Department of Plant Science

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    Passion Fruits Production From Seed- And Micro-Propagated Plants: A Reference Guide
    (LAP Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012-09-12) Isutsa, Dorcas
    This book is written using information gathered from laboratory to post harvest stages of passion fruits. It describes seed acquisition, germination, explant initiation, proliferation, rooting and transplanting. Also included are best horticultural practices for establishing, maintaining, harvesting, grading, marketing, gross margin analysis and solving challenges. Photographs have been used to illustrate facts. The book bridges the gap between a high-tech laboratory system and general farming activities for passion fruits. The micropropagation procedure has been presented simply to facilitate understanding and to show that their products can be carefully transferred to the farm. The book shows that at the farm level, normal fruit plants develop and grow like any other conventionally produced plants. In essence this approach is destined to help solve the many challenges facing the passion fruit growers. This is the preferred approach; thus from laboratory level to farm level, or from basic to applied sciences. This book should be useful to university students, extension agents, researchers and growers as a handy reference in passion fruit micropropagation, management and production
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    Essentials in Deciduous Fruit Production in the Tropics: Teaching, Learning & Farming Resource Guide
    (LAP Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012-10-11) Isutsa, Dorcas
    This concise book introduces the many essential facts in deciduous fruit production in warm climates. It is supposed to prepare users to read, master and apply the facts and also to discover relevance to plant or research topics of interest. The book begins with general principles, physiology, strategies and tactics followed by case studies of grapes, apples, pears, peaches, plums and strawberries. Each case study addresses simplified taxonomy, economic importance, botany, ecology, propagation, field establishment, cultural practices, protection, harvesting and handling of the fruits. The selected fruits have proven commercial value in temperate-zones and great potential in the tropics. Sources of information are cited in chapters and bibliography to assist in further reading. Illustrations are used to augment theoretical facts. A glossary of technical terms is given at the end of the book. Tutors, students and growers in colleges, universities, and elsewhere should find this simplified, applied, illustrated and logically organized book a must-have reference to facilitate and ease learning, training and application of the subject matter, plus growing of the fruits in the tropics
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    Effects of Integration of Irrigation Water and Mineral Nutrient Management in Seed Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Production on Water, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Use Efficiencies
    (Springer, 2015-11) Gathungu, Geofrey; Aguyoh, Joseph; Isutsa, Dorcas Khasungu
    Inorganic fertilizers have become extremely important in correcting declining soil fertility in seed potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production in Kenya. Unreliable rainfall has also limited seed production. Knowledge on water and nutrient use efficiencies in potato grown under different irrigation regimes with different nitrogen and phosphorus levels will help predict the best application rates for optimal seed potato production and yield. A study was conducted at Egerton University, Horticultural Research and Teaching Farm to determine the effect of integrated application of irrigation water, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) use efficiencies of water, N and P. In a split-split plot design, the irrigation water was applied to maintain soil water at 40, 65 and 100 % field capacity in the main plots, N (0, 75, 112.5 and 150 kg N/ha) to subplots and P (0, 115, 172.5 and 230 kg P2O5/ha), which translated into 0, 50.6, 75.9, 101.2 kg P/ha) to sub-subplots, with each treatment replicated three times and the trial repeated once. The irrigation water was applied throughout the potato growth period through drip tube lines, with N supplied as urea (46 % N) in two splits, and P as triple superphosphate (46 % P2O5) at planting time. Data on seed potato yield was collected from each treatment at harvest and used to calculate water, N and P use efficiencies. High irrigation water at 100 % compared to 65 and 40 % rate resulted in relatively high N and P use efficiencies, but decreased water use efficiency. Application of intermediate to high N and P nutrient increased the water, N and P use efficiencies. It is recommended to apply low to intermediate irrigation water, intermediate to high N and P to increase their use efficiencies during seed potato production.