Browsing by Author "Kuria, S."
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Item The Camel and Food Security in Northern Districts of Kenya(Animal Production Society of Kenya, 2001) Kuria, S.; Mbui, M.; Animal Production Society of KenyaA study was carried out in Marsabit, Turkana, Laikipia, Samburu and Wajir Districts to document the production and phenotypic characteristics of Rendille, Gabra, Turkana, Somali and Pakistan camels. This was to form the basis for selection and breeding to improve productivity of Kenyan camels. Production data was collected from KARl and FARM-Africa camel herds in Marsabit and Samburu and Laikipia Districts. Phenotypic data was collected by taking measurements on various body parts of camels using a tape measure. The results showed that Pakistan (P) is the highest (P < 0.05) milk yielder followed by Somali (S) while Rendille (R) and Turkana (T) had similar yields. Crosses of S with T and S with R yielded similar amounts (P < 0.05) as purebred R and Turkana. However, crosses of P with S were higher yielders than pure Somali. Birth weights of S, Rand T breeds were statistically similar while P x S calves were heavier than pure Somali (P < 0.05). Pakistan and S camels were the biggest in followed by Gabra (G) whereas either R or T were the fourth biggest depending on the sex. In conclusion, the types were Phenotypically different (P < 0.05). Pakistan camel is likely to be of different genetic background from Somali, Rendille and Turkana.Item Effects Of Grafting and High Tunnel Tomato Production on Pest Incidence, Yield And Fruit Quality In Smallholder Farms In Central Kenya(2013) Njeru, C.; Erbaugh, M.; Omaiyo, D.; Waiganjo, M.; Kovach, J .; Gathambiri, C.; Kuria, S.; Kleinhenz, M.; Miller, S.Tomato, (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most valuable local market vegetable in Kenya. Production of the crop is constrained by abiotic and biotic stresses. The major pests include bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum; tomato yellow leaf curl virus; whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci; thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis and F Schultzei; aphids, Aphis gossypii; mites, Tetranychus spp and bollworms, Helicoverpa armigera. To address these constraints, tomato grafting and use of high tunnels was evaluated in collaboration with smallholder tomato growers in Kirinyaga County. The aim of the trials was to compare grafted with un-grafted tomato and high tunnel with open field production on pest incidence, yield and fruit quality. The treatments included tomato seedlings of a common variety Onyx, grafted on a bacterial wilt resistant MT56 and un-grafted Anna F I hybrid. The tomato crops were simultaneously grown in the high tunnel and open field for two seasons in a two-factor randomized complete block design. Results showed that tomato grown in the open field had higher infestation of whiteflies (P<0.05), thrips and aphids than tomato grown in the high tunnel where no aphids and very slight whitefly and thrips infestations were recorded. Grafting the bacterial wilt susceptible var. Onyx on Mt 56 resulted in lower disease incidence in both high tunnel (15%) and open field (25%) compared to 90% and 88% disease incidence in the un-grafted Onyx in the open field and high tunnel respectively(P<0.05). There was no difference in disease incidence betweenthe production systems (P<0.05). Higher yields were recorded from high tunnel crop than the crop in open field. Tomato in the high tunnel had superior quality in terms of peel thickness, percent brix and vitamin C.Item Effects of Grafting and High Tunnel Tomato Production on Pest Incidence, Yield and Fruit Quality in Smallholder Farms in Central Kenya(2013) Kovach, J.; Miller, S.; Erbaugh, M.; Njeru, C.; Kuria, S.; Omaiyo, D.; Waiganjo, M.M.; Gathambiri, C.; Kleinhenz, M.; Jomo Kenyatta University Ohio Univeristy KARI Muguga KARI ThikaTomato, (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most valuable local market vegetable in Kenya. Production of the crop is constrained by abiotic and biotic stresses. The major pests include bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum; tomato yellow leaf curl virus; whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci; thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis and F. Schultzei; aphids, Aphis gossypii; mites, Tetranychus spp and bollworms, Helicoverpa armigera. To address these constraints, tomato grafting and use of high tunnels was evaluated in collaboration with smallholder tomato growers in Kirinyaga County. The aim of the trials was to