Cereals
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Item Agri-business Development Support Project (ADSP) January-December 2001(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2001) Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteThis report covers the period between January and December 2001. KARl Seed Units (KSUs) were visited to monitor and evaluate the activities. KSU started a variety maintenance program. 120 varieties, populations, and inbred lines out of 150 pr-releases/releases were maintained and nucleus seed will be harvested in February 2002. The total amount of seed crop and planting materials produced during the year include 281 tons of crop breeder, pre-basic, basic, and certified seed from KSU Katumani and Masongaleni, 250 (80 kg) bags of pre-basic and basic seed potato, 86,300 seedlings, 25 (50kg) flower seed, 33,000 corms, 130,000 cormels, and 59,000 flower stems, respectively.Item Alectra Weed: A threat to Cowpea(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 2010) Kenya Agricultural Research Institute; Karanja, J.; Nguluu, S.Cassava is an important food crop and source of carbohydrate in dry-lands of Eastern Kenya. Production is low due to inadequate soil moisture and lack of technologies. This leaflet provides guidelines on improving productionItem Altitude and Environmental Responses of Entries in the 1972–73 Eastern African Maize Variety Trial(1976) Darrah, L.L.; East African Agriculture and Forestry Research OrganizationRegional maize (Zea mays L.) variety trials provide a means of assessing gains in yield potential and adaptation of breeding populations over a range of altitudes and environments. Such trials allow existing commercial hybrids and varieties to be compared with experimental. Results from past trials have showed that Kenya's hybrids 512 and 632 and Zambia's hybrid SR52 were well adapted to environments that ranged from 0.9 to 1.6 km above sea level. Kenya's hybrids 611C and 613B were superior at altitudes above 1.6 km. The mean response to altitude in the 1968-69 Eastern African Maize Variety Trial (EAMVT) [6] was 17 q/ha/km, whereas in the 1970-71 EAMVT it was 13 q/ha/km [I]. Adaptation was related to altitudinal and environmental responses that were greater for varieties and hybrids selected at or originating from high altitudes.Item Analysis Of Flavour And Molecular Diversity Of Kenyan Lablab Bean (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet) Accessions(Esther Nyambura Kimani, 2010) Kimani, E. N.The legume species Lablab purpureus L. Sweet grows in most tropical environments. It is used as a cover crop and green manure and provides a high-protein food for humans and livestock feed. The study was carried out to analyse flavour components and molecular diversity of Kenyan lablab accessions. Twenty four accessions from the National genebank and farmers were evaluated for odour and bitter taste intensities using sensory tests. Analysis of cyanogenic glycosides was carried out using the picrate method and volatile compounds were isolated and separated using gas chromatography. The genetic diversity of 50 accessions was studied using Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. The sensory evaluations showed significant (p~0.05) differences for the bitter taste but none for odour. Accession 10706 and 13096 exhibited the highest and lowest means respectively for both bitter and odour taste. The levels of cyanogenic glycosides were not different for the 24 accessions, but significant (p~0.05) differences were observed in the volatile compounds isolated from the accessions with upto 89% similarity of the accessions. Two hundred and sixty two volatile compounds were identified using literature databases. The molecular study revealed a total of 180 polymorphic bands. The overall mean expected heterozygosity (He) for all the populations was 0.189. The Eastern population had the highest He of 0.297. The plot of the first and second principal coordinates for cluster analysis revealed an overlap of the accessions forming a tight cluster, with the exception of four; namely Mwingi-3 and 12000 from Eastern popUlation, 12187R3 and 10706R1 from Coast and Rift Valley populations. The Unweighted pair group using mathematical arithmetic averages (UPGMA) cluster analysis generated from the distance matrix revealed three major groups. Group 1 had accessions 10706R1 and Mwingi-3, group 2 had accessions 12187R3 and 12000, while group 3 had the rest of the accessions. The low diversity revealed from these results may be due to the narrow genetic base for breeding stocks, and exchange of germplasm across the country. Results obtained from this study will be of great help in lab lab accession management by ensuring maximization of exploitation of this vital resource as well as in developing breeding strategies for Lablab purpureus .Item Analysis of Maize-Common Bean Intercrops in Semi-Arid Kenya(1994) Okalebo, J.R.; Pilbeam, C.J.; Simmonds, L.P.; Gathuka, K.W.; Chemistry Division, National Agricultural Research Centre - Muguga; Department of Soil Science, University of Reading, LondonMaize (Zea mays L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were each sown at four plant densities, including zero, in a bivariate factorial design at