Department of Agricultural Sciences

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    Assessment of phenotypic diversity of Kenyan dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus L. sweet) germplasm based on morphological markers
    (2017) Kamotho, Grace N.; Muasya, Reuben M.; Kinyua, Miriam G.
    In Kenya, lack of phenotypic diversity assessment of Lablab has hindered its improvement. It is common to find that morphologically similar cultivars do not bear the same name while cultivars bearing the same name may not be identical morphologically. The aim of this study was to clear the ambiguity that exists in differentiating between the various phenotypes of Lablab. The morphological method is the oldest and considered the first step in description and classification of germplasms. Forty five accessions of Lablab collected from farmers’ fields in Rift Valley, Eastern, Coast and Central regions of Kenya were planted at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Njoro farm. A descriptor from Asian Vegetable Research Development Center was used as a guide. Results on means separation showed a high level of variability in quantitative traits and a low level of variability in qualitative traits. Eigen vectors derived from principal component analysis indicated that seed yield per plant, number of pods per plant, plant height and days to 90% mature pods contributed highly to total diversity in Lablab. In conclusion, Lablab germplasm grown in Kenya is morphologically diverse in quantitative traits where different genotypes are distinctly dissimilar.
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    Salinity tolerance, growth and survival of three Artemia franciscana (Kellogg, 1906) populations under laboratory conditions
    (Wiley, 2024-04-17) Ngarari, Morine M.; Rugendo, Derrick G.; Nyonje, Betty M.; Hinzano, Sheban M.; Midumbi, David O.; Ngugi, Charles C.; Opiyo, Mary A.; Okalo, Francis A.; Gatune, Charles W.
    In the 1980s, Artemia franciscana from San Francisco Bay (SFB) was introduced into Kenyan saltworks, where it has colonized and established stable populations. However, little is known about its biology, particularly with respect to its parental SFB population. This study compared the salinity tolerances of Kenyan (KEN) population, their SFB pro-genitors and those of Great Salt Lake (GSL) populations. Growth and survival of these A. franciscana populations were evaluated under varying salinity levels in a laboratory set up. A. franciscana nauplii were cultured at a rate of 1 nauplii/mL in 36 Erlenmeyer flasks and fed microalgae (Chaetoceros sp.) at 1.5 × 106 cells/animal/day for 8 days. Survival was evaluated daily and survivors were fixed in individual vials with Lugol solution. The total length of each fixed A. franciscana nauplii specimen was measured under a compound microscope. All populations were susceptible to salinities greater than 100 g/L. Compared with the parental SFB population, the KEN population exhibited significantly reduced survival and growth at 140 g/L, suggesting a narrower salinity tolerance range. These findings underscore the need for further studies focusing on other physiological parameters, abiotic factors and genetic characterization to confirm whether the KEN population is experiencing ecological adaptation. This will contribute to the optimization of Artemia practices in various salinity environments as a result of climate change.