ABSTRACT Food grain shortage in Kenya is attributed to low rainfall and poor distribution in maize growing areas particularly as well as low soil fertility associated mainly with nitrogen deficiency. Use of irrigation water and nitrogen fertilizer is likely to solve this food security challenge. This study was conducted over two seasons covering 2012 and 2013 with the aim of establishing optimal irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer rates for drought tolerant hybrid maize (Zea mays L.), DK8031,...
ABSTRACT Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a drought tolerant crop with a potential for industrial uses. Despite increase in demand for sorghum for industrial use, the local supply is low mainly due to to lack of high yielding sorghum genotypes. A number of genotypes with desirable properties for use in baking, malting and brewing have been identified however there is no information on the performance of these varieties in the agro-ecological zones traditionally used for sorghum product...
ABSTRACT Production of maize in Western Kenya is adversely affected by Striga hermonthica, a hemiparastic weed that produces numerous seeds that remain dormant in the soil for even more than 20years. These characteristics coupled with continuous cereal cropping have contributed to the high level of Striga seeds in the soil and the accompanying maize yield losses. Integrating legumes as intercrops is one way of reducing density of S. hermonthica in the soil and improving the livelihood of sub...
ABSTRACT Stem rust (Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici- Pgt) disease is currently one of the major biotic constraints in wheat (Triticum aestivum) production worldwide. Access to diverse sources of genetic resistance is important in building a broad base resistance to stem rust in our commercial wheat varieties. The obejectives of this study were (i) to screen wheat genotypes from diverse origins for both seedling (SPR) and adult plant resistance (APR) to the predominant Ug99 race and its varia...
Soybean [Glycine max (L) Merrill] yields in Kenya range from 445-1200 kg ha -1 against potential yields of 3500 kg ha -1 . The low yields are attributed to soil moisture stress and use of poor agronomic practices. The objectives of the study were to determine effect of soil moisture regimes on CO2 assimilation, growth and yield of selected soybean cultivars; to determine effect of planting density on yield and yield components of soybean and to determine effect of soybean and maize i...
The potential of sorghum to meet food, feed and farm income needs of smallholder farmers in arid areas of Kenya relies on the identification and cultivation of appropriate varieties. Sorghum cultivation for food grain and quality fodder from the same crop is not well established among varieties in Kenya. The fodder– cum–grain yield potential of important varieties required to be identified to enable farmers in semi-arid areas to select appropriate varieties and crop management progra...
The use of mineral and organic fertilizer to produce maize in Malawi is essential to ensure high yields, due to a decline in soil fertility. Smallholder farmers however, apply sub-optimalamounts of inorganic fertilizers to produce maize due to high prices. The objective of the study was to evaluate effect of integrating chicken manure and mineral fertilizer on nitrogen uptake, growth and yield of hybrid maize in Malawi as a low cost measure. Field experiments were done in Lilongwe and Z...
ABSTRACT Efficient breeding and selection of elite tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) clones require sound knowledge and understanding of genetics associated with yield, quality and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. A series of experiments were carried out to elucidate the genetic parameters and map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for agronomic and quality attributes in tea. The combining abilities and heterosis for yield, drought tolerance (DT), and quality traits (percent total p...
ABSTRACT Potato is a strategic commodity with the potential to improve food and nutrition security and to generate income in Rwanda. Despite its potential, potato intensification remains low, translating into low yield. The low yield is occasioned mainly by the decline in soil fertility. In addition, farmers adapt a blanket fertilizer recommendation rate which is not sensitive to the actual crop needs. Field experiments were conducted in Birunga, Mudende [L1] and Buberuka, Rwerere [L2] highl...
ABSTRACT Moisture deficit limits yam production. Availability of drought tolerant yam will improve yield and expand area of production. Soil inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi (AMF) improves tolerance of plants to drought. However, there is limited information on the response of yam to drought and AMF inoculum. This study was conducted to identify drought tolerant yam accessions and determine the effects of AMF. Two glasshouse and one field experiments were conducted, each in ...
ABSTRACT Adverse soil moisture deficit as a result of high ambient temperatures and high velocity June winds at critical stages of maize growth had been singled out as the most important factor limiting maize yield in Coastal Kenya during long rain season. This study was carried out to study the effect of foliar applied kaolin and coir dust mulch on evapotranspiration and yield of Pwani hybrid 4 maize. A 2x2x4x3 split-split plot design experiment, replicated thrice was set at Pwani University...
ABSTRACT Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia Kurdjumov) (RWA) and the emergence of stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers. f.sp. tritici ) race TTKSK (‘Ug99’) in Kenya are currently some of the most binding constraints to wheat production in Kenya. Severe infestation by RWA may result in yield losses of up to 90% in commercial wheat cultivars while ‘Ug99’ infected plants may suffer up to 100% loss. The two pests combined have seriously affected wheat farmers forcing them to heavily rely o...
In order to revamp agricultural production in Zambia, Government in 2002 introduced the. Farmer Input Support Programme whose aim was to improve small scale farmers’ access to maize based agricultural inputs. However, in 2015/16 season, the Ministry of Agriculture moved away from the conventional FISP and introduced an Electronic Voucher system which broadened the target inputs farmers were allowed to purchase beyond maize inputs only. The overall objective of this study was to assess ...
Field experiments were conducted for two successive rainy seasons (2014/15 and 2015/16) and for two successive irrigated winter seasons (2014/15 and 2015/16) in sandy soil at experimental Farm, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Kordofan, Elobeid. The aim of this study was to evaluate 10 forage Sorghum genotypes under rain-fed and to investigate the effect of these 10 genotypes and watering interval (7 and 10 days) under irrigation on growth, yield and...
Afield and a pot experiment wereconductedin season2016