Abstract: Laboratory studies were performed on tobacco spider mites (Tetranychus evansi) collected from Chinamhora and Mutoko to investigate grower claims of resistance to commonly used acaricides. Bioassays of T evansi collected from tomatoes showed presence of resistance to dimethotae, malathion, abamectin and amitraz. The RF values for Chinamhora were 1.2 for abamectin, 1.0 for malathion and 1.4 for an1itraz and dimethoate. For Mutoko RF values were 1.2 for aban1ectin and malathion, 1.4 f...
Abstract: Neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss ) is a multipurpose tree widely planted in Sudan. Recently the tree has been singled as a high priority species for natural pesticide this gives it an economic importance. Fresh seeds germinate readily if sown directly after collection but they lose their viability very quickly (4-12 weeks). This study was conducted at the National Tree Seed Centre, Soba-Sudan (June-December 1995) and University of Gezira farm (Dec.94 -Jan.1996). The main objec...
Abstract: Citrus is a major source of income in Kenya for both large and small scale farmers. However, citrus productivity has been declining over the years mainly due to pests and diseases, particularly the African Citrus Triozid (ACT), Huanglongbing (HLB) and False Codling Moth (FCM). Management of pests and diseases is sorely dependent on synthetic pesticides, which not only increases production costs but also are associated with high health and environmental risks. Use of integrated pest...
Abstract: Poultry and fish are important sub-sectors in Kenya providing rural farmer households with income and contributing to their food and nutritional security. Although ownership of these enterprises is not gender specific women are the ones involved in taking care of them. The study utilized cross-section data from a sample of 386 poultry farmers and 278 fish farmers randomly selected from three counties which are Nakuru, Kisii and Kirinyaga Counties. The feed demand for both poultry a...
Abstract: Mango is among the three most imperative crops in Kenya in terms production and crop area. However, mango production is limited by a number of issues, among which pests and fungal disease infestation are major. Among the pests, mango fruit fly present a real challenge to producers due to losses incurred at the farm level. Majority of the farmers have decided to use of pesticides which have negative impacts on health and environment. To promote sustainable and environmentally friend...
Abstract: Check on the attached pdf
Abstract The susceptibility of third install larvae of Helicoverpa armigers to 7 strains of 3 entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) species ie Bueauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae (M.a) and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (P.Fr) was tested under laboratory conditions. Three best performing strains in 3 species/strains ie B. Bassiana 124, M. Anisopliae 79 and P. Fumosoroseus 14 were selected to examine their effectiveness against different larval and pupal stages of H. armigera. Sublethal doses were d...
Abstract: Check PDF for abstract
Abstract: Check on the attached pdf
Abstract: Check PDF for the abstract
Abstract: Tephritid fruit flies are among the notorious pests of horticultural crops in Kenya and have been documented to cause yield losses of 30-100%. Tephritid fruit flies from the Bactrocera and Dacus genera have been identified on cucurbit farm traps, however, their losses have not been quantified. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the occurrence, diversity and host preference of tephritid fruit flies infesting cucurbit and other horticultural crops in coastal Kenya. Infe...
Abstract: This study aimed at comparing the economics of rice production for two different groups of farmers in Mwea Irrigation Scheme (MIS). One group is under the management of Mwea Multi-Purpose Rice Growers (MMRG) and grows a single crop of rice in a year without rotation. The other group is composed of the sons and daughters of MMRG tenant farmers and grows a double crop of rice in a year. It is however not clear which of the two production systems is efficient or realises higher return...
Abstract: French bean is the most important export vegetable crop cultivated in Kenya. Pests and diseases are the major constrains to its production. The major pests of French beans are bean flies, thrips, and bean aphids. Amongst these pests, thrips are the most notorious and account for 63 – 68% yield loss of fresh marketable pods. Frankliniella occidentalis is the most widespread thrips species which has developed resistance to the commonly used synthetic pesticides. Farmers rely heavil...
Abstract: Sericulture (Silk farming) is the rearing of silk moths for the production of raw silk. Silk farming originated from China where it was secretly practiced for many years before spreading to other parts of the world. Silk moths are grouped into mulberry silk moths (domesticated) and wild silk moths. Silk moth cocoon has a double filament made of insoluble protein known as fibroin which is embedded in a water soluble protein called sericin. Prior to processing cocoons, are boiled in ...
Abstract: French bean, (Phaseolus vulgaris) L. is key commodity for export in Kenya. The value of export increased from 4,466.7 Kenya Shillings in 2002 to 4,466.7 Kenya Shillings in 2006. Production of French beans is constrained by many factors including pests, lack of capital and credit facilities, fluctuation in demand, and difficult accessibility to the market, and improper grading. The major arthropod insect pests of French beans include bean stem maggots, flower thrips, pollen beetles,...