Abstract Livestock production is the main source of livelihood in arid and semi‐arid lands A frica. However, desertification characterized by vegetation degradation soil erosion a major threat to sustainability land‐based systems. Native rangeland forage species C enchrus ciliaris L . (Buffel grass/ frican foxtail grass), E ragrostis superba P eyr. ( M aasai love grass) nteropogon macrostachyus H ochst. x R ich.) Monro ex Benth. (Bush rye have been used combat desertification. The objectives...

Participatory rural appraisal techniques and a survey of 100 households were used to evaluate livestock production, pastoral development the Maasai in Mara. It was observed that patterns land-use have principally changed from nomadic pastoralism sedentary pastoralism, agropastoralism, and, some cases, pure cultivation. These trends adversely affected production productive capacity Mara ecosystem. Diminishing grazing area occasioned by expanding cropping has negatively impacted on vegetation...

Abstract Isolates of Fusarium udum from pigeonpea ( Cajanus cajan ) plants with wilt symptoms were collected various districts in Kenya and characterized using cultural characteristics, aggressiveness amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). The 56 isolates F. showed a high level variability aerial mycelia growth, pigmentation radial growth (colony diameter) on potato dextrose agar. 17 seven varieties varied five aggressive groups observed the present study. There no relationships...

Over 80% of farmers in the developing countries use seeds from informal seed supply that is unknown quality status with low physical purity, reduced vigour, and contamination seed-borne pathogens. A survey involving 114 was conducted Makueni Taita counties using a semistructured questionnaire to determine cowpea production practices. Forty-seven samples were collected farmers, thirty-four markets analysed for physiological quality. The data SPSS package. Majority, over 76% used farm-saved...

Cassava productivity is threatened by viral diseases which have become the main phytosanitary problems in cassava farmers. brown streak disease (CBSD) a devastating caused virus (CBSV) and Ugandan (UCBSV) are transmitted whitefly vectors mainly disseminated through use of infected stem cuttings as planting materials. The aim current study was to: (1) assess farmers' knowledge, perceptions on spread, causes management practices CBSD; (2) determine factors associated with satisfaction...

Cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) grows in diverse agro-ecological zones. In Kenya, it is widely cultivated Western and Coastal regions. It mainly grown for food nutrition security excess roots are sold to generate income the farm households. Its productivity per unit of land area high compared maize wheat which staple crops country. However, scarcity cassava planting materials pests diseases limit production these This study aimed at revealing sources varieties used by farmers other...

Despite Kenya's favorable climate for both exotic and indigenous commercial guava production, neglect has limited research on the fruits' physicochemical processing qualities. The white-fleshed, red/pink-fleshed guava, and, to a lesser extent, strawberry guavas that grow in different agroecological zones are most common Kenyan varieties. purpose of this study was determine properties qualities fruits. A completely randomized design used profile composition Approximately 1000kg red...

Abstract Cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ) leaves are nutritious indigenous vegetables that produced and consumed among local communities in Kenya. However, seasonal production limits their utilization. The study investigated the changing trends consumption utilization of cowpea producing households arid semi-arid land (ASAL) areas. A cross-sectional survey randomly selected consuming was carried out Eastern Coastal ASALs Kenya to determine constraints vegetable, thus evaluating its efficiency as...

Abstract In as much spontaneous fermentation of cowpea leaves enhances product diversification, the process is rather slow with poor quality. Limited work has been undertaken to provide input toward standardization and enhancing The current study sought evaluate in‐process fermentative bacteria profile changes due effect optimization leaves. Lactic acid (LAB) isolates from optimized were characterized using biochemical tests, whereby was done Response Surface Methodology model central...

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadium, Hemiptera) has been reported to transmit viruses that cause cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and brown streak (CBSD) in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Currently, there is limited information on the distribution, species haplotype composition whitefly populations colonizing Kenya. A study was conducted major growing regions Kenya address this gap. Analyses mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase 1 (mtCO1) sequences revealed presence four distinct...

This study uses a multivariate probit model and the Poisson regression to examine role of varietal attributes in farmers’ adoption improved pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) varieties Taita District, Kenya. It is based on data collected from 200 households stratified by between April May 2009. The finds correlation decisions made farmers adopt different varieties, implying that using simple analysis could yield biased inefficient results. results further indicate major traits driving rapid are...

Some recent efforts to improve the food and nutrition security of rural households have focused on promotion African indigenous vegetables (AIVs). This has been due challenges smallholder farmers face in participating high-value global systems. AIVs contain vitamins micronutrients not found most exotic vegetables, therefore their consumption could contribute resolving malnutrition among poor households. Higher also lead improved incomes through sales into urban niche markets, resulting...

Enteropogon macrostachyus (Bush rye), Cenchrus ciliaris L. (African foxtail grass)and Eragrostis superba Peyr (Maasai love grass) are important perennial rangeland grasses in Kenya. They provide an source of forage for domestic livestock and wild ungulates. These have been used extensively to rehabilitate denuded patches semi-arid environment This study investigated the dry matter yields hydrological properties three under simulated rainfall at phenological stages; early growth, elongation...

Use of synthetic pesticides reduces the competitiveness Kenyan snap bean pods due to stringent regulations by importers as a result presence chemical residues. This study was conducted determine effectiveness local biopesticides in managing insect pests and diseases beans. Field experiments were set up farmer's field where Trichoderma spp. Paecilomyce plant extracts from turmeric, garlic, ginger lemon applied weekly foliar sprays. Plant reduced population whiteflies thrips 58% 41% while...

Abstract Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) caused by virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava (UCBSV) is the most economically important viral of cassava. As a vegetatively propagated crop, development rapid sensitive diagnostics would aid in identification virus-free planting material effective management strategies. In this study, rapid, specific real-time reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) assay was developed for detection CBSV UCBSV. The RT-RPA able to detect...

Common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) germplasm was screened for resistance to charcoal rot Macrophomina phaseolina ) under field conditions at Kiboko and Katumani, eastern Kenya. Of the 313 accessions evaluated, 50 lines were resistant six tolerant M. , incidence less than 25% between 50% respectively. Yields ranged from 135 1051 kg ha −1 compared with 55 susceptible control A464. Time maturity did not seem influence or affect susceptibility of various accessions.