Working Document Series Open Access Effect of organic and inorganic sources of nitrogen on growth, seed yield and oil content of sunflower grown in highly weathered soils in Morogoro - Tanzania G. Chemining’wa · J. Kinama · I.A. Mwahija · A. Nyambilila Sunflower contributes about 40% of total national cooking oil requirement, ranking as one of the most important cooking oil with very high nutritional value in Tanzania. However, its production per unit area ranges between 800 to 1100 kg/h… RUF-34044 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Farming characteristics in urban districts of Nairobi county - Kenya A.W. Kihurani · P.W. Masinde · J.B. Mukundi · J. N. Njenga Urban farming practitioners face challenges like lack of quality irrigation water, poorly decomposed manure, diverse inputs of unknown sources, unhealthy farm environment and abject poverty. All these contribute to production of unsafe foo… RUF-34041 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Epidemiology of Tomato Curly Stunt Virus in Mozambique C. Ecole · B. F. Francisco · A. M. Mondjana · B. A. Nhaulaho +2 more Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) has a great socio-economic importance in Mozambique, since it is one of the sources of income for many families. However, its continuous production throughout the year provides conditions for the overwinter… RUF-34036 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 Effects of ethephon and potassium nitrate on off-season flower induction in mango J. Ambuko · M. Hutchinson · S. Maloba · W.O. Owino Mango (Mangifera indica) fruit production in Kenya is seasonal with peak and off seasons – one of the contributing factors to postharvest losses. Off-season flower induction is a strategy that can be used to address mango seasonality. Mani… RUF-34031 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 Evaluation of the repellent effects of four chemicals in the control of red-billed in rice in chókwè irrigation scheme T. F. Chiconela · A. K. Ngazero Red-billed (Quelea quelea) is one of the most damaging pests of rice in Mozambique. For its control, smallholder farmers rely on different frightening techniques to scare birds from their crops. Apart from providing a temporary relief, thi… RUF-34026 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 Row covers for management of insect-vectored viral diseases of tomato in Uganda H. Jurua · J. Karungi · M.K.N. Ochwo-Ssemakula · P. Sseruwagi Tomato production in Uganda is constrained by among others use of low quality planting materials, non-availability of inputs, sub-optimum agronomic practices, pests and diseases. Studies have shown that viral diseases have quickly become a… RUF-34016 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Selection for short day adaptation in vegetable runner bean in Kenya P. M. Kimani · M. M. Mulanya Runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.) offers considerable potential as a high value vegetable and grain crop for domestic and export markets in eastern Africa. However, production and utilisation of vegetable runner beans in Kenya is severe… RUF-34006 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Seed-borne fungi of chilli pepper in the Coastal savannah zone of the central region of Ghana E. Afutu · O-A. Danquah · Y. Opoku-Asiamah Many chilli pepper (Capsicum frutescens) growers in the region have moved from chilli cultivation to other crops due to the continuous decline in yields as a result of disease problems, of which fruit rot is paramount. The study was carrie… RUF-34004 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Estimating prevalence of brucellosis in livestock and assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices of respective communities in baringo county, Kenya L.C. Bebora · S. Kiambi · P. Kitala · P.K. Kosgei +1 more Brucellosis is an infectious, contagious and important zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of genus Brucella. World Health Organization considers brucellosis the most spread zoonosis in the world. Brucellosis has been documented to be high… RUF-34003 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of pests incidence and their impact on yield of sweetpotato in Mozambique D. Cugala · I. Mugovo · L. Santos The sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is important food and cash crop and is considered as one of the most important crop for food security in Mozambique. Sweetpotato is grown extensively by small scale households and mostly managed by wome… RUF-34001 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Local chicken production in northern Uganda: Breeding practices and flock productivity A. Kayitesi · D.R. Kugonza · H. Mulindwa · C. Nakkazi +1 more In Uganda, the local chicken population is estimated at 44 million and these chickens play an integral role in the smallholder farming systems. Contribution of local chicken in rural household economies is mainly limited by its low output … RUF-33992 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Ramifications of variations in quality of pasture seed lots marketed in Uasin Gishu, Kenya L. Gohole · W. Motanya · R. Muasya · J. Ochuodho The low levels of germination, varied vigour and long periods required to attain required stand establishment in pasture fields compromises the expected quality standards of marketed seed. This study was carried out to explore the effects … RUF-33991 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Growth characteristics of selected indigenous legumes for livestock feeds in Namibia L. Kaholongo · A. Kahumba · E. Lutaaya · I. Mpofu +1 more The study was conducted to evaluate the growth characteristics of seven (7) indigenous forage legumes in Namibia in comparison to lucerne as potential livestock fodder. A split-plot design was used with fertiliser level as the main factor … RUF-33984 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of the occurrence of natural enemies associated with invasive coconut whitefly in Inhambane province, Mozambique D. Cugala · L. Jose · O. Miguel The whitefly (Aleurotrachelus atratus Hempel) is a Neotropical whitefly, originally described from coconut (Cocos nucifera) in Brazil. In the Comoro Islands, A. atratus was responsible for an economic loss of 55% to local coconut producers… RUF-33976 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Ecological niche modeling of geographic distribution of Bacillus anthracis and risk of Anthrax disease in Africa B.E Isabirye · A. Mayamba · C. Nakato · I. Rwomushana +1 more Anthrax is one of the seven major neglected zoonotic diseases in Africa. The disease is responsible for enormous economic losses as well as considerable human morbidity, especially in endemic areas. Despite this, the ecology and distributi… RUF-33975 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of exotic cowpea genotypes for grain yields in autumn, winter and summer seasons Ahmed Osman Abunearan Medani Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) as leguminous crop was being needed by the people to supplement their diet in form of protein. Our local cultivars did not provide the continuous yields throughout the year; therefore the current research is requ… RUF-33973 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Response of commonly cultivated legumes in Zambia to non-indigenous legume inoculants J. S. K. Banda · Ndashe Kapulu · Malama Mulenga · A. Mutiti Mweetwa +2 more The use of inoculants is a critical strategy in legume production. Several factors determine the efficiency of an inoculant, including the competitiveness of the inoculated against indigenous strains. Although Rhizobia seems to be widely d… RUF-33969 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The effect of feeding lucerne and hyacinth bean hay rations on milk yield and milk composition of mid-lactating Saanen goats managed under intensive system K. Dipheko · J.M. Kamau · W. Mahabile · G.S. Mpapho +1 more Feeding protein is important for milk production in lactating animals. Unavailability of proteinous feeds in Botswana negatively affects dairy goat production. Dairy goat farmers utilise lucerne (Medicago sativa) and hyacinth bean (Lablab … RUF-33967 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing the efficacy of integrated pest management strategies for suppressing Bactrocera invadens in selected orchards in Manica Province, Mozambique D. Cugala · S. Ekesi · A. Majacunene The invasive fruit fly, Bactrocera invadens, was first detected in Mozambique in 2007 (Cuamba District, Niassa Province) and is now well established and widespread in the North and central regions. Direct damage to mango and guava due to B… RUF-33960 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Minjingu phosphate rock extractability by white lupin and chickpea in Njoro and Kiambu sub-counties, Kenya J.J. Lelei · R. O. Onwonga · J.P. Ouma Declining phosphorus (P) fertility is a major production constraint in Kiambu and Njoro subCounties of Kenya. Use of Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR) to rebuild soil capital P is limited by its insolubility in water. Field experiments were co… RUF-33952 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015