Working Document Series Open Access Banana farming in Kenya: Options for rejuvenating productivity J. Mbaka · Maina Mwangi Bananas constitute an important component of farm enterprises in the mid altitudes of central and eastern provinces of Kenya. In recent years the crop has steadily gained importance over traditional cash crops, e.g. coffee, and various sho… RUF-34742 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 Adapting soybean varieties to soil fertility variability for increased productivity in smallholder systems of Uganda P. Ebanyat · G. Elepu · P. Tukamuhabwa Biophysical conditions; climate and soil types underpin the suitability for growing of different crops at larger scales such as the agroecological regions while at the lower scales, crop production is governed by soil fertility status and … RUF-34712 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Optimization of biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas in Kenya T. Cheptoo · E. Kenya · J. Onchieku The non-edible vegetable oil from Jatropha curcas has been found to be a viable source for producing biodiesel. Biodiesel production from different accessions of Jatropha curcas will be compared in order to determine the highest yielding a… RUF-34711 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Test of AquaCrop model in simulating biomass and yield of water deficient and irrigated barley Kebede Afewerk · Alemie Araya With the current water shortage in Eastern Africa, improving crop water use is vital especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of Ethiopia. To understand the response of barley (Hordeum vulgare) to water and to simulate the biomass and … RUF-34709 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 optimised innovative soil fertility and water management technologies on maize production in two contrasting soils in Harare, Zimbabwe S. Madyiwa · J. Nyamangara · B. Nyamasoka · P. Nyamugafata +1 more Poor soil fertility and fertiliser management coupled with increased frequency of mid-season droughts induced by climate change have made it difficult for urban farmers to get sustainable crop yields especially on sandy soils. Urban farmer… RUF-34692 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Identification of drought related and drought responsive genes in cassava Harvey. Jagger · E.B. Kizito · Ferguson. Morag · L. Turyagyenda Conventional cassava breeding has yielded a lot of progress for many traits including pest and disease resistance and high yields but little progress has been made with respect to drought tolerance. It is believed that molecular breeding o… RUF-34689 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Characterisation of genetic diversity among Sudanese sorghum accessions using molecular markers and phenotypic characteristics M. A. Abdelbagi · Suliman. Sufian Sorghum is an important staple food grain crop for the millions of people living in the semi-arid tropics in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The present study examined phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of 95 Sudanese sorghum accessi… RUF-34687 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Response of tomato to coffee pulp and phosphate rock composts applied to a phosphorus deficient Ultisol J.P. Mrema · M. J. Shitindi A glasshouse experiment was conducted using tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum M.) var. Carl J to investigate the effect of composting coffee pulp with Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR) on phosphorus availability, plant growth and yield response … RUF-34686 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing Callus induction and embrogenic cell suspension development in East African highland banana G. Arinaitwe · P. Gibson · A. Kiggundu · S.B. Mukasa +3 more Improvement of banana using conventional breeding methods is very difficult due to its biology. Genetic transformation is a novel alternative approach for crop improvement. Transformation of EA-AAA bananas has, however, been limited by dif… RUF-34682 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 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 Inheritance of resistance to Fusarium root rot in three common bean genotypes P. Gibson · S.T. Nkalubo · P.O. Ongom · P. Rubaihayo Fusarium solani f. sp phaseoli (FSP) is an important disease in Uganda causing in some cases 100% yield losses in beans. The study established the nature of inheritance to FSP resistance in genotypes RWR 719, NABE 14 and NABE 13. A 5x5 ful… RUF-34670 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by groundnuts grown in acid soils through amendment with calcitic and dolomitic limestones R. Merckx · J.K. Ogega · J.R. Okalebo · D.K. Okello +5 more Groundnut (Arachis hypogeal L.) is an oil crop legume capable of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Soil acidity is a major limitation to symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Acid soils are widespread in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda where groundnut … RUF-34659 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 Soil survey information for sustainable agriculture in Ikwuano local Government area Abia State South East Nigeria G.E. Akinbola · B.O. Nuga A semi-detailed soil survey of the land of Ikwuano Local Government Area Abia State South East Nigeria was undertaken. The soils were sampled with the aid of soil auger to identify major soil types and their morphological properties (e.g. … RUF-34655 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Lime requirement of selected acid soils of Lesotho and response of field beans to lime application M.V. Marake · T. Nkheloane A greenhouse experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effects of lime application (at different rates) on soil pH, exchangeable aluminium (Al3+) and plant response to lime application across four of the strongly acidic soils series of Les… RUF-34651 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
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 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 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 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
