Agriculture

Research Papers/Topics in Agriculture

Socio-Economic Factors in Technology Development and Adoption: An Assessment of the “Push-Pull” Technology of Controlling Maize Stem Borers in Trans Nzoia District

Abstract: This study sought to examine the collaborative participation approach and technology adoption. The objective of this study was to determine the linkage between socio-economic factors in collaborative participation and technology adoption and diffusion among Trans Nzoia district resource-limited farmers. Collaborative participation involves farmers, researchers, and extension agents in developing and disseminating technology. The study reviewed the push/pull’ technology of control...

Potential Effects of Climate Change on Tritrophic Interactions in Crucifer Farming Systems of Mount Kilimanjaro and Taita Hills

Abstract: Diamondback moth (DBM) (Plutella xylostella L.), a pest of cruciferous vegetables worldwide, is resistant to major groups of insecticides, and attention has shifted to biological control using parasitoids. However, DBM and its parasitoid species have individual climatic requirements which, when not met adequately due to climate change, will potentially disrupt biological control of the pest. The response of this pest and its parasitoids to climate change at a local scale is less do...

Bio-ecology of the African citrus triozid Trioza erytreae Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Triozidae) on citrus in Kenya

Abstract: Citrus production is a major industry in Kenya. Apart from providing income and jobs, it contributes to food and nutritional security. For the last decade, citrus production has experienced a continuous decline, particularly in the Kenyan highlands. Consequently, production is unable to meet local demands, which has led to increased imports of citrus. Low production has been attributed to pest and diseases, of which the African citrus triozid (ACT) Trioza erytreae Del Guercio (Hem....

Acoustic detection of insect pests of stored grains in Kenya

Abstract: Grain production by Kenyan farmers, an important resource for their food security, faces constant challenges from pre- and post-harvest conditions favorable to rapid growth of insect populations. Currently, Kenya must import grain to meet consumption needs; however, if losses due to insects in storage facilities could be reduced, significant reductions in grain imports could be achieved. A review of current grain resources available in Kenya indicated that its grain production has ...

Assessment of incidence, severity and distribution patterns of citrus greening in Kenya and Tanzania; the role of African Citrus Triozid endosymbionts in disease epidemiology

Abstract: Infestation by insect pests and infection of disease causing pathogens are among the major biotic constraints hindering production, profitability and contribution of citrus to economic development. The African citrus triozid (ACT), Trioza erytreae (Del Guerico) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) and the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri (Kuwayama) (Hemiptera: Liviidae), known vectors of Candidatus Liberibacter spp. pathogens, causal agents of the incurable and deadly citrus greening ...

Biological performance, response and population dynamics of Tetranychus evansi (Acari: Tetranychidae), as influenced by different African nightshade (Solanales: Solanaceae) species

Abstract: Despite the vast research on trichome-based resistance as well as plant chemical factors in plant-herbivore interactions in Solanaceous plants, little or no information is available on the association between Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard and these mechanisms in African nightshades. The current study which was carried out from December, 2006 to March, 2009 focused on five African nightshade species viz. Solanum sarrachoides Sendter, S. villosum Mill, S. tarderemotum Bitter...

Effects of Cultivar, Isolate and Environment on Resistance of Wheat to Septoria Tritici Blotch in Kenya

Abstract: The research described in this thesis focused on the characterization of some of the factors that influence disease assessment, development and expression of resistance in wheat cultivars to septoria tritici blotch. Earliness appeared to have a strong effect and tallness a small effect on disease severity (DS). A regression equation derived was used to correct the DS in the entries. Another method that gave good disease assessment was to group the cultivars according to their earli...

Economics of integrating push-pull technology in maize-dairy farming systems in eastern Uganda

Abstract: Cereals particularly maize, are the most essential food and cash crops for majority of smallholder households in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In maize production, small-sized producers are confronted with different constraints including stemborers, Striga and degraded soil leading to poor crop yields. In response to these challenges, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) and collaborators came up with a habitat management approach; the Push-pull Technology ...

Development of Semiochemical-based Strategies for the Management of Antestia bug, Antestiopsis Thunbergii (heteroptera: pentatomidae)

Abstract: Antestia bug Antestiopsis thunbergii (Gmelin) is a key insect pest of Arabica coffee associated with high losses in terms of quality, yield and export market of produce from the African region. Although the pest prefer feeding on unripe (mature) green berries than other coffee berry maturity stages or coffee parts, the cues that influence their host choice are unknown. In addition, A. thunbergii is gregarious in the field and produces a strong distinct smell while disturbed, which ...

Elucidating Tuta absoluta(Meyrick) invasion and enhancing itsmanagement inEastern Africa: spread, socio-ecological impacts, andpotential of a newly importedlarval parasitoid for classical bio

Abstract: Agriculture is a fundamental source of sustainable livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa and millions of people in the region rely solely on small-scale farming for their food security. However, the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) on crop production are serious, and there is no sign of this abating. Among the recent IAS that have invaded Africa in the last decade, the South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) has been one of the most damag...

Carbon stocks variability in Agro Ecosystems along an Altitudinal Gradient: a case study of Taita Hills, Kenya

Abstract: This study quantifies the effect of land cover change and seasonality on soil organic carbon and carbon dioxide emissivity. It takes to account the coupled inter-relationships with other ecological factors such as temperature and moisture. Next, the study assesses how topographic and ecological factors drive spatial soil nutrient stock variations and quantifies the observations required to discriminate stock detection in the mountain ecosystem. Thereafter, the study derives and eva...

Management options for Rice Stem borers in irrigated low land rice ecosystems in Tanzania

Abstract: Studies were carried out to establish the role and significance of rice stem borers as pests of rice crop in irrigated low land rice ecosystems in Tanzania; and to evaluate the effectiveness of some management options against the pest. A survey by means of structured questionnaire was init ially used to assess the farmer’s perception on rice stem borers and their management practices in three wards of Kilombero district in Morogoro Region, namely, Mkula, Sanje and Signali. This w...

Economics of Biological Control of Cereal Stemborers in eastern africa: a case Study of maize and Sorghum production in Kenya

Abstract: The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), undertook a biological control (BC) programme for control of stemborers from 1993 to 2008, to reduce cereal yield losses due to stemborer attack in East and Southern Africa. The programme released four biological control agents—Cotesia flavipes, Cotesia sesamiae, Telenomus isis and Xanthopimpla stemmator—to control the economically important stemborer pests Busseola fusca, Chilo partellus and Sesamia calamistis....

Status and Management of Rice Blast Disease caused by Pyricularia Oryzae cav. in upland rice in selected Regions in Tanzania

Abstract: This study aimed to enhance effective rice blast disease management by the establishment of the current status of the disease, its effect on yield of selected upland rice genotypes and the use of environmentally friendly methods such as bio-agents and hot water seed treatment. Two surveys were conducted in 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 rice growing seasons to investigate farmers’ knowledge of rice blast disease and its management and to establish the incidence and severity of rice blas...

Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativa L.) in South-South Nigeria

The experiment was conducted at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching and Research farm, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria from April to August, 2019  on  the  effects  of  organic  and  inorganic  fertilizers  on  the  growth  and yield  of  cucumber  (Cucumis  sativus  L).  The  research  was  done  in  a randomized complete block design with four treatments and replicated four times. The treatments include control (no application), NPK 15:15:15, spent mushroom ...


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