School of Agriculture, Veterinary Science and Technology

DISEASE INCIDENCE AND GROWTH LEVELS OF SELECTED BRACHIARIA CULTIVARS IN SELECTED AGRO- ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF WESTERN REGION IN KENYA

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

DISEASE INCIDENCE AND GROWTH LEVELS OF SELECTED BRACHIARIA CULTIVARS IN SELECTED AGRO- ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF WESTERN REGION IN KENYA Rono, Jepchirchir Lydia Brachiaria is a new forage grass that has been introduced in Kenya and other nations with a big potential of enhancing the productivity of livestock. Its small seed size is however a major limitation to mass adoption. Pasture production in Western Kenya is facing the pathological and physiological issues which are caused by the Biotic and abiotic stressors and this poses negative impact on the performance of livestock more so in dairy industry. Although its use has gained increased significant, little information is available on the tolerance of the disease, seed viability and agronomic performance of Brachiaria cultivars in dissimilar agro-ecological settings, particularly its LM1 (Alupe) and LM2(Kakamega) cultivars. The current research was prompted by this research gap, as well as growing need to find a sustainable substitute to Napier grass. The overall aim of the research was to compare levels of disease incidence, growth and yielding potential of some Brachiaria cultivars in some ecological areas of Western Region, Kenya. In addition, the study had the objectives of assessing the disease tolerance, growth performance, light interception, leaf area index (LAI), and yield potential of selected Brachiaria cultivars Xaraes (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes), Piata ( Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piata), MG4 (Brachiaria brizantha ), Basilisk (Brachiaria decumbens), and Mulatto II (Brachiaria ruziziensis) with Mulatto II being used as a control. The split-plot design was adopted, where cultivars were the primary plot factor and defoliation regime (no defoliation, single defoliation, and constant defoliation since week 12) was the subplot factor. Three repetitions of the experiment were done at two agro-ecological sites, namely KALRO Kakamega (LM2) and KALRO Alupe, Busia (LM1), which were housed in a factorial design of 3x5x2. Planting material was in form of root splits obtained in KALRO Kakamega. At the planting stage, phosphate fertilizer, (40 kg/ha P2O5) was applied and nitrogen topdressed at the rate of 100 kg/ha N. Data was recorded after every four weeks and involved plant height, number of tillers, biomass yield, incidence of pest and disease, number of infloescences, seed yield, and germination rates. Mulatto II grew to the highest and Basilisk the lowest in LM1; the same occurred in the reverse in LM2. Basilisk had the most number of tillers in both regions. False smut (58%), and ergot (69.33) had the greatest impact in LM2 on Basilisk. MG4 had the lowest ergot incidence rate (41%), and Xaraes had the lowest false smut incidence rate (32%). LM1 showed no cases of disease. Most cultivars intercepted more light in LM2 than in LM1. The maximum interception of light penetration was higher in Mulatto II with the lowest light interception in Xaraes in LM1. Basilisk was the light interception leader in LM2, and Xaraes was the lowest. The same trend was observed with LAI, with exception of MG4 which registered the lowest LAI in LM1. All cultivars had the potential to high forage yield. Basilisk was the most profitable in LM1 and Piata was the least. In LM2 this trend was inverted. The cultivars were also divided according to flowering time Basilisk, MG4, and Mulatto II were early flowering and Xaraes and Piata were late flowering. Cultivar had no significant effect on seed weight with Xaraes and Mulatto II recording the highest seed weights at 100 seeds (0.38 +- 0.019 g) with Basilisk recording the lowest (0.32 +- 0.019 g). But the germination of the seeds failed and fungus of a dark sooty soil appeared probably an outcome of contamination with disease. The importance of the findings is that cultivars such as MG4 and Basilisk have been identified having high forage yield, improved disease resistance, and early flowering characteristics which are useful in breeding, pasture enhancement, and sustainable seed production plans in Kenya. The findings are particularly useful to small-scale dairy farmers, researchers, extension workers, and seed producers in search of resilient, high-yielding forages to fit the local aspect of the environment. The present study gives the background data of the performances of the specific Brachiaria cultivars and outlines disease as a significant factor that reduces seed viability. Cultivar specific disease response, defoliation response and light-use efficiency were created and can inform future breeding programs and pasture management practices. The results enhance the comprehension on improving the quality and availability of Brachiaria seeds, hence the use of the results to support the process of upscaling Brachiara production and increasing the yield of dairy in smallholder agricultural systems in Kenya.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE SUGARCANE FARMING PRACTICES AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN KAKAMEGA NORTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE SUGARCANE FARMING PRACTICES AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN KAKAMEGA NORTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA Nakhone, Wanjala Edith One of the major agricultural activities of the country is sugarcane production, although the productivity of sugarcane is low relative to the potential. Despite the fact that sustainable practices encourage production, smallholder farmers do not implement it due to a number of reasons. The research project was intended to explore the socio-economic issues that affect the adoption of the sustainable sugarcane farming culture among smallholders in Kakamega North sub-county. The objectives were specific and were as follows to evaluate the current rate of adoption of sustainable sugarcane farming practices, establish the relationship that exists between socioeconomic factors and the adoption of sustainable sugarcane farming practices among sugarcane smallholder farmers, and explore the role of farmer groups in adoption of sustainable sugarcane farming practices among sugarcane smallholder farmers. The study involved all the seven wards in Kakamega North sub-county in which the population of sugarcane smallholder farmers was 65,323 and a sample size of 394. The study employed the cross-sectional survey design. Sampling proportion was done to provide sufficient ward representation. A questionnaire that is structured was used to gather data by the questionnaire to the sampled farmers. The study results thereof included the following; 84 percent of them practiced mulching, 93 percent did not do soil testing, and 100 percent did not practice integrated harvesting methods. Gender, the level of farming experience, and income were found to have significant (p ≤ 0.05) association with adoption of mulching practices. On the same note, integration of the practices of weeding was significantly related ( p ≤ 0.05 ) to gender and education level, level of income, membership to farmer groups and access to extension services. Moreover, extension services, soils testing practice, and income level were highly associated with the adoption of the practice of soil testing. To sum up, the research paper underscores that gender, farm experience, education level, income level, farm groups and extension services are important factors in determining the sustainable farming practices adoption of sugarcane smallholder farmers. As a means of increasing the uptake of such practices, a need is presently that policymakers, agricultural extension officers and farmer organizations should focus on certain interventions that are to be packaged and lobbied effectively to enable them to take care of these critical issues and hence, create a more sustainable sugarcane production practice. Further studies are needed in future to examine long-term effects of such socio-economic factors on sustainability and address novel strategies in an effort to eliminate obstacles to the introduction of sustainable practices.

