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 Feeding, reproductive biology and aquaculture potential of Clarias liocephalus in the wetlands of south western Uganda L. Chapman · J. Kang’ombe · J. Rutaisire · J. Yatuha Clarias liocephalus is a data-deficient air breathing cat fish in wetlands of Western Uganda. It is highly demanded as live bait in Nile perch fishery of Lake Victoria and as food by local communities. Because of high demand, smaller sizes… RUF-35094 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 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 Age, growth and reproductive biology of Lethrinops gossei burgess & axelrod– (Teleostei: cichlidae) in the south east arm of Lake Malawi M.C. Banda · G.Z. Kanyerere · E. Kaunda · F. Maguza-Tembo +1 more Life history traits of Lethrinops gossei from south east arm of Lake Malawi were studied. Validation of age was done by using analysis of marginal increment and length frequency distribution. It was assumed that a single opaque ring was la… RUF-35078 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 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
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 Factors influencing the price of fish in central Malawi and its implications on the development of aquaculture George Matiya · Wakabayashi. Yoshikazu A study to investigate factors that influence prices of fish was conducted in Lilongwe, Salima, Kasungu and Mchinji districts of the Central Region of Malawi. Market type, form of preservation, species type, length of fish, weight of fish,… RUF-35057 2010 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
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of pond plastic sheeting on water temperature and improved growth of fish in Dowa, Malawi L. Banda · E. Kaunda · P. Longwe · M. Matsimbe +2 more Temperature is one of the limiting constraints to increasing fish production in areas where temperatures are below 25oC. In most areas in Malawi temperatures are between 14 - 24oC (www.atlapedia.com/online/countries/malawi.htm), with the e… RUF-35052 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of dietary protein, lipid and androgen (11 - ketotestosterone) levels on the progeny of Oreochromis andersonii (castelnau, 1861) broodstock J. Kang’ombe · D. Kassam · Alexander Shula Kefi The study on the effect of dietary protein, lipid and 11 – Ketotestosterone (11 – KT) levels on the progeny quality of Oreochromis andersonii broodstock will be conducted at National Aquaculture Research and Development Centre, Kitwe, Zamb… RUF-35051 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Integrating indigenous and scientific soil quality indicators for improved crop production F. Bagoora · M. B. Karuhanga · M. M. Tenywa · J. S. Tumuhairwe Research has improved understanding of technical indicators of soil quality (TISQ) and their assessment criteria. Yet knowledge on farmer-perceived indicators of soil quality remains limited. The study intends to establish and validate ind… RUF-35046 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Translating integrated soil fertility management knowledge into livelihood benefits through farmer learning and participatory action in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · T. Gwandu · P. Mapfumo · F. Mtambanengwe Smallholder agriculture production is constrained by poor technology adoption often linked to lack information dissemination strategies, among other factors. This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of participatory information mana… RUF-35042 2015 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Characterisation of wild and cultured Oreochromis shiranus in Malawi I. Changadeya & Kosgey · D. Kassam · C.S. Lewuantai · A. Maluwa Oreochromis shiranus is a Malawi indigenous tilapia fish species. The aim of the study is to characterise the species phenotypically and genotypically within and between wild strains, unimproved and improved cultured strains. Phenotypic ch… RUF-35039 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Some aspects of reproductive biology of Oreochromis andersonii, Oreochromis machrochir and Oreochromis niloticus in ponds N. Chimba · C. Kancheya · Alexander Shula Kefi · K.G. Kubiriza +1 more The study on the reproductive biology of Oreochromis macrochir, O. niloticus and O. andersonii was carried out for sixty nine days in hapas. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in the number and weight of spawn incubated in… RUF-35035 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing fish production and marketing for food security and rural incomes of small-scale producers in Malawi J. Banda · B. Chirwa · T. Chitsulo · D. Jamu +6 more Low fish production continues to be persistent problem among small scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. An action research using the value chain approach that links university and other actors to the farmers will guide implementation of th… RUF-35024 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Maturity, age and growth of Oreochromis karongae (Teleostei: cichlidae) in Lake Malawi and Lake Malombe M. Banda · F. Kapute · E. Kaunda · Morioka. Sinshuke Size-at-50% maturity, age and growth, of Oreochromis (Nyasalapia) karongae (‘chambo’) in Lakes Malawi and Malombe were studied. Similar size-at-50% maturity and growth patterns were found for populations in Lake Malawi, but differences wer… RUF-35013 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Reproductive biology and cryopreservation of milt of Alestes baremoze (Joannis, 1835) of Lake Albert, Uganda M. Agaba · J.S. Balirwa · G.M. Kamugisa · D. Kassam +1 more This study is designed to generate knowledge relevant to the domestication, breeding, production and propagation of Alestes baremoze fish species in captivity through artificial spawning and in vitro fertilization. The study aims at broade… RUF-35007 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Utilization of woody plants as food in times of food scarcity in selected dryland areas of Iringa district, Tanzania V. E. Tairo Iringa District in Tanzania is a semi-arid area that is prone to frequent crop failures. Food insecurity is widespread and often the communities use woody plants as alternative source of livelihood. Although the use of woody plants as food… RUF-35006 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Livelihood diversification and enhanced food security through agro-pastoralism: Socio-cultural and other challenges among Maasai pastoralists of Narok North district of Kenya N. J. Kathuri · J. G. Mwangi · A. O. Nkurumwa The Maasai of Narok North District Kenya have started adopting agro-pastoralism as a livelihood diversification strategy. This study sought to determine the socio-cultural challenges faced in agro-pastoralism and the relationships between … RUF-34994 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of market opportunities of Meat in Uganda D. Mpairwe · J. Mugisha · J. Nalubega Beef production in Uganda is estimated at an average of 160,000 metric tones per year giving the national meat consumption per capita in Uganda as 11 kg which is lower than the 40 kg recommended by the World Health Organization. The presen… RUF-34988 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Estimation of consumer preferences for cowpea in Uganda T.S. Hyuha · J. Mundua · B. Tayebwa This study conducted in eastern Uganda, assessed consumer and market vendors preferances for different cowpea varieties grown in Uganda. Both consumers and market vendors prefered large white seeded grains. The study recommends adding valu… RUF-34983 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015