compare grafted with un-grafted tomato and high tunnel with open field production on pest incidence, yield and fruit quality. The treatments included tomato seedlings of a common variety Onyx, grafted on a bacterial wilt resistant MT56 and ungrafted Anna Fl hybrid. The tomato crops were simultaneously grown in the high tunnel and open field for two seasons in a two-factor randomized complete block design. Results showed that tomato grown in the open field had higher infestation of white flies (P<0.05), thrips and aphids than tomato grown in the high tunnel where no aphids and very slight white fly and thrips infestations were recorded. Grafting the bacterial wilt susceptible var. Onyx on Mt 56 resulted in lower disease incidence in both high tunnel (15%) and open field (25%) compared to 90% and 88% disease incidence in the un-grafted Onyx in the open field and high tunnel respectively(P<0.05). There was no difference in disease incidence between the production systems (P<0.05). Higher yields were recorded from high tunnel crop than the crop in open field. Tomato in the high tunnel had superior quality in terms of peel thickness, percent brix and vitamin C.Item Fodder Farming In The Arid And Semi-Arid Lands Of Kenya: A Potential Profitable Venture(IOSR Journal of Economics and Finance (IOSR-JEF), 2023-05-24) Manyeki, J.K.; Kuria, S.; Kidake,B.; Maweu, A.; Mulei, B.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationBackground: In Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), the productivity of livestock is seriously constrained by the productivity and nutritive value of the common fodder species. Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization in partnership with SNV Netherlands promoted an innovative project of a mixed-sward of legume and grass production materials using a wide array of twenty genetic fodder materials. Materials and Methods: This paper employed a profit frontier efficiency alongside the financial accounting of gross margin and benefit-cost ratio to examine the profitability of the fodder materials promoted. Results: The results revealed how profitable the production of fodder legumes and grasses could be both in the lowlands and highlands zones of ASALs with an average of over 83.94% profit efficiency score and more than 2.7 benefit-cost ratios. It was also very clear that profit efficiency measurement is different from financial accounting measures of gross margin and benefit-cost ratio. Conclusion: Thus, an effective and broad-ranging legume-grass development program based on the two measures is central to addressing the productivity of fodder production in Kenya.Item Mortality in Galla Goat Production System in Southern Rangelands of Kenya: Levels and Predictors(Journal of Agricultural Production, 2022-12-15) Manyeki, J.K.; Kidake, B.; Mulei, B.; Kuria, S.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationHerd health and adaptability are of concern in animal production in the tropics because of the persistent exposure to multiple stresses of low quality and quantity feeds, heat stress, high disease, and parasite incidences, poor husbandry, and breeding practices; the combined effects of these factors is high livestock mortality. High health-related mortality has been frequently reported as the major impediment to livestock production and thus the aim of this article is to investigate the vital infectious diseases and non-infectious factors that account for the majority of deaths which is crucial in determining mortality control strategies. The study applies a descriptive, Kaplan-Meier method, and truncated regression analysis using an eight-year retrospective data spanning from 2014 to 2021 was applied for this analysis. The results indicate infectious diseases as the most important cause of Galla goat mortality. The mean monthly and annual mortality rates are higher and the pre-weaning mortality of Galla goat appeared to be one of the major constraints hampering the development of replacement stock. The risk factors considered for high mortality were the age and sex of the kids. Among the infectious diseases analyzed, bacterial, parasitic, and non-specific infectious diseases were identified as the important causes of Galla goat mortality, while the non-infectious conditions included malnutrition and thermal/cold shock. The analysis provided an improved insight into animal-health-related factors which once addressed could reduce mortality and hence optimize animal husbandry performance in Galla goat production systems. Interventions in Galla goat health and husbandry are recommended to control kids' mortality.
