Working Document Series Open Access Improving access to information for rural and agricultural development using ICTs in northern Uganda: Lessons and experiences J.C. Achora Access to information by rural farming communities is one of the major constraints to agricultural development in Uganda because of inadequate extension service delivery. The use of information communications technologies (ICTs) can potent… RUF-35146 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Variation in micronutrient content of orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties grown in different environments M.S. Mwala · G.I. Serenje Field experiments were conducted at three locations in Zambia to characterize 15 sweetpotato varieties for tuber yield and micro-nutrient content. Location and variety had significant effect on tuber yield. Marketable yield ranged from 5.2… RUF-35139 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of postharvest handling and 1-MCP treatment on the quality and shelf life of tomato A. Mutari An experiment was conducted to assess effect of phyticcal impact and storage temperature on ethylene production. There was no significant effect of physical handling on ethylene production, but there was more ethylene production at higher … RUF-35138 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 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 Strategic repositioning of African indigenous vegetables in the Horticulture Sector M.O. Abukutsa-Onyango African indigenous vegetables that formed an integral part of African diets lost popularity with introduction of exotic crops including vegetables. With over half the populace living below the poverty line, there is need for paradigm shift… RUF-35134 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Differential gene expression in nematode-susceptible and -tolerant East African highland bananas following inoculation with non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum endophytes D. Coyne · T. Dubois · P. Paparu · A. Viljoen Endophytic non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum isolates have been shown to reduce Radopholus similis populations through induced resistance. We used cDNA-AFLPs to identify genes induced in banana plants susceptible (cv Nabusa, AAA-EA) and to… RUF-35131 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation and selection of drought and pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) tolerant chickpea genotypes for introduction in semi-arid areas of Kenya P.K. Kimurto · R.M.S. Mulwa · B.K. Towett This study evaluated 289 chickpea lines for drought tolerance, and 30 for pest resistance. Several promising genotypes have been identified (ICC 2580, ICC 7272, ICCV 92311, ICC 3362, ICCV 95311, ICC 506, EC 583311, ICCVX 906183-1), and the… RUF-35126 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 Optimisation of rhizobium and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi benefits for grain legume production in acid soils M. C. Rwakaikara-Silver · J.S. Tenywa · M. Uwizerwa This study was conducted to evaluate the symbiotic effectiveness of Rhizobium isolates using soybean and Phaseolus bean as host plants grown in acid soil (pH 4.5 and 5) from two southern districts of Rwanda. For this purpose, 10 and 33 iso… RUF-35120 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development, promotion and dissemination of improved Fusarium wilt resistant pigeon pea lines in drought prone areas of Uganda T. Areke · R. Edema · C. Mukankusi · N. S. Said Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) remains a relatively untapped food legume crop in Uganda and in many parts of Africa mainly due to lack of promotion and availability of varieties that meet producer and consumers needs. The crop is a rich source… RUF-35110 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluating the effects of conservation agriculture and related technologies on soil biodiversity, crop and labour productivity in semi-arid Zimbabwe L. Mhaka · E. N. Mutsamba · I. Nyagumbo This on-going study is examining the linkage between termite prevalence and residue amount under conservation agriculture in Zimbabwe. Preliminary results show that convectional ploughing had lowest termite abundance while tied ridging inc… RUF-35098 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 Hatchery system evaluation and adaptation for the production of Oreochromis karongae (Trewavas, 1941) fingerlings D. Kassam · J.S. Likongwe · George Matiya · J.S. Valeta In Malawi development of aquaculture is constrained by, among other factors, lack of good quality seed. Through Research into Use (RiU) the Government of Malawi has mandated a few fish hatcheries, of which the most prominent is the Commerc… RUF-35091 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of integrated water and nutrient management technologies on crop and labour productivity in Zimbabwe L. Mhaka · I. Nyagumbo Poor soils, erratic rainfall, frequent dry spells have been cited as the major threats to the development agricultural in Southern Africa. This experiment was designed to evaluate the benefits derived from post planting tied ridging, conse… RUF-35088 