Agriculture

Research Papers/Topics in Agriculture

Soybean (Glycine Max) Response To Rhizobia Inoculation As Influenced By Soil Nitrogen Levels

ABSTRACT Inoculation of soybean (Glycine max) is an efficient and convenient way of introducing rhizobia to soil and subsequently the rhizosphere of the crop. However, its full potential in sub-Saharan Africa is yet to be realized due to effects of varying soil limiting conditions. Critical levels of nitrogen (N) below and above which response is not guaranteed are unknown. The objective of the study was to determine the critical range of N outside which response to inoculation is hindered. ...

Effects Of Fertilizer-N And Organic Resource Management On Soil Aggregates Formation And Carbon Cycling In The Central Highlands Of Kenya

ABSTRACT The maintenance of proper levels of soil organic matter (SOM) has been advocated as one of the main ways of combating soil fertility decline in sub Saharan Africa (SSA). SOM levels can be increased through increased aggregate formation as soil aggregates physically protect SOM, from its loss through decomposition. The objective of this study was to investigate how the amendment of soils of varying texture and fertility levels with fertilizer-N and organic resources affects aggregate ...

Small And Medium-Sized Tourism Enterprises As Drivers For Inclusive Growth: Perspectives Of The Regulatory Framework In Mombasa County

ABSTRACT The Tourism sector plays a significant role in the development of many economies worldwide. Ideally, the sector has been credited with the creation of millions of jobs to populations globally. Although tourism has experienced continued growth over the years, the nature of employment the sector has generated still remains an issue of discussion. In fact, there has been wide-ranging apprehension that despite this growth, the sector has not availed satisfactory opportunities for the cre...

Association Between Heavy Metals And Selected Reproductive Parameters In The Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis Niloticus, Along River Ruiru, Kiambu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT The Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, is a tropical fish species of commercial importance in both aquaculture and in the wild. It plays a great role in human nutrition and food security. Industrial effluents, contaminated with pollutants such as heavy metals are released into water bodies such as streams and rivers, in most countries. River Ruiru is one of the rivers faced with pollution from nearby industries. It is inhabited by various species of fish such as catfish, tilapia a...

Effect Of Vine Lengthon Growth, Yield And Nutrient Concentrationof Sweet Yellow Passion Fruits (Passiflora Edulis Var. Flavicarpa) In Embu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT Sweet yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa) is widely gaining adoption in Kenya, emerging as an important high market value horticultural crop. However, its current yields are low due to poor agronomic practices among other reasons. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of vine length on growth, yield and nutrient concentration of sweet yellow passion fruits in Embu County and evaluating orchard management practices for sweet yellow passion frui...

Ecological Factors Influencing Distribution Patterns Of Three Aristida Species And Their Associated Species In Kifuko Ranch, Laikipia County, Kenya

ABSTRACT Species of Aristida are a common component of rangelands of Northern Kenya. They provide high value pasture to livestock, especially during their young stage of growth. The ecological data relating to the distribution of Aristida species at a local scale is scanty. The objectives of this research were; to assess the distribution patterns of the three Aristida species occurring at Kifuko ranch during wet and dry seasons, to determine plant species associated with the three species of ...

Effects Of Bischofia Javanica (Bishopwood) On Stand Structure And Species Diversity In Natural And Planted Vegetation Types In Kakamega Forest, Kenya

ABSTRACT Recent studies have indicated that Bischofia javanica Blume (Euphorbiaceae), a tree species that was introduced in Kakamega forest as a restoration species in the early 1960s, is gradually recruiting and dominating its secondary and plantation forest stands. It is not clear whether this is a transitional succession process or a permanent takeover of the forest. The species has been reported to be invasive in other parts of the world such as Bonin forest and Oceanic Islands in West P...

