School of Agriculture and Biotechnology
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Item 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.Item Salinity tolerance, growth and survival of three Artemia franciscana (Kellogg, 1906) populations under laboratory conditions(Wiley, 2024-04) Ngarari, Morine M.; Rugendo, Derrick G.; Nyonje, Betty M.; Hinzano, Sheban M.; Midumbi, David O.; Ngugi, Charles C.; 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 progenitors 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.Item 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.Item Crop Production in Irrigation Schemes in Turkana County, Kenya, Before and During COVID-19 (2018-2021)(2023-08-11) lLokuruka, Michael N. I.Turkana County, located in the northwest of Kenya, is an arid county and the poorest in the country, with a poverty index of 79.3% vs. 34.4% for the country. Due to its aridity, crop production is severely constrained and the County is a net importer of foodstuffs, except beef, mutton and camel meats. Crop production in the operating irrigation schemes depends on water from retreat flooding in March-May and any that is let into and retained in canals when the seasonal rivers are flowing. This project aimed to assess the influence of COVID-19 and other undetermined factors on crop production in 10 irrigation schemes along the Tirkwell River, over the period 2018-2021. The study administered a semi-structured questionnaire to 104 randomly selected farmers, who owned farm plots in the irrigation schemes. One-on-one interviews were held, due to the high level of illiteracy of the respondents. Twelve elders and administrators were the key informants. The study established that sorghum was the dominant crop grown in 9 out of the schemes, except in Kooliyoro-Kaaiteese, where maize was the main crop. Other crops in declining order by production volume included cowpeas, green grams, black grams and in Keekoroe-ngole, some green vegetables. The weight of the dominant crop and other crops varied significantly (p≤ 0.05) in the same irrigation scheme across the years of interest for this study, and also across the irrigation schemes over the production period. The results of the study showed that COVID-19 breakout did not affect crop production in the irrigation schemes studied. Farmer poverty level, lack of expert extension services, use of uncertified and reused seed, unreliable water supply, and regular droughts affected crop production. The most productive 3 schemes in descending order by crop production volumes were Nanyee, Napool andKeekoroe-ngole, while Naremit was the least productive. Crop production suffers from long-term sustainability in all the schemes for most of the above reasons. To improve crop production, the study recommends the provision of expert extension services, a steady water supply, annual donation of certified seeds, improvement in crop-care services, streamlining crop marketing services and the upgrade of governance and management capability in the irrigation schemes.Item INFLUENCE OF ENERGY CONSERVATION PRACTICES ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN STAR RATED HOTELS IN MT. KENYA REGION, KENYA(2022-10-10) CHOMBA, Grace Wanjiru; BICHAGE, Gesage; KARIUKI, AnnThis study sought to establish the effect of energy conservation practices on customer satisfaction in star rated hotels in Mt. Kenya Region. The study was anchored on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Descriptive research design was used. The study targeted all 24 star rated hotels in Nyeri, Laikipia, Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi. Yamane formula was used to obtain a sample of 243 respondents. Stratified random sampling was used to select the respondents. Primary data collected using structured questionnaires was used. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 25. The study found that energy conversation practices had a significant and positive relationship with customer satisfaction in star rated hotels in Mt. Kenya Region. The study recommends the need for hotels to adopt sustainable technologies, include the use of energy efficiency measures/equipment, building design techniques that maximize the available daylightItem Coping strategies to food insecurity employed by students of karatina university, kenya(2022-05-20) Sewe, Daniel, S.; Lokuruka, Michael N.I.It has been reported that 1 in 3 Kenyans suffers from severe food insecurity and poor nutrition. This study aimed to establish the level of food insecurity among Karatina University students and coping strategies employed. A nutrition survey research design and random sampling was done with a sample size of 94 undergraduate students, who resided within the