Working Document Series Open Access Seasonal distribution and yields of common roughages in coastal Lowlands of Kenya M. S. Badamana · C. K Gachuiri · J. D. Mande · L. M. Mburu +1 more In the Coastal Lowlands of Kenya, small-scale integrated crop-livestock system is the dominant form of agricultural production. Feed quantity and quality are inadequate and rarely meet the nutrient demands of lactating cows especially in t… RUF-39741 2018 CC BY 4.0 16 Jan 2023
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Nutrient composition and consumer acceptability of soybean-sweet potato based complementary food fortified with longhorn grasshopper (Ruspolia differens) Mercy Wilfred Mmari Traditional complementary foods in most sub-Saharan African countries are deficient in protein, essential minerals and vitamins resulting to sub-optimal growth and increased premature deaths among children below five years of age. This cal… RUF-36759 2017 CC BY 4.0 31 Aug 2017
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Determining quantity of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) leaf yield under different manure application regimes and cropping systems in Western Kenya D.A. Olal The low production of cereals and legumes among small-scale farmers in Kenya attributed to declining soil fertility and poor agronomic practices has led to renewed interest to review existing crop improvement technologies. Such technologie… RUF-35909 2015 CC BY 4.0 29 Feb 2016
Working Document Series Open Access Soil micronutrient supply and grain quality for human nutrition in selected parts of Morogoro, Tanzania M.L.E. Imakumbili · J.M.R. Semoka · E Semu Soils worldwide have become depleted of micronutrients. This has resulted in an increase in micronutrient deficiency diseases for people consuming micronutrient poor foods as a sole source of nutrition. This study was carried out to determ… RUF-35135 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing farmers’ knowledge in the evaluation of soil quality M. Karuhanga · K. Senkosi · J.S. Tenywa Farmers across Uganda have developed their own indicators of soil quality but their mechanisms, reliability and sensitivity have not yet been examined. Therefore, this research is intended to address these gaps. Specific objectives include… RUF-35117 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Nitrogen dynamics and removal by algal turf scrubber under high ammonia and organic matter loading in a recirculating aquaculture system J.S. Valeta · M.C.M. Verdegem High total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations were introduced to an Algal Turf Scrubber developed under loadings of Clarius gariepinus recirculating aquaculture system effluent to determine its potential and dynamics of TAN removal. TAN… RUF-35087 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Farmer perceptions and knowledge on soil quality indicators and their use in soil fertility monitoring M. Karuhanga · S. Kiconco · J. K. Tumuhairwe Assessing soil quality is important so as to learn about the effects of management practices on soil function, create awareness and education, and provides a basis for evaluation of alternative practices. Soil quality often cannot be direc… RUF-35054 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Translating integrated soil fertility management knowledge into livelihood benefits through farmer learning and participatory action in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · T. Gwandu · P. Mapfumo · F. Mtambanengwe Smallholder agriculture production is constrained by poor technology adoption often linked to lack information dissemination strategies, among other factors. This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of participatory information mana… RUF-35042 2015 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Determination of milk components lost in whey during the manufacture of three cheese types P.T. Banda · C.T. Ndavambi · W. Parawira A small-scale farm in Harare processes soft goat cheese from goat milk and feta and gouda cheese from jersy cow milk. Milk constituents were measured in milk and as residual components in whey after processing cheese. Residual phosphorus a… RUF-34940 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Developing appropriate feeding and breeding strategies for improved smallholder pig production D. Mutetikka · M. Nabasirye · H. Nakimbugwe The project aims to improve pig productivity on smallholder pig farms in Uganda through maximizing nutrient utilization from local cereal grains, and increasing access to improved breeding material through enhanced use of artificial insemi… RUF-34930 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Adapting soybean varieties to soil fertility variability for increased productivity in smallholder systems of Uganda P. Ebanyat · G. Elepu · P. Tukamuhabwa Biophysical conditions; climate and soil types underpin the suitability for growing of different crops at larger scales such as the agroecological regions while at the lower scales, crop production is governed by soil fertility status and … RUF-34712 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Effects of phosphorus deficiency on secondary metabolites and distribution of African nightshade in Siaya and Kisii counties, Kenya 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-34701 2015 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Strengthening researcher-extension-farmer participation in soil fertility restoration for sustainable crop production in western Kenya E. Adipala · B. Amar · L. Didier · S.O. Gudu +14 more Food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) results mainly from common and prolonged droughts, fertility depleted soils, poor economies and insignificant researcher-extension-farmer contacts to demonstrate technologies. The soils are predo… RUF-34673 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Translating integrated soil fertility management empirical knowledge into action through participatory learning and marketing with farmers in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · D. Dhliwayo · P. Mapfumo · F. Mtambanengwe +1 more In this paper we report on findings from a co-learning experience we undertook with smallholder farmers in two areas in Zimbabwe aimed at developing their capacity to apply integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) options to improve foo… RUF-34639 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 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 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 Nutrient content of vegetable amaranth (Amaranths cruentus L.) at different harvesting stages N. D. Makobo · T. A. Mtaita · M. D. Shoko Data on the nutritional content of conventional vegetables can be reasonably associated with a specific stage of plant development, but information about the age of plant development to define harvest maturity for wild or indigenous leafy … RUF-34394 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Analysis of multipurpose uses and management of Zizphus spina-christi (L.) desf. in semi-arid Ethiopia: Implications for food security Feyssa Debela Hunde · J.T. Njoka · M.M. Nyangito · Asfaw Zemede Quantitative ethnobotanical study of Ziziphus spina-christi was undertaken in six areas of east Shewa, Ethiopia. Both structured questionnaire and focus-group interviews were conducted with about 200 households. Arable land cultivation, an… RUF-34380 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Policy Briefs Open Access Research Briefs for the Fifth Graduate Research Grants Call RUF-34333 2015 CC BY 4.0 19 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Preliminary compositional nutrient diagnosis for rubber tree in the humid forest zone of Cameroon E. Ehabe Ejolle · G. Elambo Nkeng · J. Njukeng Nkengafac · Ewalds. Schnug The main source of natural rubber is the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), an important crop to the Cameroonian economy. In order to improve yields while maintaining tree sustainability, nutrient norms must be derived for proper nutrient a… RUF-34183 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 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