Newsletters Open Access The RUFORUM monthly Newsletter, October 2009 RUF-35204 2009 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Inheritance of resistance to maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) in maize inbred lines and determination of their heterotic groups G. Asea · M.K. Gafishi · J.K. Tumutegyereize Maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) is a pest of maize causing serious losses to resource-poor farmers in the tropics. To combine resistance to Maize Weevil with high yield in maize, 52 inbred lines reported to harbor resistance … RUF-35203 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The analysis of agricultural policies in Malawi: The maize political economy K. Droppelmann · A.K. Edriss · H. Phiri The choices of the maize policies are political decisions made by elected officials in the political arena, yet it affects the overall maize industry. This study will model how decision are made in the political arena and how such decision… RUF-35177 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Soil micronutrient supply and grain quality for human nutrition in selected parts of Morogoro, Tanzania M.L.E. Imakumbili · J.M.R. Semoka · E Semu Soils worldwide have become depleted of micronutrients. This has resulted in an increase in micronutrient deficiency diseases for people consuming micronutrient poor foods as a sole source of nutrition. This study was carried out to determ… RUF-35135 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Cross-mating and oviposition behaviour between strains of Cotesia sesamiae cameron (hymenoptera: braconidae) from Kitale, Mombasa and Mount Kenya & Fritz Schulthess Bruno Le Ru · E.W. Kairu · J.N. Mugambi Stemborers cause 50% yield losses in cereal crops. In Kenya Cotesia sesamiae is one of the parasitoids that has been studied in regard to the control of stemborer pests. In this study the reproductive compatibility of three populations of … RUF-35125 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Upscaling the use of efficient and affordable soil fertility replenishment practices for small holder farmers of western Kenya B. Amar · M. A. Bekunda · A. K. Koech · M. N. Koech +4 more The study assessed the agronomic effectiveness of fertilizer use recommendations in western Kenya on maize yields. The treatments included: FURP – 75kg N/ha CAN and 26kgP/ha DAP; 2) FURP – 75kg N/ha CAN and 26kgP/ha DAP plus lime (2t/ha); … RUF-35093 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of market opportunities of Meat in Uganda D. Mpairwe · J. Mugisha · J. Nalubega Beef production in Uganda is estimated at an average of 160,000 metric tones per year giving the national meat consumption per capita in Uganda as 11 kg which is lower than the 40 kg recommended by the World Health Organization. The presen… RUF-34988 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Transaction costs and food security: A case of maize in southern highlands of Tanzania F.T.M. Kilima · B. Maonga · M.B. Mbise · D.H. Ngongola +1 more The study will asses transaction costs in the maize marketing channels in Southern Highlands of Tanzania (Iringa, Mbeya and Ruvuma). This is a major maize producing zone. Linking this zone with food deficit regions like coastal areas and D… RUF-34934 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Uncovering the potential of resource-poor farmers through increased access to improved agricultural technologies: The Malawi model N. Khaki · A. Sefasi Malawi has faced consistent incidences of hunger, malnutrition and poverty. These have been attributed in part to frequent droughts. In addition, privatization policies forced the country to put the burden of keeping food reserves and prov… RUF-34920 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access An analysis of technical efficiency of mixed intercropping agroforestry technology: A case of Zomba district in Malawi Abdi-Khalil Edriss · B. Kakhobwe · M.B. Kwapata · J. H. Mangisoni +1 more The study was conducted in Zomba district in Malawi, in 2005/ 2006 cropping season with the main objective of assessing technical efficiency (TE) of mixed intercropping (MI) agroforestry technology. Study population consisted of 101 farmer… RUF-34906 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Unveiling opportunities of farming trees in Malawi: Economic impact of integrating trees on smallholder agriculture F. Mzotah Thapasila Gondwe The aim of this research is to raise and provide empirical evidence for promoting tree farming in Malawi. It addresses questions such as: Is tree farming a viable system for smallscale farmers in Malawi? Trees have multiple products for su… RUF-34860 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The impact of responding to the actual constraints expressed by farmers’ experience from the Malawian inputs subsidy initiative S. J. Carr Rather than continue with the promotion of an agricultural strategy developed independently of the smallholder community the Government of Malawi has responded to the urgent demand from farmers for access to fertiliser to counteract the