Browsing by Author "Oloo-Abucheli, G. O."

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6

Determinants of market outlet choice among smallholder Irish potato farmers in Kinangop Sub-County, Nyandarua County, Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2024) Kamau, P. M.; Oloo-Abucheli, G. O.; Kiramana, J. K.
The market outlet choice is among the key decisions in every farming household since the outlet chosen determines the profits accrued to the individual household. However, smallholder Irish potato farmers face challenges reaching their preferred outlets in Kenya. The research therefore, examined the determinants of market outlet choice among smallholder Irish potato farmers. A descriptive research design was employed to collect cross-sectional data on the year 2022 crop season from sampled 241 smallholder Irish potato growers. Smallholder Irish potato farmers were identified through cluster sampling and interviewed using a semi-structured pretested questionnaire. A multivariate probit model was used to investigate the determinants of market choices. The study revealed that 92.95% of smallholder Irish potato farmers sold their produce to brokers. The likelihood of smallholder farmers choosing the brokers was significantly influenced by land size, market distance, and phone access. Selecting the local market was significantly influenced by land size, gender, information access, market distance, extension, and phone access. The likelihood of choosing urban markets was significantly influenced by age, information, and phone access. The probability of selecting the contracts was influenced significantly by age, market distance, information, credit and phone access, and primary occupation. Therefore, the study recommends agricultural extension agents disseminate relevant information to smallholder Irish potato farmers to facilitate informed decisions when selling their produce
Earthing up and Pruning Systems on Post-Harvest Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon).
(International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 2022) Keter, I. K.; Oloo-Abucheli, G. O.; Muraya, M.; Kiplangat, C. T.
Tomato is a popular and extensively cultivated vegetable among the economically promising commodities in the horticulture sector in Kenya. It provides a wide variety of nutrients with many health-related benefits. This study investigated the effect of integration of pruning and earthing up on postharvest. The experiments were carried out in a split-plot arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and in CRD for both field and laboratory work respectively. Fruit yield data was taken after each harvest. The results from the analysis of variance for the effect of factors (earthing up and pruning system) and their combined effect showed that there was a significant effect on the average weight loss percentage and total soluble solids in both cultivations. The treatments had a significant effect on the average weight loss percentage, total soluble solids, and fruit firmness in both cultivations. The highest fruit weight loss percentages were recorded from all stem pruning system with no earthing up. The highest fruit firmness (3.41 N mm-1 in cultivation 1 and 3.24 N mm-1 in cultivation 2) was recorded from a single stem pruning system and earthing up to 30 cm. The highest total soluble solids (TSS) percentage 6.09 % was recorded in both cultivations under a single stem pruning system and earthing up to 30 cm. To improve tomato postharvest, farmers are encouraged to consider triple stem pruning system in combination with earthing up to level 30 cm.
Effect of Rhizobium Inoculation and Phosphate Rock Fertilizer Application on Biomass Production, Nutrient use Efficiency and Yield Parameters of Green Gram (Vigna radiata)
(Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate (KEPHIS), Kenya, 2022) Mbaka, F. K.; Ndukhu, H. O.; Oloo-Abucheli, G. O.; Kiplangat, C. T.; ; ;
The research was focused on an ecologically sound and highly production of legumes particularly green gram through the application of Rhizobium and rock phosphate fertilizer. Therefore, biomass production, nutrient use efficiency and yield parameters were determined for two growing seasons (November 2019 - January 2020 and February - April 2020), at Chuka university horticultural research farm. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in green grams can improve sustainable soil fertility management and increased production. In Kenya, green gram is a major source of food security particularly in Tharaka Nithi County. However, green gram yields are usually low due to low phosphorous and nitrogen levels of the soil. A factorial experiment of 2 x 2 x 2 was laid out in a randomized complete block design. There were three factors, varieties (N26-nylon and KS20- uncle), phosphate rock (0 and 30 kg P ha-1 ) and Rhizobium MEA 716 (0 and 100 g ha-1 ) making a total of eight treatments which were replicated three times. Soil sampling and analyses were done before planting and after harvesting of green grams. Data on grain yield, total dry biomass, shoot and root dry weights. Phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) were done. Data was analysed using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). Significant means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at probability level of 5 %. Results for both wet and dry seasons indicated that variety KS20 under Rhizobium inoculation and phosphate rock fertilizer (R1P1V2) showed significantly (P<0.05) higher increase in shoot dry biomass (52.01 gplant-1 ), root dry biomass (7.60 g plant-1 ), total dry biomass (146.4 g plant-1 ), number of pods (84 plant-1 ) and yield (2158 kg ha-1 ). Also, there was significant (P<0.05) higher phosphorous use efficiency of 279.32 Kg/ha and nitrogen use efficiency of 1732 kg/ha in treatment R1P1V2 over other treatments. From these results it was concluded that variety KS20 (V2) performed better compared to N26 (V1) under combined application of Rhizobium and phosphate rock fertilizer. Hence, based on the findings, for sustainable and improved green gram production farmers in Tharaka Nithi County.
FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND PROFITABILITY OF POTATO CROP AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN BUURI
(Chuka University, 2022) Kiroria, P. K.; Oloo-Abucheli, G. O.; Gikunda, R. M.; Okode, M. O.
