Working Document Series Open Access Proximate composition of potential plant feedstuffs for production of Tilapia rendalli in northern Malawi J. Kang’ombe · F. Kapute · O.V. Msiska · K. Mzengereza +1 more The aquaculture sector in Malawi contributes two percent to nation’s fish production. Availability of affordable quality feed is one of the most important problems that hamper aquaculture growth in Malawi. This study, therefore, aimed at i… RUF-34171 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Impact of the zero grazing practice on milk production by the small scale farmers in Western Kenya H. Affognon · J. Nalunkuuma · F. K. Njonge · D. Salifu The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the zero grazing practice on milk production by the small-scale farmers’ in western Kenya. A cross sectional survey was undertaken on 520 livestock farmers from Kisii and Bungoma counties… RUF-34166 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The status of indegnous chicken production in northern Uganda A. Kayitesi · D.R. Kugonza · H. Mulindwa · C. Nakkazi +1 more Indegnous chicken production is important for many rural households. Although it is a small and sometimes unorganized sector, it makes a substantial contribution to food security by providing eggs and meat for home consumption and, to some… RUF-34162 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Stabilisation of silt clay soil using molasses for small dam embankment construction as inner zone T. Christiane · M. Ernest · A. N. Gitau · E. F. Mwanga The Agriculture sector contributes 45% of Tanzania’s GDP and about 30% of its export earnings, while employing over 80% of the nation’s work-force. Despite of its importance, agriculture is very much affected by inadequacy, seasonality and… RUF-34161 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Do triple bag hermetic storage Control Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in stored maize in Mozambique? H. Affognon · D. Cugala · L. Muchiriuarapa Prostephanus truncatus is a serious and dominant pest of stored maize in Mozambique. Before the introduction of P. truncatus in Mozambique in 1999, weight loss in stored maize in small scale farmers’ system was about 10 to 12% and Sitophil… RUF-34159 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of local dairy goat feed resources in Kongwa district, Tanzania S.W. Chenyambuga · T. Damas Msaki · D.M. Komwihangilo · E.E. Ndemanisho Decrease in quantity and quality of pastures during the dry season in Kongwa District has resulted into reduced milk production from the improved dairy goat breeds in the area. Available indigenous leguminous tree and shrub leaves can supp… RUF-34154 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Structures of starch hydrolysates by luminal amylases: What is the impact of African starch sources on type 2 diabetes management? K.M. Komeine Nantanga The major source of energy to humans is starch. The digestion of starch in monogastric animals, including humans starts in the mouth. It may continue in the stomach. Pancreatic amylase further digests starch as the food moves through the s… RUF-34153 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Identifying conditions for phytase enzyme adaption in African catfish feeds H. Kasigwa · C. Kemigabo · C. Masembe · D. Sikawa This research was conducted to establish and streamline conditions and optimum amount of phytase enzyme required for its adoption for improved digestibility of plant based catfish feeds. This started with analysis of pH along African catfi… RUF-34149 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 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 Protein nutritional quality of soy fortified complementary flours from Western Kenya E.H. Kamau · C.A. Serrem · F.W. Wamunga Protein Energy Malnutrition accounts for 50% of the annual deaths of children aged below 5 years. Complementary foods for such young children should be protein efficient and nutrient dense. Compositing complementary flours with legumes of … RUF-34147 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Comparative study on kits used for diagnosis of Brucellosis in humans L. Bebora · P. Kinyanjui · L. Waiboci · N. Waringa Brucellosis is an infectious zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genera Brucella. Brucellosis is mainly a disease of livestock infecting cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs and marine mammals. In humans, the disease is acquired directl… RUF-34141 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Essential oils of Cupressus lusitanica and Eucalyptus saligna as fumigants of stored product insect pests: The hope of the future for small-scale farmers P.K Bett · A.L. Deng · S.T Kariuki · J.M. Mihale +3 more Laboratory studies were conducted in the Biotechnology Laboratory, Egerton University, Kenya to determine fumigant activity (space and grain fumigation) of essential oils of the Mexican cypress (C. lusitanica) and Sydney blue gum (E. Salig… RUF-34135 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Soil microbial biomass changes with application of organic and inorganic in acid soil of Embu County, Central highlands of Kenya B.O. Danga · J.N. Mugwe · B. Verde Most studies are focused on fertiliser either organic or inorganic to improve soil fertility, health and crop yields in most of the farming systems worldwide. Although organic and inorganic soil fertility improvements impact indirectly on … RUF-34133 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 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 Food losses and waste in the context of sustainable food systems J. Ambuko Although accurate estimates of losses and waste in the food system are unavailable, the best evidence to date coming from Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) indicates that approximately 1.3 billion tonnes per year (one-third of the f… RUF-34124 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 Response of introduced soybean varieties to inoculation with rhizobium in Sud Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo A.A. Angelani · K.D. Bamuleke · B.J. Bashagaluke · B.L. Shukuru +1 more Soybeans are a major source of protein; they contribute to combating malnutrition especially among children. They play very important roles in NRM because they contribute to biological nitrogen fixation through the inoculation with rhizobi… RUF-34121 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of farming practices on the occurrence of scab of wheat and its management through cultivar resistance C.K. Mutegi · J.W. Muthomi · R.D. Narla · N.K. Njeru +2 more A survey was carried out in Nakuru and Narok Counties at hard dough stage and at harvest. A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information on wheat production practices. Fusarium head blight incidence and severity in each fa… RUF-34118 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 Floristic characterisation of Lake Chilua and Chiuta plains as outbreak areas of red locust in Mozambique T. F. Chiconela · F.T.A. Tembe The red locust (Nomadacris septemfasciata Serville) is one of the most devastating migratory pests of crops in several African countries south of the equator. It originates from small areas characterised by a mosaic of tall and short grass… RUF-34103 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 Comparison of quality attributes of mango fruits produced from two contrasting agro-ecological zones of Kenya J. Ambuko · L. Ouma · W.O. Owino · S. Shibairo Mango (Mangifera indica) is a tropical fruit adapted to a wide range of agro-ecological conditions. In Kenya, mango fruits are produced across various agro-ecological zones (AEZs); from sub-humid to semi-arid. The diverse production condit… RUF-34096 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of sweet sorghum varieties for multi-purpose utilisation in Kenya B. Gathitu · B. Mukabane · N. O. Ojijo · W.O. Owino +1 more Sweet sorghums (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) are sorghum varieties that accumulate high levels of sucrose in the parenchyma juicy stems. Sweet sorghum (SS) is a multifunctional crop. It that can be cultivated for simultaneous production of g… RUF-34094 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
