KALRO e-Repository
The KALRO Repository stands as a digital hub for the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, dedicated to advancing the dissemination and accessibility of valuable resources in the field of agricultural and livestock research. This repository serves as a comprehensive platform housing a myriad of research outputs, scholarly publications, datasets, and other pertinent materials generated by KALRO.
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- Biotechnology research aims to improve agricultural productivity, food security, and the livelihoods of farmers through the application of modern biotechnological techniques
- A variety of extension materials aimed at transferring knowledge and best practices to farmers, agricultural workers, and other stakeholders.
- KALRO conducts pivotal research on food crops to boost productivity and food security in Kenya. Their work includes developing high-yielding, disease-resistant crop varieties, optimizing agronomic practices, and enhancing climate resilience.
- Horticulture research focuses on improving productivity, sustainability, and quality of various fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Recent Submissions
Agronomic performance, genetic variation and heritability of yield and related traits in rice genotypes under upland conditions
(African Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (AJPAS), 2022) Al-Imran Dianga
; Ruth N Musila; W. J. Kamau; Department of Plant Sciences, Kenyatta University; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Mwea, Kerugoya, Kenya; Department of Plant Sciences, Kenyatta University
Although rice production potential under rain fed ecology doubles that of irrigated lowland in Kenya, there has been little advancement in identifying suitable varieties adapted to upland rice ecology. This study was carried out to appraise the agronomic performance, heritability, grain yield components, genetic variability, and correlations for grain yield and identity of suitable varieties for the upland ecology. Eight rice genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design alongside three replicates under upland conditions. Collection of data included days to 50% flowering, height of the plant, productive tillers-1, panicle length, grain length, panicle weight, grains panicle-1, spikelet fertility, grain yield weight of one thousand grains, grain breadth and breadth/ length ratio of the grain. Data analysis involved Analysis of variance, broad sense heritability estimates determination and principal component analysis. Genotype’s variation was significant for all traits measured. The first three principal components accounted for 94.67% of the sum variation among 12 traits under study. The outcome of heritability estimates and the PCA indicated that the characters 50% flowering days, weight of a thousand grains, spikelet fertility, length of the panicle, grain breadth, length of the grain and breadth/length ratio, accounted for most of variance in the variables observed and showed average to high broad sense heritability. Therefore, for these traits, early generation selection was effective in identifying superior genotypes following hybridization. From the eight cultivars used in the study, NERICA 10 and NERICA 2 varieties had better indicators for coastal lowlands of Kenya.
Contribution of genes related to grain number (Gn1a and WFP) introgressed into NERICA 1 to grain yield under tropical highland conditions in central Kenya
(Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group, 2023) Mayumi Kikuta a,b; Daniel Makori Menge c; Emily Waringa Gichuhi c; Hiroaki Samejima b,d; Rena Tomita e; John Munji Kimani c; Ruth Nzisa Musila c; Kazuyuki Doi e; Motoyuki Ashikari f; Rosalyn Angeles-Shim f,g,h; Kshirod Kumar Jena g,i; Daigo Makihara b; a Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan; b International Center for Research and Education in Agriculture, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan;; c Industrial Crops Research Center-Mwea, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Kerugoya, Kenya; d Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Sapporo, Japan; e Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan; f Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan; g Novel Gene Resources Laboratory, Plant Breeding Division, International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines; h Department of Plant and Soil Science, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, USA; i School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, India
In Kenya and many other African countries, improving rice productivity is vital for future food security. To improve rice productivity in Kenya, near-isogenic lines (NIL) were developed by introducing Gn1a and WFP, genes that function to increase grain number per panicle by increasing secondary and primary rachis-branches, into NERICA 1, a registered variety in Kenya. The aim of this study was to determine whether the introduction of these genes has the potential to improve rice productivity under tropical highland conditions in central Kenya. Field experiments were conducted in 2016 and 2017 at a lowland rice field in Mwea, Kenya, under different nitrogen fertilization conditions using three lines of NERICA 1 introgressed with Gn1a and/or WFP (NIL-Gn1a, NIL-WFP, and NIL-Gn1a+WFP) and their recurrent parents, NERICA 1. Two years of field experiments revealed that the introgression lines enhanced grain yield by increasing the number of primary and secondary rachis-branches and the number of grains per panicle. Gn1a and WFP showed additive effects and the introgression of both genes alleviated the negative effects on yield components observed in the introgressed lines, resulting in higher grain yield. Sufficient nitrogen fertilization was required to increase yield in the single-gene introgression lines. However, the line with both Gn1a and WFP achieved reasonable yields even under low fertilizer conditions in Mwea, Kenya. As these introgression lines have similar growing characteristics to their parent variety, they are expected to contribute to increased rice production in Kenya and similar environments in sub-Saharan Africa.
