Browsing by Author "Mandila, Brexidis"

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    Domestication and Survival of Selected Medicinal Trees and Shrubs in Chapereria Division West Pokot County Kenya
    (Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports, 2019-02-08) Maina, Peris Nyambura; Mandila, Brexidis
    Depletion of medicinal plant species as a result of over over-extraction in their natural habitats will have detrimental effects on the livelihood of the locals that herbal medicine is part and parcel of their health systems. Though domestication is the best strategy to conserve medicinal tree and shrub species, most medicinal trees and shrubs have remained undomesticated due to low survival rates and inadequate information on the best strategies to improve survival rates. This study was designated to determine the domestication level and survival rates of selected medicinal tree and shrub species in the semi-arid regions of Chepareria division. A cross-sectional research design was employed in this study. Chepareria division was purposely selected. 384 households were selected using systematic random sampling technique. A pre-designed data collection sheet was used to collect the information on medicinal plant species and photographs were taken where necessary during data collection. The study indicated that there were 25 medicinal tree and/or shrubs in Chepareria division. It was also found that 91.7% households had domesticated trees on their farms with Croton megalocarpus (71.3%) being the highly domesticated tree while Myrsine afriana was the least (0.9%) prevalent medicinal tree in the area. Further analysis using Chi- Square (χ 2 ) test of fitness indicated that there were significant differences in the number of households that have domesticated different medicinal trees and/or shrub species in Chepareria division (P <.0001). The indicated that the various medicinal trees and/or shrubs had different survival rates in the area. The mean survival rates of Aloe graminicola (62.6%), Croton macrostachyus (69.8%) Vernonia amygdalina (69.3%) and Croton megalocarpus (72.7%) are significantly higher while the survival rates of Tamarindus indica (12.0%), Myrsine afriana (6.6%), Dalbergia vaccinifolia (9. 4%) and Commiphoraboi viniana (7.2%) are significantly lower. Chapareria to increase the domestication and survival rate of trees/shrubs.
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    Ethnobotany of pokot communities on bamboo species in the dryland areas of West Pokot County, Kenya
    (KSCSTE - Kerala Forest Research Institute., 2023-05-30) Mandila, Brexidis; Namaswa, Timothy
    Communities in dryland areas of West Pokot in Kenya rely on fragile degraded ecosystems that have led to famines, low productivity and income. Although cultivating bamboo provides solutions to part of these problems, the benefits of bamboo cultivation are species and site-specific. However, no research has established the ethnobotanical knowledge of bamboo in West Pokot, making it difficult to upscale its cultivation. The study aimed at 1) determining the level of awareness of bamboo 2) the uses of bamboo 3) factors motivating and hindering its cultivation. The study adopted an analytical cross-sectional survey research design. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used in selecting the study site. A Systematic random sampling technique was used in selecting households to be used in establishing local knowledge through questionnaires. Data were analysed using chi-square test of fit, chi-square test of association and cochran’s Q test of K-related samples. Results showed that farmer to farmer approach (38.9%) was the main source of information. Among the respondents, 70.6% of them were aware of bamboo out of which 67.6% were aware of its uses. The commonly identified uses were soil conservation (48.1%), shade provision (39.5%), fencing material (38.8%) and construction material (36.9%). The findings revealed that 74.1% of the respondents were willing to cultivate bamboo due to its environmental, economic and cultural benefits among others. However, inadequate knowledge of bamboo planting and management techniques (51.8%) is the main impeding factor to the cultivation of bamboo in the region. Therefore, forestry and agricultural extension agents in the county should sensitize and train farmers on bamboo establishment and management for farmers to realize its full potential
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    Prevalence, Severity and Causative Agents of Dieback in Calotropis procera in Semi-Arid Regions of Kenya
    (American Research Institute for Policy Development, 2020-06) Mandila, Brexidis; Odhiambo, Kenneth; Muchugi, Alice; Nyamai, Daniel; Musyoka, Damaris
    Calotropis procera has a great potential for domestication and commercialization in Kenya for fibre production. However, the shrub experiences dieback condition caused by unidentified fungi. This makes it difficult to prevent dieback during cultivation, a situation that may lead to low productivity and financial losses. This study determined dieback prevalence, severity and causative agents among naturally growing Calotropis procera in the semi-arid regions of Kenya. A repeated measure research design was used. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting Tharaka and Makueni as study sites. Simple and systematic random sampling techniques were used in developing main and sub plots, respectively. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting 16 cuttings from each block for laboratory analysis. In the laboratory, specimens were obtained from samples, sterilized, rinsed, blotted and incubated at 23°C followed by observation of spores under a Microscope. Mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) and 2*4*6 factorial ANOVA using SPSS version 25 was used in analysis. There were significant differences in dieback prevalence and severity at different time points with the highest prevalence (78.56%) and severity index (3.54) reported in (September-November) 2019. Fusarium was the dominant dieback causative fungi with dominance ranging from 32.29% to 43.38%. In conclusion, the study established that naturally growing Calotropis procera stands in semi-arid regions of Kenya experience dieback throughout the year though at varying levels.