Effects Of Phosphorus Deficiency On Secondary Metabolites And Distribution Of African Nightshade In Siaya And Kisii Counties, Kenya

ABSTRACT African Indigenous Vegetables form an integral part of the Kenyan diets, among the most commonly consumed being the African nightshade. These vegetables contain important phenolics that have medicinal values and good health attributes. The abundance of these phenolic substances has strongly been associated with phosphorus use efficiency. In order to investigate the effect of phosphorus stress on African nightshade distribution, a purposive research was done from February 2014 on 70 ...

Assessment Of The Performance Of Small-Scale Dairy Farming In Meru County, Kenya

ABSTRACT Despite the apparent importance of the dairy sub-sector to Kenya’s economy, the sector is plagued with low milk production. The general objective of the study was to assess dairy performance among the small-scale farmers in Meru County. The specific objectives were (i) to characterize small-scale dairy farmers; (ii) to assess the profitability of small-scale dairy enterprises; and (iii) to determine the factors influencing profitability among small-scale dairy farmers in Meru Coun...

Host Resistance And Interaction Between Root Knot Nematodes And Fusarium Wilt Of Tomato

ABSTRACT Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most popular vegetable crops grown worldwide, owing to its nutritive value, income generation and diversified use. Tomato cultivation in the coastal region of Kenya is limited by root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and Fusarium oxysporum. A survey was done in five farming counties of the Coastal region of Kenya. Meloidogyne spp. and F. oxysporum were isolated from diseased tomato plants and identified. Host resistance and interaction...

Effects of coloured agronets in the management of tomato (solanum lycopersicum l.) Pests and tomato yield in kenya

ABSTRACT Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a valuable vegetable crop in Kenya, grown mainly by small-scale farmers.It provides food security, nutrition and income for many small-holder farmers. Despite its economic importance, tomato production faces major challenges including scarcity of high quality fruits, insect pests and diseases. Currently farmers have relied on application of pesticides to manage the tomato pests. Pesticides are expensive to the farmer and have a negative impact to ...

Low Cost Tissue Culture Of Selected Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) And Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas (L) Lam.) Varieties

ABSTRACT Drought has become a major contributor to food insecurity in sub-Sahara Africa. Drought-tolerant crops such as cassava and sweet potato can help alleviate this situation. However, lack of affordable healthy planting materials of farmer-preferred varieties is a major constraint to sweet potato and cassava production. Conventional tissue culture technology offers an important solution to this but it is very costly, making plantlets out of reach for resource poor farmers. Hence, it is n...

An Analysis Of Sesame Crop Value Chain: A Case Study Of Kordofan Region, Sudan

ABSTRACT There is an urgent need to improve production and marketing conditions of small holder farmers in Kordofan region of Sudan in order to alleviate poverty and enhance food security. This study was conducted to determine the profitability of the sesame value chain as one of the viable options that can address the challenges of small holder fanners. This study characterized the sesame value chain from producers to processors in terms of material and information flows as well as theinter...

The Contribution Of Rainwater Harvesting From Roof Catchments In Increasing Water Resources For Nairobi City County Residents

ABSTRACT Nairobi City County is faced with acute water scarcity. The daily deficit is currently 170,000 m3 /day which accounts for about 23%. This deficit will escalate as population increases. However, streets are often flooded during heavy rains and water harvesting has been neglected. The County relies mainly on surface water sources from Athi River basin, Tana River basin and over 3000 boreholes. The objectives of this study were to assess volumes of rainwater that can be harvested from ...

Tillage, Crop Residue And Inorganic Nitrogen Effects On Crop Yields, Soil Carbon And Nitrogen In Kirimari Ward In Embu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT  Integration of crop residues, inorganic N and appropriate tillage system is an important strategy for improving soil fertility, enhancing crop yields and reducing food insecurity. Such integration under zero tillage systems could enhance soil structural development and nutrient management hence mitigating against soil impoverishment through nitrogen and carbon losses. Crop residues combined with inorganic N in zero tillage results to a controlled immobilization-mineralization proce...


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