Using Principal Component Analysis to Assess Soil Chemical Properties in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya: Implications for Rice Agronomic Management
(International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 2024) Menge, Daniel M. ; Musila, Ruth N.; Kagito, Sammy; Bii, Lourine; Gichuki, James; Gichuhi, Emily; Kundu, Caroline A.; Murori, Rosemary; Ismail, Abdelbagi; Panchbhai, Ajay; a: International Rice Research Institute, P.O. Box 30709 Nairobi 00100, Kenya; b: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization,
P.O. Box 57811, 00200, City Square, Nairobi, Kenya.; c: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center,
P.O. Box 1041-00621 Village Market, Nairobi, Kenya; d: International Fertilizer Development Centre, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant challenges as a net importer of rice, with self-sufficiency rates plummeting to as low as 14% in countries like Kenya. The Mwea irrigation scheme shoulders the bulk of rice cultivation, contributing over 80% of the country’s production. However, productivity within the scheme has seen a concerning decline, dropping from 5.6 ─ 6.0 t ha-1 to 1.3 ─ 4.6 t ha-1 between 1977 and 2018. This decline could be attributed to site-specific nutritional deficiencies and/or toxicities, rendering generalized agronomic recommendations ineffective in certain areas. To address this problem, our study aimed to assess soil chemical properties variability within the Mwea irrigation scheme, identify clusters with similar nutritional status, and tailor area-specific agronomic recommendations. During May to September 2020, we collected and analyzed four hundred samples from five sections of the scheme for total organic carbon, soil pH, macro and micronutrients, and exchangeable cations. Principal component analysis was conducted on the mean values of the soil chemical properties to identify significant contributors to variation and establish zones with similar patterns. Principal components 1 to 4 collectively explained 72.2% of the total variability. Cluster analysis revealed four distinct clusters, namely MW, TB, KT, and WU. Within cluster MW, soil pH was below the optimum range for rice cultivation, suggesting a need for liming. Potassium deficiency was observed across all clusters, with rice straw incorporation recommended as a long-term solution. Furthermore, zinc deficiency was noted in cluster WU, necessitating zinc fertilizer application. Conversely, iron toxicity was a concern in cluster MW, suggesting the adoption of alternating wetting and drying techniques and cultivating tolerant varieties. By proving tailored recommendations based on localized soil conditions, we aim to bolster rice productivity within the Mwea irrigation scheme and contribute to regional food security efforts.
Rice Research for Tailor-Made Breeding and Cultivation Technology Development in Kenya
(Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd., 2025-07) Daigo Makihara; Emily Gichuhi; Daniel Menge; Ruth Musila; Kazuyuki Doi; Mayumi Kikuta; John Kimani; Yoshiaki Inukai; Hiroaki Samejima; Rena Tomita; Akira Yamauchi; Tsukasa Nagamine; Misa Masuda; Kenji Irie; International Center for Research and Education in Agriculture, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Industrial Crops Research Institute-Mwea, Kerugoya, Kirinyaga County, Kenya; International Rice Research Institute, Africa Regional Office-Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya; Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan; Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Food Crops Research Institute-Mtwapa, Mtwapa, Kilifi County, Kenya; Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Crop Science, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan; Asian Satellite Campuses Institute, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Rice production in Kenya faces numerous challenges, including drought, cold damage, salinity, low-fertility soils, and blast disease. To address these biotic and abiotic stresses and boost rice production, the Rice Research for Tailor-Made Breeding and Cultivation Technology Development project was conducted from 2013 to 2018. This project aimed to establish a research base for breeding and cultivation technology development in Kenya. The objectives were to develop a rice breeding and evaluation system, characterize rice varieties to identify beneficial traits, develop breeding lines using beneficial genes/QTLs, identify challenges and technical solutions to enhance rice productivity, and identify the optimal conditions for effective gene/QTL expression through genotype × environment × management interaction analysis. Key outcomes included upgrading the research environment at KALRO Mwea, establishing evaluation systems for various traits, identifying useful breeding materials, developing promising breeding lines, and demonstrating technical improvement measures. Continued efforts after the project have led to the registration of new rice varieties in Kenya and the strengthening of the rice seed production system. This project also contributed to network building and human resource development. Future prospects include continuing variety improvement and cultivation technology development, incorporating cutting-edge scientific technologies, enhancing the research capacity at KALRO Mwea, and developing it as a hub for rice research talent in East Africa.
Evaluation of formulated strigolactone analogs for Striga management in Kenyan agriculture
(Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 2025) Muhammad Jamil; Sylvia Mutinda; Jian You Wang; Damaris Barminga; Agnes Mwihaki; Lynet Navangi; Teresa O. Okiyo; Rohit H. Patil; Titus Ngatia; Patrick Mudavadi; Steven Runo; Salim Al-Babili; Muhammad Jamil; Jian You Wang; Salim Al-Babili; The BioActives Lab, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, 43844 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, Alupe Center, Busia, 399-50400, Kenya; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, Kibos Center, Kisumu, Kenya; UPL House, Express Highway, Bandra-East, Mumbai, 400 051, Maharashtra, India; UPL Kenya Leadership Team, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya; Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
Striga hermonthica, an obligate root parasitic weed affecting cereal crops, poses a significant threat to global food security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Germination of Striga seed largely relies on signaling molecules released by the host roots, mainly strigolactones (SLs). Suicidal germination is an effective strategy for reducing Striga seed banks in infested soils by applying SL analogs in the absence of a host. However, the challenge remains in developing suitably formulated SL analogs for field application. In this report, we assessed the activity of two SL analogs, MP3 and Nijmegen-1, in both granular and liquid formulations in laboratory and greenhouse settings, and conducted mini-field and field trials to evaluate their effectiveness under farmers’ conditions, using maize as the host crop in Kenyan agriculture. We observed a significant induction of Striga seed germination reaching up to 56 % in laboratory germination bioassays and a reduction in Striga emergence by up to 77 % in greenhouse pot studies. In mini- and field trials in different infested fields, we recorded up to 80 % and 65 % reduction in Striga emergence, respectively. In conclusion, the formulated SL analogs demonstrate significant potential to reduce Striga infestation in maize fields in Kenya and are promising candidates for use by farmers due to their simplicity, ease of handling, stability, and effectiveness.