Working Document Series Open Access Postharvest Losses of Mangro Fruit (Mangifera indica) in Morogoro Region E. Kimaro · T. Msogoya The study was conducted to determine mango fruit damages at the different stages of the supply chain. The goal of the study was to develop suitable practices for reduction of postharvest losses at wholesale market in Morogoro region. The t… RUF-33076 2012 CC BY 4.0 21 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Using Crotalaria Species for the Management of Root-knot Nematodes of Vegetables in Western Kenya H.K. Cheruiyot · A.K. Kipkoech · Njira Njira · J.O. Ochuodho +1 more Vegetable production western Kenya is constrained by soilborne pathogens including plant-parasitic nematodes. Almost all vegetable production fields in are infested with root-knot nematodes. There is therefore need to design measures for s… RUF-32903 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Applying Large Area Modelling Approach to Assess the Impacts of Climate Variability and Change: Informing Policy and Adaptation - A review N. Kihupi · B. Msongaleli · F.B.R. Rwehumbiza · S.D. Tumbo This review highlights some pertinent methodologies in dealing with uncertainty in climate projections and how crop models are increasingly used to support decisions at various levels to guide food security policy formulation, management a… RUF-32863 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Maize streak virus (MSV) diversity in Uganda and the assessment of gene silencing as a tool for development of resistance to MSV B.E. Owor · D.M. Shepherd · J.A. Thompson Through an extensive survey conducted in all maize-growing regions in Uganda as well as the application of gene silencing to develop a novel disease control option for maize streak disease, the diversity of Maize streak virus (MSV) in diff… RUF-32561 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Performance of Selected Grain Sorghum Genotypes for Improved Food Security and Livelihoods S. Kyamanywa · M. Mgonja · P.W. Muturi · P. Rubaihayo +1 more Sorghum is a useful cereal crop cultivated by numerous resource poor farmers in semi arid regions. The crop is indigenous thus well adapted to various environments in Kenya. Sorghum performs better than other cereal staples particularly ma… RUF-32542 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Mechanisms of Resistance in Tropical Maize Inbred Lines to Spotted Stem Borer (Chilo Partellus) S.N. Mugo · S.W. Munyiri · J.K. Mwololo · P. Okori +1 more This study examined the mechanisms of stem borer resistance in CIMMYT tropical inbred maize. Kenya is a producer of maize, but cannot satisfy its domestic needs. The maize stalk borers are among the production constraints that are responsi… RUF-32536 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Screening of Rice Varieties for their Weed Competitiveness A. Ahanchede · W. Bonou · Y.D. Moukoumbi · M. Sie +2 more Weed competition is a major constraint in rice production systems in Africa. This study was conducted at the Africa Rice Experimental Station in Benin in the dry and rainy seasons to screen rice varieties for weed competitiveness. The expe… RUF-32511 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Agronomic characterisation of farmer preferred pigeon pea landraces in Uganda R. Edema · N. Khaki · C. Mukankusi The study to evaluate and compare the agronomic performance of a collection of pigeon pea landraces from Malawi and Uganda was conducted at two sites in Uganda. Three experiments were laid out in a partial lattice design with two replicati… RUF-32478 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Inheritance of Tolerance to Drought Stress in Selected Common Bean Genotypes W. Amongi · S. Nkalubo · M. Ochwo-Ssemakula The levels of tolerance to cyclic drought stress in selected common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) lines were evaluated. Findings from this screening showed significant differences in levels of drought tolerance among the parental lines. The ge… RUF-32451 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Validation of the Profitability of Banana Growing in Kamwezi Sub-County, Kabale District, South Western Uganda S. Ahumuza · B. Bua Banana is an important food staple and source of cash income in most parts of Uganda, which do not experience serious drought. Uganda’s production accounts for 20% of world’s production providing income to rural families. As an industry ba… RUF-32307 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Integration of Indigenous Knowledge and Perception of Effectiveness of Communication Systems for Adaptation to Climate Change by Smallholder Farmers of Kilifi District, Kenya G.A. Achiando · R. Birech · W. Ocholla This study aimed at identifying indigenous knowledge and perception of effectiveness of communication systems for adaptation to climate change by smallholder farmers in Kilifi District, Kenya. It also aimed at determining the extent to whi… RUF-32266 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Setting out to Evaluate Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) for Crop production at Botswana College of Agriculture W.J. Baipusi · B. Kayombo · C. Patrick This report is an account of an on-going study being carried out at Botswana College of Agriculture Farm to characterise soil surface conditions on runoff generation of micro-catchment RWH systems, and to appraise these micro-catchment RWH… RUF-32251 2012 CC BY 4.0 15 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Development and Adoption of Technologies for Improving Dairy Productivity and Nutrition among Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Malawi W. Chanza · T. Gondwe · D. Kawonga · L. Msiska This is as an action research project which will be conducted in the farming communities in Majiga and Chitsanzo Milk Bulking Groups in Central Malawi. The aim