Working Document Series Open Access The Effect of Fish Farming Systems on Water quality and community livelihoods in Mbale: A Socio Economic and Biophysical Assessment A. Akol · H. Gidongo · T.S. Hyuha · F. Muyodi +1 more Fish farming contributes to people’s livelihoods, nutrition security, and foreign exchange. However, these potential may be achieved at the expense of the environment. This study determined the effect of fish farming on water quality and l… RUF-32831 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Fish Diversity of two major inlet rivers of Lake Malawi: Spatial and Temporal Change D. Kassam · E.W. Kaunda · F. Maguza-Tembo · M. Matsimbe +1 more A study to investigate spatial and temporal changes in fish species diversity of Bua and Linthipe rivers was conducted between March 2010 and August 2011. Fish was sampled using a 6.35mm (¼ inch) seine net or by electrofishing in five site… RUF-32829 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Combined Effect of Selected Technologies on Growth, Survival and Water quality of Improved Strain of Oreochromis Shiranus in Earthen Ponds of Dowa District, Malawi L. Jere · J. Kang’ombe · E.W. Kaunda · P.M. Longwe +2 more The study to evaluate the combined effect of feed, feeding trays and clear plastic pond sheeting technique on the growth, survival and water quality of the improved strain of Oreochromis shiranus was conducted in Dowa District, Malawi, fro… RUF-32827 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Reproductive Seasonality of Opsaridium Microlepis (mpasa) in the Linthipe River in Central Malawi D. Jamu · E.W. Kaunda · M. Limuwa · F. Maguza-Tembo +1 more Opsaridium microlepis is one of the fish species in Lake Malawi. The species is known to migrate to major river affluents for spawning. One of the rivers where they migrate is the Linthipe. The reproductive seasonality of this species into… RUF-32818 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Food type preference, Breeding Seasonality and size at first Maturity of Synodontis njassae of Southeast arm of Lake Malawi K.M. Kamtambe · E.W. Kaunda · F. Maguza-Tembo · A. Msukwa The food type preferencein the southeast arm of Lake Malawi was studied. Frequency of occurrence, gravimetric, volumetric and index of relative importance was used to assess food preference. It was found that S. njassae is an omnivore, con… RUF-32808 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Gender Roles in Soil Fertility and Water Management for Maize (Zea mays L.) Production in Urban Agriculture: A Case for Harare, Zimbabwe J. Nyamangara · B. Nyamasoka · P. Nyamugafata A survey of 205 farmers in Harare and Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe was conducted to characterise soil fertility and water management practices used by urban farmers to produce maize and to determine the influence of gender on their use. Results s… RUF-32731 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Improving Water Storage in Soils to Enhance Nutrient use Efficiency and Crop Yields for Enhanced Livelihoods of Small Scale Farmers in Semi-arid eastern Kenya B.O. Danda · C. Kibunja · G. Kironchi · B.E. Mochoge The current food situation in Kenya is alarming so that food is extremely expensive for the larger Kenyan population. This is largely due to the frequent droughts in the country and especially because more than 80% of the land is arid to s… RUF-32711 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Characterisation of Vermiculites from the Neoproterozoic Mozambique Belt of Tanzania for Agricultural Applications S. Hillier · E.M.M. Marwa · A.A. Meharg · C.M. Rice The study assessed the mineral phases and properties of five Tanzanian vermiculites in response to the temperature used to expand them with respect to their potential suitability for agricultural applications. One sample from Palabora Mine… RUF-32700 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Mineralogy of Africa’s Soils as a predictor of Soil Fertility M.N. Kamau · B. Mochoge · K.D. Shepherd Soil mineralogy is essential to understanding many facets of land use and a key determinant of all soil functional properties that are expensive or time-consuming to measure, and can solve specific agricultural and environmental problems. … RUF-32683 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Predicting tef Yield using AquaCrop Model Under Various Water Availability Regimes: A case study in Northern Ethiopia Alemie Araya · S. Habtu · Haileselassie Hailay Tef is one of the most important food crops grown in northern Ethiopia. This region is severely affected by drought. To continue producing the crop, it is necessary improve efficient use of water by tef within the context of climate variab… RUF-32671 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Improving Rainwater use Efficiency in Teff for Enhancing Adaptation to Climate Variability and Climate Change in the Northern Ethiopia Alemie Araya · Gebresamuel Girmay · S. Habtu · Meles Kiros +1 more The main limitation in stabilising food security in Ethiopia is the dependency of the farming system on erratic rainfall. The production of teff, an Ethiopian staple food crop adapted to rainfed farming, has been affected by water stress w… RUF-32667 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Water and Nutrient Supply Differently Impact Seedling Performance of Acquisitive and Conservative Dry Woodland Species Frans Bongers · Birhane Emiru · Gebrehiwot Kindeya · T.W. Kuyper +1 more Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are known to increase seedling survival and performance through enhancement of nutrient and water uptake. Acacia etbaica, Acacia senegal and Boswellia papyrifera dominate large areas in African drylands. W… RUF-32661 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Farmers’ Willingness to Invest in Improved soil and Water Conservation Technologies in Semi Arid Districts of Uganda R. Bangizi · R. Mulwa · J.B. Tumuhairwe One of the adaptation