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 Climate variability and Tillage practices: Effect on soil moisture, carbon dynamics and crop productivity in semi arid Zimbabwe J. Keter · J. M. Kinama · R. Moyo · I. Nyagumbo +1 more To improve on low yields of rainfed agriculture which are a result of soil degradation, low fertility and low moisture levels in semi-arid areas and increased climatic variability due to climate change, conservation agriculture (CA) is bei… RUF-34505 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing genetic resistance to soybean rust disease R. Bandyopadhyay · M. Maphosa · C. Mukankusi · H. Talwana Soybean is an important crop worldwide with unrivalled protein quality and content. Sustenance of soybean productivity is, however, compromised by the devastating soybean rust disease caused by the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi. Some resist… RUF-34472 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Sustainable crop production using hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) to enrich soil fertility and conserve soil moisture for maize cropping in smallholder farming systems in Zimbabwe D. Chinamo · F Mapanda · M. Munyati · G. Nyamadzawo +2 more Crop production in smallholder farming systems of Zimbabwe is limited by low inherent soil fertility, particularly N and P and available soil moisture. One of the major agricultural challenges in developing countries is the development of … RUF-34466 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Participatory management of Striga in cereal-based cropping systems in eastern Uganda J. Bisikwa · I. Kapting · M. B. Karuhanga · M. Otim +2 more Striga hermonthica is a parasitic weed that infects cereal crops often causing 30-100% crop losses on farmers’ fields. Past research has developed several effective Striga control strategies, most of which have not been adopted by farmers,… RUF-34365 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The effects of water stress on yield and water productivity of two newly released wheat varieties H. Sirelkhatim Ahmed · A. Amel Ali This experiment was conducted under Gezira condition,Wad Medani, latitude 14º 242 N, longitude 33º 292 E and with an elevation of 405 m above the sea level, during season (2008/2009). A split plot design with four replications and nine irr… RUF-34350 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of chicken and cattle manure on wheat production and soil properties in the high terrace and Karu soils in River Nile State in the Sudan Hassan Khalid Ali · Ali Alkhazin Ali Yousif This study was conducted at Hudeiba Research farm on karu and high terrace soils for two consecutive seasons (2008/09 and 2009/10). Organic manures are traditionally used for supplying plant nutrients. Eight different fertilizer combinatio… RUF-34343 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Creating an innovation platform for research impact: Lessons from the smallholder soyabean program in Zimbabwe S. Mpepereki This paper outlines the establishment of a broad innovation platform on to which more players were invited in efforts to meet the demands of participating farmers. We share this experience to encourage others to undertake impact-oriented p… RUF-34316 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