university. The students filled questionnaires for the details required. The proximate composition of frequently consumed foods was estimated by AOAC methods. Dietary and non-dietary coping strategies to food insecurity and diets consumed by students were established. The percentage of students who were food insecure was 27.85% as evidenced by skipping a meal due to lack of money variously for 1-3 days in a month. Also, 22.3% borrowed foods from friends and neighbors, 48.9% stuck to simple and affordable meals, which were either, rice+beans/green grams or ugali+cabbage/ leafy green vegetables) or ugali+beans/green grams. The non-dietary strategy showed 18.1% students reducing expenditure on airtime, while 2.1% sold assets-mobile phones and laptops. The most commonly consumed meals by both genders were chapatti + beans/green grams at 24.5% or rice + beans/ green grams or cabbage/kales/spinach either at 12.8%. The dimension of food security that was not met by students was food affordability.Item Effects of blended fertilizers on soil chemical properties of mature tea fields in Kenya(2018-06) Sitienei, Kibet; Kamiri, Hellen W.; Nduru, Gilbert M.; Kamau, David M.Kenya’s tea industry depends predominantly on imported NPK fertilizers to replenish nutrients removed through plucking. In this respect, two blended fertilizers containing NPKS 25:5:5:4+9Ca+2.6Mg and NPKS 23:5:5:4+10Ca+3Mg with trace elements have been produced in the country. However, contribution of the blended fertilizers to optimal tea yields had not been determined. The study aimed to evaluate the optimal levels of the two blended fertilizers on tea grown in the highlands of Kenya. The blended fertilizers were evaluated in two sites, i.e. Timbilil estate in Kericho and Kagochi farm in Nyeri. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design with two blended fertilizers and the standard NPK 26:5:5 as a control. The treatments were applied at four fertilizer rates (0-control, 75, 150 and 225 kg N ha-1 yr-1), with three replications. The results showed that application of 225 kg N ha-1 yr-1 blended fertilizer NPKS 25:5:5:4+9Ca+2.6Mg in Timbilil produced mean yield of 2,995 kg Mt ha-1 compared with 3,099 kg Mt ha-1 from the standard NPK. In Kagochi, the highest yield was 1,975 kg Mt ha-1 obtained from the application of the same blended fertilizer NPKS 25:5:5:4+9Ca+2.6Mg at 75 kg N ha-1 yr-1. The highest yields in both sites were obtained during a warm-dry season except in 2015–2016. This study concluded that based on the annual and seasonal yields, the two blended fertilizers and the standard type had the same effectiveness, irrespective of clones and sites. However, the fertilizer rates affected the tea yield.Item EFFECTS OF BLENDED FERTILIZERS ON YIELDS OF MATURE TEA CLONES TRFK 6/8 AND BBK 35 GROWN IN KENYAN HIGHLANDS(2018-08) Sitienei, Kibet; Kamiri, Hellen Wangechi Kamiri; Nduru, Gilbert M.; Kamau, DavidKenya’s tea industry depends predominantly on imported NPK fertilizers to replenish nutrients removed through plucking. In this respect, two blended fertilizers containing NPKS 25:5:5:4+9Ca+2.6Mg and NPKS 23:5:5:4+10Ca+3Mg with trace elements have been produced in the country. However, contribution of the blended fertilizers to optimal tea yields had not been determined. The study aimed to evaluate the optimal levels of the two blended fertilizers on tea grown in the highlands of Kenya. The blended fertilizers were evaluated in two sites, i.e. Timbilil estate in Kericho and Kagochi farm in Nyeri. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design with two blended fertilizers and the standard NPK 26:5:5 as a control. The treatments were applied at four fertilizer rates (0-control, 75, 150 and 225 kg N ha-1 yr-1), with three replications. The results showed that application of 225 kg N ha-1 yr-1 blended fertilizer NPKS 25:5:5:4+9Ca+2.6Mg in Timbilil produced mean yield of 2,995 kg Mt ha-1 compared with 3,099 kg Mt ha-1 from the standard NPK. In Kagochi, the highest yield was 1,975 kg Mt ha-1 obtained from the application of the same blended fertilizer NPKS 25:5:5:4+9Ca+2.6Mg at 75 kg N ha-1 yr-1. The highest yields in both sites were obtained during a warm-dry season except in 2015-2016. This study concluded that based on the annual and seasonal yields, the two blended fertilizers and the standard type had the same effectiveness, irrespective of clones and sites. However, the fertilizer rates affected the tea yield.Item A Preliminary Survey of Animal Handling and Cultural Slaughter Practices among Kenyan Communities: Potential Influence on Meat Quality(African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2016) Lokuruka, MichaelKenya is composed of over 40 ethnic communities who practice varied methods