Agroforestry
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Publication Effect of Fanya Juu Terraces With Varying Ditch Dimensions on Selected Soil Properties and Crop Yields in Semi-arid Eastern Kenya(University of Nairobi, 2023) Njiru, Emerita NFanya juu terracing is a soil and water conservation practice used to control erosion and increase agricultural productivity in sloppy and hilly areas. The practice involves digging ditches and throwing the soil uphill to form embankments that obstruct runoff flow. Scanty information exists on their temporal and spatial effects on soil moisture, nutrients variability and crop yields especially on different types of soils. An on-farm study was, therefore, conducted in both the long rain (LR) and short rain (SR) seasons of 2014 and 2015 on the Luvisols in Mua location in Machakos County in semi-arid Eastern Kenya, to help generate this information. The objectives were to (i) determine the effect of Fanya juu terraces with varying ditch dimensions on soil moisture variability along the slope on hard-setting soils (ii) determine the effect of terraces on the spatial variability of selected soil nutrients along the slope and (iii) assess the effect of terraces on maize and bean grain yields on the hard setting soils of semi-arid Eastern Kenya. A split- split plot design with four replicates was used. Treatments consisted of terraces with 60, 30 and 0 (Control) cm ditch depths and three cropping systems (sole maize, sole beans and maize/bean intercrop). Soil moisture content (SMC), quantities of selected nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, organic carbon) and maize and bean grain yields were monitored at the upper (US), middle (MS) and lower (LS) slope positionsof the terraces. Data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means compared across seasons at a 95% level of confidence using the least significant difference of means (LSD). Results showed that SMC and its variability in the different terraces were influenced by the distribution and amount of rainfall. Significant difference (p≤00.001) was found in the interactions of season, ditch depth and slope position. Treatments with ditches had higher SMC than the control in all seasons. Soil moisture content was higher in terraces with 30 cm ditch depth compared to those with 60 cm in low and poorly distributed rainfall seasons but lower in the high and well-distributed rainfall season. Significantly higher SMC was recorded in the LS position of the terraces compared to the US and MS positions except when seasonal rainfall was high and well distributed. Total nitrogen and available phosphorous were both significantly (p<0.001) higher in the LS than in the US positions. Maize and beans grain yields were significantly (p≤0.05) higher in terraced than non-terraced treatments and at the LS position compared to the MS and US positions. Terraces with 30 cm ditch depth produced higher grain yields than those with 60 cm in low and sparsely distributed rainfall seasons. The findings implied that the construction of Fanya juu terraces with 30 cm ditch depths was favourable for the conservation of soil moisture, nitrogen and phosphorous contents on hard-setting soils in the marginal rainfall areas of semi-arid Eastern Kenya. Farmers can therefore, save on labuor and still achieve better yields byconstructing terraces with 30 cm ditch depth. The results also implied that spatial variations in contents of N and P caused by Fanya juu terraces can be utilized more efficiently through increased intensification of the lower slope position to improve crop production. The study recommends the constructionof Fanya juu terraces with a ditch depth of 30 cm and intensification of the lower slope position for increased utilization of the available nutrients and moisture in low and poorly distributed rainfall environments. It further recommends more studies on different soil types, development of technologies that favour efficient utilization of resources without causing degradation at the lower slope, and practices that will increase productivity at the upper position of the slope for improved food security.Publication Effects of Concentrate Supplementation on Lactating Dromedary Camels During Mating Season in Isiolo, Kenya(African journal of science technology and social science, 2024-04) Thiakunu Florence; Njehia Bernard K.; Nguhiu Purity N.; Arimi Joshua M.Camels are resilient and have a high potential to contribute to food security and economic development in arid areas. However, this potential is being limited by diminishing feed resources due to the effects of climate change. Further, there is an upcoming peri-urban camel production system where the animals are limited in their movement. Consequently, camels do not get enough browse forages in terms of biomass and quality to meet their nutritional requirement. This has resulted in decreased production and reproductive performance. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of concentrate supplementation on lactating camels on productive and reproductive performance during mating season. A diet containing 16.80% crude protein (CP) and a digestible energy of 8.44 MJ/Kg was formulated and supplemented in the evenings with a group of ten camels. Another group of 10 camels acted as the control. Milking was done in the morning and production from each camel was recorded in liters. Percentage milk fat and protein analysis were done weekly using Gerber and Kjeldahl methods respectively. Serum biochemical levels were determined using spectrophotometry in the fourth week. Confirmation of pregnancy was done on the 5th month after mating by chemiluminescent progesterone assay. Camels were then divided into four groups. These were, supplemented pregnant(4) supplemented and not pregnant(6) un-supplemented pregnant(1), and un- supplemented and not pregnant(9). Paired mean comparisons were done to ascertain differences within the four groups. Mean daily milk production was 25.26±0.42 and 22.79±0.41 liters for supplemented and un-supplemented groups respectively (p<0.001). Paired mean differences were highest between pregnant supplemented and pregnant un-supplemented pair (p=0.165). Biochemical profiles, mean milk protein and fat percentages were significantly higher for