Working Document Series Open Access Influence of seed bed preparation on morphometric characteristics of Eragrostis superba, Cenchrus ciliaris and Enteropogon macrostachyus in southeastern drylands of Kenya W.N. Ekaya · D.M. Nyariki · F. E. O. Omondi This study compared over a 6-month period effects of tractorploughing and hand-clearing seedbed preparation on morphometric characteristics of three arid and semi-arid grass species, namely; Eragrostis superba Peyr, Cenchrus ciliaris L and… RUF-34755 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of Chilli pepper genotypes for yield and reaction to field diseases V. Nsabiyera · M. Ochwo-Ssemakula · P. Sseruwagi The performance of 25 chilli (16 exotic and 9 local) genotypes for yield and associated traits and reaction to field diseases was assessed at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI)- Namulonge from June-November, 2009. Tot… RUF-34753 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Spatial and temporal distribution of fallow land and its utilisation in southeast Zimbabwe E. Manzungu · L. Mtali Since the attainment of national independence in 1980 land distribution has dominated if not defined the agrarian debate in Zimbabwe. However, evidence of increasing hectarage of fallow land in communal lands, where 70% of the population r… RUF-34748 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of pruning on yield and quality of selected indeterminate tomato lines C. Mbonihankuye In this study, we investigated the effect of prunning intensity on tomato fruit yield of five introductions and one variety. Tomato line significantly affected all tomato yield components in addition to marketable and non-marketable yield.… RUF-34744 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of different types of organic fertilizers on growth, quality and yield of tomatoes in sandy soil M. I. Khalid Hamden This study was conducted in Bara locality during the period 2009-2010 to assess the impact of using different types of organic fertilizers on tomato yield growing in a sandy soil. Five treatments were compared, i.e., compost, fresh chicken… RUF-34738 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of the spatio-temporal bovine migratory routes and transboundary animal diseases infestation in Uganda I. Bayiyana · W. Ekere · P. Lochap · M.G.J. Majaliwa +2 more Livestock form an important part of Uganda’s GDP with a big proportion of households deriving their livelihoods from the sector. However, pasture management and disease control especially Transboundary Animal Disease outbreaks have challen… RUF-34728 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 Land cover and use changes in the rangelands of Central-Uganda: Impacts on soil quality and pasture productivity C.K.K. Gachene · G. Kironchi · D. Mpairwe · E. Zziwa This study determined the patterns and magnitudes of land cover and use changes, their driving factors and impacts on soil quality and pasture productivity in Nakasongola district. Satellite data (1970 - 2009), surveys, soil and pasture sa… RUF-34706 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of land use and cover change on carbon stock and water quality of River Atari in Kapchorwa-Uganda F. Kansiime · J.G.M. Majaliwa · J. Sirike The objective of this study was to examine the trend in landuse/ cover change around Atari micro-catchment and determine the effect of these changes on carbon stock and Atari river water quality. An Earth Resources Data Analysis System (ER… RUF-34698 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 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 Participatory natural resources management plan of canhane community, Massingir district, southern Mozambique Aniceto Chaúquem · Jao Chin · Natasha Ribeiro · Almeida. Sitoe We conducted a participatory mapping of natural resources and woody biomass estimation in Canhane Community, Massingir District in Mozambique. The aim of this study was to identify problems and opportunities for natural resources managemen… RUF-34684 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Regeneration dynamics of woody species in degraded natural forests in western Kenya Wellington Ekaya · J. Kinyamario · J. Otuoma Deforestation has become rampant in many areas in Kenya due to pressure on land resulting from human population increase. Efforts to rehabilitate areas that have been deforested have had little success due to the limited knowledge of veget… RUF-34678 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 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 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 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 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 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
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 Development of aluminium toxicity tolerance system for sorghum in agro ecological region three of Zambia S. Chikuta The overall objective of this study was to characterize selected sorghum varieties for Aluminium (Al) tolerance. The specific objectives were to determine performance of selected sorghum varieties grown in Al prone environments, identify r… RUF-34568 2010 CC BY 4.0 7 Sep 2015
