Working Document Series Open Access Constraints of rehabilitating degraded semi-arid lands of Kenya using indigenous perennial grasses W.N. Ekaya · K.Z. Mganga · W.M. Muiru · N.K.R. Musimba +3 more Land degradation which among others include loss of vegetation is rampant in Kenya, destroying both the fragile arid and semiarid lands and the non-arid areas. Efforts to rehabilitate semiarid areas by re-vegetation has often failed. This … RUF-34628 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The impact of climate variability and extreme weather events on gender: Gender vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies for improved household food security in Malawi W. Kogi-Makau · D. Mkwambisi · D.M. Nyariki · V. M. Tasokwa Kakota The challenge to achieving household food security is a combination of biological, physical, and social factors. However, social factors, gender in particular, have received a cursory attention in adaptation studies. This study argues that… RUF-34540 2010 CC BY 4.0 26 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The implications of climate change on economic and food security in Kenya A. Edriss · J. Mangisoni · J. Mbogo · I. Musebe This study, covering six provinces in Kenya, aims at establishing impact of climate change on food security and Kenya’s economy as a whole. Both primary and secondary data will be collected and analyzed using approaches such as the translo… RUF-34510 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Climate variability and Tillage practices: Effect on soil moisture, carbon dynamics and crop productivity in semi arid Zimbabwe J. Keter · J. M. Kinama · R. Moyo · I. Nyagumbo +1 more To improve on low yields of rainfed agriculture which are a result of soil degradation, low fertility and low moisture levels in semi-arid areas and increased climatic variability due to climate change, conservation agriculture (CA) is bei… RUF-34505 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Participatory analysis of growing season: A key for understanding and copping drought risk in northern Ethiopia A. Araya Berhe Prolonged drought is one of the most serious climatic hazards affecting agricultural production and those most at risk are those countries currently vulnerable to climate variability. Barley is one of the economical and staple food crops g… RUF-34469 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Sustainable crop production using hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) to enrich soil fertility and conserve soil moisture for maize cropping in smallholder farming systems in Zimbabwe D. Chinamo · F Mapanda · M. Munyati · G. Nyamadzawo +2 more Crop production in smallholder farming systems of Zimbabwe is limited by low inherent soil fertility, particularly N and P and available soil moisture. One of the major agricultural challenges in developing countries is the development of … RUF-34466 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of varying Desmodium and maize harvesting regimes on their yields and growth attributes within the “Push- Pull” intercropping systems in Western Kenya Z. Khan · M. N. Koech · J.R. Okalebo · C.O. Othieno +3 more This study tested the hypothesis that inclusion of Desmodium spp. into maize cropping system under the push-pull technology enhanced crop growth and yield. Field trials were conducted in Siaya and Busia districts of western Kenya with the … RUF-34388 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Potential of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) to improve soil physical properties of sandy soils in central Zimbabwe D. Chinamo · F Mapanda · G. Nyamadzawo · M. Wuta Most farmers in the smallholder areas practice conventional tillage which results in soil loss of between 10-34 t ha-1 yr-1. Tillage also results in breakdown of macroaggregates into smaller aggregates as well as primary particles. Close p… RUF-34374 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 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 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 Trend in climate variation in Karamoja Sub-region, northern eastern Uganda D. Aleper · A. Egeru · L. MacOpiyo · M.G.J. Majaliwa +1 more This study focused at determining the spatial and temporal rainfall and temperature characteristics in Karamoja with a view of establishing the intensity of climate variability. The study utilized historical data (1947-1976) and NOAA reana… RUF-34237 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 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 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 Characterisation of historical and projected climate of rice prone areas in South-Kivu province, DRC A. Katusabe Amoding · J.G.M. Majaliwa · I. Muhindo · B. Nkuba +1 more The nature of climate variability in South-Kivu is not yet well understood and how the impacts of climate variability affect agriculture, especially rice production has not been well documented. This study aimed therefore at characterizing… RUF-33921 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 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 Selection for pod quality, pod yield and disease resistance in climbing snap beans J. J. Cheptoo · P. M. Kimani · R.D. Narla Although climbing snap bean have the potential of increasing productivity and competitiveness in domestic and export markets, suitable varieties with market demanded pod quality characteristics and preferred agronomic traits are not availa… RUF-33885 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Pod quality, pod yield and disease resistance of new bush snap bean lines in Kenya J. J. Cheptoo · P. M. Kimani · R.D. Narla This study was conducted at Mwea and Embu where twenty F6.7 lines selected from 31 bulk populations were evaluated for reaction to diseases, pod quality and pod yield in onfarm trials during the 2013 long rain and short rain seasons. Disea… RUF-33881 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Impacts of climate change on durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L var durum) production: analysis of future adaptation measures in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia Olivier Abayisenga Assessing impact of climate change on durum wheat production and analysis of future adaptation measures bears enormous advantages in general and in Ethiopia in particular, owing to the country’s low adaptative capacity.The analysis shows t… RUF-33788 2015 CC BY 4.0 29 Jul 2015
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Characterization of climate variability and water harvesting system for crop production in Adulala Watershed, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia Moffat Goma Scarcity of water is the most severe constraint for traditional agriculture in semi-arid areas of Ethiopia. Precipitation is extremely variable, thus water harvesting is crucial for ensuring improved crop production. A study was carried ou… RUF-33786 2015 CC BY 4.0 28 Jul 2015
Journal articles Open Access Using APSIM-model as a decision-support-tool for long-term integrated-nitrogen-management and maize productivity under semi-arid conditions in Kenya M. Oscar Kisaka · F.S. Mairura · M.W. Mucheru-Muna · D.N. Mugendi +3 more There is continued decline in per capita agricultural productivity in the drier parts of Kenya’s central highlands. The declines have been linked to low and declining soil fertility, soil water, high atmospheric heat, prolonged dry-spells … RUF-33784 2015 CC BY 4.0 28 Jul 2015
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Climate change impact on land suitability for rainfed crop production in Lake Haramaya Watershed, Eastern Ethiopia L.N. Robai Understanding the effects of climate change on land suitability for crop production has become an important issue with respect to food security. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of climate change on land suitabi… RUF-33757 2015 CC BY 4.0 9 Jul 2015
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Analysis of factors influencing women’s decision to adapt to climate change: the case of rural women in Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia M. A. A. Osman Climate change poses a great threat to human security through erratic rainfall patterns and decreasing crop yields, contributing to increased hunger. Adaptation is considered an appropriate response to climate change, especially for women … RUF-33755 2015 CC BY 4.0 9 Jul 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of Climate change Impact on Sorghum Productivity in Sudan M. Muna Elhag Water rather than land is the limiting factor for crop production in Sudan. More than 80 percent of sorghum, which is the major stable food crop in the country, is grown in the rainfed subsector. This paper reports on a study of the impact… RUF-32866 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Factors Influencing Levels of Knowledge in Soil Fertility Management in the Central Highlands of Kenya J.M. Macharia · M.W. Mucheru-Muna · D.N. Mugendi · J.N. Mugwe Soil nutrient depletion is one of the major biophysical constraints affecting agricultural production in Sub Saharan Africa. Despite past research developing soil fertility management options, few of the recommendations from this research … RUF-32692 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 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