Working Document Series Open Access Report on the implementation of the RUFORUM Post-Doctoral Fellowship: Enhancing crop productivity and household food security among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe J.T. Rugare Eliminating hunger and food insecurity is top on Africa’s development Agenda because it is perceived to be a key factor in promoting economic growth. Africa continues to experience food shortages due to a mismatch between crop productivity… RUF-40813 2019 CC BY 4.0 22 Nov 2023
Working Document Series Open Access The prevalence and management options for bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in African Nightshades in Kenya L. M. Kiirika · M. Maina · N. Njau · L. Tuurop The consistently rising human population in Kenya demands production of healthy food. African Nightshades have good potential in contributing to Kenya’s vision 2030 in attaining food and nutrition security. African nightshades form an impo… RUF-39757 2018 CC BY 4.0 17 Jan 2023
Working Document Series Open Access The potential role of Abuscular Mycorrhizae and native rhizobia in upscaling maize and cowpea production in semiarid zone of Eastern Kenya J. M. Maingi · M. M. Muindi · M. Muthini · E. M. Njeru +2 more Legumes are an essential component of many cropping systems due to their ability to form symbiotic associations with nitrogen fixing bacteria. Key constraint faced by smallholder farmers in Sub-Sahara Africa is lack of resources so they ca… RUF-39752 2018 CC BY 4.0 16 Jan 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Botanical fungicide for sustainable production of fresh vegetables G. M. Lengai · J.W. Muthomi Pests and diseases are a major challenge to vegetable production. Growers rely on chemical pesticides for management but despite their efficacy, synthetic pesticides have negative effects on the applicator, consumers and environment. Some … RUF-39736 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Jan 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Understanding the virulence dynamics of bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum and the host plant defense responses C. Allen · B. Dalsing · L. M. Kiirika Bacteria wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum has continued to pose a significant threat to a wide range of agricultural crops. The direct and indirect damage caused by various R. solanacearum strains result in reduced yields and quality … RUF-39734 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Jan 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Influence of plant and seed characteristics on cowpea weevil infestation of Vigna unguiculata M. Abakutsa-Onyango · S. Buleti · E. Mamati Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a self-pollinated popular legume that can be consumed as vegetable, grains stew or otherwise used for animal forage. It is only propagated by seed. Cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) is a field and stora… RUF-39721 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Jan 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Edible grasshopper meal (Ruspolia nitidula) “nsenene” a potential source of protein in the diet of Japanese quails in Africa: A review R. Kityo · J. A. Kwaku · N. Munu The diet of Sub Saharan Africans has been noted to contain low levels of protein compared to those in the first world. This situation has affected the proper growth of children who are malnourished and the health of adults living under pov… RUF-39641 2018 CC BY 4.0 20 Sep 2022
Journal articles Open Access GWAS provides biological insights into mechanisms of the parasitic plant (Striga) resistance in sorghum J. Kavuluko · M. Kibe · W. Kibet · T. Magomere +6 more Background: Sorghum yields in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are greatly reduced by parasitic plants of the genus Striga (witchweed). Vast global sorghum genetic diversity collections, as well as the availability of modern sequencing technologie… RUF-39417 2021 CC BY 4.0 18 Sep 2021
Working Document Series Open Access Fungal contaminants and aflatoxins in maize from lower eastern region in Kenya S.P. Kuate · D. O. Mbuge · W.M. Muiru · S.T. Mwangi +1 more Aflatoxin outbreaks have been reported in the lower eastern region of Kenya since 1978. These outbreaks have caused a lot of concern as some have led to loss of lives. This study was conducted to assess the extent of fungal contaminants in… RUF-39336 2018 CC BY 4.0 27 Jul 2021
Journal articles Open Access New sources and stability of resistance to aphids in Cowpea Germplasm across locations in Uganda R. Agaba · I.O. Dramadri · R. Edema · P. Gibson +7 more The cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) is an economically important pest, whose feeding effects cause stunting, delayed flower initiation and yield reduction in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp). Host plant resistance offers an alternat… RUF-39308 2021 CC BY 4.0 21 Jun 2021
Journal articles Open Access Factors Influencing Genomic Prediction Accuracies of Tropical Maize Resistance to Fall Armyworm and Weevils S Agbahoungba · G. Asea · A. Badji · A. Bararyenya +14 more Genomic selection (GS) can accelerate variety improvement when training set (TS) size and its relationship with the breeding set (BS) are optimized for prediction accuracies (PAs) of genomic prediction (GP) models. Sixteen GP algorithms we… RUF-38958 2020 CC BY 4.0 7 Feb 2021
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing climate resilience of cropping systems: A synopsis of research activities by crop scientists at University of Nairobi G. Chemining’wa · O. M. Kitonyo Climate change is associated with rising temperatures, elevated carbon dioxide, variable rainfall patterns and frequent droughts, reduced soil carbon and mineral nutrients, and increased influx of pests and diseases, in addition to adverse… RUF-38906 2018 CC BY 4.0 16 Dec 2020