so… RUF-34843 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Producer and consumer preferences for maize and sorghum quality characteristics in Uganda R. Ajambo · B. Bashaasha · G. Elepu · P. Okori Maize and sorghum are important staple food crops in Uganda and are emerging cash crops. Despite release of several improved varieties of maize and sorghum, adoption rates among farmers remain low. This is due to breeding programmes ignori… RUF-34809 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Factors hindering extension staffs efficiency in assisting maize farmers in western province in the agricultural reform era M. Adijah Ali-Olubandwa · N. J. Kathuri · D. Odero-Wanga · W. A. Shivoga The extension service in Kenya is charged with the responsibility of ensuring sustainable food production that is sufficient for domestic use and for export. The extension staff performance is constrained by various factors which may have … RUF-34808 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of fecal manure from cattle fed Calliandra, Gliricidia and Luecaena browse/maize silages on soil productivity F. B. Bareeba · H. Kato · E. N. Sabiiti Browses have tannins and lignin which bind protein N and fiber and could subsequently affect release of manure nutrients in the soil when fed to animals. In this experiment, which was a pot experiment, cattle fecal manure from browse/maize… RUF-34733 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of nitrogen and phosphorous rates and sources on grain and forage yield of maize in river Nile State A. Abd Elrahman · Ezeldeen Ahmed The study was conducted at two locations, namely, Hudeiba Research Station Farm (moderately fertile soil) and Matera (poor soil) in River Nile State for two seasons between 20082010. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect… RUF-34716 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Characterisation of micronutrient (zinc and iron), dense tropical maize hybrids grown in two different environments in Zambia L. Sinyinda Iron and zinc deficiencies that are prevalent in most sub-Saharan African countries have been attributed to the low grain micronutrient levels in local varieties. The study characterised micronutrient (iron and zinc) dense maize germplasm … RUF-34697 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of water productivity for maize under drip irrigation J.J. Kashaigili · H. Mahoo · F.R. Silungwe, F.R. A drip system operating under deficit irrigation was used to evaluate water productivity (WP) of TMV-1 maize variety in Morogoro, Tanzania. A block was divided into four sub-blocks; and each randomly assigned with deficit treatment (T1, T2… RUF-34693 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
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 Effects of innovative farmer practices in soil fertility and water management on soil productivity and maizeand leafy vegetable production in Harare, Zimbabwe S. Madyiwa · J. Nyamangara · B. Nyamasoka · P. Nyamugafata Poor soil fertility and increased frequency of mid-season droughts due to climate change have made it difficult for urban farmers to get sustainable crop yields especially on sandy soils. Higher yields can be attained by urban farmers if p… RUF-34657 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Grain filling patterns of CIMMYT early maize inbred lines R. Edema · E. Gasura · P. Gibson · P. Okori +2 more Despite the ability of early maize to escape drought and provide food early, it yields 20-30% less than late maize. The challenge is to increase yield while maintaining earliness. A study is ongoing at CIMMYT, Harare to determine whether g… RUF-34614 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Genetic variation of Zambian maize inbred lines commonly used in breeding Richard Chanda · C. Mungoma · M. Mwala · K. Mwansa +1 more In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), breeders have the challenge of developing high yielding maize hybrids that are adapted to farmers’ conditions. This however requires knowledge on the breeding value of elite maize germplasm. Ten (10) maize inbr… RUF-34610 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Phosphate sorption by andisols and ultisols, and its implication on phosphorus bioavailability in the wet tropics of Tanzania E. Kisetu · J.P. Mrema Phosphorus (P) sorption and desorption behaviour of Andisols of Siha - Kilimajaro and Ultisols of Magadu -Morogoro, Tanzania was studied in pot experiments. This was to facilitate development of P management strategies for enhanced maize p… RUF-34606 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing factors influencing types, rate of application and timing of fertilizer use among small-scale farmers of western Kenya M.K. Kifuko-Koech · A.K. Kipkoech · K.W Ndungu · A.O. Nekesa +1 more Many soil fertility amelioration technologies exist in western Kenya, but the factors that influence the adoption, and the economic returns of these technologies needs to be assessed. In this study, the value cost ratios (VCR) of five diff… RUF-34603 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
