Working Document Series Open Access Biotic constraints to banana production in Eastern and Central Provinces of Kenya R. Gathu · J. Mbaka · R. Muasya · Maina Mwangi +1 more Banana is an important crop whose production faces major challenges, especially pests and diseases. A banana pests survey was carried out in Eastern and Central Provinces of Kenya. Results showed Fusarium wilt as the most widespread diseas… RUF-34571 2010 CC BY 4.0 7 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Participatory development, testing and validation of concepts and technologies for site-specific detection and control of plant parasitic nematodes infecting tomatoes in Mwea, Kenya J.K. Birgen · V. Gathaara · F.W. Kariuki · G.M. Kariuki Tomato production in Kenya has been a lucrative business for smallholder farmers who cannot afford huge capital to invest in other cash crops. It is a major source of household incomes and has created employment that has resulted in improv… RUF-34557 2010 CC BY 4.0 4 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The link between seasonal climatic variability and poverty: A case study of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Baringo District, Kenya D.M. Nyariki · V.O. Wasonga · A.M. Yazan Elhadi Poverty remains rampant in the dry districts of Kenya so that it has now become an important item on Kenya’s development agenda. The dry districts of Kenya receive low amounts of rainfall, which is also erratic. These regions are predomina… RUF-34545 2010 CC BY 4.0 27 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Modelling the potential impact of climate change on sorghum and cowpea production in semi-arid areas of Kenya using the agricultural production systems simulator (APSIM) J.M. Githinji · G. Kironchi · J. P. Mbuvi · R.N. Onwonga Managing crop production risks associated with inter-annual climate variability and climate change has received insignificant attention in the semi-arid areas of Kenya. Against this backdrop, the potential impact of climate change on sorgh… RUF-34537 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The implications of climate change on economic and food security in Kenya A. Edriss · J. Mangisoni · J. Mbogo · I. Musebe This study, covering six provinces in Kenya, aims at establishing impact of climate change on food security and Kenya’s economy as a whole. Both primary and secondary data will be collected and analyzed using approaches such as the translo… RUF-34510 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Biotic constraints to passion fruit production in central and eastern provinces of Kenya R. Gathu · N. Kori · J. Mbaka · Maina Mwangi +1 more Passion fruit is an important crop in Kenya for income generation. However, passion fruit production faces major challenges due to pests and diseases that have led to yield losses of 50-100%. To support development of effective integrated … RUF-34463 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Analysis of oil quality and content from different Kenyan land races of Croton megalocarpus E. Kenya · J. Onchieku · E. Onyango Aroko The increasing industrialization and motorization of the world has led to a steep rise in demand of petroleum-based fuels. Today, fossil fuels constitute 80% of the primary energy consumed in the world, of which 58% alone is consumed by th… RUF-34449 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Variability in carotenoid content among introduced yellow-fleshed cassava clones R. Edema · J. W. Kamau · P. W. Njenga Cassava is important in semi-arid Kenya. However, the crop is low in micronutrients including beta-carotene. A total of 129 high beta-carotene cassava clones from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) were established … RUF-34434 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of varying Desmodium and maize harvesting regimes on their yields and growth attributes within the “Push- Pull” intercropping systems in Western Kenya Z. Khan · M. N. Koech · J.R. Okalebo · C.O. Othieno +3 more This study tested the hypothesis that inclusion of Desmodium spp. into maize cropping system under the push-pull technology enhanced crop growth and yield. Field trials were conducted in Siaya and Busia districts of western Kenya with the … RUF-34388 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Response of sorghum genotypes to indigenous and exotic stem borers in Kenya P. Gibson · S. Kyamanywa · M. Mgonja · P.W. Muturi +1 more Field trials are being conduced in Kenya to identify sources of resistance, especially multiple resistance to Buseola fusca and Chilo partellus, two devastating pests of maize in sub-Saharan Africa. Genotypes ICSB 464, ICSB 467, Macia, IES… RUF-34367 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Collection and documentation of Papaya germplasm in Kenya. G. O. Asudi · E. M. Ateka · A. B. Nyende · F. K. Ombwara +2 more Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the major fruit crops of Kenya and the tropics in general. It shows considerable phenotypic variation in morphological and horticultural traits that can be utilized in genetic improvement. The objective … RUF-34358 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access A study to assess agricultural E-resource use and its impacts within the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture consortium F. Njogu · D. Onyango Electronic resources (E-resources) enable students, lecturers, librarians and researchers, to conduct multiple searches, print citations and full text and access publications remotely through hyperlinks to related content. These processes … RUF-34330 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Modeling potential impact of climate change on sorghum and cowpea performance under different tillage and cropping systems in semi-arid areas of Kenya T. Kirina Kitinya · R.N. Onwonga Field trials were carried out at Kambi ya Mawe location in Eastern Kenya during the long rains (LRS) of 2010 and short rains (SRS) of 2010/2011, to evaluate effect of tillage and cropping system on performance of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L… RUF-34272 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of trends in crop type and land cover change using GIS in Yatta sub-county, Kenya G. N. Karuku · V. M. Kathumo · B. A. Liavoga · R.N. Onwonga +2 more Assessment of the distribution and dynamics of vegetation using remote sensing techniques and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have proven to be efficient tools in monitoring agricultural activities as they provide methods for analys… RUF-34258 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
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 Physico-chemical properties and antioxidant potential of syrup derived from ‘Madhura’ sweet sorghum grown in different locations in Kenya E. M. Makori · Hunja Murage · Mwanjala Mwasaru · N. O. Ojijo +3 more Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) represents an analogous crop to sugarcane with similar accumulation of sugars in its juicy stems but with a higher agronomic stability to temperature fluctuations, less water requirement and bette… RUF-34211 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing transitory poverty among pastoralists of northern kenya using the stages of progress method W. Kogi-Makau · L. MacOpiyo · J.T. Njoka · W. P. Watete Assessment of poverty among pastoral households using conventional methods may at times give an inaccurate picture of pastoral poverty. Pastoral areas generally fare very poorly in terms of common standard indicators and are thus likely to… RUF-34201 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 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 Interactive effect of goat manure, phosphate fertiliser and lime on soil fertility in Embu County, Kenya B.O. Danga · J. Mugwe · B. Verde Nutrient mining resulting from crop uptake and erosion; and soil acidity which makes plant nutrients less available through different means such as phosphorus fixation and impairment of biological mediated processes in the soil. A study wa… RUF-34126 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Food losses and waste in the context of sustainable food systems J. Ambuko Although accurate estimates of losses and waste in the food system are unavailable, the best evidence to date coming from Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) indicates that approximately 1.3 billion tonnes per year (one-third of the f… RUF-34124 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 Biomass accumulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean varieties, grain yields of soybean and maize intercropped at different planting densities in western Kenya F. Baijukya · R. Onwonga · M. Simbine Biomass accumulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean (Glycine max) and grain yields of maize (Zea mays) and soybean intercropped at different planting densities was assessed in two villages of Butere and Mumias district of western Kenya d… RUF-34108 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of sweet sorghum varieties for multi-purpose utilisation in Kenya B. Gathitu · B. Mukabane · N. O. Ojijo · W.O. Owino +1 more Sweet sorghums (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) are sorghum varieties that accumulate high levels of sucrose in the parenchyma juicy stems. Sweet sorghum (SS) is a multifunctional crop. It that can be cultivated for simultaneous production of g… RUF-34094 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
