Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of micro and macro propagation techniques of Gerbera (Gerbera Jamesonii) under different conditions A. Igbal · A. Mahmed Ali · A. Mariam Gerbera has gained popularity in the last year in many countries of the world and it is in great demand in the floral industry as cut flower as well as potted due to its beauty, colour, long vase life, and ability to dehydrate after long t… RUF-34408 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of Metarhizium anisopliae for integrated management of termites on maize and Grevillea robusta in Uganda and Kenya H. Agaba · L. Gohole · N.K. Maniania · P. Nyeko +1 more Termites are a major constraint to subsistence agriculture, causing yield losses up to 100%. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of the fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae for controlling termites, but little is yet known about sustai… RUF-34376 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Potential of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) to improve soil physical properties of sandy soils in central Zimbabwe D. Chinamo · F Mapanda · G. Nyamadzawo · M. Wuta Most farmers in the smallholder areas practice conventional tillage which results in soil loss of between 10-34 t ha-1 yr-1. Tillage also results in breakdown of macroaggregates into smaller aggregates as well as primary particles. Close p… RUF-34374 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 Establishment of LMD-Aligned Master programme in post-conflicts countries of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa E. Adipala · L. D’Haese · Freedom. King · C.L. Kizza +4 more Food insecurity and poor health are recognized as key drivers of emergence of conflicts in low income countries. Sustainable peace building strategy should therefore consider investing in increased access to food and nutrition while simult… RUF-34312 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effectiveness of information and communication technologies in dissemination of agricultural information to smallholder farmers in Kilosa District, Tanzania B.F. Kyazze · C. Levi · H. Sseguya Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) have the potential to act as effective information dissemination channel that facilitates sustainable relationships between farmers and other stakeholders in agriculture sector. Past and on-goi… RUF-34308 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access African research journals: Challenges and opportunities J.S. Tenywa The need for scholarly journals as a means of dissemination of outputs from African research efforts, particularly the problems and innovations unique to African and related conditions, is overwhelming; yet the operational environment is q… RUF-34284 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Two heads are better than one: Strengthening partnerships in research and higher education D. Doepel · M.P McHenry · S. Sharma Perhaps more than ever our survival as a species is dependent on our collective problem solving ability. Our ability to thrive requires creativity and innovation to seize some amazing opportunities. In both cases - solving problems and sei… RUF-34280 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving graduate competencies through field attachments: Experiences from the School of Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University P. Ebanyat · P. Isubikalu · B. B. Obaa · H. N. Opolot The demand for skilled university graduates to address practical development challenges is higher today than ever before. Field attachment is one of the main approaches for integrating competence building into academic programmes in many u… RUF-34276 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Transforming tertiary agricultural education and training through private sector linkages D.S. Kraybill · I. Minde Typically, capacity strengthening in African tertiary education systems has focused on human and institutional capacity building. Rarely does capacity strengthening embrace the private sector in a major way. Our preposition is that the pri… RUF-34261 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 Building Research Capacity: The case of Burundi M. Inamahoro This manuscript narrates the contribution of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) to strengthening research capacity of the National Agriculture Research Institute (ISABU). Burundi is among the thr… RUF-34238 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Teaching report writing in crop science to undergraduate agriculture students in a Nigerian University R.O. Akinwale · M.A.B. Fakorede · A. Oluwaranti In response to the urgent need for acquisition of technical writing skill by students, the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria introduced a onesemester course on Report Writing in Crop Science (coded CPP 40… RUF-34228 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The adoption and use of ICT by small scale farmers in Gezira State, Sudan K. El-siddig · J.M. Githeko · N.S. Musa In Sudan common sources of agricultural information that have been used are the radio, television, extension, magazines, newspapers and face-to-face communication. This paper sought to identify the key factors that influence the use of ICT… RUF-34195 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of local dairy goat feed resources in Kongwa district, Tanzania S.W. Chenyambuga · T. Damas Msaki · D.M. Komwihangilo · E.E. Ndemanisho Decrease in quantity and quality of pastures during the dry season in Kongwa District has resulted into reduced milk production from the improved dairy goat breeds in the area. Available indigenous leguminous tree and shrub leaves can supp… RUF-34154 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Soil microbial biomass changes with application of organic and inorganic in acid soil of Embu County, Central highlands of Kenya B.O. Danga · J.N. Mugwe · B. Verde Most studies are focused on fertiliser either organic or inorganic to improve soil fertility, health and crop yields in most of the farming systems worldwide. Although organic and inorganic soil fertility improvements impact indirectly on … RUF-34133 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Response of introduced soybean varieties to inoculation with rhizobium in Sud Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo A.A. Angelani · K.D. Bamuleke · B.J. Bashagaluke · B.L. Shukuru +1 more Soybeans are a major source of protein; they contribute to combating malnutrition especially among children. They play very important roles in NRM because they contribute to biological nitrogen fixation through the inoculation with rhizobi… RUF-34121 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 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 Evaluation of exotic cowpea genotypes for grain yields in autumn, winter and summer seasons Ahmed Osman Abunearan Medani Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) as leguminous crop was being needed by the people to supplement their diet in form of protein. Our local cultivars did not provide the continuous yields throughout the year; therefore the current research is requ… RUF-33973 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Minjingu phosphate rock extractability by white lupin and chickpea in Njoro and Kiambu sub-counties, Kenya J.J. Lelei · R. O. Onwonga · J.P. Ouma Declining phosphorus (P) fertility is a major production constraint in Kiambu and Njoro subCounties of Kenya. Use of Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR) to rebuild soil capital P is limited by its insolubility in water. Field experiments were co… RUF-33952 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Does long-term low-rate organic and inorganic nitrogen management guarantee maize yield under semi-arid conditions of eastern Kenya? M. Oscar Kisaka · F.S. Mairura · M.W. Mucheru-Muna · D.N. Mugendi +2 more Drier parts of Embu County endure high atmospheric heat, prolonged dry spells, declining soil fertility and erratic rainfall. Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies have been developed, and tested, with standardized appli… RUF-33948 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Response of tepary beans to plant density in Middleveld, Swaziland D. M. Dlamini · O. T. Edje A landrace of tepary beans [Phaseolus acutifolius ] locally known as nsambasamba, literally meaning high yielding, is a relatively new crop in parts of Swaziland. The white, small-seeded [34 g/100 seeds], is popular in drought-prone areas … RUF-33910 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of different planting methods on performance of New Rice for Africa (NERICA) in Kerio Valley and Marigat, Kenya E. O. Auma · W. K. Bii · L. Ngode The New Rice for Africa (NERICA) which was developed to solve the food crisis has been adopted by farmers in Kenya. Attempts have been made to choose methods of planting for NERICA production but their effectiveness has not been well under… RUF-33833 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Components of resistance that reduce the rate of blast epidemic in GULU-E finger millet variety of northern Uganda J. C. Aru · P. Okori · N. Wanyera There is a large demand for finger millet in East Africa, which is produced in the lake region countries of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda among others. In Uganda, finger millet is second only to maize as a major cereal crop, and occu… RUF-33826 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Journal articles Open Access Using APSIM-model as a decision-support-tool for long-term integrated-nitrogen-management and maize productivity under semi-arid conditions in Kenya M. Oscar Kisaka · F.S. Mairura · M.W. Mucheru-Muna · D.N. Mugendi +3 more There is continued decline in per capita agricultural productivity in the drier parts of Kenya’s central highlands. The declines have been linked to low and declining soil fertility, soil water, high atmospheric heat, prolonged dry-spells … RUF-33784 2015 CC BY 4.0 28 Jul 2015