In Kenya, average production of potatoes has stagnated around 2.9 million tons per year in the past 5 years. While seed potato and total land area under cultivation has risen by 4% and 12.3%, respectively; marginal production have gradually declined by 9%. This decline in production could be attributed to farm management practices, specifically fertilizer management. This study analysed how fertilizer management practices influence potato profitability among small-holding farmers. The specific objectives were to determine: adoption and application of fertilizer management practices, profitability of a potato crop farming and association between fertilizer management and profitability of potato crop enterprise in Buuri Sub-county. The study was anchored on the Allocation Theory and employed a cross-sectional correlational research design, a sample size of 377 respondents drawn from target population of 26,604 households. Questionnaire was used to obtain primary data and analysed using descriptive and inferential analysis tools. The result revealed farmers use fertilizer at planting and growth stages while not at tube formation; DAP fertilizer is used at planting, DAP & NPK at growth stage and CAN fertilizer at tube formation stage. Results on traditional methods of rate of application revealed that: farmers use table spoon full at planting, one handful at vegetation and tube formation stage, while for modern measures were 10 grams at planting and 10-20 grams at vegetation & 10 grams at tube formation stages. Result for placement shows farmers apply fertilizer in potato seed hole before placement of seed and four weeks after planting during vegetation. Correlation result shows weak correlation for right type of fertilizer (r=0.041), strong for right time (of r=0.647), very strong for right rate (r=0.913) and right placement (r=0.882). Fertilizer management contributes 98.7% variation in the profitability of potato crop, with a partial effect of right type at 0.024, right time at 0.014, right rate at 0.581 and right placement at 0.504. Thus fertilizer management practices significantly influence profitability of potato crop.
Influence of Rhizobium Inoculation and Phosphate Rock Fertilizer Application on Growth and Yield Components of Green gram (Vigna radiata) in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya
(Asian Journal of Research in Crop Science, 2021-03-12) Mbaka, F. K; Oloo-Abucheli, G. O.; Njoroge, P. K.; Ndukhu, H. O.; ; ;
Green gram is an important drought tolerant grain legume crop in Kenya. In Tharaka Nithi County green gram is as a major source of food security. Hence, there is need for a cheap and sustainable system of agricultural production is needed to increase its production. The legume/Rhizobium symbiosis in combination with phosphate rock offers a natural system for improving green gram nitrogen fixation. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the effect of Rhizobium and phosphate rock fertilizer application on growth and yield attributes of N26 and KS20 varieties. The study was carried out at Chuka University Horticultural Research Farm for two seasons, November 2019 to January 2020 and February to April 2020. Factorial experiment of 2x2x2 was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). There were three factors, variety (N26 and KS20), phosphate rock (0 and 30 kg P ha-1 ) and Rhizobium MEA 716 (0 and 100 g ha-1 ). The experiment contained eight treatments which were replicated three times. The data was collected fortnightly on four randomly selected plants on parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, branches,pods, total dry biomass, shoot and root dry weight and grain yield. These data was analysed using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). Significant means are separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at probability level of 5%. Results for both seasons indicated that combined application of Rhizobium MEA 716 Rhizobium 100 g ha-1 and phosphate rock 30 Kg ha-1 phosphate under variety in treatment (R1P1V2) showed significantly (P<0.05) higher plant height (76.07 cm), number of branches (14.08 plant-1 ), shoot dry biomass (52.01 g plant-1 ), root dry biomass (7.60 g plant-1 ), total dry biomass (146.4 g plant-1 ), number of pods (84 plant-1 ) and yield (2158 kg ha-1 ) compared to variety N26 in treatment (R1P1V1). Therefore, combination of Rhizobium MEA 716 100 g ha-1 and phosphate rock 30 Kg ha-1 under variety KS20 led to improved growth attributes equally yield components of KS20 variety over N26. From these findings, application of Rhizobium MEA716 at 100 g ha-1, and 30 Kg ha -1 phosphate rock under variety KS20 was recommended for improved and a sustainable green gram production in the study area.
Use of Cost-Effective Biofertilizers Interventions for Enhanced food Security and Soil Management Amidst Covid-19 Crisis. Review
(2022) Mbaka, F. K.; Oloo-Abucheli, G. O.; Ndukhu, H. O.
Current soil management strategies are mainly dependent on inorganic chemical-based fertilizers, which are expensive and have led to a serious threat to human health and environment. Moreover, COVID-19 pandemic caused economic recession coupling with the effects of climate change. The effect of the pandemic has led to increased prices of inputs particularly chemical fertilizers, resulting in a reduction in crop production. Soil fertility which is a function of agricultural production has declined overtime due to nutrient depletion. The exploitation of cost effective and beneficial microbes as a biofertilizer has become paramount importance in agriculture sector for their potential role in food safety, sustainable crop production and soil fertility improvement. The eco-friendly approaches inspire a wide range of application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs), endo- and ectomycorrhizal fungi, cyanobacteria and many other useful microscopic organisms that have led to improved nutrient uptake, plant growth and plant tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress. The present review highlights; biofertilizers relevance and plant tolerance to environmental stress, biofertilizer exploitation and nutrient profile of crops, potential significance of beneficial microbes in sustainable agriculture. The knowledge gained from the literature appraised herein will help in understand the benefits of biofertilizers towards sustainable agriculture in reducing problems associated with the use of chemicals fertilizers.