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Challenges facing information literacy efforts in Kenya: a case study of selected university libraries in Kenya
(MCB UP Ltd, 2003) Kavulya, Joseph M.
The ability to access, evaluate and use information is a prerequisite for lifelong learning, and a basic requirement for the information society. At the university level, students are expected to contact independent exploration in diverse disciplines and topics and therefore, irrespective of their areas of study, they need to use information effectively. They should not only master the skill of finding information in print format or electronic formats, but also be able to evaluate and use it competently both in their study activities as well as in their later lives. This paper examines why the acquisition of these information skills is a matter of necessity and they are a prime factor in quality learning in Kenyan universities. It concludes that although there have been efforts to ensure information literacy among university students, there is need to build on these efforts through collaborative efforts between librarians and faculty members particularly through joint curriculum design and implementation.
Marketing of library services: A case study of selected university libraries in Kenya
(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2004) Kavulya, Joseph M.
Regardless of the type, libraries are under pressure to justify their existence and funding through provision of customer- or market-oriented services. This requires a shift from product or service orientation to customer or need orientation. Different marketing concepts provide libraries with the tools for collecting and analysing useful data about information needs of customers, which assists in designing, developing and delivering appropriate services. This paper examines the methods used by university libraries in Kenya to market their services to different categories of users and the problems experienced therein. It concludes that, although efforts have been made to achieve this, more emphasis must be put on promotion of the already existing services and therefore on the need for university libraries in Kenya to adapt more systematic techniques in collecting data on their user needs, if they are to design and deliver services that fit user requirements.
Challenges in the Provision of Library Services for Distance Education: A Case Study of Selected Universities in Kenya
(2004-06-04) Kavulya, Joseph M.
With the increasing popularity of distance education, focus has turned to the role of libraries in the distance learning process. It is widely agreed that like their campus-based counterparts, distance education learners need adequate library services if they are to gain quality education. This paper examines the efforts being made by Kenyan university libraries to fulfil the information needs of the distance education students in their respective institutions. It concludes that although efforts have been made, there is room for improvement through adequate planning, financing and especially through collaboration between information personnel and those who design and implement such distance education programmes.
Trends in funding of university libraries in Kenya: a survey
(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2006) Kavulya, Joseph M.
Purpose – To investigate recent trends in funding and collection development in university libraries in Kenya. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on primary data collected from four university libraries in Kenya as well as secondary literature relating to university libraries in Kenya. Findings – This paper concludes that funding of university library services in Kenya is inadequate. Due to diminished governmental fund allocations for these institutions, their library collection development levels have deteriorated and are characterized by low monographic purchases and limited journal subscriptions. This decline is at odds with rapidly expanding student enrolment levels. Private universities experience these problems too, but to a lesser extent. Originality/value – The paper recommends that to ensure that university libraries continue to provide adequate information services supporting teaching, learning and research, the adoption of a strategic plan in all areas of library management, and especially in funding and collection development, is needed.
Training of library and information science (LIS) professionals in Kenya: A needs assessment
(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2007-03-27) Kavulya, Joseph M.
Purpose – First, to assess the status of the job market for library and information science (LIS) professionals in Kenya and the adequacy of current curricula and training resources in LIS training institutions in the country. Secondly, to identify priority areas of training and critical IT skills required by LIS professionals in relation to current job market and performance requirements. Design/methodology/approach – Using a survey research design data was collected from various categories of LIS stakeholders: students, lecturers, professionals and employers. In total 110 subjects were selected for this study using various sampling techniques and a response rate of 76.4 per cent was achieved. Questionnaires with closed and open-ended questions were used to collect data. This was a descriptive study and therefore descriptive statistics were used. Findings – A job market for LIS professionals in Kenya is perceived to exist. However, there is a general observation that the current LIS training programmes in the country do not sufficiently address current job market requirements due to: inadequate teaching resources in LIS training institutions; lack of adequate ICT content in the courses; courses that are irrelevant to the job market and inadequate length of industrial attachment. Practical implications – The paper recommends review of the current LIS curricula in Kenya in order to enhance the suitability of graduates to the current labour market. This includes integration of modern ICT into training, recruitment of qualified teaching staff, ensuring adequate learning resources and facilities, and enhancement of industrial attachment. Originality/value – The paper investigates some of the critical issues that planners of library and information science courses have to consider in the 21st century. These issues include: the emergence of the ‘‘information society’’, the multidisciplinary heritage of LIS education, the choice between liberal vis-a`-vis technical education, the emergence of the concept of digital library, and finally the need for thorough management and leadership competencies. These issues are part of the current discourse on LIS training in the sub-Saharan Africa where communities are in transition to the ‘‘information economy’’.