of the research is to develop feed technologies for improving dairy productivit… RUF-32232 2012 CC BY 4.0 14 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Pigeon pea-Groundnut Intercrop Maize Rotation Cropping System: A Tool for Improving Maize Production in Malawi J. Mrema · J.J. Msaky · A.T. Phiri · G.Y.K. Phiri A two year study to investigate how to optimally utilize applied mineral nutrients by maize grown in rotation with pigeon peagroundnut intercrop is under way at Chitedze Agricultural Research Station (S 130 59’ 23.2", E0330 38’ 36.8"). An … RUF-32227 2012 CC BY 4.0 14 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of Germination on the Protein Digestibility of some Finger Millet Varieties Grown in Kenya A.O. Makokha The protein digestibility of seven ungerminated and germinated dried finger millet (Eleusine coracana) grain was determined in this study. All the finger millet varieties had low to medium tannin content, ranging from 0.1% Catechin equival… RUF-32212 2012 CC BY 4.0 14 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access The Effect of Different In-Situ Conservation Methods on Yield of Teff in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia A. Araya · H. Solomon · Tezera Yared The imbalance in food supply and demand urgently calls for more efficient use of water to enhance food security and promote sustainable agricultural production. Teff is one of the economical and staple food crops grown in northern Ethiopia… RUF-32082 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Towards Development of Site Specific Technologies for Identification of Fields Infested with Root-knot Nematodes (RKN) under Tomato Cropping System in Mwea, Kenya J.K. Birgen · F.W. Kariuki · G.M. Kariuki · G.W. Ngundo +2 more This study was conducted in Mwea, central Kenya with the aim of developing a soil-characteristic-based site specific technology for identification of root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne spp. infested soils. This involved analysis of eda… RUF-32078 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Effectiveness of Rhizobium Leguminosarum Strains Nodulating Hairy Vetch, an Introduced Forage Legume in the Sandy Soils of Zimbabwe F Mapanda · A. Tumbure · M. Wuta Results from field experiments in Zimbabwe in 2009/10 - 2010 11 showed that nodulation of hairy vetch is erratic resulting in poor performance of the crop. The need to inoculate hairy vetch was therefore assessed using three (3) Rhizobium… RUF-32034 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Verifying the Premium Value of Selected African Indigenous Vegetables in Target Sites of the Lake Victoria Basin L.S.M. Akunadabweni · A. Namutebi · J. Ssozi The purpose of this research was to verify the premium value in terms of nutritional and economic potential of selected African indigenous vegetable plants (AIVPs) along the Lake Victoria basin. Partial findings of this study being reporte… RUF-32027 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Legume Biomass Transfer For Enhancing Productivity of Maize in Striga Infested Farmlands: The Case of Iringa District, Tanzania M. Aloyce · R. Hepelwa · G. Malima · J.J. Msaky +2 more The projects’ major aim was to increase maize productivity in Striga infested soils in Iringa district in Southern Tanzania. Two villages (Mangalali and Kiwere) in which maize is a major crop and in which Striga asiatica is a major prob… RUF-32017 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Improving Maize-Beans Yields Through Improved Soil Moisture Storage using Trapezoidal Bunds and Manure in Machakos County-Eastern Kenya B.O. Danga · B.E. Mochoge · G.S. Openda The tremendous increase in population in Kenya has created the need for faster rate of increase in food production. However, more than 80% of Kenya lies in the arid and semi arid lands (ASALs). To mitigate food shortages in such areas, the… RUF-31997 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access The use of Crotalaria Species in Sustainable Management of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes of Vegetable Crops in Western Kenya H. Cheruyout · A.K. Kipkoech · M. Mbogo · C. Ndinya +5 more The Crotalaria Project was funded by RUFORUM for two years starting October 2011. The overall objective of the Project is to increase production of vegetable crops through the use of cheap and sustainable nematode management strategies in … RUF-31993 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of Root- knot Nematode Management Strategies Based on their Distribution in Tomato Fields in Mwea, Kenya J.K. Birgen · F.W. Kariuki · G.M. Kariuki · G.W. Ngundo Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are mainly grown by small scale farmers in most arable areas in Kenya with the main production areas being in Central Province. Tomato production in Kenya is hampered by a variety of pests and diseases among… RUF-31966 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Investigating Viability of Premium Influenced Land use Structure in Production of Quality Indigenous Vegetable L.S.M. Akunadabweni · J. Mburu · S. Munialo · A. Namutebi Raised bed gardening is a form of land use structure that is becoming popular among home vegetable growers especially in parts of the world with greater population densities or less tillable land. Raised bed plots coined as Premium Influen… RUF-31942 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Developing Management Options for Optimising Water and Nitrogen Utilisation for Maize Production in Malawi F.C. Kahimba · J. Mthandi · B.A. Salim · A.K.P.R. Tarimo Nitrogen (N) is the most important determinant of plant growth and crop yield. Plants lacking N show stunted growth and yellowish leaves. Plant growth and crop yield usually increase when N is added. However, too much N lead to weak stems … RUF-31931 2012 CC BY 4.0 12 May 2014