Journal articles Open Access Revisiting biotic and abiotic drivers of seedling establishment, natural enemies and survival in a tropical tree species in a West Africa semi-arid biosphere reserve A.E. Assogbadjo · Justin A. Atanasso · Kangbéni Dimobe · R. Glèlè Kakaï +3 more Biotic and abiotic drivers of seedling establishment and survival are fundamental not only for elucidating processes occurring at plant early life stages, but also for assisting species natural regeneration. Keystone, multipurpose and econ… RUF-38800 2020 CC BY 4.0 27 Sep 2020
Journal articles Open Access Effects of Tithoniadiversifolia Extract and Trichodermaasperellum on Growth and Yield of Strawberry Fruit (Fragaria× ananassavarDuch) R.M. Gesimba · J. W. Wanjukia · J.N. Wolukau A study on the effect of Tithoniadiversifolia extracts and Trichodermaasperellum on growth, yield, and quality of strawberry fruit (Fragaria× ananassavarDuch) wasconducted in Horticulture, Research and Teaching field, Egerton University. T… RUF-38797 2020 CC BY 4.0 23 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Losses in gum Arabic from Acacia Senegal inflicted by the Tree Locust Anacridium melanorhodon melanorhodon (Orthoptera: Acrididae) A. M. Abdalla · W. M. Haroon · M. Lecoq · J. M. Vassal This study was conducted in North Kordofan, Sudan during the season 2013\2014. The study aimed at assessing losses in gum productivity of Acacia senegal (g/tree) inflicted by the tree locust Anacridium melanorhodon melanorhodon. Experiment… RUF-38784 2018 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Efficacy of Neem (Azadirachtin indica) biopesticide against tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) in greenhouse conditions D. C. Kilalo · James Wangai Kimenju · D. M. Mutegi · C. N. Waturu The Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most devastating invasive new pest affecting tomato crops in Kenya. This study evaluated the insecticidal effect of neem (Azadirachtin indica) against Tuta absoluta at va… RUF-38783 2018 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Socio-economic impact of Anacridium melanorhodon melanorhodon outbreaks on local gum arabic producers in North Kordofan, Sudan A. M. Abdalla · W. M. Haroon · M. Lecoq · M. H. Mohamed +1 more The study was conducted in North Kordofan, Sudan during 2012/2013 season. The study aimed at assessing the socio-economic impacts of the tree locust, Anacridium melanorhodon melanorhodon on gum arabic producers. A key informant questionnai… RUF-38779 2018 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Host plant resistance for management of quarantine fruit pests of hot pepper in Uganda M. H. Amici · J. Karungi · M.K.N. Ochwo-Ssemakula · C. F. Ragassi +3 more Hot pepper (Capsicum frutescens) dominates the world spice trade and is an important cash crop for small scale farmers in developing countries. However, its production and productivity remain low and this is attributed to lack of improved … RUF-38773 2018 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of substituting fishmeal with black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) on growth performance of exotic layer chicks M. K. Ambula · D. M. Miano · I. M. Osuga · E. K. Sumbule +1 more An increase in consumption of animal products is expected by the year 2050, and as a result this will result in enormous demand for resources, feed being most challenging because of the limited availability of natural resources. The increa… RUF-38766 2018 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Prevalence and faecal egg counts of gastrointestinal parasites of Merino sheep in Lesotho M.A. Mahlehla · A.M. Matebesi · M.J. Moiloa · S. Molapo +2 more (GIPs) of sheep from two districts of Lesotho and ii) the effect of agro-ecological zones, host age and sex on prevalence and faecal egg loads of GIPs. It was conducted for a period of six months (July to December) in different agro-ecolog… RUF-38756 2018 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Black soldier fly larvae meal as a cheap alternative to expensive conventional protein sources in poultry feeds S. Ekesi · K. M. M. Fiaboe · L. Munga · D. M. Mwangi +5 more In the recent past, high poultry feed costs are driving many vulnerable communities involved in poultry production out of business. The high cost is mainly driven by the protein source, which represents the most expensive component in not … RUF-38755 2018 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Occurrence of fungal and bacterial diseases of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in western Kenya J.W. Muthomi · P. B. Ochichi · J.M. Wagacha Bacterial and fungal diseases of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) are a major constraint in production of the crop in western Kenya. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of fungal and bacterial diseases of common bea… RUF-38708 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Fungal foliar diseases infecting groundnut: their management, status and the future J. Mwololo · T. Odong · P. Okori Cultivated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oilseed crop widely grown in the tropics and subtropics. The yield for this crop is significantly affected by fungal foliar diseases namely leaf spots and rust to the tune of 60% i… RUF-38706 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Incorporating genomic markers and weather variables in genotype-by-environment interaction analyses for cassava brown streak disease D. Akdemir · W. Esuma · Jean-Luc Jannink · R. Kawuki +2 more Genotype-by-environment (GxE) interactions is a reality that scientists deal with when developing new and better varieties. With increase in scale of both phenotypic and genetic data, coupled with environmental data, prediction of environm… RUF-38704 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Sep 2020
Working Document Series Open Access Efficacy of indigenous fungi isolates against root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp) in-vito A. N. Kariuki · M. Maina · J.W. Waceke Root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are a serious problem in smallholder tomato farms causing 90-100% yield loss in tomato crop in Kenya. For sustainable food production, effective management of nematodes is primarily dependent on the a… RUF-38700 2018 CC BY 4.0 12 Sep 2020
