Research Papers/Topics in Pathology

Plant-Feeding Behaviour and its Efects on the Fitness and Competence of the Malaria Vector Anopheles Gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract: Malaria remains a serious threat in sub-Saharan Africa Available control tools are now largely ineffective. Because of the role of vectors in malaria transmission, integrated vector management strategies that are environmentally safe, economically feasible and acceptable to resource-limited communities are one way to achieve effective malaria control. However, adequate knowledge of the biology, behaviour and ecology of the malaria vectors are imperative. Sugar-feeding from plants i...

Combining malaria control with rural electrification: Social and behavioural factors that influenced the design, use and sustainability of solar-powered mosquito trapping systems (SMoTS) for

Abstract: The research on which this thesis is based was carried out as part of a multidisciplinary project, “SolarMal”, which aimed to evaluate proof of principle for the elimination of malaria from Rusinga Island by augmenting the existing national malaria control programme tools with mass trapping of mosquitoes. As electricity was required to run the mosquito traps and most residents had no electricity, solar systems were also installed,providing lighting and telephone charging as wel...

Differential attractiveness of humans to the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae Giles: Effects of host characteristics and parasite infection.

Introduction: Malaria in man is caused by four species of protozoan parasites1 belonging to the genus Plasmodium. Plasmodium parasites exhibit a complex life cycle involving development through two host2 species: an insect vector3 (definitive host4) and a vertebrate species (intermediate host5). Humans serve as intermediate hosts for several Plasmodium species (P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae) whilst female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles serve as the definitive hosts (Fi...

Cutaneous and Systemic Pathologic Responses of the West African Dwarf Goat to Sarcoptes Scabiei Infestation

ABSTRACT The pathophysiology of Sarcoptes scabiei infestation in the West African Dwarf goat was evaluated in a natural transmission study. Twenty- five adult male West African Dwarf (WAD) goats consisting of 15 naturally infested goats assigned into three equal groups based on severity of clinical disease as: A (mild infestation), B (moderate infestation), C (severe infestation), and10 healthy WAD goats with no previous history of mange infestation assigned into two equal groups as D (for co...

Tomato Post-Harvest Spoilage, Causes And Use Of Selected Botanical Extracts In Their Management In Mwea, Kirinyaga County

ABSTRACT Tomato is an important vegetable crop in Kenya. It is widely grown for home consumption and for sale. The demand for fresh tomato is high both for domestic use and markets. However, tomato post-harvest losses are a threat to the harvested tomatoes. There is no well documented current knowledge on the nature and status of post harvest losses on tomato in Kenya particularly with regard to pests and diseases. In areas where post-harvest losses have been documented the figures vary cons...

Occurrence Of Plant Parasitic Nematodes In Commercial Pineapple Fields And Effect Of Biocontrol Agents On Meloidogyne Species In Kenya.

ABSTRACT Plant-parasitic nematodes, in particular Meloidogyne spp., cause significant yield reduction in commercial pineapple (Ananas comosus) worldwide. In Kenya limited studies have been conducted on nematodes in pineapple although the main commercial producer in Kenya has sole mandate to use Telone II (1, 3-Dichloropropene) indicating the seriousness of the problem. The current study was conducted to provide an update on the occurrence of plant-parasitic nematodes in commercial pineapple f...

Effectiveness Of Antagonistic Bacterial Isolates Against Crown Gall Disease On Roses In Kiambu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT Crown gall is one of the major constraint in rose flower production in Kenya. The study aimed at developing a bacterial based biopesticide to manage crown gall disease on roses. A baseline survey on status of crown gall disease was conducted from July to October, 2017 using a questionnaire administered to the production managers in randomly selected flower farms in Kiambu, Nakuru and Laikipia Counties. Pathogen and the biocontrol isolates were isolated from galls and soil samples, re...

Effect Of Selected Endophytic Fungi And Resistant Tomato Cultivars On Meloidogyne Spp. In The Coastal Region, Kenya

ABSTRACT Tomato production in Kenya, especially in the coastal region has remained low due to pests and diseases attack especially Meloidogyne spp. (root-knot nematodes) which is a serious threat. A study was therefore conducted in the coastal region of Kenya with the aim of sourcing for endophytic fungi (EF) which could be used alongside moderately resistant tomato cultivars to manage Meloidogyne spp. Pathogenecity test of these isolates was carried out in the screenhouse using cv. Cal J. In...