Digital libraries and development in Sub-Saharan Africa
(2007-06) Kavulya, Joseph M.
Purpose -- The aim of this paper is to review some of the critical information needs in Sub-Saharan Africa and the challenges that face libraries in the region in establishing digital libraries as a way of overcoming the great information shortfall in the region. Design/methodology/approach -- A selective survey of relevant literature is carried out in the study with focus on the role of libraries and information in social development, sectoral information needs and the issues involved in the establishment of digital libraries. Findings -- The paper argues that lack of social development in Africa is exacerbated by lack of adequate information. The paper concludes that, through better information gathering, processing and especially by taking advantage of today's digital transfer of knowledge, countries in the Sub-Saharan region can experience rapid economic, social and political development. Originality/value -- The paper concludes that digital libraries in the Sub-Saharan region can be strategic gateways to the global information and a boost to development in the region. The goal of establishing digital libraries in the region can be achieved through measures such as adoption of modern information communication technologies, amassing relevant digital content, investing in digital skills for library staff and users, strategic partnerships between local institutions, and funding agencies and above all government-backed strategy on digital libraries.
The Involvement of the Faculty in Book Selection: The Case of Egerton University Library, Kenya
(Scientific & Academic Publishing, 2014) Kiilu, Peris; Kiilu, Vincent Bob
The study set out to find why users were unhappy with the library collection as was revealed by user surveys carried out by the library. The objectives of the study were to: Evaluate the usefulness of the collection; interrogate tools used by the faculty in book selection; find out whether the entire faculty are involved in book selection and make recommendations for future book selection. Borrower statistics were evaluated against books acquired two and a half years earlier. The study revealed that 43% of books selected over this period were unused. Recommendations for higher circulation include careful evaluation of books prior to acquisition.
MARTIN MURIITHI
(2014-11-01)
Saving is a key component in any development endeavor as it is believed to be the surest way of increasing income and boosting productivity in an attempt to break through the vicious cycle of poverty. A number of studies have demonstrated that the investment and retirement saving behaviors of women and men differ. However, inconsistencies in findings exist in the few studies conducted on the differences in general saving behaviors between men and women. The purpose of this study was to establish gender differences in saving culture with a special bias on SACCO members. Specifically, the study aimed at assessing the influence of income levels on saving culture; evaluate the effect of marital status on saving culture and establish the influence of age on saving culture of SACCO members in Nyandarua County. The research adopted a descriptive survey design and targeted all business and agricultural based SACCO members and officials in Nyandarua County. 18 SACCO officials and 375 SACCO members were sampled using purposive and stratified random sampling respectively. The researcher collected data using structured questionnaires. A descriptive analysis of the data after processing involved computing mean, mode and median with the help of Statistical Package of Social Sciences Software (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel and presented in frequency tables and charts. Marital status of the respondents was found to be statistically significant in terms of the annual saving. The result implies that a change in marital status will affect the annual savings negatively. The researcher is 99.952% confidence that the change in marital status will negatively have an impact on annual saving. The researcher recommends nurturing of marriage institution as a way of protecting saving culture among women and men members of the SACCO in Nyandarua County.
Information access by Urban Social Workers in Kenya: A Case of Nakuru City
(Scientific & Academic Publishing., 2015) Kiilu1, Peris W. *; Kiilu, Vincent Bob 2
The study was set to identify how Urban Social Workers in Kenya accessed information and how they used it. The objectives of the study were to determine accessibility to information by Urban Social Workers; find out the challenges they experienced in accessing information; and propose solutions to the same. The study found that Social Workers have been for long perceived as non formal information users, but today there is a growing inclination towards use of information from print and electronic media particularly among community based Social Workers, without necessarily impacting on their dependence on oral communication. The paper recommends that the government take greater responsibility in ensuring that Social Workers have access to relevant data and information through disseminating it to the County Information Documentation Centres. The researchers also propose collaboration with information providers drawn from both the electronic and print media.
