Browsing by Author "Isutsa, Dorcas Khasungu 2"

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Coffea arabica cultivar Ruiru 11 sibs exhibit significant variation in plant regeneration through direct somatic embryogenesis.
(ISDS LLC, Japan, 2018) Mayoli, Rose Nduku 1*; Isutsa, Dorcas Khasungu 2; Nyende, Aggrey Bernard 3; ; ;
This experiment evaluated the response of 11 selected recalcitrant coffee ‘Ruiru 11’ sibs to plantlet regeneration through direct somatic embryogenesis. Third leaf pair explants from field-grown mother plants were harvested, sterilized and induced for up to 12 months in half-strength Murashige and Skoog basal salts medium supplemented with 1 ml/L thidiazuron, 0.2 g/L thiamine, 0.1 g/L nicotinic acid, 0.1 g/L pyridoxine, 20 g/L sucrose, 100 mg/L myoinositol, 100 mg/L cysteine and 3 g/L gelrite. Embryos were sequentially transferred to media for shooting for 8 weeks, rooting for 6 weeks and weaning for 4 weeks. The explants were effectively sterilized using 30% sodium hypochlorite (3.85 v/v) for 20 minutes. The sibs showed significant (P<0.05) genotypic variation, with sibs 11, 41, 71 and 121 from ‘Catimor 86’and those from ‘Catimor 90, 128 and 134’ regenerating somatic embryos, whereas sibs 52 and 142 from ‘Catimor 88’ failing to do so. Sib 137 had the highest 63% embryogenic rate and 3.7 average embryos per explant. Sibs 71 and 137 embryos developed longest shoots, with 84% of sib 137 embryos developing shoots. Sibs 93 and 71 embryos developed longest roots, with 91% of sib 71 embryos developing roots. About 91% of sib 71 plantlets survived acclimatization. Sibs 137, 71 and 93 were classified as highly embryogenic, whereas sibs 52 and 142 were non-embryogenic. Sib 71 best responded to plantlet regeneration through direct somatic embryogenesis. Therefore, sib 71 plantlets should be used in future as stocks for mother plants for mass propagation of ‘Ruiru 11’.
Marketability of value-added pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) fruit in selected Kenyan markets.
(Science Publishing Group, 2019-03-19) Kiharason, Jedidah Wanjiku 1; Isutsa, Dorcas Khasungu 2; ; ;
Abstract Pumpkin (C. moschata Duch.) fruit is a highly nutritious horticultural crop with great potential for commercialization. However, in Kenya many households do not buy and utilize pumpkins regularly, leading to low demand. These scenarios increase post-harvest losses and provide no incentive for farmers to increase production in Kenya, which has an abundance of pumpkin landraces that unfortunately remain under-exploited and under-utilized. Their distribution and marketing is a great challenge due to easy perishability. Horticultural crops experience losses in quality and quantity in between harvest and consumption. The magnitude of post-harvest losses in fresh fruits and vegetables is estimated to range from 20% to 50% in developing countries. The present study determined marketability of fresh fruit, and the spoilage rate of fresh fruit in the various presentation formats (eighth, quarter and half slices and a control of whole fruit either wrapped or not with cling film). Selling was facilitated by four market women in Nyeri County of Kenya. Statistical analysis showed significant differences (P<0.05) in number of spoilt pieces over time, and between number of days to spoilage of whole fruit, compared to slice fruit. More quarter and half slices got spoiled after a few days of presentation to buyers. Nonetheless, quarter slices had the highest (54.5%) pieces sold, while half slices had the fewest (9.8%) pieces sold. However, no significant differences occurred in average number of pieces sold, or in amount of money from sale of fruit pieces of different presentation formats. Most consumers preferred buying smaller slices. Therefore, adoption and promotion of pumpkin presentation formats that effectively increase shelf-life is recommended to enhance production and utilization in Kenya.
Potential of orange-fleshed sweet potato in increasing vitamin A dietary intake in up to 60-month-old children in Laikipia, Kenya
(CODEN (USA):, 2014-04) Kiharason, Jedidah Wanjiku 1,2*; Isutsa, Dorcas Khasungu 2; ; ;
Developing countries, more so those in sub-Saharan Africa, are having to grapple with high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency. Food based approaches are being recommended as the sustainable interventions. In Kenya, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are being recommended as one such food. This study was therefore designed to assess the potential of orange-fleshed sweet potato to improve vitamin A intake by children 25-60 months old in Rumuruti division of Laikipia district, Kenya. , Using a semi-structured questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was carried out among 227 mothers with the target children. The situation of vitamin A deficiency was assessed using one biological and five of a composite of demographic and ecological indicators. The extent of production and consumption of sweet potato by households were also assessed. A 24-hour recall was used on a sub-sample of 32 mothers to determine dietary intake of vitamin A by the children. A focus group discussion was used to determine awareness about night blindness and its local term. As a sub-clinical indicator for vitamin A deficiency, night blindness was carried out on only 4.8% of the children; the rest had received vitamin A supplementation within the last six months. Data was coded, entered, recoded and analyzed using MS Excel, Vitamin A Intake Calculator, SPSS and Epi-Info. None of the few children assessed showed any night blindness. However, demographic and ecological indicators indicated that the children were at risk of vitamin A deficiency: 86% households were surviving on less than one dollar per person per day and less than 75% of the children were consuming vitamin A-rich foods for more than 3 days in a storage of extra intake of beta-carotene in the body, while production and consumption of OFSP constitutes a sustainable source of vitamin A.