Browsing by Author "Ogillo, B.P."
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Item Arid and Range Lands Research Institute Annual Report 2022-2023(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2023) Katiku, P.N.; Bett, C.; Ogillo, B.P.; Manyeki, J.K.; Wambulwa, L.M.; Kuria, S.G.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationThe Arid and Range Lands Research Institute (ARLRI) is one of the Institutes created under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act No 17 of 2013 to drive the research agenda and provide technical support to the livestock sub-sector with a focus on the rangelands of Kenya. The mandate of the ARLRI is to develop appropriate Technologies, Innovations and Management Practices (TIMPs) geared towards increased livestock productivity and sustainable management of landscapes that guarantees living income and quality life to communities living in the rangelands of Kenya. The Institute headquarters (HQ) is in Kiboko, Makueni County and has range grass ecotypes testing sites in Katumani (Kambe Mawe), Buchuma, Mariakani, Lanet and Alupe and Perkerra. The institute does basic, applied, adaptive research and facilitate the use of improved TIMPs in priority agricultural products value chains including beef, goat, range grass and fodder legume hay, range grass and legume seed in order to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency in feeds and food among the rangeland communities. The institute partners and collaborates with individual farmers, producer organizations, national and county governments, international development and research organizations in undertaking its research and technology transfer programs. Through these links, the institute is currently implementing 3 research projects funded to the tune of KES. 19 million for 2 years mainly by the EU, Government of the Kingdom of Netherlands and the World Bank. The main areas covered by these projects are; registration and release of range grass varieties, development of agronomic packages for the grasses, development of beef finishing and dairy improvement feeding innovations, commercial production of range grass and fodder legume seeds and technology transfer.Item Effects of Clipping Frequency and Intensity on Structural Characteristics of Range Grass Ecotypes in a Kenyan Dryland: Implications for Rangeland Management(2023-03-20) Kisambo, B.K.; Kirwa, E.C.; Ogillo, B.P.; Kubasu, D.O.; Musyimi, D.; Rop, D.; Kuria, S.G.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationLivestock production is an important economic activity in rangeland environments. Its highly dependent on natural indigenous grasses which are also currently being cultivated and used for restoration of degraded environments. With the challenging biophysical situations in the ASALs, these grasses currently face various challenges including defoliation disturbance and precipitation variability resulting in changes in plant and vegetation structure. A field simulation experiment was used to determine the effects of clipping frequency and intensity on grass ecotypes structural features (plant cover, plant height, spread, tillering) over two growing seasons in southeastern Kenya. 4 grass ecotypes of two common species (Cenchrus ciliaris and Panicum maximum) were subjected to 3 clipping frequencies (High, moderate, low) and 3 clipping intensities (high, low, moderate). Plant responses to these treatments were monitored over two seasons. Panicum maximum TVT was the tallest grass ecotype (64.57 cm) while Cenchrus ciliaris KLF was the shortest (25.18 cm). Canopy spread did not significantly differ among the grass ecotypes (p >0.05) though C. ciliaris MGD had a larger spread (74.82 cm) compared to the other grass ecotypes. C. ciliaris MGD also had a significantly higher number of tillers (282.49) as well as ground cover (45.92%). Infrequent clipping resulted in plants that were taller, had higher canopy spread and had more tillers and enhanced ground cover while frequent and intensively clipping the grass ecotypes had detrimental effects on all the characteristics. Compared to low frequency clipping, high frequency clipping reduced plant height in general by up to 34%, canopy spread by 45%, tillers by 13% and reduced ground cover by 25%. Trends in tillering also varied depending on grass ecotype, frequency and intensity of defoliation in addition to the effects of season. High clipping frequencies and intense clipping, despite being common in rangelands should be avoided as it has demonstrated to reduce some structural features of grasses in this study which is harmful not only to the plant but to the environment in general. This information is relevant to design appropriate utilization strategies and develop varieties that are key to specific semi-arid environments and management objectives.Item Effects of Weed Control Methods on Weeds and Productivity of Range Grasses in Semi-Arid Kenya(Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 2023) Kisambo, B.K.; Ogillo, B.P.; Musyimi, D.