Browsing by Author "Mutisya, D."
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Item Cow Pea Trainer of Trainers’ Manual(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization., 2019-04) Macharia, D.; Waithaka, M.; Otipa, M.; Too, A.; Esilaba, A.O.; Nyongesa, D.; Okoti, M.; Mutuma, E.; Kathuku-Gitonga, A.N.; Mutisya, D.; Njunie, M.; Muli, B.; Karanja, J.K.; Wasilwa, L.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization.Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is an important food and fodder legume crop in the semi-arid tropics. It is grown in 45 countries across the world. An estimated 14.5 million ha of land is planted to cowpea each year worldwide. Sub-Saharan Africa region accounts for about 84% of area as well as production. The world average yield is estimated at about 450 kg/ha. Kenya is among the major cowpea producing countries in Africa. Cowpea is well suited to diverse environments and fit in various cropping systems owing to their wide adaptability, low input requirements, fast growth, nitrogen fixing and weed smothering ability. The majority of cowpea growers are women who grow the crop primarily for household food, but also for sale-an increasing phenomenon in recent years. The typical woman cowpea grower has a small plot, 0.625 to 2.5 acres often intercropped with other cereals such as sorghum, millet and maize. The purpose of this training of trainers’ module is to familiarize master trainers on the cowpea technologies, innovations and management practices (TIMPs) and empower them with knowledge and skills to train farmers’ trainers.Item Farm-Level Agricultural Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change Extension Manual(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2019-12) Okoti, M.; Esilaba, A.O.; Ketiem, P.; Mangale, N.; Muli, B.M.; Nyongesa, D.; Otipa, M.; Mutisya, D.; Too, A.; Njiru, E.; Muthiani, E.; Finyange, P.; Ndanu, A.; Wasilwa, L.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationClimate change and variability is acknowledged as a global phenomenon with potentially far-reaching implications to many economic sectors. It is characterized by increased recurrence of droughts, floods, rainfall variability (pattern, timing and intensity), increased mean surface temperature and famine that threaten millions of people, crops and livestock systems. The developing countries and the poor in society are highly vulnerable to impacts of climate change despite the minimal contribution (less than 10%) to the annual global carbon dioxide emissions. The increasingly observed weather risks threaten the agricultural production systems and food security conditions for majority of population in Kenya. Farmers who largely practice subsistence farming for livelihoods are characterized by degraded soils, small farm sizes, and low crop yields. Therefore, sustaining farmers’ agricultural growth and minimizing climate related shocks is crucial in building farmers and food production system resilience. Agricultural adaptations to climate change need to be resilient to deal with stresses and disturbances. These adaptations can either be technological, institutional or policy interventions to help farmers build resilience to current and future climate related shocks as well as mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.Item Influence of Soil Types on Citrus Nematode Species Diversity and Abundance Under Varied Ecological Conditions in Kenya(Pakistan Journal of Nematology, 2022-05-21) Kiptoo, J.; Mutisya, D.; Ndegwa, P.; Amata, R.; Irungu, L.; Godfrey, R.; University of Nairobi ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization ; Machakos University ; Masinde Muliro University of Science and TechnologyPlant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) cause major crop losses by damaging plant roots and causing reduced absorption of soil nutrient elements. A two-year survey in 2018 and 2019 was conducted in most citrus growing regions in Kenya to assess the abundance, distribution and diversity of plant parasitic nematodes from different soil rhizosphere. Nematode population in 200cc of soil and 5g of roots were collected for PPNs extraction by using modified Baermann’s technique and identification by morphological features. The findings indicated that four major genera were abundant in different citrus growing ecological zones in Kenya. The identified species were Meloidogyne incognita, Tylenchulus semipenetrans, Helicotylenchus dihystera and, Pratylenchus brachyurus. The most abundant species in all the surveyed localities was T. semipenetrans. Factor regression analysis results showed that modest rainfall amounts favoured high density populations of PPNs on citrus roots where soil types of Rackers in Baringo and Luvisols, Ferralsols and Cambisols in Machakos County were dominant. Tylenchulus, Meloidogyne and Helicotylenchus species were most abundant in Kitale, Taita-Taveta, Kilifi and Kwale. The results presented here show how possible population density of PPNs in varied soil class types, rainfall amounts and prevailing temperature would be influenced by abiotic factors therein.Item KALRO-KCEP - CRAL Green Grams Trainer of Trainers’ Manual(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2019-04) Macharia, D.; Waithaka, M.; Otipa, M.; Too, A.; Esilaba, A.O.; Nyongesa, D.; Okoti, M.; Mutuma, E.; Kathuku-Gitonga, A.N.; Mutisya, D.; Njunie, M.; Muli, B.; Karanja, J.K.; Wasilwa, L.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationGreen gram (Vigna radiata L.) also known as Mung bean and in Kiswahili Ndengu is one of the potential food and cash crop pulses that have been observed to perform well in the arid regions of Kenya. The crop is commonly grown in central, south Nyanza, eastern and coastal regions. Green gram is well suited to diverse environments and fit in various cropping systems owing to their wide adaptability, low input requirements, fast growth, nitrogen fixing and weed smothering ability. Sole crop, cereal-bean and root or tuber crop-green gram intercrops are important among the many green gram cropping systems in Kenya and for which the crop‘s rapid maturity and shade tolerance make it particularly suitable.Item KCEP-CRAL Millet Training of Trainers’ Manual(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization., 2019-04) Kisilu, R.; Muli, B.; Karanja, J.K.; Otipa, M.; Esilaba, A.O.; Nyongesa, D.; Okoti, M.; Mutuma, E.; Kathuku-Gitonga, A.N.; Too, A.; Mutisya, D.; Njunie, M.; Wasilwa, L.