Effectiveness of Guidance and Counselling Services in Enhancing Students’ Adjustment to School Social Environment in Public Boarding Secondary Schools in Kenya
(IISTE, 2015-01-01) Benjamin Mugambi Kanga, Veronica Karimi Nyaga & Hillary Kipng’eno Barchok
School adjustment is the process of coping in a new school environment in order to attain the individual and school’s set goals and aspirations. The government, education managers and parents have expressed the need to strengthen school Guidance and Counselling services in order to enhance students’ adjustment to the school environment. Public boarding secondary schools are expected to implement Guidance and Counselling policy of the Ministry of Education and help students adjust to secondary school environment. This study investigated the effectiveness of Guidance and Counselling services in enhancing students’ adjustment to school social environment in public boarding secondary schools in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research survey design. The study target population was 36,671 comprising of 35,659 form 3 students, 506 Form 3 class teachers and 506 teachers in charge of Guidance and Counselling from boarding secondary schools in Kitui, Nyeri and Nairobi counties in Kenya. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 756 respondents comprising of 720 Form 3 students, 18 Form 3 class teachers and 18 teachers in charge of Guidance and Counselling from 18 secondary schools for the study. Questionnaires were used to collect data from Form 3 students and their class teachers while an interview schedule was used to collect data from teachers in charge of Guidance and Counseling. Using Spearman Brown Prophesy formula by split half technique reliability coefficient of 0.745, 0.746 and 0.736 were realized for students, class teachers and teachers In charge of Guidance and Counseling respectfully. This was accepted because an alpha value of 0.7 and above is considered suitable for making group inferences that are accurate. The data was analyzed by use of inferential and descriptive statistics with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 for windows and presented in frequency distribution Tables and percentages. The findings of this study provide information to school administrators, policy makers, parents and other stakeholders on various issues that need to be addressed in Guidance and Counseling to enables students adjust to school environment. the study further suggest ways of ways of improving Guidance and Counselling services in order to make it more effective in public boarding secondary schools.
Improving Technical Education for Human Resource Training for the Realization of Vision 2030: A Case of Technical Training Institutes
(2015-01-01) George Muthaa
The Kenyan Governments’ vision 2030 plan seeks to make Kenya a middle level industrialized nation and improve the economic and social status of its citizens. The realization of this vision will be achieved with adequate human resource at the technology, technician and artisan levels of skill training. Technical Training institutions (TTIs) are charged with the responsibility to train technicians and artisans. Concerns have been raised on the quality and quantity of the graduates coming out of these training institutions. The current study sought to investigate strategies that should be put in place to enhance the training in TTIs. A descriptive survey research design was used for this study with heads of academic departments and students as respondents. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used for data collection. The study established that training was conducted with inadequate teaching staff and obsolete equipments. The study recommends that adequate staff should be hired in training institutions and programmes put in place to upgrade the skills and knowledge of trainers in light of changing technology. Training facilities in the training institutions should urgently be upgraded.
Demystifying negativism of Cartha Edulis (miraa) and focusing on its religious, socio-economic and educational significance: a case of Meru north region in Meru county, Kenya
(2015-01-01)
There have been conflicting views regarding Cartha edulis (miraa) effects. Miraa is a plant that when consumed affects human psychological and physiological functioning and, therefore, falls under the category of abusive drugs. The National Campaign against Drug Abuse Authority and other scholars have confirmed these effects. Whereas there are numerous negatives emanating from miraa farming, trade and consumption, there are also immense religious, social and economic benefits derived and associated with it. This study assessed the impact of miraa on religious, socio-economic and educational spheres of the society in Meru North. It was motivated by conflicting views of miraa farmers and traders, who also happen to be churches members located within the study area, and the alleged trade income used for social and economic developments. The study used ex-post facto design and targeted accessible population of elders, farmers, traders, church members and pastors. A sample size of 34 persons was interviewed using questionnaires and observation schedules for elders, farmers, traders, church members and pastors. There are both positive and negative contributions brought about by miraa farming and trade. Although the negatives outweigh the positives in terms of both short and long-term intangible damages to individuals, family and society, there are strong social, religious and economic attachments to miraa. Miraa has assumed political dimension as the community elects leaders based on expected protection of the trade by them. Exclusive focus on negatives has overshadowed potential financial, social, educational, religious, cultural and medicinal values. Miraa creates a contextual foundation for communication based on diverse perceptions. However, the negative implications of miraa, which greatly affect consumers, marriage, schools and churches, cannot be ignored. One wonders if it can serve a better purpose and value if handled properly among the community where it is grown.
