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 An evaluation of the effect of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) on soil fertility of sandy soils in central Zimbabwe F Mapanda · A. Tumbure · M. Wuta Crop production in smallholder farming systems of Zimbabwe is limited by low inherent soil fertility, particularly N and P and available soil moisture. The use of efficient N fixing legumes is one way that can sustain soil fertility and co… RUF-34460 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving greengram production for nutritional diversification, income and food security in Uganda G. Elepu · J. Obuo · H. L. Talwana · N. Wanyera This project seeks options for improving greengram production and guidelines for promoting it as a crop for diversification of income and food security in Uganda. The project will analyze the greengram value chain system; identify the key … RUF-34456 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Introgressing resistance to Fusarium root rot in selected farmer preferred Andean bean genotypes from Meso-American line and mapping of associated resistance quantitative trait loci K. Kamfwa · C. Mukankusi · M. Mwala · P. Okori Two populations of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) from K20 x MLB-49-89A and K132 x MLB-49-89A were assessed for resistance to Fusarium solani f.sp. phaseoli. Additionally, 35 SSR markers were screened for polymorphisism in the parents. The res… RUF-34455 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 Characterization of root development in a segregating diploid banana population as a searching basis for resistance to Radopholus similis M. Inamahoro · J. Lorenzen · H. Talwana Plant parasitic nematodes are recognised as the most serious pests of bananas wherever they are grown. Nematodes feed, multiply and migrate inside banana roots causing necrotic and reduced root systems. Genetic resistance to nematodes prov… RUF-34444 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Association of seed coat colour with germination of three wild mustard species with agronomic potential A. T. Modi · J.O. Ochuodho Seed dormancy and germination present significant challenges when wild species are domesticated for cultivation and economic exploitation. Wild plant species are generally characterized by dormant seeds with variable germination widely spr… RUF-34442 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Yield response of different local and hybrid rice varieties to different ponding depths of water N. I. Kihupi · E. Mabvuto Nyirenda · A.K.P.R. Tarimo The combined increase in demand for food and scarcity of water worldwide necessitates saving water and increasing its productivity. This study determined varietal performance of four paddy cultivars - TXD306, TXD220, TXD88 and SUPA in term… RUF-34440 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 Agronomic performance of potato population B3C2 genotypes in southwestern Uganda P. Gibson · R. Kakuhenzire · T. Ndacyayisenga · G. Tusiime Thirteen potato genotypes known as population B3C2 were evaluated for yield and resistance to late blight. Assessment of late blight severity started at the onset of the disease symptoms; disease severity rating was based on visual symptom… RUF-34431 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Conserve and screen premium value indigenous plant biodiversity and products on women smallholder farming systems of East Africa L.S.M. Akundabweni · A. Namutebi Various interventions for promoting the premium value of indigenous plants (IPs) are being adopted to enhance their status in the food sub sector. The project aims to enhance women smallholder farmers’ capacity in target Lake Victoria Basi… RUF-34426 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Exploiting genome synteny in breeding for Protein Quality and Waxiness in maize and sorghum G. Asea · A. BomBom · R. Edema · P. Gibson +2 more Maize and sorghum are important staple cereals in sub-Saharan Africa. Nonetheless, their utility and remunerability is compromised by a low available lysine content and digestiblitiy of both protein and starch in the endosperm. Over the de… RUF-34425 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Ethno-botanical and morphological characterisation of cocoyams (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott and Xanthosoma sagittifolum L. Schott) germplasm in Malawi I. R. M. Benesi · F. P. Chipungu · L. Herselman · M. T. Labschagne +1 more Cocoyam accessions of Malawi were characterised using ethnobotany and morphological characters. Thirty above ground qualitative characters were evaluated. The cultivars were identified mainly based on the predominant leaf base and petiole … RUF-34424 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Linkages between crop residues, termite prevalence, crop lodging and subsequent crop yield under conservation agriculture in Zimbabwe E. F. Mutsamba · I. Nyagumbo Farmers believe that addition of residues to fields in conservation agriculture (CA) attract termites hence increase lodging, although they are beliefs that termites prefer feeding on dry matter and leave the crop. This study carried out i… RUF-34415 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of temperature on maize sensitivity to acetochlor J. Allemann · P. Mphundi This greenhouse study determined the effect of temperature on the herbicide acetochlor. The herbicide was applied a day after planting at the rates of 0.74, 1.47, 2.94 and 5.85 kg ha-1. Plants were kept at three temperature: supra-optimal … RUF-34413 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The effect of timing of earthing up on the performance of four Bambara groundnut landrace cultivars in the Mutasa District of Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe Z.A. Chiteka · S. Mhungu An experiment was carried out at two sites to investigate the effect of timing of earthing up on the yield of four landrace cultivars of Bambara groundut (Vigna subterranean [L.] Verdc.) cultivars in Zimbabwe during the 2006/2007 season. T… RUF-34411 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Combining ability among interspecific (G. hirsutum x G. barbadense) and mutation derived lines of cotton in fiber quality and agronomic traits N. Bbebe · D.M Lungu · B.M. Siamasonta Zambia’s cotton has had a very good reputation on the international market for a long time. In order to maintain this reputation, the cotton Development Trust of Zambia continues to evaluate germplasm for suitable parents. In this study, t… RUF-34409 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
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 Influence of temperature on yield of carrots J. Allemann · G. M. Engelbrecht · N. A. Manosa This study evaluated the influence of temperature on yield and retinol content of two carrot cultivars. Both cultivars yielded higher at lower (10 °C) than higher temperature (18 °C), but retinol content was higher at 18 °C. RUF-34399 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Nutrient content of vegetable amaranth (Amaranths cruentus L.) at different harvesting stages N. D. Makobo · T. A. Mtaita · M. D. Shoko Data on the nutritional content of conventional vegetables can be reasonably associated with a specific stage of plant development, but information about the age of plant development to define harvest maturity for wild or indigenous leafy … RUF-34394 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Factors influencing pesticide use among cocoa farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria Akeem Abiade. Tijani Cocoa production in Nigeria is constrained by insect pests and diseases. The brown cocoa mirid (Sahlbergella singularis), the swollen shoot virus transmitted by mealy bugs and the black pod disease (Phytophthora palmivora and P. megakarya)… RUF-34393 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 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 Fumigant toxicity of five essential oil constituents against major stored-product insect pests of food grains P.K Bett · A.L. Deng · E. A.W. Kamau · S.T Kariuki +5 more Insect pests attacking stored food grains cause substantial losses that undermine food security in sub-Sahara Africa. Subsistence farmers predominantly use traditional plant-based products to protect their grains in storage. In an attempt … RUF-34387 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Analysis of multipurpose uses and management of Zizphus spina-christi (L.) desf. in semi-arid Ethiopia: Implications for food security Feyssa Debela Hunde · J.T. Njoka · M.M. Nyangito · Asfaw Zemede Quantitative ethnobotanical study of Ziziphus spina-christi was undertaken in six areas of east Shewa, Ethiopia. Both structured questionnaire and focus-group interviews were conducted with about 200 households. Arable land cultivation, an… RUF-34380 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
