Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing water use efficiency of cassava and sorghum based cropping systems in drylands G. Kironchi · R. Mulebeke · M. M. Tenywa Soil moisture flow characteristics, infiltration and storage in the root zone determine the overall availability and use efficiency of water in crop production. This study is evaluating the effects of cropping systems and tillage managemen… RUF-34646 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Adaptability of rice cultivars to different ecologies in western province of Zambia D.M Lungu · C. Mutale · F. P Muuka Rice in Zambia has traditionally been grown in lowland flooded or semi-flooded environments. These environments are unfortunately only a small portion of Zambia, occupying only 1% of the total land. The increase in food demand in the count… RUF-34643 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Translating integrated soil fertility management empirical knowledge into action through participatory learning and marketing with farmers in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · D. Dhliwayo · P. Mapfumo · F. Mtambanengwe +1 more In this paper we report on findings from a co-learning experience we undertook with smallholder farmers in two areas in Zimbabwe aimed at developing their capacity to apply integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) options to improve foo… RUF-34639 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Study of heavy metal contamination along roadside soils of Botswana G.K. Gaboutloeloe · A.S. Likuku · B.E. Mochoge This study examined presence of heavy metals (aluminium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc) along Botswana roads. These metals are toxic to human and animals. The mean values of these metals were below toxic range, ind… RUF-34637 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving soil nutrients and water management to increase crop yield for enhanced livelihoods of small scale farmers in semi-arid eastern Kenya B.O. Danga · K.B. Mmolawa Food insecurity in Kenya is on the increase unless appropriate measures are taken. This is because nearly 80% of the land is arid to semi-arid and therefore not favorable for crop production using the current methods of production. The iss… RUF-34636 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving smallholder irrigation performance in Malawi D. Kadyampakeni · C. Makwiza · H.R. Mloza-Banda The paper reports work aimed at improving livelihoods of smallholders by providing investors, policymakers and implementers with concrete knowledge and tools to make informed investment decisions on small-scale irrigation water management … RUF-34630 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
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 Evaluating the macropropagation efficiency of banana varieties preferred by farmers in Eastern and Central Kenya N. Gitonga · M.R. Kasyoka · N. Kori · R. Muasya +1 more Kenyan farmers are threatened by overreliance on few crops whose yields are reduced by adverse climatic changes. Bananas are more resilient and produce year round, making it a more suitable crop. To increase banana production, farmers shou… RUF-34627 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of water quality in Mohale dam and associated rivers in Lesotho M. Johanne · R. Mating · A.O. Olaleye The study assessed Mohale dam and the associated rivers’ water quality over 5 years and comparing it to the water quality standards. It was believed that since this dam and the rivers occurred at elevations of between 2000m and 2900m above… RUF-34619 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Inheritance of resistance to bacterial blight and implication for rice improvement in Uganda G. Asea · R. Edema · P. Gibson · I. Habarurema +1 more Bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae, is a destructive disease of rice worldwide. Resistant varieties are the best option to avert the disease. Thirty resistance genes identified face a wide genetic diversity exhibited b… RUF-34618 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Importance and approaches of obtaining experimental uniformity P. Gibson The need for a high degree of experimental uniformity is clearly shown by the fact in an experiment that results in a CV (coefficient of variation) of 20%, 8 replications would be required to detect the size of difference between treatment… RUF-34616 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Farmer - managed trials for evaluation of rhizatech and legumefix in Bungoma district Kenya C. Majengo · W. Ngetich · J.R. Okalebo · C.O. Othieno The nitrogen reserve of agricultural soils must be replenished periodically in order to maintain an adequate level for crop production. This replacement of soil nitrogen is generally accomplished by the addition of fertilizers or as produc… RUF-34615 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 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 Assessment of soil and landform characteristics for implementation of conservation agriculture in West Usambara Mountains, Lushoto District, Tanzania D. Kimaro · L.A. Kyaruzi · H.B. Msita Developing strategies that promote conservation agriculture in the West Usambara Mountains in Tanzania poses a particular challenge. This research used empirical and qualitative method to assess soil and landform characteristics in relatio… RUF-34613 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 Development of improved scald tolerant barley varieties with superior enduse (malt) and nutritional quality for dry land areas of the northern Ethiopia Asmud. Bjornstad · R. Edema · Abay. Feiten Barley is an important cash crop for resource-poor farmers in Tigray region of northern Ethiopian where options are very limited, and barley is often the only possible crop. Biotic stresses plus a harsh environment have contributed to low … RUF-34600 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 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 Studies on the etiology, epidemiology and management of dieback disease of passion fruit in Kenya R. Gathu · N. Kori · J. Mbaka · M. Mwangi +1 more Passion fruit (Passiflora spp.) is an important cash crop in Kenya. In the recent past, diseases have increasingly reduced its production with yield losses ranging from 50 – 100%. Dieback is a recently emerged disease that is highly virule… RUF-34598 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Testing the efficacy of artificial microRNAs to control cassava brown streak disease T. Alicai · Y. Baguma · Claude M. Fauquet · Settumba B. Mukasa +4 more Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is a major constraint to cassava production in East Africa. It is caused by at least two single stranded (+) RNA viruses (CBSV and CBSUV). To date, only a few genetic sources of resistance to the disease… RUF-34597 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Comparative effects of Minjingu phosphate rock and triple super phosphate on residual P in an Ultisol A.M. Kalala · J.M.R. Semoka A glasshouse experiment was conducted at Sokoine University of Agriculture to compare the effects of Minjingu Phosphate Rock (MPR) and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) on Residual Phosphorus in an Ultisol. The soil was collected after seven ye… RUF-34593 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Parametric pedotransfer functions for predicting soil water retention in a Ngerengere Subcatchment, Morogoro -Tanzania Kitalyi. Aichi · J. Dietz · J. Kaingo · H. Mahoo +1 more The soil water retention-release characteristics (SWRC) are essential to understand water redistribution in agricultural systems. However, direct measurements of SWRC are constrained by costs, scarcity of equipment and time. Pedotransfer f… RUF-34592 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of a hot pepper root rot and wilt disease management strategy through genetic resistance, chemical application and proper choice of rotational crops E. Awori · S. Nkalubo · P. Tukamuhabwa · S. Tumwekwase +1 more This study seeks to contribute to increased productivity of hot pepper (Capsicum chinense) by incorporating an integrated pest management (IPM) package for root rot/wilt disease (Phytophthora capsici). Pathogen host diversity will be deter… RUF-34591 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Comparative effect of farmyard manure, cowpea residues and NPK Fertilizer on maize grain yield in Morogoro G. Habonayo · C.L. Rweyemamu · J.M.R. Semoka Optimal combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers can give rise to increased maize yields in nutrient depleted soils. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of cowpea residues and combinations of inorganic fertilizers on maiz… RUF-34587 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Farmers’ perceptions on maize ear rots and the prospects for breeding farmer preferred varieties in Uganda G. Asea · P. Gibson · P. Okori · L. Tembo Maize ear rots are a major constraint to maize production globally, and yield loses of up to 70% have been reported in Uganda. Developing varieties resistant to ear rots is a practical strategy that provides better insurance for the small … RUF-34586 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