Effects of Compensation on Job Satisfaction Among Secondary School Teachers in Maara Sub - County of Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
(Science Publishing Group, 2015-01-01) Mary Makena Muguongo, Andrew T. Muguna, Dennis K. Muriithi
Compensation plays an important role in determining employees’ job satisfaction. According to Bozeman & Gaughan (2011), the perception of being paid what one is worth predicts job satisfaction. Teachers in Kenya have always downed their tools lamenting about their compensation which raises concern about their job satisfaction. However it is not clear the influence compensation has on teachers job satisfaction to cause the many stand offs. This study therefore sought to establish the effects of compensation on job satisfaction among Secondary school teachers in Maara Sub- County Tharaka Nithi County Kenya. The objectives of the study were to determine the effects of both financial and nonfinancial compensation on job satisfaction. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample size of 214 teachers drawn from the target population of 474. Responses were collected through administration of questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was enhanced through a pilot study carried out in three schools in Meru South Sub-County. To ensure the validity of the instruments, both face and content validity was used. Data collected was categorized coded and then tabulated using SPSS. The qualitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, means frequency tables and percentages. The hypotheses were tested using chi-square. The study established that the basic pay, allowances and work environment affects teachers’ job satisfaction to a great extent. The research concluded that teachers were highly dissatisfied with all aspects of compensation that they receive. The study recommends that the government reviews the teachers’ compensation to commensurate the services rendered. It is hoped that the findings of this study could assist the education planners in formulating compensation policies that would enable teachers to achieve job satisfaction.
Classroom Discourse in a Multilingual Context: The Case of Selected Primary Schools in Chuka Division, Tharaka- Nithi County, Kenya.
(Journal of Literature ,Languages and Lingustics, 2015-03-11) Nancy Wangui Mbaka
The sociolinguistic situation in Kenya is triglossic in nature (Schmied, 2012) English is at the top of the rank as the official language. Kiswahili has been in the middle as the co-official and national language. It is also used as the country’s lingua franca.The indigenous languages are at the base of the hierarchy. This paper sought to evaluate whether the language-in-education policy is implemented in the classroom. The study was a case study carried out in Chuka Division, Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. The paper establishes that teachers mainly use code- mixing in the classroom and also in official domains. The findings in this paper contribute to scholarly literature in Sociolinguistics and are of great benefit to curriculum developers in the ministry of education in Kenya.
An inventory and assessment of exotic and native plant species diversity in the Kenyan rangelands: Case study of Narok North Sub-County
(2015-05-25) Winnie W. Cheche, Eunice W. Githae, Stephen F. Omondi and Adiel M. Magana
A botanical inventory and diversity of exotic and native species was assessed in the rangeland of Narok North sub-County, Kenya. A total of 72 species were recorded, composed of 64 species of trees and shrubs and eight species of herbs. They belonged to 34 families and 52 genera. Fabaceae was the richest family with 16 species, followed by Euphorbiaceae (five), Moraceae and Myrtaceae (four each). In total, 48 species were native and 24 exotics with a diversity index H of 1.082 and 0.604, respectively. Hypericum revolutum, a native shrub, was the most dominant with an importance value of 3.81, followed by three exotic species; Datura suaveolens (an invasive species), Dovyalis caffra and Hibiscus rosa- sinesis with importance values of 3.40, 3.35 and 3.23, respectively. The native species were abundant in undisturbed areas while the exotics were most common in areas with vegetation cover less than 60%. Four invasive alien species were encountered namely; D. suaveolens, Lantana camara, L. trifolia and Opuntia ficusindica. They all had a high density that indicated greater establishment success. This inventory affirms that the rangelands of Narok North are undergoing serious changes in vegetation structure and composition due to human activities and requires urgent attention to conserve biodiversity and genetic resources.
