Working Document Series Open Access Farmer perception on effects of the witch weed infestations in sorghum in Ishongorero sub county, Ibanda district, south western Uganda B. Bua · C. Nowamani Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench is the fifth most important cereal in the semi arid regions of the world in terms of production and area planted. However, sorghum production is constrained by a number of factors including pests and di… RUF-34289 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Modeling potential impact of climate change on sorghum and cowpea performance under different tillage and cropping systems in semi-arid areas of Kenya T. Kirina Kitinya · R.N. Onwonga Field trials were carried out at Kambi ya Mawe location in Eastern Kenya during the long rains (LRS) of 2010 and short rains (SRS) of 2010/2011, to evaluate effect of tillage and cropping system on performance of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L… RUF-34272 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of trends in crop type and land cover change using GIS in Yatta sub-county, Kenya G. N. Karuku · V. M. Kathumo · B. A. Liavoga · R.N. Onwonga +2 more Assessment of the distribution and dynamics of vegetation using remote sensing techniques and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have proven to be efficient tools in monitoring agricultural activities as they provide methods for analys… RUF-34258 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Seasonal rainfall variability, drought characterisation and efficacy of interpolation techniques: Case of Kenya’s central highlands M. Oscar Kisaka · F.S. Mairura · M. Mucheru-Muna · D.N. Mugendi +2 more Drier parts Eastern Kenya, endure persistent crop failure and declining agricultural productivity which have been attributed, in part, to high temperatures, prolonged dry-spells and particularly erratic rainfall. Understanding spatial-temp… RUF-34241 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Predicting potential distribution of the coconut whitefly in Mozambique based on ecological niche modeling tool T. Checo · D. Cugala · L. Jose The coconut (Cocos nucifera) whiteûy (Aleurotrachelus atratus), native to Central America has been recorded in various countries in Africa. In Mozambique, the coconut whitefly was reported for the first time in Maputo in 2010. However, the… RUF-34232 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
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 Plantwise knowledge bank: Expanding local and global resource pathways for plant health education and research in Africa J. Dennis · S. Hobbs · J. Mulema · W. Ochilo Plant health stakeholders in Africa face many challenges to manage crop pests. Apart from lack of access to vital knowledge and resources, new threats from globalization, climate change and population growth have led to a rapid pace of cha… RUF-34179 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Vegetative growth of Lablab purpureus and Canavalia ensiformis under differing P fertiliser applications in Namibia M. G. Appollis · L. Kaholongo · A. Kahumba · E. Lutaaya +1 more The level of N fixation from effectively nodulated legumes depends on the growth rate of the legume and upon soil conditions. The main objective of this study was to compare the vegetative growth of Lablab purpureus and Canavalia ensiformi… RUF-34148 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
Working Document Series Open Access In-season nitrogen prediction for the quality protein maize using the pocket hand-held NDVI sensor on farmers’ field around Ilu-Gelan and Bako-Tibe, Ethiopia Tolera Abera · Tolessa Debele · Haekoo Kim · Ernest Semu +1 more The “pocket” hand-held Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) sensor for inseason highland quality protein maize nitrogen rate determination for side-dressing was conducted in 2013cropping season on seven farmers’ field around Bako-… RUF-34117 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 Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum insect vector activity on banana across altitude and seasons in Rwanda G. Blomme · G. Night · W. Ocimati · A. Rutikanga +1 more Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) ( Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum -Xcm) disease is considered the most important threat to banana production in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. Insect vectors are one of the key ways through which the … RUF-34104 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Soil nitrate and nitrite in different soil profiles of Peri-Urban and horticultural farm soils of Gaborone as indicators of nitrogen leaching. T. Mpuisang · T. Mubyana-John · N. Pabalinga · F. Pule-Meulenberg Soil nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) along the soil profile can be used as indicators of nitrogen loss by leaching. Preliminary studies have shown that excess usage of fertiliser is common amongst farmers who were aiming to increase crop… RUF-34098 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 Breeding for common bean rust in Uganda S. Nkalubo · B. A. Odogwu · P. Rubaihayo Rust caused by the fungi Uromyces appendiculatus is considered as one of the most variable pathogens documented world-wide. In Uganda, rust has been identified as an emerging common bean disease and this has contributed to its being given … RUF-34067 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 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 Heavy metal distribution in soils of some urban and peri-urban horticultural farms in Botswana J. Agbenin · T. Mpuisang · T. Mubyana-John · L. C. Obuseng +1 more Despite the fact that there is high usage of agrochemicals and use of urban waste water for irrigation, the concentration of potentially toxic metals in urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) farms has not been widely investigated in Botsw… RUF-34051 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Epidemiology of Tomato Curly Stunt Virus in Mozambique C. Ecole · B. F. Francisco · A. M. Mondjana · B. A. Nhaulaho +2 more Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) has a great socio-economic importance in Mozambique, since it is one of the sources of income for many families. However, its continuous production throughout the year provides conditions for the overwinter… RUF-34036 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Selection for short day adaptation in vegetable runner bean in Kenya P. M. Kimani · M. M. Mulanya Runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.) offers considerable potential as a high value vegetable and grain crop for domestic and export markets in eastern Africa. However, production and utilisation of vegetable runner beans in Kenya is severe… RUF-34006 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of pests incidence and their impact on yield of sweetpotato in Mozambique D. Cugala · I. Mugovo · L. Santos The sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is important food and cash crop and is considered as one of the most important crop for food security in Mozambique. Sweetpotato is grown extensively by small scale households and mostly managed by wome… RUF-34001 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Ramifications of variations in quality of pasture seed lots marketed in Uasin Gishu, Kenya L. Gohole · W. Motanya · R. Muasya · J. Ochuodho The low levels of germination, varied vigour and long periods required to attain required stand establishment in pasture fields compromises the expected quality standards of marketed seed. This study was carried out to explore the effects … RUF-33991 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of the occurrence of natural enemies associated with invasive coconut whitefly in Inhambane province, Mozambique D. Cugala · L. Jose · O. Miguel The whitefly (Aleurotrachelus atratus Hempel) is a Neotropical whitefly, originally described from coconut (Cocos nucifera) in Brazil. In the Comoro Islands, A. atratus was responsible for an economic loss of 55% to local coconut producers… RUF-33976 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of exotic cowpea genotypes for grain yields in autumn, winter and summer seasons Ahmed Osman Abunearan Medani Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) as leguminous crop was being needed by the people to supplement their diet in form of protein. Our local cultivars did not provide the continuous yields throughout the year; therefore the current research is requ… RUF-33973 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Response of commonly cultivated legumes in Zambia to non-indigenous legume inoculants J. S. K. Banda · Ndashe Kapulu · Malama Mulenga · A. Mutiti Mweetwa +2 more The use of inoculants is a critical strategy in legume production. Several factors determine the efficiency of an inoculant, including the competitiveness of the inoculated against indigenous strains. Although Rhizobia seems to be widely d… RUF-33969 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing the efficacy of integrated pest management strategies for suppressing Bactrocera invadens in selected orchards in Manica Province, Mozambique D. Cugala · S. Ekesi · A. Majacunene The invasive fruit fly, Bactrocera invadens, was first detected in Mozambique in 2007 (Cuamba District, Niassa Province) and is now well established and widespread in the North and central regions. Direct damage to mango and guava due to B… RUF-33960 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015