Working Document Series Open Access Seasonal rainfall variability, drought characterisation and efficacy of interpolation techniques: Case of Kenya’s central highlands M. Oscar Kisaka · F.S. Mairura · M. Mucheru-Muna · D.N. Mugendi +2 more Drier parts Eastern Kenya, endure persistent crop failure and declining agricultural productivity which have been attributed, in part, to high temperatures, prolonged dry-spells and particularly erratic rainfall. Understanding spatial-temp… RUF-34241 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Indigenous knowledge practices for production and management of spider mites and anthracnose in smallholder French bean farmers in Nakuru County, Kenya J. G. Nyaanga · S. O. Ochola · K. O. Ogayo · J. O. Ogendo +2 more A field survey was conducted to inventory the major crops grown, French bean production constraints, pests and diseases and indigenous control strategies. A total of 56 smallholder French bean farmers were interviewed using structured ques… RUF-34196 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Impact of the zero grazing practice on milk production by the small scale farmers in Western Kenya H. Affognon · J. Nalunkuuma · F. K. Njonge · D. Salifu The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the zero grazing practice on milk production by the small-scale farmers’ in western Kenya. A cross sectional survey was undertaken on 520 livestock farmers from Kisii and Bungoma counties… RUF-34166 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Comparative study on kits used for diagnosis of Brucellosis in humans L. Bebora · P. Kinyanjui · L. Waiboci · N. Waringa Brucellosis is an infectious zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genera Brucella. Brucellosis is mainly a disease of livestock infecting cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs and marine mammals. In humans, the disease is acquired directl… RUF-34141 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of farming practices on the occurrence of scab of wheat and its management through cultivar resistance C.K. Mutegi · J.W. Muthomi · R.D. Narla · N.K. Njeru +2 more A survey was carried out in Nakuru and Narok Counties at hard dough stage and at harvest. A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information on wheat production practices. Fusarium head blight incidence and severity in each fa… RUF-34118 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum insect vector activity on banana across altitude and seasons in Rwanda G. Blomme · G. Night · W. Ocimati · A. Rutikanga +1 more Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) ( Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum -Xcm) disease is considered the most important threat to banana production in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. Insect vectors are one of the key ways through which the … RUF-34104 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Conservation Agriculture effects on earthworm populations in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda soils D. Ashilenje · W. N’getich · J. Norton · U. Norton +7 more Conventional cultivation in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda over the years has resulted into decline in soil quality and food crop production. Studying soil biodiversity under Conservation Agriculture production systems (CAPS) will help u… RUF-34089 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Role of agronomic practices on the occurrence of Fusarium head blight of wheat C. Mutegi · J. Muthomi · R. Narla · O. Okumu +1 more Fusarium head blight is a disease of small grain cereals that reduces yield and causes mycotoxin contamination. The role of agronomic practices on the occurrence of wheat agronomic practices was studied. In the experiment, a survey to dete… RUF-34088 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Pesticide use for management of aphids and viral diseases in passion fruit J. Karungi · M. Ochwo-Ssemakula · A. Olango · P. Sseruwagi Passionfruit viral pathogens limit passionfruit production and are non-persistently transmitted by aphid vectors, the diseases can reduce orchard life span to only a year resulting to 100% yield loss. 50-100% loss due to biotic stresses ha… RUF-34086 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Breeding for common bean rust in Uganda S. Nkalubo · B. A. Odogwu · P. Rubaihayo Rust caused by the fungi Uromyces appendiculatus is considered as one of the most variable pathogens documented world-wide. In Uganda, rust has been identified as an emerging common bean disease and this has contributed to its being given … RUF-34067 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Role of soil and crop residues as sources of inoculum for Fusarium head blight of wheat C.K. Mutegi · J.W. Muthomi · N.K. Njeru · J.M. Wagacha A field survey was carried out in Narok County, Kenya, at hard dough growth stage (GS 65- 69) during the 2013 cropping season and sampling done in 51 wheat farms in different agroecological zones. Samples of soil and crop residues were col… RUF-34060 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access In vitro evaluation of Leonotis nepetifolia L. and Ocimum gratissimum L. plant extracts against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum J. G. Nyaanga · S. O. Ochola · K. O. Ogayo · J. O. Ogendo +2 more The potential of crude plant extracts as antimicrobial agents has been demonstrated both in animal and plant health. Extracts with potential for control of plant pathogens such as Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (causal agent for bean anthro… RUF-34059 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Aphid transmission and alternate hosts of Passiflora chlorotic mottle virus in Uganda J. Karungi · M.N. Nantale · M. Ochwo-Ssemakula · P. Sseruwagi This research established aphid vectors and alternate hosts of Passiflora chlorotic mottle virus in Uganda. Aphids and host plants were collected from farmers’ fields in major passion fruit growing districts in Uganda. Transmission tests w… RUF-34058 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Inheritance of resistance to Brown Spot Disease in upland rice in Uganda J. Lamo · M.Marco Mwendo · M. Ochwo-Ssemakula Low yields in rice (Oryza sativa) are attributed by many factors including diseases which represent one of the main constraints. The Brown spot disease (caused by Helminthosporium oryzae) in most rice growing areas cause’s considerable los… RUF-34048 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 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 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 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 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 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 Mutation breeding in irish potatoes M. Kinyua · O. Kiplagat · F. K. Kiunga The cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) originated from the Andean region of South America. Kenyan farmers started potato cultivation in 1920 and entered the export market in 1923. However, while average potato yields in North America… RUF-33950 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Developing ecological management strategies for virus diseases of tomato in Uganda S. Ahabwe · H. Jurua · J. Karungi · M.K.N. Ochwo-Ssemakula +1 more Tomato (Lycoperscum esculentum) is one of the priority crops considered to drive development and food security in Uganda. However, severe levels of viral diseases have been found to constrain productivity in Uganda: A survey found mean inc… RUF-33944 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Identification of tomato varieties resistant to Tomato Curl Stunt Virus in Mozambique J. Bokossi · E. Chilembwe · C. Ecole · B. Filipe +5 more The importance of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) as source of food and income generation in Mozambique is threatened by proliferation of a viral disease called Tomato Curly Stunt virus (ToCSV) which belongs to the Geminiviridae Family (B… RUF-33922 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015