Technical Bulletins and Fact Sheets

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Coffee Nutrition
(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2017) Mburu, J.N.; Minai, J.M.; Luusa, J.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
For optimum performance of the coffee tree, sustainable soil fertility management is critical. A fertilization program is dependent on inherent soil characteristics and expected production level.
Does Parkia occur in Ethiopia?
(1965) Gillett, J.B.
The genus Parkia R. Br. is not recorded from Ethiopia by Cufodontis (1955). However, in his revision of the genus in Africa, Mr. T. Hagos (1962) twice records it from Ethiopia. At the beginning of his paper he recalls having seen, in his boyhood nearly 20 years previously in Eritrea, a tree which, so he states, was a species of Parkia; he also recollects the 'sourish taste' of its fruit, which he and his family ate
Embrace Fish Farming in Riparian Areas Instead of Growing Eucalyptus
(Kenya Agricultural and Research Organization, 2017) Kidula, N.; Ojowi, M.; Andima, D.; Magenya, O.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
Farmers in the Kibuon and Tende catchment in Kisii, Nyamira and Homa bay Counties of Kenya are embracing fish farming as an alternative source of income in the place of the environmentally unfriendly eucalyptus trees. The preferred type of fish is tilapia.
The First East African Herbicide Conference III-Selectivity of Herbicides
(1957) Wain, R.L.; Wye College, University of London
Chemical methods of killing weeds in cereals began about 60 years ago in France when Bonnet in 1895 showed that a solution of copper sulphate would kill charlock plants growing with cereals. Sixteen years later, Rabate demonstrated that dilute sulphuric acid could also be used for this purpose and, in 1932, the use of DNC (dinitro-ortho cresol) to destroy annual weeds in cereals was discovered, again in France. The big development in selective weed control, however, arose in 1941 from the observations of Templeman in England that alpha-naphthylacetic acid applied to charlock plants growing with wheat caused distortion and final destruction of the charlock without damage to the cereal. Arising from these developments, to which prominent contributions were also made in America, the phenoxy acids became established as selective weedkillers. The discovery and application of these so-called hormone weedkillers has made a tremendous impact on agriculture and more than 100,000,000 acres are now sprayed annually with these chemicals. Nevertheless, it must be remembered that they can only be safely used on a limited number of crops and, furthermore, they cannot be used on cereals at the early stages of growth. In addition to the phenoxy acids, however, a fairly wide range of unrelated organic chemicals are finding use in selective weed control, each having its own specific uses. Most of these chemicals were discovered as weedkillers as a result of the routine screening of many hundreds of compounds.
Grow Fodder Sorghum for Increased Milk Yield in Areas Prone to Napier Stunt Disease
(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2017) Muyekho, F.N.; Shisya, M.; Ajanga, S.; Mwendia, S.; Karuiki, I.; Khan, Z.; Midega, C.; Masibili, M.; Wamalwa, J.; Sudi, G.; Mulaa, M.; Cheruiyot, D.T.; Munyasi, J.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
Fodder sorghum produces high quality forage yields. Under good management sorghum can ratoon up to the 3rd crop. It is fairly palatable when harvested and utilised at flowering stage. It is not infected by Napier stunt disease. It performs well in low and mid-altitude areas. It is drought tolerant. It can be conserved as silage.
Identification and Management of Bacterial Blight of Coffee (BBC) Elgon/ Solai Die-Back
(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2017) Kathurima, E.G.; Minai, J.M.; Luusa, J.M.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
The Bacterial Blight of Coffee (BBC) is also known as Elgon/Solai. The die- Back is caused by a bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv Garcae. The bacterium is found on all healthy parts of the coffee tree.
Identification and Management of Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) and Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR)
(KALRO Knowledge, Information and Outreach Unit, 2017) Kathurima, E. K.; Aluora, G.; Minai, J. M.
Caused by the fungus Colletotrichum kahawae.
KARI Information Bulletin, Jan 1990
(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 1990) Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
Greening disease of citrus (GDC) was inadvertently introduced into Kenya in the early 1950s from South Africa. GDC was first reported in the country in 1972 but due to its resemblance to nutritional disorders and failure to transmit it by conventional methods, it took until 1981 to finally isolate the organism that causes the disease..
Soil and Fertility Management
(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2024) Magogo, J.R.; Kori, J.N.; Ngugi, C.N.; Wasilwa, L.A.; Finyange, P.N.; Stellah, K.M.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
This is a quick portable/mobile method for field soil testing that uses the simplicity of science of light involving the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter to characterize biochemical composition of a soil and/or plant tissue. Rapid soil testing kits simplify the analysis of the soil physical, chemical and biological parameters in the field, which are critical to the assessment of soil health. Kits suitable for on-farm soil testing enable farmers to make reasonable management decisions based on the results without having to waiting for lengthy laboratory analysis.
Soil and Water Conservation in Cotton
( KALRO - Industrial Crops Research Institute, 2024) Wandera; Nyaga, A.N.; Musili, R.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
Soil and water conservation aims at maintaining or enhancing the productive capacity of the land including soil, water and vegetation in areas prone to degradation through: 1) prevention or reduction of soil erosion, compaction and salinity; 2) conservation or drainage of water; and 3) maintenance and improvement of soil fertility.
Standard Coffee Processing Procedures
(KALRO Knowledge, Information and Outreach Unit, 2017) Mburu, J. N.; Minai, J. M.; Luusa, J.
Processing is a major activity that affects quality. There are basically two methods of coffee processing - the wet method and the dry method. The wet method gives better quality and is predominantly used in Kenya.
Termites (Macrotermes spp., Odontotermes spp.)
