Browsing by Author "Musalia, Levi"

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Determination of essential minerals and toxic elements composition of the natural licks consumed by livestock in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya
(2015-11) Nderi, Onesmus; Musalia, Levi; Ombaka, Ochieng
The aim of this study was to determine the quantities of essential and toxic elements in the natural licks consumed by livestock in Igambang'ombe Division in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. Ten highly used licks, five moderately used licks and one abandoned lick were randomly selected. Mineral elements were determined using TXRF, atomic absorption and U-V visible spectrometry methods. Normal averaging and ratio sacle were used to determine the differences in quantities of mineral elements in the licks and control. Results indicated that, Kimenyi lick had the highest quantities of calcium (44,445±425 mg/kg) and magnesium (26,640±85 mg/kg), whereas Kigwanga, Kibuuri and Kieroo licks showed higher levels of sodium (11,279±35 mg/kg), potassium (1,800±12 mg/kg) and phosphorus (67 mg/kg) than control respectively. Levels of iron ranged between 15,252±166 to 67,717±351 mg/kg. Among the toxic elements only vanadium in Riankui lick site was above the globally accepted median range and the rest were below. The study revealed that natural licks had higher levels of essential elements than control sample, and there was no lick that contained high levels of all the minerals than in other licks. Mineral supplementation could be the major reason why livestock consume natural licks in Igambang'ombe Division.
Determination of Essential Minerals and Toxic Elements Composition of the Natural Licks Consumed By Livestock in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya
(2015-11) Nderi, Onesmus Munene; Musalia, Levi; Ombaka, Ochieng
Consumption of natural licks is common among domestic animals under natural circumstances, and as a substitute to commercial mineral licks among smallholder livestock keepers in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya, with a believe that animals obtain potential nutritional benefits. However, this has never been established through an experimental research using natural licks from the study area. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining feed intake, nutrient digestibility and milk production performance in dairy goats fed on natural licks. Four lactating Kenya Alpine Dairy Goats (KADG) in their second lactation stage and weighing 47.5 ± 3 kg were randomly assigned four treatment diets that consisted of three natural licks from Kang'au, Nagundu and Kabariange, and a standard commercial lick (control) in a 4 by 4 Latin square design. A basal diet of Boma Rhodes grass hay and a standard concentrate were fed to the animals, and feed intake, fecal output and milk yield were measured. One way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) model was used for the lick intake, nutrient intake, and apparent digestibility and milk parameters. Correlation analysis was carried out to establish the relationship between natural lick sources and milk parameters. There was no significant difference on dry matter intake, nutrient intake, apparent digestibility and milk yield and quality (P > 0.05) among goats consuming natural licks compared to commercial lick. However, there was a positive correlation (r) with a value of 0.70 between milk production and lick intake. Natural licks can be an alternative source of mineral supplementation where commercial mineral licks are not available.
EFFECTS OF SOIL COMPOSITION, CULTIVAR AND RAINFALL ON ESTABLISHMENT OF SWEET POTATO IN KENYAN HIGHLANDS
(Chuka University, 2022) Kinyua, James; Musalia, Levi; Migwi, Perminus; Muriithi, Gideon
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is grown for human consumption, animal feeding, and industrial products. Six sweet potato cultivars were on farm planted during the long rains in different agro-ecological zones (AEZ); Kieni (Dry), North Nandi (Moderate) and Bomet East (Wet) within the Kenyan Highlands. A piece of land measuring approximately three-quarters of a hectare was subdivided into 18 plots. Each cultivar was planted in three (3) randomly selected plots, 60 basal vine cuttings per row. One-month post planting, the seedlings in different areas were recorded and data anlysed using general liner model for completely randomized design in Statistical Analysis System, 2003. Copper levels was higher (p<0.05) in Kieni than in both North Nandi and Bomet East. Soil pH level was higher (p<0.05) in Keni and North Nandi than in Bomet East. Total nitrogen, carbon, potassium, manganese and zinc level was higher (p<0.05) in Bomet East than in both Kieni and North Nandi. In Kieni, cultivar 103001and Gweri had a higher p<0.05 establishment rate than the rest. In North Nandi, Gweri, Kembu 23 and Wagabolige cultivars had a higher p<0.05 establishment rate than the rest. In Bomet East, Gweri and Wagabolige cultivars had a higher p<0.05 establishment rate than the rest. Establishment rate for cultivar 103001, Gweri and Naspot 1 was higher p<0.05 in Kieni than in North Nandi and Bomet East. Soil composition, cultivar and rainfall affected the establishment rate of sweet potato cultivars in the three study areas.
Performance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fed Diets Containing Blood Meal as a Replacement of Fish Meal
(Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2016) Kirimi, James; Musalia, Levi; Magana, Adiel; Munguti, Jonathan
Abstract A 100 days experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding blood meal (BM) as a replacement of fish meal (FM), as the main source of animal protein, on growth rate and economic performance of Nile tilapia in fertilized pond. Three isonitrogenous diets (35% crude protein) were formulated using either FM as the main source of animal protein (Diet 1); 50% replacement of FM with blood meal (Diet 2); or 100% replacement of FM with BM (Diet 3). Three hundred Nile tilapia fingerlings (12±3 g) were randomly distributed into three groups of four replicates of 25 fingerlings per cage. The groups were randomly assigned the 3 diets which were fed at 2% of their biomass at 10 am and 4 pm every day. Percentage daily weight gain (DWG), relative growth rate (RGR), specific growth rate (SGR), survival rate and feed utilisation efficiency were measured. Fish fed diet 1 were larger (50.69 g) (P < 0.05) than those fed diet 2 (48.47 g) and 3 (40.37 g). Replacement of FM with 50% and 100% BM reduced the incidence cost (45.55, 37.83 and 31.88, respectively). The profit index was highest with 100% (9.42) replacement of FM, compared to 50% (7.95) and 0% (6.69). Although replacing FM with BM was associated with reduced growth, the economic return was better (P < 0.05). Based on the present results, it was economical to use BM as a major protein source instead of FM in formulating fish feed.