strategies to climatic change effects is use of soil and water conservation technologies. Studies in Uganda have revealed a variable significant adoption level of soil conservation practices across the country. Howeve… RUF-32655 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Changes in Farming Practices in the Lake Kivu Basin M.W. Adidja · S. Bashwira · F. Kansiime · J.G.M. Majaliwa +1 more Provinces of eastern D.R. Congo are going through a period of political instability which has impacted negatively on the way smallholder farmers manage natural resources. This has contributed to increased degradation of Lake Kivu water and… RUF-32580 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Inheritance of Tolerance to Intermittent Drought from Selected Potato (Solanum Tuberosum) Cultivars in South Western Uganda I.N. Kashaija · V.E. Kesiime · G. Tusiime The study objective of this study is to characterise new potato clones for drought tolerance under Ugandan conditions. Study genotypes were subjected to three water stress levels and also crossed with susceptible, locally adopted varieties… RUF-32474 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Inheritance of Tolerance to Drought Stress in Selected Common Bean Genotypes W. Amongi · S. Nkalubo · M. Ochwo-Ssemakula The levels of tolerance to cyclic drought stress in selected common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) lines were evaluated. Findings from this screening showed significant differences in levels of drought tolerance among the parental lines. The ge… RUF-32451 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access The impact of climate change and variability on agricultural production: Adaptation strategies in Teso sub-region of eastern Uganda W. Ekere · V. Ekiyar · C. Jumbe · J. Mangisoni +3 more Climate change is emerging as the most important environmental problem facing modern society. Africa in particular is highly vulnerable to climate change and variability due to heavy reliance on rainfed agriculture by the majority of its p… RUF-32296 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Temperature-dependent Egg development rates and Hatching period of Chambo, Oreochromis Karongae (Pisces: Cichlidae) D. Kassam · J.S. Likongwe · J.S. Valeta A study was conducted to assess the effect of temperature on egg development in an attempt to improve hatching success and fry production in Oreochromis karongae. Temperaturedependent development rates and hatching period for fertilized eg… RUF-32216 2012 CC BY 4.0 14 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access The Effect of Different In-Situ Conservation Methods on Yield of Teff in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia A. Araya · H. Solomon · Tezera Yared The imbalance in food supply and demand urgently calls for more efficient use of water to enhance food security and promote sustainable agricultural production. Teff is one of the economical and staple food crops grown in northern Ethiopia… RUF-32082 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Performance of Introduced Irrigated Rice Varieties in Ruzizi Plain, South Kivu Province, DR Congo B.J. Bashagaluke · B.B. Bisimwa · B.E. Bisimwa · K.L. Buzera +3 more In the frame work of the rice production intensification by IFDC project in Ruzizi plain in the Sud Kivu province, DR Congo, The Catholic University of Bukavu (UCB) and Evangelical University in Africa (UEA) are collaborating in research … RUF-32050 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Modelling of Runoff Water Harvesting, Storage and Irrigation for Dry Season Bean Production M. Lowole · H. Mahoo · S. Rwehumbiza · D.D. Singa +1 more Productivity of Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), an important component of farming systems in smallholder agriculture of sub-Saharan Africa, remained stagnant or even declined over the years, because of major problems such as drought. … RUF-32023 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Improving Maize-Beans Yields Through Improved Soil Moisture Storage using Trapezoidal Bunds and Manure in Machakos County-Eastern Kenya B.O. Danga · B.E. Mochoge · G.S. Openda The tremendous increase in population in Kenya has created the need for faster rate of increase in food production. However, more than 80% of Kenya lies in the arid and semi arid lands (ASALs). To mitigate food shortages in such areas, the… RUF-31997 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Yield and Rain Water Use Efficiency of Maize (Zea mays L.) Under Selected Soil and Water Conservation Technologies in the Central Highlands of Kenya J. Diels · M.W. Mucheru-Muna · D.N. Mugendi · M. Mugwe +4 more A study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of mulching, mbili intercrop, minimum tillage and tied ridging on soil and water conservation and improvement of maize yields under a rainfed farming system. The treatments, in three repl… RUF-31975 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Calibration and validation of AquaCrop Model for Maize in Sub-Humid and semi- arid Regions of Central Highlands of Kenya J. Diels · M.W. Mucheru-Muna · D.N. Mugendi · J. Mugwe +3 more Farmers in the central highlands of Kenya have been experiencing declining crop yields due to low soil water availability caused by low and unreliable rainfall and poor water harvesting techniques. To increase crop yields, and reduce produ… RUF-31961 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Design Parameters, Criteria and Operation Guidelines of Controlled Drainage and Sub-Irrigation for Dambo Smallholder Farmers’ Water User Groups F.C. Kahimba · F. Mwenechanya · A.B. Salim · A.K.P.R. Tarimo +1 more This study is establishing recommendations for spacing, depth and layout of controlled drainage and sub-irrigation that could be practiced in dambos of Central Malawi by smallholder famers’ water user groups. To achieve this, soil physic… RUF-31948 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014