(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), 2024-05) Mulwa, J.; Odhiambo, H.; Njuguna, J.K.; Magogo, J.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
Termites live in colonies and primarily feed on dead plant material, such as wood and leaf litter. These pests are particularly prone to attacking weak or wounded plants, rather than strong, healthy ones with well-developed stems and branches. In mango orchards, termites are commonly found as they consume decomposing litter. Young orchards are especially vulnerable to termite damage, but even mature orchards can face significant problems. Termites are prevalent across all mango production areas in the country, and they also infest other host plants like guava, loquat, citrus, and various perennial trees during their growing seasons.
Trigonella laciniata L. in Zambia-a probable instance of long-distance transport of seeds by birds
(1965) Gillett, J. B.
Trigonella has hitherto not been recorded in the wild state from tropical Africa south of latitude 14° 10' N. in the Sudan Republic. The following specimens of T. laciniata L. forma arguta (Vis.) Sick which have recently been received at Kew are therefore of unusual interest.
Use of Crates During Packaging, Storage, Transport, and Marketing of Mangoes
(KALRO - Food Crops Research Center, 2024) Ndambuki, J.M.; Wayua, F.O.; Magogo, J.; Odhiambo, H.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
Packaging is enclosing food produce or product to protect it from mechanical injuries, tampering, and contamination from physical, chemical, and biological sources. Packaging simplifies the handling, transport, and distribution of products to the final consumers. Plastic crates specifically nestable and collapsible can be used to package mango fruits during storage and transportation to minimize mechanical damage. The reasons of using plastic crates includes; their reuseablity, reduced postharvest losses and alleviation of human drudgery.
Use of Slurry Manure for Improvement of Soil Fertility
(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2024) Ayako, W.O.; Murage, A.W.; Ilatsia, E.D.; Cheruiyot, B.K.; ole Pulei, R.N.; Nyambati, E.M.; Kanageni; Saitoti, S.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)
Slurry manure is a mixture of fresh cow dung and urine and is used by farmers as a natural fertilizer. It is produced in more intensive livestock rearing systems where concrete and slats are used, instead of straw as bedding materials (Zero-gazing, intensive pig sty and poultry battery cage). It is applied to crops in fresh form mainly to improve soil fertility for better crop yields. The slurry manure is collected daily from cow sheds and stored in a pit / lagoon to minimize nutrient loss through (evaporation). A well-constructed zero-grazing unit with concrete dunging floor makes is possible to collect good quality slurry manure. It is suitable in small, medium and large scale dairy farms. The average nutrient composition of slurry by percentage is dry matter 9%, nitrogen 0.44%, phosphorous 0.8 %, potassium 0.46 % and ash 5%.
Value Addition in Cooking and Plantain Banana
(KALRO - Horticultural Research Institute, 2024-03) Gathambiri, C.; Buke, G.D.; Kori, J.N.; Mungai, J.; Cheboswony, R.J.; Nyonje, W.A.; Lusike, W.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
Banana is a universal fruit cultivated in tropical countries. Plantain (Musa AAB), as well as other cooking banana (Musa ABB) are an excellent food source and a principal component of diet. Plantain is a multipurpose crop because the fruit can be utilized when cooked and when ripened. Cooking varieties include: Nusu ngombe, Kikuyu giant and Mogaka I while plantain varieties include: Bokoboko, Mkono wa tembo and Kampala. Cooking banana can be dried; processed into products such as flour and used in many recipes for value addition and enhanced shelf life. Plantain banana are processed into various products such banana fritters, crisps and chips.
Value of Hides and Skins from Dairy Animals
(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization - Beef Research Institute, 2024) Kimindu, V.A.; Isako, T.; Mathai, M.N.; Kanageni, N.N.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
Hides and skins are by-products of slaughtered cattle, goats, sheep, and camels, among other animals. Hides are from larger animals like cattle and camels, while skins are from smaller animals like goats and sheep. Dairy animals are culled due to poor health, low production, and reproduction performance and usually taken for slaughter.
Weed Management in Coffee
(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, 2017) Odeny, D.A.; Minai, J.M.; Luusa, J.M.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)
A weed is a plant, which grows where its is not wanted.
Weeds of Cotton and Their Management
(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), 2024-03) Ngari, B.; Macharia, J.M.K.; Okiyo, T.; Musila, R.; Mungai, A.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)
Weed in cotton are either broad leaved, grasses or sedges. Broadleaf weeds are dicots with paired cotyledons (two seed leaves that appear during germination). Their roots are fibrous and they develop cluster of blossoms or single flowers as they mature. They can be annual (mature and die within a year) or perennial (survives for more than one year). Broad leaf weed leaves have one main leaf from which many smaller veins branch. On the other hand, grasses have one bladelike leaf.The sedges are grass like herbaceous perennials with fibrous roots, triangular stems and 3 ranked linear leaves. Weeds are a serious problem in cotton production and may lead to total cotton crop failure. Any plant growing in a cotton field which has not been deliberately planted.
Women Empowerment in the Chicken Value Chain
(Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), 2024) Ndubi. J.M.; Alaru, P.A.O.; Nyambati, E.M.; Mungube, E.O.; Kipkemoi, D.M.
Women empowerment in chicken production and marketing is essential for sustainable development. Women play significant roles in chicken farming, including raising chickens, collecting eggs, and managing sales. However, they often face challenges such as limited access to resources, training, and market opportunities. Empowering women in this sector involves providing access to education, technology, and financial resources. Training women in chicken production, management and marketing skills, has the potential to increase productivity, improve product quality, and expand market reach. These interventions have the overall effect of empowering women in enhancing their economic independence, fostering gender equality, improving food security and contributing to overall community development.