of animal handling and slaughter. Socio-cultural and religious traditions have the potential to influence animal handling and slaughter practices. These influences have, however, not been documented in the literature as far as the author is aware. Also, the literature has documented the connection between the manner of animal treatment and meat quality, but this is rarely discussed in the literature in Kenya; this connection is important as it informs modern meat trade practices by Kenyans as they trade in the global arena. This survey aimed to mainly establish and document the animal slaughter practices among Kenyan communities, and, to also highlight any current provisions related to meeting modern animal welfare requirements, animal handling procedures in the meat trade and discuss their potential influence on meat quality available in commerce in Kenya. This preliminary study surveyed the slaughter practices among 10 different Kenyan communities through a semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and individual interviews. The survey demonstrated that different Kenyan communities practice varied methods of animal slaughter depending on whether the animal being slaughtered is for public feasting, domestic consumption or commercial merchandizing. The Kenyan communities surveyed in this study depend mainly on males to slaughter livestock for females preparing it for domestic use using a number of instruments and methods. For small stock for domestic consumption, females may slaughter the animal except for Muslims whose males have to slaughter the animal with a special knife (a Khalef) according to Muslim rites to render it Halal. Large stock is invariably slaughtered by males irrespective of the community, and the manner of use of the carcass. Gender, age, religion, community and the size of the animal were the major determinants of the method of animal slaughter. The animal welfare issues highlighted in the survey and related to the handling and slaughter of livestock have important implications for meat quality during commercial merchandizing. There is an apparent need to provide education to herders, livestock handlers, employees and management in the livestock industry in Kenya on the relationship between animal welfare requirements, animal handling procedures and meat quality. Such awareness can potentially improve the quality and economic value of the meat available in commerce.Item Nutrient Content of On-farm Formulated Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Feeds: Implications for the Aquaculture Industry in Kenya(Ajfand, 2020-07) Lokuruka, MNI; Muteti, MK; Yasindi, AWDue to the high costs and the unavailability of good quality fish feeds in Kenya, farmers have opted to use cheaper, locally available on-farm formulated feeds. In spite of this, farmers continue to incur losses probably due to poor nutritive quality of these on-farm feeds. Furthermore, literature on the proximate composition and appropriateness of onfarm formulated feeds for raising farmed fish in Kenya is scanty. Motivated by these reasons, this study sought to investigate the proximate composition of on-farm formulated Nile tilapia feeds and selected commercial fish feeds used in Bomet, Kericho and Nakuru Counties of the Rift Valley Region of Kenya and compared the proximate composition with the official nutrient composition of fish feeds. The method of feed formulation used was also investigated using semi-structured questionnaires. The study also estimated the weight of fish harvested at the end of a production cycle. The results revealed a significant difference between the sampled feeds’ moisture, crude protein and mineral contents and the legislated nutrient levels of the commercial feeds commonly used in the counties. There was also a significant difference between the crude protein content of feeds in the three counties (P < 0.05). More than 50% of respondent farmers in the three counties used Pearson Square Method for fish feed formulation, while the rest used the trial and error method. The mean weight of fish during harvest was 311.5±155.8 g with fish from Kericho County weighing significantly lower than those from Nakuru and Bomet Counties (P < 0.05). Most of the on-farm formulated feeds from the three counties do not meet the recommended nutrient requirements for raising Nile Tilapia. This may be contributing to the observed low weights of the fish harvested, the low fish production and the apparent stagnation of the aquaculture sub-sector in Kenya. The study recommends the formulation of good quality fish feeds through the use of proper methods and appropriate ingredients. This could be achieved through monthly farmers’ trainings on best aquaculture practices.