667 2016 CC BY 4.0 3 Jul 2018
Journal articles Open Access Gender dimensions in the local chicken value chain in northern Uganda I. Akite · I.P. Aryemo · D.R. Kugonza · E.K. Kule +2 more The study was conducted to explore gender dimensions in the local chicken value chain in northern Uganda. Specifically, it focused on characterizing local chicken value chain actors, ascertaining level and determinants of gender participat… RUF-37666 2018 CC BY 4.0 3 Jul 2018
Journal articles Open Access ICTs for conservation agriculture: influence of actor positioning in knowledge networks in Laikipia and Machakos counties, Kenya J.C. Achora · F. Birungi Kyazze · S. Mkomwa · D. Okello +1 more Knowledge networks play a significant role in the transfer of innovations such as conservation agriculture. In this paper, we examine the position of actors in the network and socio-economic factors influencing use of ICTs. ICTs potentiall… RUF-37665 2018 CC BY 4.0 26 Jun 2018
Journal articles Open Access Cattle dung production, management and utilization practices in the smallholding dairy farming systems of East Africa: a situational analysis in Lushoto District, Tanzania Revocatus Machunda · K. Mtei · Patrick Rukiko This focus review aims to update the dung and manure production, management and utilization in the East African countries and its associated challenges particularly in the case of Lushoto district, in northern Tanzania. Attention and effor… RUF-37663 2018 CC BY 4.0 26 Jun 2018
Journal articles Open Access Determinants of climate smart agriculture technology adoption in the drought prone districts of Malawi using a multivariate probit analysis Abdi-Khalil Edriss · F. Maguza-Tembo · J. Mangisoni Climate variability is one of the limiting factors to increasing per capita food production for most smallholder farmers in Africa. The adoption and diffusion of climate smart agriculture technologies, as a way to tackle this barrier, has … RUF-37658 2017 CC BY 4.0 12 Jun 2018
Journal articles Open Access Smallholder dairy cattle feeding technologies and practices in Tanzania: failures, successes, challenges and prospects for sustainability D. Maleko · G. Msalya · K. Mtei · A. Mwilawa +1 more In Tanzania, milk production under smallholder farming systems is season sensitive, fluctuations of feeds in both quantity and quality being the major driver. A dry season decline in milk production of over 40% due to feed scarcity is a co… RUF-37657 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Jun 2018
Working Document Series Open Access The latest research shows that we really should do something with available research outcomes: overcoming the “Valley of Death” to enhancing commercialization of research outputs E. Adipala · A. Egeru · Sylvanus Mensah · M.Paul Nampala +1 more This article was inspired by a dialogue that transpired during the 5th All Africa Higher Education Week and Biennial Conference of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), held in October 2016. The c… RUF-37635 2016 CC BY 4.0 30 May 2018
Journal articles Open Access Genotype by environment effects on promiscuous nodulation in soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) E.E. Agoyi · Godfree Chigeza · Brian W. Diers · T.L. Odong +2 more Understanding factors influencing the expression of a trait is key in designing a breeding program. Genotype by environment interaction has great influence on most quantitative traits. Promiscuous nodulation is a trait of importance for so… RUF-37634 2017 CC BY 4.0 30 May 2018
Journal articles Open Access Indigenous knowledge on the uses of African Nightshades (Solanum nigram L.) species among three Kenyan communities D. Nyamongo · Edward Gizemba Ontita · R.N. Onwonga · C. M. Onyango In Kenya, the African nightshades (ANS) (Solanum nigram L.) are among the most widely distributed and consumed traditional vegetables. The current study was conducted to better understand the cultural variability in the use patterns and va… RUF-37633 2016 CC BY 4.0 30 May 2018
Journal articles Open Access Efficient plant regeneration protocol for finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] via somatic embryogenesis Alex Ngetich In the present study, an efficient protocol for somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration was established in six finger millet varieties (GBK-043137, GBK-043128, GBK-043124, GBK-043122, GBK- 043094 and GBK-043050). Shoot tips from 3 day… RUF-37631 2018 CC BY 4.0 23 May 2018