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Factors Influencing Selection and production of Common Bean Cultivars in medium Potential Agro Ecological Zone of Imenti South Sub-County, Kenya
(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2024-11-20) Ian M. Kirimi1; Moses M. Muraya; Shelmith W. Munyiri; James K. Kiramana; ; ;
Smallholder Farmers’ Perception of Sunflower Commercialization: A Case in Kimilili Sub-County, Bungoma County, Kenya
(Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, 2024-10-20) Wafula Elijah Barasa; Oloo-Abucheli Grace Opetu; Njogu Martin Kagiki; Ireri Dave Mwang
Low-income generation among Smallholder farmers could be attributed to their low sunflower commercialization
with subsequent effects from their knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, commercializing efforts, and trust in critical
stakeholders in the agricultural value chain. Thus, this study analyzed smallholder farmers’ perception of
sunflower commercialization, which may contribute to improving sunflower commercialization. A pilot study was
carried out in Kabuchai Sub-County before the Kimilili Sub-County, Bungoma County, Kenya survey. 288
sunflower smallholder farmers were interviewed using an open and close-ended questionnaire where a multi-
stage sampling procedure was applied. The study used factor analysis and structural equation models to analyze
the perception of smallholder farmers on sunflower commercialization. The factor analysis model reflected that
smallholder farmers firmly trust agricultural cooperatives, media, and the national government in sunflower
commercialization. However, they moderately trusted producer groups, farmer groups, and neighbour farmers.
Smallholder sunflower farmers also strongly trusted different market outlets based on Factors 1 and 2. They
strongly trusted exporters, producer groups, and neighbor farmers under factor 1 as their market outlets but lowly
trusted brokers and supermarkets. Further, they highly trusted brokers and supermarkets under factor 2 as their
market outlets and lowly trusted exporters, producer groups, and neighbor farmers as their market outlets.
Additionally, smallholder farmers expressed their proactiveness strongly on commercial impact, commercial
efficiency, and farmers’ view concerns about their sunflower commercialization. They lowly suggested marketing
channels contracts, and commercial contributions to their livelihoods to shape their proactiveness on sunflower
commercialization. An alpha reliability scale of over 0.79 per measurement variable and a KMO value of over
0.8 was obtained for this study, showing the internal consistency of the data. The SEM analysis showed that
smallholder farmers’ entrepreneurship, trust in institutions, and market outlets influenced sunflower
commercialization. However, their proactiveness negatively affected sunflower commercialization. The study
recommends support of sunflower smallholder farmers in access to market information and strengthening their
trust through institutions viable outcomes on them through the agricultural cooperatives, the national
government, and coordination by the international markets.
Heavy Metal Phytoremediation Potential of Wild Plant Species Naturally Growing on Dumpsite, Kenya
(2024-12-14) Orao LA; Muraya MM; Ombaka CO; ; ;
Soils form an essential part of life and the main sink of pollutants. Intense industrial and
anthropogenic activities have led to serious environmental threats, resulting in increased
heavy metal concentration in soils and, consequently, a phytotoxicity effect on plants.
Phytoremediation can offer effective and eco-friendly remedies for polluted sites. This
study characterized the diversity of various plants that spontaneously grow in a dumpsite
and scrutinized their phytoremediation potential. The plants evaluated for
phytoremediation potential were Ricinus communis, Parthenium hysterophorus, Cassia
didymobotrya, and Datura stramonium. The location of the research was Kang’oki
dumpsite, Kenya. Species diversity was studied using quadrat sampling thrown randomly
throughout the dump site. The bioaccumulation factor (BF) and the translocation factor
(TF) were calculated to determine the accumulation and mobility of the heavy metals in the
plants. To determine the ability of the plants to remove, accumulate, and mobilize the
selected heavy metals, soil and plant sampling was conducted within the 14 sampling sites.
The samples were acid-digested, and concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd were analyzed
using Atomic Absorption spectrophotometry. Data obtained was subjected to statistical
analysis using SAS version 94. Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H’) was used for species
diversity. An H’ of 0.94 and species evenness of 0.45 was found showing a high species
diversity on the dumpsite. Cadmium concentration in soil samples ranged from ND to 1.63
mg/kg of soils and 0.4418 to 0.6939 mg/kg of plant tissues. Nickel concentration ranged
from 7.9 to 36.33 mg/kg in soils and 9.31 to 11.38 mg/kg in plant tissue, respectively.
Copper was found between 3.41 to 121.18 mg/kg of soils and 3.74 to 10.89 mg/kg of plant
tissues, respectively. Lead in soils ranged from 13.25 to 8.013 mg/kg of soils and 11.48 to
13.89 of plant tissues. Leaves accumulated significantly (p < 0.05) higher amounts of heavy
metals than roots and stems. The leaves and stem of Datura stramonium showed the highest
concentration of cadmium and copper, while its stem showed the maximum concentration
of Nickel and lead. Datura stramonium showed BCF and TF >1; hence, it can be used for
phytoextraction of cadmium. All plants showed TF>1; hence, these plants can be used as
hyperaccumulators.
On The Norm of Elementary Operator of Length Two In Tensor Product Of C*-Algebras
(|International Journal of Mathematics|, 2024-12-14) Peter Guchu Muiruri
Considerable research has been done on Norm property of
different examples of Elementary operators with significant
findings. From available literature not much have been done in
determining the norm of elementary operator in tensor product of
C*-algebras. The norms of Basic elementary operator, Jordan
elementary operator and finite length elementary operator in
tensor product of C*-algebras have been determined and results
obtained. The main focus of this work is to investigate the norm of
the elementary operator of length two in the tensor product of
C*-algebras and to expand on our previous discussion on the
elementary operator in tensor product of C*-algebras. To reach
the goals, methods such as finite rank operator, tensor products
of C*-algebras, and other well-known results were applied.
Effects of Socio-Economic Characteristics on Choice of Tuta Absoluta Management Methods in Tomato Production in Mwea, Kirinyaga County
(Science Publishing Group, 2024-10-31) Mwaniki Poline Wawira; Gathungu Geofrey Kingori; Njogu Martin Kagiki; Ireri Dave Mwangi
The study assessed the effect of socio-economic characteristics on the management methods of T. absoluta in Mwea, Kirinyaga
County. The target population was 2300 open fields and 20 green-house tomato farmers in Mwea. A descriptive research
design was used in the study, and a multistage sampling procedure was used to get a sample of 303 respondents. Through a
survey, 283 open-field tomato small-scale farmers were randomly interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Socio-
economic and crop protection data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric modeling. The multivariate
probit model estimates showed that gender, education, age, land size, household income, and extension significantly affected
farmers' choice of pest control methods to manage T. absoluta. The negative coefficients showed that an increase in either one
of the socio-economic factors would help increase tomato yields reduced by T. absoluta. The study results encourage small-
scale tomato farmers to use other pest management methods, such as crop rotation and weeding, so as not to rely on chemical
pesticides alone to control T. absoluta. To learn more about tomato pest management practices, Tomato small-scale farmers
should join farmers' groups and organizations. National and County policymakers should adopt policies to encourage
integrated pest management methods to avoid excess chemical pesticides in tomato production.