supplemented than un-supplemented (p˂0.05). All supplemented camels were mated within the first two weeks and had a higher conception rate (40%) than un-supplemented (10%). The study recommends concentrate supplementation during mating season to improve fertility and milk production, especially in pregnantPublication Factors Influencing Development of Farm Forestry in Lugari District, Kakamega County, Western Kenya(Agricultural and Food Sciences, Environmental Science IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, 0002) Otsieno Fredrick Sikuku; Apudo Musa Gweya; Ototo Gilbert O.This study was conducted to establish the factors influencing the development of farm forestry in Lugari Division, Western Kenya. Data was collected between December 2007 to January 2008. Structured questionnaires/schedules, key informant interviewing, and secondary sources of data were used to collect data. All collected data were entered in SPSS 13.5 to facilitate statistical analysis using descriptive statistics such as frequency distributions and cross tabulations. Significant differences between expected and observed attributes were analyzed by non-parametric Chi- square tests. Farm sizes, species preferences, end use of tree products, access to and availability of preferred germplasm and planting materials, availability of resources for raising seedlings, access to extension services, and marketing constraints as well as biological and technical factors such as diseases, pests and planting methodologies were established as important factors influencing farm forestry and tree planting in general, in the division. This study has also demonstrated that farm forestry can be a useful tool for enhancing the livelihoods of many people and contributing to rural development in Lugari, and can be readily adopted if identified challenges can be comprehensively addressed. It is recommended that tree propagation techniques and distribution networks should be developed to enable affordable access to a wide range of appropriate germplasm. Small scale farmers should be assisted, through extension services, to manage and enhance the value of their tree crops. Institutional support through incentives such as credits, subsidies, technical support and creation of market opportunities including forest policy and legislation sensitization and implementation would boost farm forestry CollapsePublication Inhibition of Ralstonia Solanacearum by Warburgia Ugandensis Stem Bark And Leaf Crude Extracts Obtained Using Organic Solvents(FOUNDATION OF INNOVATIONS @MERUUNIVERSITY, 2023) Lideke Oliver Libese; Mworia Eric G.; Mugo CynthiaABSTRACT Ralstonia solanacearum is a soil-borne bacterial pathogen that poses significant threat to the Solanaceae family and other crops. It causes widespread bacterial wilt, a devastating disease that affects the plant's water transport system, leading to wilting and death. Numerous chemical agents and treatment methods have been employed in attempts to control R. solanacearum, but are ineffective. The study aimed to determine the in vitro efficacy of W. ugandensis stem bark and leaf crude extracts against R. solanacearum. W. ugandensis stem bark and leaf crude extracts were obtained using organic solvents viz. methanol, ethanol, dichloromethane and hexane. In vitro, antagonistic activities against R. solanacearum of all organic crude extracts of W. ugandensis were determined by standard agar well diffusion assay on Kelman’s 2, 3, 5- triphenyl tetrazolium chloride medium in triplicates. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used in the statistical analysis of the mean diameter inhibition zones. All the organic solvents crude extracts of W. ugandensis were inhibitive against R. solanacearum. However, the stem bark crude extracts exhibited significantly higher efficacy against R. solanacearum compared to the leaf crude extracts. The crude extracts were subjected to a serial dilution to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). W. ugandensis stem bark dichloromethane crude extracts had the lowest MIC of 1 mg/ml. W. ugandensis stem bark dichloromethane crude extracts were most effective against R. solanacearum. Further research is important to determine the bioactive compounds against R. solanacearum in W. ugandensis stem bark dichloromethane crude extracts.Publication Participatory Selection Of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas (L.) Lam.) Cultivars Using Mother And Baby Trial In Western Kenya(ResearchGate, 2011-10) Odhiambo G.O; Kwach J.K.; Gichuki Simon T.; Dida MathewsSweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) is a drought tolerant food security crop. Western Kenya accounts for 60% of the national production. Intensive production is constrained by lack of improved high yielding cultivars tolerant to pests and diseases. Currently, average farmer root yields range between 5.6-13.0 t ha-1. The objective of this study is to evaluate with the farmers eleven sweet potato cultivars improved for high yielding and high nutrition value; 'Kemb10', 'SPK004', 'Mugande', 'Namaswakhe', 'K117', 'Polista', 'Bungoma', 'Odinga', '292-H-12', 'Zapallo' and 'Improved Nyathi Odiewo'. These were tested against four local popular farmer cultivars; 'Uimprove Nyathi Odiewo', 'Jayalo', 'Amina' and 'Kuny kibuonjo'. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 15 treatments replicated four times per each of four locations in mother and baby trials. Assessments were done on biomass and root tuber yields. Results showed that there were significant differences in yield performance between the cultivars with 'Mugande' yielding the highest across locations. Conversely, the farmers cultivars; 'Nyathi Odiewo' and 'Kuny kibounjo' were comparable to the improved cultivars; 'Mugande', 'K117', 'Improved Nyathi Odiewo', 'Namaswakhe', 'Kemb10', and 'Odinga'. All the cultivars had dry matter content above 30% except 'Zapallo' that had 21.6%. The improved sweet potato cultivars have the potential to increase farmers' food security since they yielded 14-28 t ha-1. Involvement of farmers has been decisive in the selection of preferred sweet potato cultivars for commercial and domestic use. These cultivars could be further developed through a multiplication and marketing program to incorporate the preferred qualities for