Kiboko Rangeland Research Station, Kenya during the long and short rains of 1990. The design gave nine intercrops with different proportions of maize and beans, and six sole crops, three of maize and three of beans. Seed Yields in both the sole crops were not significantly affected by plant density, so the mean yield was used to calculate the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), which averaged 1·09 in the long rains but only 0·87 in the short rains. These low values were apparently due to the fact that beans failed to modulate and fix nitrogen in the study area, The difference in LER between seasons was probably caused by differences in the amount and distribution of rain in relation to crop growth. Maize was more competitive than bean, each maize plant being equivalent to between 0·7 and 3-4 bean plants depending upon the treatment and the season.Item Annual Report and Highlights, KARI Kisii(Kenya Agricultural Research Institiute, 2006) Kenya Agricultural Research InstitiuteSorghum is an important staple food crop in the country, especially in the low potential areas of food production. The crop is ranked second after maize in terms of the area under production in Nyanza Province. There are several physical and biological factors that constraint sorghum production of which striga weed, several pests and diseases are the most important resulting in yield reduction.Item Association of Phenotypic Traits and Variations in SSR Markers for Rice Grain Fragrance and Metric Traits Under Different Soil Fertility Regimes(2013) Kimani, J.M.; Githiri, S.M.; Tongoona, P.; Derera, J.; Nyende, A.B.; Jedidah, W.D.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute- Mwea TebereFragrance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important quality trait. This study was conducted to determine the association between variations in fragrance and in SSR markers, and to establish gene action for fragrance. Nine parents and 72 F2 populations generated by full diallel mating design, planted in a nine by nine alpha lattice design at KARI-Mwea Tebere Research Centre, were used for the study. DNA analysis was done using SSR markers RM223 and RM284. The results indicated that RM223 was polymorphic among the parents, while RM 284 gave monomorphic results. Four alleles of RM223 (146, 155, 161, and 163) were detected. Test for independence using Chi-square indicated that there was no association between fragrance phenotype and RM223 marker. The additive gene action was greater for the fragrance score. The general combining ability was about one and halftimes higher than interactions specific combining ability (SCA). The performance of the fragrant lines was generally lower than that of non-fragrant ones, indicating that aroma genes have negative interaction for yield. There was generally negative effect between fragrant score and other agronomic traits such as grain yield across the three soil N and P fertility conditions. The NERlCAl was found to be a good donor for fragrant based on phenotypic (sensory) tests and is a potential genotype for improvement of rice.Item A Comparative Assessment of SRI and Conventional Rice Production in Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya(Matolo Nyamai, 2014) Nyamai, M.Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important food crop in Kenya's drive to attain food security and the alleviation of hunger. Yet the productivity of the crop remains low, leading to a huge national deficit. An exploratory field study was conducted to evaluate a system of rice intensification (SRI) that would increase water and crop productivity relative to the conventional production system. The effects of SRI on total water input and the yield of three rice varieties were investigated at the Mwea Irrigation Scheme (MIS) of KenyaItem Comparison of the yield, response of groundnuts to single and triple superphosphate in Uganda(1972) Foster, H.L.; Kawanda Research Station, UgandaSince 1963 more than a thousand fertilizer trials on small private farms in Uganda have been carried out to test the effect of single superphosphate on groundnuts. Many significant yield responses have been recorded [1, 2] and recommendations for the application of single superphosphate to groundnuts have been made for specific areas in Uganda [3]. It was generally assumed that the yield response was almost entirely due to the phosphate content of the fertilizer. However, analysis of soils from responsive trials in Ankole district revealed that some contained a high level of extractable phosphate, suggesting that yield response in these trials may infact have been due to the calcium or sulphur content of the fertilizer. To obtain a quick indication of which constituents of single superphosphate were indeed responsible for crop response in Ankole and also other districts of Uganda, pot tests on soil collected from different response areas were carried out. The results, which have been published [4], indicated that crop response to single superphosphate in all districts was mainly or entirely due to the phosphate content of the fertilizer. However, on very acid soils or low organic matter soils, calcium probably produced an extra response. The pot test results indicated that the sulphur content of single superphosphate had little or no effect on crop yields.Item "Differentiation of Isolates of Uromyces Appendiculatus (Per. Ex. Per) Unger Var. Appendiculatus and Evaluation of Bean Cultivars for Resistance to Bean Rust in Kenya".