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationThe purpose of this training of trainer’s module is to familiarize extension officers, lead farmers and service providers on the millet production practices and empower them knowledge and skills to train farmers’ trainers.. This will enable them to impart knowledge on good agricultural millet production practices to farmers through farmer trainings.Millets are a group of grasses mainly found in the arid and semiarid regions. They produce small seeded grains and are often cultivated as cereals. They include Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), Finger millet (Eleusine coracana), Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) and Foxtail millet (Setaria italica). The popularity of millet fell for some years due to introduction of maize, wheat and rice, but the current unpredictable rainfall patterns accompanied by frequent maize crop failures have led to renewed interest in the production of indigenous, drought tolerant crops. Popularity of millets is once again on the rise with millers demand being far above the deliveries. Land under millets production in Kenya was 111,271 ha in 2011 with a production of 73,396 tons.Item Maize Trainer of Trainers’ Manual(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), 2019-04) Karanja, J.K.; Otipa, M.; Esilaba, A.O.; Nyongesa, D.; Okoti, M.; Mutuma, E.; Kathuku-Gitonga, A.N.; Too, A.; Mutisya, D.; Njunie, M.; Muli, B.; Wasilwa, L.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)The purpose of this training of trainer’s module is to familiarize extension officers, lead farmers and service providers on the maize production manual content and empower them with the capacity and training methods. This will enable them to impart knowledge on good agricultural production practices of maize farming through farmer trainings. Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major staple food in Kenya. It can be used as food, feed for animals and as a source of industrial raw material. It contributes to about 65% of daily per capita cereal consumption. Maize accounts for more than 20% of the total agricultural production and 25% of agricultural employment in the country. Maize is an important source of carbohydrate, protein, iron, vitamin B, and minerals. Its products include baked, roasted and boiled fresh maize on the cob, porridge, pastes, beer, starch, oil and livestock feed from by-products of fresh and dry maize grain.Item Optimizing the Timing of Management Interventions Against Fall Armyworm in African Smallholder Maize: Modelling the Pattern of Larval Population Emergence and Development(Elsevier Ltd., 2022-03-25) Lowry, A.; Durocher-Granger, L.; Oronje, M.L.; Mutisya, D.; Mfune, T.; Gitonga, C.; Musesha, M.; Taylor, B.; Wood, S.; Chacha, D.; Beale, T.; Finch, E.A.; Murphy, S.T.; CABI ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) ; Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI)Since its invasion in late 2016, the fall armyworm has a widespread year-round distribution within Africa where it continues to threaten cereal production, particularly maize. Most recommended control advice emphasises the need for interventions against larvae early after colonization of a new maize crop by adults followed by a later intervention if an infestation persists. The current times for action are approximate action thresholds based on scouting which are difficult to implement as early development stages are cryptic and farmers, especially smallholders, have limited time for crop assessments. To improve the impact of controls, the modelling of early and late instar larval population emergence and development in relation to physiological time from planting was developed to enable times to action to be predicted and conveyed to farmers. The two larval population emergence models were built from field fall armyworm data from maize in Zambia and validated from similar data from multiple maize sites in Kenya. A component was included in the models to allow synchronization of maize emergence with larval development. Physiological time, in degree-days, was estimated using Earth Observation land surface temperature data sets. As precise information on action thresholds is lacking for Africa, recent published data on thresholds based on economic injury levels from Colombia were used as a guide but the models can be updated when new information becomes available for Africa. The practical implementation of the models in Africa is discussed including the outcome of some recent preliminary trials with maize farmers in Kenya.Item Potassium Nutrient Status and Management in Kenyan Soils for Increased Productivity(East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal, 2022) Kathuku-Gitonga, A.N.; Esilaba, A.O.; Mangale, N.; Wasilwa, L.; Okoti, M.; Nyongesa, D.; Kamoni, P.T.; Waruru, B.K.; Muya, E.M.; Thuranira, E.; Mutisya, D.; African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) ; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Kabete & KatumaniNitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are regarded as the main basic nutrients necessary for plant growth and production and their functions are interrelated. Potassium is necessary for regulation of plant cells, for the production of proteins and enzymes. It improves crop's disease and pests' resistance, and it increases crop yield and plays a significant role in enhancing crop quality. Potassium deficiency inhibits protein production even when nitrogen is abundant. The objective of the study was to determine status of potassium in selected Kenyan soils and responses to applied potassium fertilizers. Studies were carried out in Kenya through laboratory soil analysis, meta-data analysis and fertilizer response studies. Soils were collected in the trial sites and analyzed using wet chemistry method. For meta-analysis, published materials were collected, collated, digitized and harmonized. Benefit cost ratios were calculated for each technology to ascertain its profitability. The soil analysis results showed that potassium, nitrogen, organic carbon and zinc were deficient. The meta-analysis results showed that, limited research studies had been conducted on potassium in Eastern, Coast and Rift Valley regions of Kenya. The most economical potassium responses were recorded under application of 60 kg K/ha, although the yields were not profitable. However, the fertilizer response studies showed increased crop yields on addition of potassium fertilizer up to 40 kg K/ha. Hence lower rates of potassium (less than or equal to 40 kg K/ha) are recommended to offset and maintain adequate potassium levels in the soil for optimal crop production and income. Nevertheless, soil analysis is key before any fertilizers are added to soils.