Targeted Sequencing Reveals Large-Scale Sequence Polymorphism in Maize Candidate Genes for Biomass Production and Composition
(KBBE-CornFed project, 2015-07-07) Moses M. Muraya, Thomas Schmutzer, Chris Ulpinnis, Uwe Scholz, Thomas Altmann
A major goal of maize genomic research is to identify sequence polymorphisms responsible for phenotypic variation in traits of economic importance. Large-scale detection of sequence variation is critical for linking genes, or genomic regions, to phenotypes. However, due to its size and complexity, it remains expensive to generate whole genome sequences of suffi- cient coverage for divergent maize lines, even with access to next generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Because methods involving reduction of genome complexity, such as genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), assess only a limited fraction of sequence variation, tar- geted sequencing of selected genomic loci offers an attractive alternative. We therefore designed a sequence capture assay to target 29 Mb genomic regions and surveyed a total of 4,648 genes possibly affecting biomass production in 21 diverse inbred maize lines (7 flints, 14 dents). Captured and enriched genomic DNA was sequenced using the 454 NGS platform to 19.6-fold average depth coverage, and a broad evaluation of read alignment and variant calling methods was performed to select optimal procedures for variant discovery. Sequence alignment with the B73 reference and de novo assembly identified 383,145 puta- tive single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), of which 42,685 were non-synonymous alter- ations and 7,139 caused frameshifts. Presence/absence variation (PAV) of genes was also detected. We found that substantial sequence variation exists among genomic regions tar- geted in this study, which was particularly evident within coding regions. This diversification has the potential to broaden functional diversity and generate phenotypic variation that may lead to new adaptations and the modification of important agronomic traits. Further, anno- tated SNPs identified here will serve as useful genetic tools and as candidates in searches for phenotype-altering DNA variation. In summary, we demonstrated that sequencing of captured DNA is a powerful approach for variant discovery in maize genes
Targeted Sequencing Reveals Large-Scale Sequence Polymorphism in Maize Candidate Genes for Biomass Production and Composition
(KBBE-CornFed project, 2015-07-07) Moses M. Muraya, Thomas Schmutzer, Chris Ulpinnis , Uwe Scholz , Thomas Altmann
A major goal of maize genomic research is to identify sequence polymorphisms responsible for phenotypic variation in traits of economic importance. Large-scale detection of sequence variation is critical for linking genes, or genomic regions, to phenotypes. However, due to its size and complexity, it remains expensive to generate whole genome sequences of sufficient coverage for divergent maize lines, even with access to next generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Because methods involving reduction of genome complexity, such as genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), assess only a limited fraction of sequence variation, targeted sequencing of selected genomic loci offers an attractive alternative. We therefore designed a sequence capture assay to target 29 Mb genomic regions and surveyed a total of 4,648 genes possibly affecting biomass production in 21 diverse inbred maize lines (7 flints, 14 dents). Captured and enriched genomic DNA was sequenced using the 454 NGS platform to 19.6-fold average depth coverage, and a broad evaluation of read alignment and variant calling methods was performed to select optimal procedures for variant discovery. Sequence alignment with the B73 reference and de novo assembly identified 383,145 putative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), of which 42,685 were non-synonymous alterations and 7,139 caused frameshifts. Presence/absence variation (PAV) of genes was also detected. We found that substantial sequence variation exists among genomic regions targeted in this study, which was particularly evident within coding regions. This diversification has the potential to broaden functional diversity and generate phenotypic variation that may lead to new adaptations and the modification of important agronomic traits. Further, annotated SNPs identified here will serve as useful genetic tools and as candidates in searches for phenotype-altering DNA variation. In summary, we demonstrated that sequencing of captured DNA is a powerful approach for variant discovery in maize genes.
TEACHERS’ PARTICIPATION IN CURRICULUM CONCEPTUALISATION AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM IN KENYA
(International Journal of Education Research, 2015-07-07) Hillary Kipngeno Barchok,Mercy Wanja Njagi & John M. Kobia
Most curriculums start to gain life from the time they are conceived and written. In order to create a strong curriculum, teachers must play an integral role in every step of the process of curriculum development. Within the context of the current curriculum changes in education in Kenya, stringent demands are being made on teachers to deliver. This study focused on teacher participation in curriculum conceptualization and effective implementation of secondary school curriculum in Kenya. The study employed descriptive survey research design and was conducted in Meru and Nairobi Counties, Kenya. The target population was 3146 secondary school teachers comprising of 1781 males and 1365 females. Stratified random sampling was used to draw the participating schools and teachers. A sample of 342 teachers participated in the study. A questionnaire for teachers and an interview schedule for principals were employed in data collection. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analyses. The study results established that there was a statistically significant relationship between teachers’ participation in curriculum conceptualisation and effective implementation of secondary school curriculum in Kenya. Teachers strongly agreed that participation would improve their ability to interpret the philosophy, aims and goals of education as well as the general and specific objectives of the curriculum. However, results also indicated that teachers participated in curriculum conceptualization to a small extent due to the top- down models of curriculum development employed by Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD). This study recommends that teachers should be involved in the planning and development of the curriculum in all stages. Also, curriculum development should be decentralized to local levels starting with school committees, sub-counties, counties and finally to the national level taking into considerations all relevant contributions by various stakeholders.