RESPONSE OF EMBRYOGENIC CALLI TO DIFFERENT COLCHICINE CONCENTRATIONS TO INDUCE POLYPLOIDY FOR ENHANCED PERFORMANCE IN CENCHRUS PURPUREUS SCHUM

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

RESPONSE OF EMBRYOGENIC CALLI TO DIFFERENT COLCHICINE CONCENTRATIONS TO INDUCE POLYPLOIDY FOR ENHANCED PERFORMANCE IN CENCHRUS PURPUREUS SCHUM WAFULA, RODGERS MESHACK Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus schumach) is an important forage crop and livestock feed. However, its yield and quality in Kenya are often limited by Napier grass headsmut and stunt disease. Napier grass genetic improvements through mutation breeding and selection could avail cultivars with increased forage. This study investigated the response of embryogenic calli to different levels of colchicine in inducing polyploidy in the two germplasms of Napier grass; South africa and Bana grass. The experiments were carried out in a factorial experiment laid in a completely randomized design (CRD). The colchicine concentrations used were 0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2%, and the exposure durations were 24, 48, and 72 h. During the shoot regeneration stage, culturing explants on an MS medium (Murashige and Skoog) supplemented with 0.2 mg L−1 Benzyl Adenine (BAP), 0.1 mg L−1 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D), and 0.1 mg L−1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was the most suitable for shoot regeneration. Chromosome doubling was confirmed by genomic DNA and, the stomata size and number. Culturing explants on an MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L−1 IBA, 1 mg L−1 2, 4-D, and 0.5 mg L−1 BAP was most suitable in inducing embryogenic calli in both genotypes. Polyploidy results revealed that a 0.1% concentration of colchicine with two days of treatment resulted in the maximum number of octoploid plantlets induced in vitro, while a 0.2% concentration was very toxic. The stomata size and number of derived octoploid plantlets were bigger with a lower density, a shorter plant height, and a smaller stem diameter, and despite being the first to produce tillers, they were significantly higher than their progenitors. Induced mutants also had a significantly higher number of chromosomes and showed different band patterns and distances during gel electrophoresis. However, we recommend the use of flow cytometry to confirm the ploidy level. The superior mutant plantlets can be selected and recommended for characterization across representative agro ecologies for large-scale production and used in Cenchrus purpureus breeding programs in Kenya and its environments. Keywords: napier grass, colchicine, induced mutation, polyploidy, genotype improvement

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN ACCESSING AND UTILIZING INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES IN ARUA DISTRICT, WEST NILE AGRO ECOLOGICAL ZONE, UGANDA

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN ACCESSING AND UTILIZING INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES IN ARUA DISTRICT, WEST NILE AGRO ECOLOGICAL ZONE, UGANDA ONZIMA, TOM Indigenous vegetables (IVs) play a critical role in enhancing food and nutrition security, yet they remain underutilized. In spite of their adaptability, nutritional value, and potential for income generation they still remain underutilized in Uganda. This study investigated the opportunities and challenges in accessing and utilizing indigenous vegetables in Arua District, West Nile agro-ecological zone. The specific objectives of the study were; To establish the influence of socio-economic factors on indigenous vegetable utilization among small-scale farmers in Arua District, Uganda, determine the level of awareness of the nutritive value of indigenous vegetables among among small scale farmers in Arua District, Uganda and identify constraints hindering the utilization of indigenous vegetable utilization among small-scale farmers in Arua District, Uganda. A correlational survey design was employed, targeting 3,000 households, with a sample of 340 respondents selected using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) formula. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, document analysis, and Focus group discussion and analysed using SPSS version 28, for quantitative data was analysed using univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistics while qualitative data was analysed thematically. Findings revealed that socio-economic factors were critical in the utilization oof indigenous vegetables (r = .0.89, p < .01), accounting for 89% in utilization of IVS. While 87% of respondents were aware of IVS and their nutritional benefits, awareness alone was not critical in the access and utilization of IVS. Key constraints included limited land, preference for exotic vegetables, limited access to certified seeds, inadequate market facilities, and weak extension support. The study concludes that socio economic characteristics and structural challenges strongly shape IVS utilization, while awareness levels alone are insufficient to drive utilization. This study therefore recommends that the local government in conjunction other development partners should strengthen extension services, improve access to certified seeds, access to market avail credit facilities, and promoting nutrition education to increase IVS utilization, adoption and sustainability.