Browsing by Author "Njarui, Donald"
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Publication Growth and Yield Evaluation of Urochloa Grass Cultivars in Sub-Humid Region of Kenya(Uknowledge, 2021-10-17) Kifuko-Koech, M.; Ndung’u-Magiroi, K.; Mutoko, M.; Kamidi, M.; Njarui, DonaldLivestock production in sub humid region of Kenya is constrained by inadequate and low quality pasture. Astudy was conducted to evaluate growth and productivity of eight improved Urochloa grass cultivars inlower midlands, upper midlands and lower highlands agro-ecological zones (AEZ) in Eldoret, Kitale andAlupe respectively, western Kenya. The grass cultivars were; Urochloa brizantha cvs. Marandu, Xaraes,Piata, and MG-4, U. decumbens, cv. Basilisk, U. humidicola cvs. Humidicola and Llanero and Urochloahybrid cv. Mulato II. Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) and Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv.Kakamega 1) were included as controls. At establishment stage, growth parameters (height, cover andspread) and dry matter yield (DMY) were monitored at 14 weeks after seedling emergence (WAE) andstandardization cut conducted to stimulate uniform plant growth. Thereafter (production stage), the plantswere repeatedly harvested for DMY determination at 6, 8 and 12 weeks intervals. The growth parametersand DMY varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the cultivars in all the AEZ in all the measurement dates.Napier grass recorded the highest mean height (60 to 120 cm) at the end of establishment period whileamong Urochloa cultivars, MG-4, Basilisk and Xaraes recorded the highest mean height and plot coveracross all AEZs. All Urochloa cultivars gave significantly (p < 0.05) lower DMY than Napier grass in Kitaleand Alupe while Basilisk and Xaraes recorded similar DMY to Napier grass in Eldoret. In Eldoret, Xaraesrecorded the highest DMY (2.54 t ha-1) while in Kitale and Alupe the highest DMY was recorded in MG-4(3.7 t ha-1) and Basilisk (4.72 t ha-1), respectively. Increasing cutting interval increased DMY but reducednutritive value of Urochloa cultivars in Kitale. Basilisk, MG-4, Xaraes and Piata showed potential toestablish and grow well across AEZs and to maximize production and nutritive value cutting at 8 weeksinterval is recommended.Publication On-farm evaluation of improved brachiaria grasses in semi-arid eastern Kenya(CIPAV Foundation, 2017-10-01) Gatheru, Mwangi; Njarui, Donald; Gichangi, EliasThe arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya cover slightly over 80% of the land and are important for livestock production, with 60% of livestock found in this region. The main constraint to livestock production in this region is inadequate quantity and quality of livestock feed due to frequent droughts and reduced rainfall attributed to climate change. Participatory on-farm evaluation trials were conducted in agro-ecological zones Upper Midlands 3 (UM3) and Lower Midlands 4 (LM4) of Machakos and Makueni Counties respectively. The objective of the study was to assess agro-ecological adaptability and acceptability of four improved Brachiaria grass cultivars; Brachiaria brizantha cvs. Xaraes, Piatã, MG4 and Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk. Eight farms were selected in each area and herbage was harvested five times at two monthly intervals. In each harvest, dry matter was measured. Assessment on performance and farmers’ preference of the Brachiaria cultivars was carried out after two years using a structured questionnaire that was administered to 49 farmers (18 females and 31 males) in Machakos and 45 farmers (21 females and 24 males) in Makueni. No differences were found in the mean total dry matter yield between the grass cultivars in Machakos county. However, Brachiaria brizantha cvs MG4 gave the highest dry matter yield of 10.4 t ha⁻¹. There were differences in the mean total dry matter yield between the cultivars in Makueni county where Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã gave the highest dry matter yield of 8.4 t ha⁻¹. The most preferred cultivar in agro-ecological zone UM3 was Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes while Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã was the most preferred cultivar in agro-ecological zone LM4. Although Cv. Xaraes was not the most productive in agro-ecological zone UM3, it was preferred due to increase in milk production when fed to dairy cattle. Cv. Piatã was preferred due to its fast regrowth after harvesting.Publication Participatory Evaluation and Yield Determination of Climate-smart Brachiaria Grasses for Improving Livestock Production among the Farmers in Embu and Meru Counties(AJSSPN, 2021-02) Catherine, Muriithi; Nganga, Beatrice; Kagete, Eliud; Njarui, Donald; Micheni, AlfredAims: To introduce brachiaria grasses in Meru and Embu Counties to increase the range of fodder/forage varieties available to smallholders through the use of climate-smart brachiaria grasses for increased income. The project also aimed at identifying the best brachiaria varieties suitable for the target Agro-Ecological ones through evaluation by the farmers and yield assessment. Study Design: Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Embu and Meru Counties during the short rains of 2015. Methodology: Three varieties of brachiaria were introduced in the short rains of 2015 in KALRO Embu, Geeto Igoji in Meru, and Embu County. These were Brachiaria decumbense -Cultivar Basilisk, Brachiaria brizantha- Cultivar BRS Piata and Brachiaria brizantha- Cultivar Toledo. Plots of 5x5m were planted and replicated three times using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) to increase the range of fodder/forage varieties available to smallholder and assess the yield and acceptability of the different brachiaria grasses varieties. The three varieties were planted in the mega demonstration sites. The grass performance was analyzed through pairwise ranking and the grass with the best attributes was selected. Yield data was also collected. Results: After ranking, the results indicated that the rate of growth and the amount of biomass as the most important attributes followed by the animals' response after feeding and the rate of rejuvenation after harvesting respectively. Using the attributes, the group members concluded that Brachiaria decumbense- Cultivar basilisk was the best followed by brachiaria brizantha- Cultivar piata and finally brachiaria brizantha- Cultivar Toledo. Conclusion: In conclusion, based on the attributes, the best brachiaria varieties for use in Embu and Meru Countries are Brachiaria decumbense –Cultivar Basilisk and Brachiaria brizantha- Cultivar Toledo. Based on yield, Brachiaria brizantha- Cultivar Toledo is the best in Embu County while Brachiaria brizantha- Cultivar Basilisk is the best in Meru County.