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Assessment of biomass production from tithonia diversifolia and sapium ellipticum.
(Chuka University, 2016) Maragara, E.N.; Musalia, L.; Njoka, E.N.
The amount and quality of fodder crops, such as Napier grass drastically declines during dry season. This reduces feed availability and impacts severe effects on livestock performance, in terms of growth, milk and meat production. Fodder trees and shrubs have been proportionately overlooked in terms of the research effort devoted to agricultural cropland, pasture grasses and fruit trees crops. Although they are the most visible plant forms in arid lands, shrubs have been neglected in most scientific research and land management policies. There is need, therefore, to explore the potential of indigenous fodder species as an alternative to introduction of exotic ones. Data on many indigenous fodder trees and shrubs biomass production is lacking. The objective of this study was, therefore, to assess the potential of biomass production from Tithonia and Sapium forages for use as possible substitutes to napier grass so as to widen the choice of forages and reduce risk of single species, such as napier grass and or Leucaena leucocephala, dependence. Biomass assessment for Tithonia and Sapium at KARI Embu involved selection of site, plot identification, plot demarcation, herbage harvesting, yield and dry matter determination. The herbage stems under shade were taller and slender than those under sun. The yield of Napier grass compared to both Tithonia and Sapium forages was much less because Tithonia was more aggressive in growth and Sapium had a deeper rooting system than Napier grass
Pesticide use knowledge, attitude and perception influence residue occurrence in french bean (phaseolus vulgaris) pods in Murang’a County, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2016) Njue, A.M.; Mucheru, M.; Maina, M
Some Kenyan horticultural products are rejected in export markets due to excess Maximum Residue Levels. Farmers need assistance on pesticide use to meet stringent quality crop, freedom from pests and pesticide residues standards. This study assessed farmers’ knowledge, attitude and practice that may influence pesticide residue occurrence on their crop and health. A cross-sectional survey was done among French bean farmers in Murang’a County. Stratified random sampling was done based on use of synthetics or biopesticides for organic production. Questionnaires were administered to 100 French bean farmers via face-to-face interview in Kikuyu language by trained enumerators. Pesticide use knowledge, attitudes, and practices were scored and dichotomized and Chi-square-tested at P=0.05. The pesticide use practices were significantly different across the demographics such as education level and years of practice. The knowledge on pesticide use was very high but there was ignorance of protective clothing use and proper pesticide container disposal, which strongly correlated with the health ailments such as headaches at R=0.6. The biopesticides from common plant extracts (Trichoderma, Azandchatra, Mexican marigold) were reported to have better protection against frost but they were slightly lower in crop pest protection than insecticides such as Aster, Cyrux and Extrim. The overall attitude towards biopesticide use was 76%, but most farmers were hindered by lack of knowledge on preparation. Most farmers require the knowledge on mixing, adoption of safer, less expensive and locally available biopesticides, which will catalyze the move towards organic production for good human and environmental health.
Survey on distribution and damage on tomatoes by red spider mite in Subukia and Rongai sub County.
(Chuka University, 2016) Musah S. M.; Kamau A. W; Munene M
A survey was carried out in March 2013 in Subukia and Rongai Sub County to obtain information on key pest of tomato and strategies adopted by farmers for their management. A total of 60 farmers (30 open field and 30 greenhouse) interviewed were randomly selected from the two sub county. The selection of farmer was done in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture staff in the respective sub county. Both primary and secondary data were collected in this study. Primary data was obtained from direct interview of the farmers whereas secondary data was obtained from the various Ward Agricultural Extension offices. A structured questionnaire was administered to each respondent through one farm visit using the most appropriate language or interpreter where necessary. In addition field observations were carried out to verify information provided where the tomato crop was available. The survey showed that most farmers (96.7%) perceived or recorded Red spider mite as the most important pest of tomatoes. The farmers indicated that they experience a crop loss of more than 50% in both short rain and dry seasons if proper control measures were not applied
Improvement of sustainability and profitability of high tunnel tomato production through dissemination of technologies, knowledge and information
(Chuka University, 2016) Mbaka, J; Gitonga, J.; Gathambiri, C.; Mwangi, B.G.; Githuka, P
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important income generating crop in high potential rural areas as well as in the peri-urban areas where availability of farming land is a constraint. Production is mainly by smallholder farmers and has been conventionally under open field conditions until recently when production under modified high tunnels, popularly known as ‘greenhouses’, was pioneered by a few farmers and has gained massive adoption in the last decade. The rapid growth in adoption and uptake of the high tunnel innovation has spawned numerous local enterprises that are fabricating and vending tailor-made tunnels for horticultural purposes. However, implementation of the high tunnels is under serious threat by many biotic and abiotic factors. Early adopters abandon the technology while others get into it. A study was conducted in Embu and Kirinyaga Counties to identify the knowledge and technology gaps that threaten sustainability of the innovation. The most serious threats to sustainability of the high tunnel innovation for tomato production were: bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, insect pests such as whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), poor construction and limited knowledge on management. The Farmer Field Schools were used to train farmers on tomato production in the high tunnels. Parameters considered included: establishment of healthy seedlings in germination trays with coco-peat, solarisation and grafting against soilborne pests, pest identification, scouting and management, post-harvest handling and value addition. Production increased by 80% leading to adoption of the technology. Dissemination of the high tunnel production should always be accompanied with training on management.
Effect of age of improved forage sorghum on prussic acid toxicity and nutritive value to young ruminants in semi-arid Kenya
(Chuka University, 2016) Irungu, R.; Ashiono, G.B.; Muasya, T.K.; Kariuki, J.N
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolour (L.) Moench) is suitable fodder to alleviate feed shortage in semi-arid tropics as it is drought tolerant. Two varieties of forage sorghum were studied to ascertain the effect of age on prussic acid concentration and nutritive value and to establish the threshold at which it would be safe to feed the sorghum to young ruminants. Varieties E1291 and E6518, planted in randomized complete block layout with three replicates, were sampled for prussic acid (hydrocyanic acid, HCN) and nutrient composition at 5 and 10 weeks (first and second weeding and thinning) and thereafter, every 2 weeks up to 22 weeks. The data was subjected to analysis of variance and regression which showed that HCN negatively correlated to sorghum age. Variety E1291 contained less prussic acid compared to E6518. During the study, E6518 and E1291 contained 186.7 and 90.8; 167.5 and 139.8 mg/kg DM, HCN at 5 and 10 weeks, respectively, which decreased significantly to 81.6 and 70.8 mg/kg DM at 14 weeks. Prussic acid concentration in E1291 during the whole study period did not surpass the threshold of 200 mg/kg DM but the concentration in E6518 approached this threshold below 10 weeks’ growth. After 10 weeks’ growth E6518 also did not surpass the toxic threshold. Therefore, E1291 can be fed to young ruminants at any age but E6518 can only be fed after 10 weeks without toxic effects on young ruminants. Dry matter (DM), organic matter and fibre increased whereas crude protein decreased with sorghum age. The sorghum sampled young produced highly nutritious feed for young ruminants. However, the low DM is disadvantageous as ruminants offered these sorghum varieties ingest less DM compared to sorghum containing higher DM. Hence sorghum should be harvested later than 22 weeks of growth for higher DM intake by young ruminants.