Working Document Series Open Access Effects of lime and phosphorus fertilizer on maize performance in acid soils of western Kenya J.R. Okalebo · V.S. Omenyo · C.O. Othieno Western Kenya continues to experience food insecurity due to increasing soil acidity and consequent phosphorus deficiencies with 0.9 million hectares of land having pH < 5.5. Liming is one of the interventions recommended to ameliorate … RUF-34675 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 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 Improving biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by groundnuts grown in acid soils through amendment with calcitic and dolomitic limestones R. Merckx · J.K. Ogega · J.R. Okalebo · D.K. Okello +5 more Groundnut (Arachis hypogeal L.) is an oil crop legume capable of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Soil acidity is a major limitation to symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Acid soils are widespread in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda where groundnut … RUF-34659 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Determining appropriate mode and rate of applying lime to improve maize production in acid soils of north Kakamega and Siaya districts, Kenya J.K. Kiplagat · J.R. Okalebo · C.O. Othieno Increasing soil acidity is a major cause of low soil fertility in western Kenya where about 57,670 hectares is acidic. While liming can increase soil pH, the most appropriate method of application needs to be determined. This study aimed a… RUF-34599 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing effectiveness of macropropagation technology to produce healthy seedlings of banana varieties with high market demand in Eastern and Central provinces, Kenya R. Gathu · N. Kori · J. Mbaka · R. Muasya +2 more Banana is an important food and cash crop in Kenya. However, its cultivation is hindered by scarcity of seedlings, pests and diseases, among other factors. Naturally regenerated seedlings which most farmers rely on are likely to carry pest… RUF-34508 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Fumigant toxicity of five essential oil constituents against major stored-product insect pests of food grains P.K Bett · A.L. Deng · E. A.W. Kamau · S.T Kariuki +5 more Insect pests attacking stored food grains cause substantial losses that undermine food security in sub-Sahara Africa. Subsistence farmers predominantly use traditional plant-based products to protect their grains in storage. In an attempt … RUF-34387 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of Metarhizium anisopliae for integrated management of termites on maize and Grevillea robusta in Uganda and Kenya H. Agaba · L. Gohole · N.K. Maniania · P. Nyeko +1 more Termites are a major constraint to subsistence agriculture, causing yield losses up to 100%. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of the fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae for controlling termites, but little is yet known about sustai… RUF-34376 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Diversity and colonization of permanent and semi-permanent breeding habitats by Anopheles mosquitoes in a semi-arid ecosystem of Baringo district in Kenya S.O. Arum · E.D. Kokwaro · F. Mulwa Diversity, occurrence and utilization of mosquito breeding habitats is an essential component of vector ecology and important in designing and implementation of vector management programs. A one year larval survey was conducted to determin… RUF-34341 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Deploying interactive on-line networking platform for improving quality and relevance of African University graduates to labour markets B.O. Bebe · J. Kihoro · N. Kimbugwe · D. Nodumo +1 more African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) face criticisms of producing low performing graduates unable to drive the agricultural innovation processes to revitalise agriculture, boost economic recovery, and accelerate achievement of the … RUF-34225 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 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 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 Biofficacy of lion’s ear and African basil extracts in management of adult twospotted spider mite on french beans J. G. Nyaanga · S. O. Ochola · K. O. Ogayo · J. O. Ogendo +2 more Methanol extracts of Lion’s ear, Leonotis nepetifolia L. (LN) and African basil, Ocimum gratissimum L. (OG), were evaluated for their toxic and ovicidal effects against the female adult two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. La… RUF-34061 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Role of soil and crop residues as sources of inoculum for Fusarium head blight of wheat C.K. Mutegi · J.W. Muthomi · N.K. Njeru · J.M. Wagacha A field survey was carried out in Narok County, Kenya, at hard dough growth stage (GS 65- 69) during the 2013 cropping season and sampling done in 51 wheat farms in different agroecological zones. Samples of soil and crop residues were col… RUF-34060 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Selection for multiple disease resistance in bush snap bean lines developed in Kenya P. M. Kimani · M. M. Mulanya · R.D. Narla Production of snap beans (French beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Kenya is severely constrained by diseases. Use of fungicides increases cost of production, reduces profitability and competitiveness of snap bean in domestic and export mark… RUF-34035 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Role of Universities in development of improved crop varieties, seed production, dissemination and impacts: Case studies of dry, canning, snap and runner beans, pigeonpea and onions P. M. Kimani Mandates of universities in east, central and southern Africa have considerably changed from their traditional teaching and research roles, to greater active involvement in the development agenda of their countries, a phenomenon referred t… RUF-34029 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Breeding runner bean for grain yield, disease resistance and short-day adaptation in eastern Africa P. M. Kimani · M. M. Mulanya · R.D. Narla Although runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.), also known as butter bean, is grown in high altitudes of eastern Africa where common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) is adapted, its productivity is poor because no improved short-day varieties ar… RUF-34025 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The use of rice and fish polyculture in rice fields to improve rice yields hence food security in Bunyala - Kenya F.W. Kariuki · A.N Leguuto Rice is an important food crop in Kenya’s drive to attain food security. However, its productivity remains low against an overall increase in national demand due to overdependence on rice monoculture leading to decline in soil fertility re… RUF-34024 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access A comparative evaluation of maturity indices of mango fruits produced in two contrasting agro-ecological zones of Kenya J. Ambuko · M. Hutchinson · J. Njuguna · L. Ouma +2 more Harvesting mango (Mangifera indica) fruits at the right stage for the destination market and use requires reliable maturity indices. There are various indices that are used to determine harvest maturity for mango fruits. However, differenc… RUF-34021 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The effects of climate variability on Prosopis juliflora spread, vegetation trends and livestock dynamics in the drylands of Kenya J. Kinama · R. Kyuma · R.G. Wahome · V.O. Wasonga The effects of climate variability and Prosopis juliflora invasion on pastoral livestock production and pastoral livelihoods have not been assessed. A study was conducted to determine the effect of climate variability and Prosopis juliflor… RUF-33891 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Type and distribution of urban and peri-urban agriculture production systems in Nairobi County, Kenya J.B. Mukundi · M.N. Ogendi · M.O. Orege This research established the type and distribution of urban and peri-urban agriculture production systems in Nairobi County, Kenya. Results revealed that crops only were grown in Kamukunji district (58.8%) while mixed farming was practice… RUF-33855 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Characteristics of urban agricultural farming practices and spatial nature of production systems in the city of Nairobi, Kenya P.W. Masinde · J.B. Mukundi · N. Muthoka · M.O. Onyango Within the urban environment, urban agriculture faces myriad of challenges ranging from type of practices employed, through to production systems, to quality and safety of produce. An investigation was done to characterise urban agricultur… RUF-33852 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving the competitiveness of the potato and carrot value chain in Kenya: An agro- cluster approach P.M. Mshenga The competitiveness of any agribusiness is based on its role within its environment, its relationship and linkages with other actors within which it operates. In this study, we use cluster approach to get an insight into what roles and lin… RUF-33847 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