(University of Nairobi, 1989) Kihurani, A.W.Bean rust caused by Uromyces appendiculatus (Per.ex. per) Unger var appendiculatus Is an important disease of beans in Kenya. Work was carried out on this disease to investigate the variability of the pathogen in Kenyan rust isolates and to evaluate bean cultivars for resistance to rust. Rust isolates from four different sites il. Kenya were differen· iated using 20 differential cultlvars. Inoculation was done by spraying a ured i ospclre suspension onto the primary leaves of nine-day old seed lings, which were then incubated for 24 hours in the greenhouse. Host reactions were recorded 14 days after inoculation. The host-pathogen interactions indicated variability of Uromyces appendiculatus among the isolates from the different sites. Seventy-seven cultivars were evaluated fJr resistance to a mixture of specific isolates from different sites. The cultivars NB 2405 and NB 132 were !mm~ne and NB 123, NB 14, NB 127,NB 225 and NB 63 were high1y resistant. It was found that rust isolates from different sites may cause different reactions on the same host due to variability of the rust fungus, and the cultivars identified as either immune or highlyItem Disinfection of Cereal Seed(1944/1945) Nattrass, R.M.; Department of Agriculture, KenyaWith the exception of the Loose Smuts of wheat and barley all the important seed-borne Diseases of cereals can be controlled by one or other of the chemical treatments which, in normal times, are available to the farmer. The cost is small compared with the benefits obtained. Routine seed disinfection is an in- surface with an absurdly low premiumItem Divergent Selection for Seedling Root Length and Coleoptile Length in Pearl Millet and Effects on Seedling Emergence Seedling Vigor and Agronomic Traits(Lawrence R, 1993) Riungu, L. (1993), Divergent Selection for Seedling Root Length and Coleoptile Length in Pearl Millet and Effects on Seedling Emergence Seedling Vigor and Agronomic Traits. Mississippi State University. p. 205.A major limitation of pearl millet production in semi-arid areas is poor seedling emergence and establishment . The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of selection for seedling roo t length (SRL) and coleoptile length ( CL) on seedling emergence and shoo t hei ght (vigor) , and yield componentsItem Dolichos Bean Improvement in Kenya (Lablab Purpereus(L.).using Conventional Plant Breeding Approaches(Naftal Ondabu Dolichos, 2012) Ondabu, N.Lablab (Lablab purpureus(L)) commonly known as lablab bean is a multipurpose legu.me species native to Asia. It was introduced to Africa from South East in the eight century. In Kenya, it is mainly grown by small scale farmers in Central, Eastern, Coast and Rift Valley. However, lablab production in Kenya is limited by lack of adaptable varieties in wide agro-ecological zones. The, current varieties used by farmers are low in yield, varying maturity period, low resistance to pests and diseases and low tolerance to drought. Adaptable varieties are one of the most important precursors in variety developmentItem Effect of Intercropping Finger Millet [Eleusine Coracana (L.) Gaertn.] With Desmodium Intortum on Striga Hermonthica Emergence across Planting Seasons(African Journal of Education, Science and Technology,, 2017) Makete, N. N.; Gohole, L. S.; Opile, W. R.; Oduori, C. A.Striga hermonthica is a major constraint affecting finger millet production in western Kenya. Yield potentials of improved finger millet varieties remain unexploited due to susceptibility to Striga. Previous studies have shown the value of intercropping maize with Desmodium spp. in efforts to control Striga. Recent studies have shown related responses when a local finger millet variety was intercropped with Desmodium spp. This study investigated the effect of intercropping Green leaf Desmodium (Desmodium intortum) with finger millet on Striga emergence and finger millet yield across two planting seasons. Trials were set up on-station at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization’s Alupe centre (KALRO-Alupe) and on-farm at Okiludu in Teso South during the 2013 short rains and 2014 long rains seasons. Results in this study indicated no consistent evidence to show that intercropping finger millet varieties with Desmodium intortum suppressed Striga at the two sites during the two seasons tested. However, lower Striga counts were observed during the long rains season (35.9 Striga plants/plot) while higher Striga counts (151.4 Striga plants/plot) were observed during the short rains season. Finger millet yield differed significantly across planting seasons where higher yield (1.1 t/ha) was observed during the long rains season and lower yield (0.6 t/ha) during the short rains season. This gave a clear indication that strigolactones production may have differed across rainfall seasons. Farmers in Striga infested Alupe and Teso sub-counties are advised to consider planting finger millet during the long rains season when Striga emergence is low for better