Effect Of Using Trichoderma Asperellum A Biocontrol Agent Aganist Root Knot Nematodes On Nodulation, Galling And Growth Parameters Of French Beans In Kenya

ABSRACT Trichoderma species have been widely reported worldwide as biocontrol agents of plant pathogens and growth promoters. Trichoderma asperellum has been fronted as a biocontrol agent of root-knot nematodes on tomato and French beans in Kenya. However research on the effect of T. asperellum on nodulation particularly in French beans is still lacking. Therefore there is a need to determine the effect of Trichoderma spp. on nodulation. A negative effect could counter the positive effect sin...

Incidence, Prevalence And Management Of Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne Spp.) On Selected Indigenous Leafy Vegetables In Kisii And Trans-Mara Counties, Kenya

ABSTRACT Solanum nigrum L., Cleome gynandra L. and Amaranthus spp. are some of the indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) that contribute to food diet, income generation, good nutrition and health to resource-poor farmers in Kisii and Trans-Mara counties. The production of ILVs is constrained by inadequate land, diseases and pests of which, root-knot nematodes (RKN) are the most damaging pests to vegetable crops causing about 30 % yield losses globally. However, there is no information about the ...

Incidence Of Fusarium Species And Levels Of Fumonisin B1 In Sorghum And Finger Millet In Western Kenya

ABSTRACT.  This study was carried out to determine the incidences of Fusarium species, fumonisin B1 and aflatoxin B1 production in sorghum and finger millet grains collected from selected districts of Western Kenya region. The grains were collected randomly from five locations per district in Nyamira, Kakamega, Busia and Teso districts respectively. Ten farmers per location were randomly selected and samples of 0.25 kg of grains were picked per variety. A total of 16 sorghum varieties and 14...

Screening Selected Common Bean Genotypes For Resistance To Xanthomonas Axonopodis Pv. Phaseoli Constraining Bean Production In Kakamega County, Kenya

ABSTRACT Beans play a significant role in food security owing to its nutritional value and generation of income. However, output of beans in Western Kenya is hindered by diseases, pests, soil infertility and unfavorable weather resulting to low productivity. Of the many diseases of beans, common bacterial blight (CBB) caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap) is a disease of economic importance in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Due to the fact that chemicals have not bee...

Molecular Characterization And Non-Chemical Management Of Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne Spp.) On African Nightshades In Selected Parts Of Kenya

ABSTRACT Root-knot nematodes (RKN) (Meloidogyne spp.) cause up to 80 % yield losses in infected vegetables. A study was carried out to; assess the influence of farmers’ knowledge and awareness on RKN damage on African nightshades (AFNS); assess the incidence and severity of RKN on AFNS; characterize the RKN species infecting AFNS; screen the AFNS for response to RKN and determine the efficacy of solarizing soils amended with selected organic materials against RKN. A root-knot nematode surve...

Plant Parasitic Nematodes Associated With Cabbage In Different Agro-Ecological Zones In Nyandarua And Embu Counties, Kenya

ABSTRACT Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Var. capitata) is an important vegetable crop in Kenya. It is widely used as human food and animal feed. Owing to findings that cabbage is a poor host to root knot nematode (RKN), this crop has been incorporated in plant parasitic nematode (PPN) management as a rotation crop. As a result very little has been done to study nematodes associated with this crop, yet there are reports of nematodes infecting it. A survey was therefore conducted in Nyandarua a...

Management Of Crown Gall Disease In Selected Rosa Hybrida Farms In Kenya Using Artemisia Annua Leaves And Zingiber Officinale Rhizome Extracts

ABSTRACT Rose flower is the world’s most traded cut-flower with 74% of it coming from Kenya. Kenya has potential for higher rose production if challenges of pests and diseases are dealt with. Pests like spidermites, false codling moth, caterpillars, aphids, thrips, nematodes and diseases such as crown gall, downy mildew, powdery mildew and botrytis highly compromise production. Crown gall disease, caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens is the most problematic disease of roses in Kenya and cau...


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