Abstract Bacteria are a very diverse group of organisms in soil, and major taxonomic groups are represented in most soils. The extent of the diversity of microorganisms in soil is seen to be critical to the maintenance of soil health and quality, since a wide range of bacteria are involved in the important soil functions. The objectives of this study were to isolate, characterise and identify groups of bacteria from Bacillus species that are associated with soil quality in tea growing areas ...
Abstract In the last several years information on the gut ecosystem of termites has continued to be gathered. Most studies have been focused on wood feeding termites but studies on soil feeders remain sparse owing to their difficulty of establishing permanent laboratory cultures. The aim of this study was to isolate, characterize and identify bacteria resident in the soil feeding termite gut, mound and parent soil of Cubitermes species with the potential to produce antibiotics and enzymes fo...
Abstract The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam) is a major staple food in many parts of the world. Sweet potato leaves and tubers are consumed as food and livestock feed. Biotic and abiotic stresses affect yield leading to a reduction in production. This review analyzes factors limiting sweet potato production and the progress made towards stress tolerance using genetic transformation. Genetic transformation could enhance yield, nutritional value and tolerance to stress. Transgenic sweet pot...
Abstract Genus Eucalyptus belongs to the family Myrtaceae and consists of more than 900 species, various hybrids and varieties. The major species that are grown in Kenya are Eucalyptus grandis, E. globulus, E. saligna and E. camaldulensis. Most Eucalyptus species are highly dependent on rainfall and this is challenged by climatic changes owing to global warming making it difficult to effectively match the availability of mature trees and the market demand especially for use as power transmi...
Abstract: This dissertation presents research on the value of using different sources of data to explore the factors determining invasiveness of introduced species. The research draws upon the availability of data on the historical trial plantings of alien species and other sources. The focus of the study is on Australian Acacia species as a taxon introduced into southern Africa (Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland). The first component of the study focused on understanding the factors deter...
Abstract: Aloe marlothii is a winter-flowering succulent that is widespread in the savanna biome of northern and north-eastern South Africa. Plants grow up to 8 m in height and are commonly found on rocky north-facing slopes. Nectar production occurs through a 24 h period with flowers producing copious amounts (c. 250 µl) of dilute nectar (c. 12%). This abundant nectar supply, that is available for a 5-10 week period during June-August, is utilised by numerous opportunistic avian nectarivor...
Abstract: Prior to this in-depth phytosociological classification and biogeographical study, the only other intense floristic study focussing on all plant species done specifically on Mariepskop was the work by Van der Schijff and Schoonraad (1971 The aims of the study were to: (1) describe and map the plant communities above 1800m at Mariepskop; (2) analyse the life forms in each community using Raunkiaer’s (1934) classification as modified by Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg (1974) in order...
Abstract: Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Chessman) has socio-cultural, ethno-medicinal and economic use values. Nearly all enset genotypes are being threatened by bacterial wilt disease upon conventional propagation. Therefore, this research was designed to develop mass in vitro propagation protocol for three elite enset varieties from shoot tip explants. The experiment was laid out in CRD with three replications in factorial arrangement. Apart from ethanol (70%), sodium hypochlorite (NaO...
Abstract: Green nanoparticle synthesis techniques for various biological activities and medical applications are desired because of their bio-compatibilit. Hence, in this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using root extracts (aqueous, methanol and hexane) of V.officinalis. The antibacterial efficacy of the nanoparticles was assayed by the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method against bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The minimum inhibito...
Abstract: Post-harvest losses are one of the major causes of food insecurity in the developing world. The present study was planned to investigate the effect of neemseed and garlic bulb powders in control of maize weevil and prolonged storage of maize grains. A 3x3x2 factorial experiment was laid in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) replicated two times. The result indicated that all the treatments had shown high repellence against maize weevil at all amounts of treatments (5, 10, and 15 gr...
Abstract: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are ubiquitous soil organisms. They form symbioses with majority of terrestrial plants and contributor to mineral and water uptake, plant biodiversity, productivity, ecosystem stability and function. However, AMF community structure and function are affected by land use and land cover changes. This necessitates the exploration of the AMF land- use change association within selected agro-ecosystems in the country. To this end, a site was selected a...
Abstract: Endod (Phytolacca dodecandra L’Heit var. E-44 and E-17) is medicinal plant of high saponin content used as molluscicide to control Schistosomiasis. The aim of, this study was to develop a micropropagation protocol for P.dodecandra. The E17 and E44 variety leaf explant was sterilized and cultured on MS media supplemented with different types of concentration and combination of cytokinins and auxins for shoot initiation, multiplication and root initiation. Local bleach (Berekina) 3...
Abstract: The growing phenomenon of antibiotic resistance, particularly to pathogenic microorganisms, in current medicine, has directed the concern of scientists for finding novel antimicrobial agents from plant origin with negligible side effect. The aim of this study was to screen the major secondary compounds of leaves of D. stramoinum and J. schimperiana and to evaluate their antimicrobial properties against (S. aureus, S. typhi and S. boydii). Extraction was done by maceration of leaf p...
Abstract: Lantana camara is an invasive weed species that has allelopathic effects on crops and other indigenous associated plants. Allelochemicals from such plants may also have positive or negative impact on soils. Therefore, the research was carried out to investigate the allelopathic effect of leaf extracts of Lantana camara and soils invaded by it on Brassica carinata. Leaf extracts of Lantana camara were prepared with water, hexane and methanol, while distilled water alone was used as ...
Abstract: Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by local people and associated indigenous knowledge was conducted in Gummer woreda, Gurage Zone, SNNPRS of Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to investigate and document the traditional medicinal plants used by indigenous people of Gummer Woreda together with indigenous knowledge. Data collection tools were semi-structured interviews, field observations and group discussions. Descriptive statistics informant consensus factor, fidel...