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Nitrogen dynamics and removal by algal turf scrubber under high ammonia and organic matter loading in a recirculating aquaculture system J.S. Valeta · M.C.M. Verdegem High total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations were introduced to an Algal Turf Scrubber developed under loadings of Clarius gariepinus recirculating aquaculture system effluent to determine its potential and dynamics of TAN removal. TAN… RUF-35087 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of least cost formulated feed for Tilapia rendalli in tank based grow- out culture system J. Kang’ombe · T. Soko An experiment was conducted at Bunda fish farm from November 2009 to February 2010. Juveniles of Tillapia rendalli of average weight 9.5 ± SD 0.5g were stocked in outdoor concrete tanks and fed on diets of different plant protein sources f… RUF-35086 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving soil hydrological properties of denuded semi-arid rangeland in southeastern Kenya using reseeding technology W.N. Ekaya · K.Z. Mganga · N.K.R. Musimba · A. W. Mwang’ombe +2 more A study was conducted to establish the contribution of Eragrostis superba, Enteropogon macrostachyus and Cenchrus ciliaris in improving soil hydrological properties in semi-arid Kenya. Kamphorst rainfall simulator was used on bare ground a… RUF-35085 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Economic benefits associated with restoration of fish stocks of Lake Malombe in Malawi V. Kasulo · E. Kaunda · George Matiya · W. Singini This paper provides an overview of the research to be conducted in Lake Malombe in Malawi. The changes that have taken place in Lake Malombe fishery have had major social and economic consequences on communities around the lake. In Malawi,… RUF-35081 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of agricultural commercial products (microbial and non microbial) in relation to maize and soybean yields in western Kenya M. Mburu · J.R. Okalebo · C.O. Othieno This study was undertaken to assess the effect of different inoculants on nodule formation and legume yield. On farm experiments were carried out in Bungoma district of western Kenya with treatments arranged in RCBD design with single repl… RUF-35080 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluating the benefits of action learning processes in driving integrated soil fertility management benefits among smallholder farming communities in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · P. Mapfumo · T.C. Mashavave · F. Mtambanengwe +1 more The widespread fragmented adoption of improved soil fertility management options among smallholder farmers can partly be attributed to poor diffusion of acquired knowledge. Using participatory action research approaches, a study was conduc… RUF-35077 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The effectiveness of locally made clay pots as a micro - irrigation equipment N. Kihipi · R. S. Mahatsindry · M. Tarimo This research established the water balance resulting from the clay irrigation for beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Amaranths (hypochondriacus) grown under different plant density per pot and different precedent soil moisture. Results rev… RUF-35076 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Prospects of aquaculture as a rural development intervention in eastern Uganda N. Ajangale Isyagi · A. Akol · W. Ekere · E. Netalisire Lukongi +1 more This study being conducted in eastern Uganda, is examining the potential of aquaculture as an alternative enterprise to the previously vibrant but now collapsed coffee farming. The study site is highly populated with no lakes. The study is… RUF-35073 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Influence of soil fertility management on Striga seed bank dynamics and grain yield of sorghum in semi arid areas G. Chemining’wa · A. Kudra · R.N. Onwonga · K.P. Sibuga The parasitic weed Striga poses a serious threat to cereal production in sub-Saharan Africa. Infestation usually results in significant yield losses, quite often over 70%. Many control options have been reported but, the effect of soil fer… RUF-35067 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Journal articles Open Access Epidemiology of Epizootic Ulceration Syndrome on fish of the Zambezi river basin: A case study for Zambia W. Mfitilodze · A. Nsonga · K.L. Samui · D. Sikawa Objective: An epidemiological investigation on the fish disease Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) was conducted from January to December 2011 in the Zambezi River System (ZRS) of Sesheke District in the Western Province of Zambia. The st… RUF-35063 2013 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Farmer perceptions and knowledge on soil quality indicators and their use in soil fertility monitoring M. Karuhanga · S. Kiconco · J. K. Tumuhairwe Assessing soil quality is important so as to learn about the effects of management practices on soil function, create awareness and education, and provides a basis for evaluation of alternative practices. Soil quality often cannot be direc… RUF-35054 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