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)Background: Weeds are a common occurrence and challenge in different crops eventually influencing crop development and yields. Weed control and management are key in enhancing the productivity of cultivated pastures. In semi-arid Kenyan drylands, the main methods employed for weed management are manual cultural practices and recently, the application of commercial herbicides. Objective: To evaluate the effects of two weed control methods on weed characteristics and productivity of four rangeland grasses commonly used in reseeding and pasture improvement in a semi-arid environment. Methodology: In a randomized complete block design in a field experiment, we determined the effects of two weed control methods (manual and herbicide use) in four rangeland cultivated grasses. These are Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), Horsetail grass (Chloris roxburghiana), Masaai love grass (Eragrostis superba) and Bush rye (Enteropogon macrostachyus). Weed characteristics (species, density, diversity and weed biomass,) were evaluated, as well as the effectiveness of the weed control methods in the grasses. Results: Broad-leaved weeds and annual grasses were prevalent in the established grasses. Generally, higher grass dry matter yields were obtained in Cenchrus ciliaris grasses (2.05 t h-1) while lowest yields were in Chloris roxburghiana (1.2 ton ha-1). Weed management interventions increased biomass production in the grasses by a mean of 19% in general. The mean yield increase varied with species and weed control method ranging from 8-39%. Weed control methods significantly reduced weed density, diversity and eventually weed biomass within the grass species. The efficacy of manual weed control and chemical application was in the range of 27-74%. Implications: Weed control is, therefore, necessary if one is to realize higher productivity and returns in cultivated pasture and fodder systems in semi-arid environments. Conclusion: Both chemical and manual control methods of weed control are important and effective approaches to manage weeds in pasture systems in semi-arid environments.Item Promoting Improved Forages for Increased Livestock Productivity in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) of Kenya: A Case of Kajiado, Narok, and Taita Taveta Counties(International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, 2023) Maweu, A.N.; Korir, B.K.; Kuria, S.G.; Ogillo, B.P.; Kisambo, B.K.; Wambulwa, L.M.; Kubasu, D.O.; Musyimi, D.M.; Manyeki, J.K.; Chege, P.W.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationInadequate nutrition is a major constraint that negatively impacts the growth and viability of cattle farming in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). This is hastened by the adverse effects of climate change that lead to feed scarcity and poor-quality feed. However, these impacts can only be checked with the use of improved technologies hence the need to disseminate adaptation strategies and technologies. In an attempt to resolve the situation, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO) in partnership with SNV Netherlands Development Organization agencies instituted a research program; Integrated & Climate Smart Innovations for Agro-Pastoralist Economies and Landscapes Kenya’s (ICSIAPL) and established demonstration plots across highlands and lowland regions in Kajiado, Narok and Taita Taveta counties. This paper focused on evaluating forage nutritive value and its impact on livestock productivity through testing changes in milk yield and animal acceptability for selected grasses and legumes that were promoted. All the grasses established in the lowland regions (Brachiaria camello, Nutrifeed, Sugar graze, Foxtail, Panicum maximum var Maasai) and legumes (cowpea, dolichos lablab and crotalaria) had crude protein above the critical level of 70kg/Dm except Sugargraze which had a Crude protein of 48 kg/Dm. The test animals showed high acceptability to Nutrifeed (83%) relative to the sugar graze (50%) and recorded 33% and 25% increase in milk when fed on nutrifeed and Sugargraze respectively. The highland grasses (Brachiaria cobra, Brachiaria cayman, Boma rhodes, Panicum maximum var Siambaza) and legumes (Desmodium, Lucerne, purple vetch, sweet potato vines and Mucuna) were also high in nutritive quality with Panicum maximum var Siambasa having high animal acceptability of 75% relative to Brachiaria cobra with 20%. Desmodium had animal acceptability rate of 80%. and recorded 23% increase in milk yield. The results inform that legume species promotes animal performance and should thus be included while feeding to boost the production for sustainable ruminant productivity under ASALs ecosystems.
