Browsing by Author "Mwangi, J.N."
Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Item Comparative evaluation of anticoagulatory activity of ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and heparin for haematological analysis(2010) Kibugi, J.K.; Muchiri, M.W.; Mbugua, N.; Mwangi, J.N.; Thuita, J.K.; Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute; Kenya Research Institute Trypanosomiasis Research Centre(KARI - TRC), Kenya Socio Economics and Biromantic DivisionSample collection for haematological analysis requires use of anticoagulant, the two commonly used in trypanosomiasis research being ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid and heparin. Since these are known to have different modes of action (Lewis, 200 I), it is important to ascertain whether they can be used alternatively. Further, Swiss White mouse has been used in research involving disease pathogenesis and trials of new drugs (Kibugu et al., 2009, Thuita et al., 2008). Since handling methods are important for accurate haematological results, appropriate blood sampling and processing techniques need to be employed. The small body size of the mouse is probably a limitation to blood sample collection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anticoagulatory efficacy of ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid and heparin for electronic cell counting, and develop a suitable blood handling procedure for laboratory mice.Item Crop Yield Response to Incorporation of Leaf Prunings in Sole and Alley Cropping Systems(1996) Mwangi, J.N.; Mugendi, D.N.; O'Neill, K.M.This experiment assessed the feasibility of using leaf prunings of Calliandra calothyrsus and Leucaena leucocephala for soil fertility improvement in alley cropping and sole cropping systems The experiment, conducted at the National Agroforestry Research site at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institutes’ (KARI's) Regional Research Centre, Embu was a randomised block design with four alley cropping treatments namely. (1) C calothyrsus with prunings incorporated; (2) L. leucocephala with prunings incorporated; (3) C calothyrsus with prunings removed to (5); (4) L. leucocephala with prunings removed to (6); and six sole cropped treatments namely (5) C calothyrsus prunings imported from (3); (6) L. leucocephala prunings imported from (4); (7) C calothyrsus prunings plus fertilizer 25 kg Nand P/ha; (8) L. leucocephala prunings plus fertilizer at 25 kg N and P/ha; (9) Fertilizer at 50 kg Nand P/ha, and (10) Control-no fertilizer and no prunings. Biomass production decreased from an average of 6.5 t/ha; during the 1993 Long Rainy season (first cutting) to an average of 1.7 t/ha during the 1994 Long Rainy season. This resulted to small amounts of nutrients supplied to the soil by incorporated leaf prunings and could have limited crop growth thus giving low crop yields during 1994 LR. Alley cropped treatments yielded less maize and bean grain than sole cropped treatments during the 1993/94 Short Rainy season; thus was attributed to competition for growth resources. Improvement of crop yields in alley cropping systems through green maturing may be limited by low biomass production and Competition. In a sole cropping system, use of green manure to boost crop yields seems feasible with high biomass applications or fertiliser supplementationItem Improved survival of laboratory-reared tsetse flies Glossina morsitans morsitans (Diptera: Glossinidae) through use of homidium bromide-treated blood diet(2010) Kibugu, J.K.; Mwangi, J.N.; Kiragu, J.M.; Muchiri, M.W.; Ndungu, K.; Mdachi, R.E.; Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Trypanosomiasis Research Centre, Social Economics and Biometrics Division, KARIHomidium bromide is a broad-spectrum anti-microbial trypanocide likely to be encountered as a violative residue in blood collected from abattoirs destined for feeding laboratory-reared tsetse colonies. We investigated its effects on longevity of laboratory reared Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood. Four steers were intra-muscularly administered with 1 mg homidium bromide/kg of body weight and blood was aseptically collected from them between 15 and 30 min post-administration. This blood was defibrinated, analysed for homidium levels, screened for bacterial contamination, frozen and warmed to 37"C before feeding to tsetse flies. Teneral male (l00) and female (220) G. m. morsitans flies were fed on homidiurn-treated diet, and control flies (99 males and 187 females) on untreated blood diet and their survival monitored for 163 days. Homidium, at 266.15ng/ml blood diet, significantly (P <0.05) improved fly survival. We concluded that homidium bromide has a beneficial effect on tsetse, probably attributable to its antimicrobial activity against unfavourable microbes mediated by the drug, and could be used as a tsetse diet additive.Item Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Annual Report 1992(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 1992) Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Mbadi, G.C.O.; Fungoh, P.O.; Mwangi, J.N.; Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteKenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) was established by an amendment Act of parliament 1979, to carry out research in agricultural and veterinary sciences. The functional analysis envisages: protecting, conserving and upgrading basic resources upon which Kenya depends for agricultural development; improving the quality of food and other farm products and in so doing increase the demand for Kenyan products; protecting crops and livestock from pests and other production hazards and also protect consumers from health hazards that may arise through the use of pesticides and other agro-chemicals; helping to raise the income base and quality of life in rural areas through improved farming technologies; developing a Kenyan scientific capacity for generating and disseminating new knowledge and technology for the solution of present and future problems and to cooperate with other research bodies within and outside Kenya that are carrying out similar research. It is also KARI's responsibility to determine agricultural research priorities within the strategic and programme guidelines provided by national and institutional level plans. In doing so, KARI draws upon its strengths (including human resource and infrastructure) and learns from its weaknesses (inadequate funding) and opportunities. In this context, increased agricultural productivity means more output per unit of input, resulting in increased rural income and a lower cost of food in real terms for a growing urban population. KARI, therefore, needs to establish mechanisms to link and/or integrate research and technology diffusion with producers. Adaptive research is already in place and its main objective, is oriented towards resolving the most important problems facing the producers. This calls for mechanisms for the participation of producers in the diagnosis, planning and prioritization of research activities. Linkages have been strengthened in view of increased emphasis on on- farm verification trials and farming systems approach to research and extension.Item The Organic Matter and Nitrogen Status of Manure on Smallholder Farms in Central Kenya(2003) Wamuongo, J.W.; Esilaba, A.O.; Miriti, J.M.; Mwangi, J.N.; Kimani, S.K.Mixed arable-livestock farming systems are common m central Kenya and manure from livestock is used as fertiliser in arable fields. However, increasing demographic pressure and intensification of agriculture has resulted in more continuous cultivation of arable lands without the concomitant application of fertilizers. Continuous cultivation of land has resulted in accelerated soil nutrient depletion, declIne in SOIl organic matter content, loss of physical structure and reduced crop productivity (Ikombo et al., 1994; Kilewe and Thomas, 1992).