Application of Response Surface Methodology for Optimization of Potato Tuber Yield
(Science Publishing Group, 2015-07-12) Dennis Kariuki Muriithi
The Author investigates the operating conditions required for optimal production of potato tuber yield in Kenya. This will help potato farmers to safe extra cost of input in potato farming. The potato production process was optimized by the application of factorial design 23 and response surface methodology. The combined effects of water, Nitrogen and Phosphorus mineral nutrients were investigated and optimized using response surface methodology. It was found that the optimum production conditions for the potato tuber yield were 70.04% irrigation water, 124.75Kg/Ha of Nitrogen supplied as urea and 191.04Kg/Ha phosphorus supplied as triple super phosphate. At the optimum condition one can reach to a potato tuber yield of 19.36Kg/plot of 1.8meters by 2.25 meters. Increased productivity of potatoes can improve the livelihood of smallholder potato farmers in Kenya and safe the farmers extra cost of input. Finally, i hope that the approach applied in this study of potatoes can be useful for research on other commodities, leading to a better understanding of overall crop production.
Optimization of Seed Potato Specific Density, Starch and Dry Matter Contents and Tuberization Capacity of Resultant Plants Through Integrated Irrigation, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Management
(2015-07-30) Gathungu Geofrey Kingori, Aguyoh Joseph Nyamori, Isutsa Dorcas Khasungu,
A study was conducted in a Rainshelter (RTrial) at the Horticultural Research and Teaching Farm of Egerton University to determine the effect of integrated application of irrigation water, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on seed potato physiological quality and performance of plants resulting from them. The treatments arranged in a split-split plot in a completely randomized block design, consisted of three irrigation water rates (40%, 65% and 100% field capacity), four N rates (0, 75, 112.5 and 150 kg N/ha) supplied as urea (46% N), and four P rates (0, 50.6, 75.9, 101.2 kg P/ha) supplied as triple superphosphate with experiment replicated three times and repeated once. After harvest seed specific density, starch and dry matter contents were determined after which 15 seed tubers per treatment were stored for 90 days under diffuselight sprouting conditions for postharvest (PTrial) evaluation. Later, three potato tubers were selected per treatment and planted to study growth vigour and tuberization capacity of resultant potato plants both in PTrials I and II. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and significantly different means were separated using Tukey’s Studentized Range Test at P=0.05. Specific density, starch and dry matter contents increased from 40% to 65% irrigation water. Application of irrigation water beyond 65% reduced the specific density, starch and dry matter contents by 0.03, 2.6%, 3.7% and 0.04, 3.7%, 5.2% in RTrials I and II, respectively. The 100% compared to 65% irrigation rate reduced post-treatment evaluation stem number, density and height at 57 DAP by 1.3 and 1.1, 15.1 and 12.6, and 13.4 cm and 10.3 cm, and tuberization capacity in resultant plants by 5 and 8.7 tubers, in PTrials I and II, respectively. Application of N and P significantly increased seed potato specific density, starch and dry matter contents but application of N and P beyond 112.5 kg N/ha and 75.9 kg P/ha respectively reduced the same both in RTrials I and II, respectively. In postharvest evaluation integration of N at 0 to 112.5 kg N/ha with 65% irrigation rate increased the number of tubers produced by the resultant plants by 3.4 and 5.4, while high P rate at 75.9 kg P/ha increased tuberization by 8.4 and 10.7, in RTrials I and II, respectively. Integration of 65% irrigation rate, 112.5 kg N/ha and 75.9 kg P/ha rates optimized potato growth, and vigour of resulting potato plants.

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