yields.Item The Effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Copper on Grain Yield of Wheat on a Copper-Deficient Soil(1973) Wapakala, W.W.; Ministry of Agriculture, Nairobi, KenyaThe effects of nitrogen, phosphate and copper on the grain yields of wheat on a copper deficient soil were studied in both greenhouse and field trials. Using the method of Systematic Variation in the greenhouse studies, it was found that the optimum ratio of phosphorus: copper for wheat production was 2: 1.Item Effect of Plant Density and Row Width on Canopy Architecture in Sorghum(2013) Stutzel, H.; Otieno, S.; Uptmoor, R.; Duensing, R.; Kenya Agricultural research Institute- National Potato Research CentrePlant architecture can be used to simulate resource acquisition, biomass production and plant stand levels thus increasing resource capture efficiencies to be compared between architectures. In the present study, five biofuel sorghum genotypes and one maize hybrid were grown at two planting densities (20 plants/m2 and 30 plants/m2) and two row width (40 cm and 67 cm). The elevation angle, phyllotaxy and blade curvature orientation were monitored using 3 D Polhemus digitizer and the shoot organ characteristics (leaf area, leaf length, leaf area index, total biomass) were monitored by destructive measurements. Leaf area indices calculated from destructive measurements were compared with those of nondestructive measurements using the LAI2000 device (Licor, Lincoln, USA). Variation of plant density caused significant changes in architectural traits like leaf area index (LAI) and total biomass.Item Effect of Ridging and Intercropping on Sorghum Productivity in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of Eastern Kenya(African Crop Science Journal, 2022-02-28) Musyimi, D.; Ouma, E.O.; Auma, E.O.; Too, E.J.; Ngode, L.; Kamau, C.K.; Gudu, S.; University of Eldoret ; Rongo University ; Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research OrganizationSoil moisture deficit is a key constraint to sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) productivity in arid and semi-arid lands globally. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ridging and sorghum-bean intercropping (additive system) on soil moisture conservation and sorghum productivity. Sorghum (gadam) was grown either as a sole crop or intercropped with two bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties (KATx56 and KAT B1), under two types of ridging (open ridges and tied ridges), and a control without ridges for two years. The study was set up in split plot arrangement, in a randomised complete block design, at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Kiboko, in 2019 and 2020. There was no significant interaction between ridging and intercropping. Soil moisture content increased by 11-26% due to ridging; and decreased by-11 and-7% due to sorghum-KAT B1 and Sorghum-KAT X56 intercropping, respectively. Higher moisture content due to ridging was attributed to formation of basin-like structures, which increased water harvesting and infiltration compared to the no ridges where surface run-off was predominant. The highest moisture content was attained on sole bean, followed by sole sorghum and then sorghum/bean intercropping. The decrease in moisture content in intercrops of sorghum/bean relative to their specific sole crops was attributed to higher crop density, which reduced crop spacing, thus triggering competition for available soil moisture. The highest sorghum grain and equivalent yields were obtained in the ridged plots. Intercropping resulted into decrease in sorghum grain yield, but led to increase in sorghum equivalent yield (SEY) and Land Equivalent Ratio (LER). The results show that both ridging and intercropping are suitable for higher water use efficiency and land productivity in ASALs of Kenya.Item The Effect of Selection for Prolificacy in Two Composite Populations of Maize(Festus Ogada, 1975) Ogada, F.The past excellent work done on maize in Kenya necessitated continued effort to be put into the development of this important food crop. The comprehensive breeding system, used to improve the main maize breeding populations in Kenya, has proved to be a powerful tool. The main objective of this study was to find out the effect of breeding for prolificacy in KCE and KCB, the two broad-based maize populations in the Kitale applied maize breeding programme. It was expected, as has been hypothesized by many maize breeders that the subsequently changed populations would not only be more prolific but, as a result, also bring about stability in grain yield in different growing environments.Item Effect of Tillage, Liming, and Cropping Systems on Maize Yields in Different Agroecological Zones in Kenya(East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal, 2023) Githunguri, C.M.; Esilaba, A.O.; Okoti, M.; Mutuma, E.; Miriti, J.; Nyongesa, D.; Thuranira, E.; Koech, M.; Mutoko, C.; Ndungu, K.; Ooro, P.; Ketiem, P.; Mwangi, H.; Woyengo, V.; Odendo, M.; Ashiono, G.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization(KALRO)Negative effects induced by climate change have contributed to reduced global yields of maize. There is therefore need to endow farmers with innovative and transformative climate smart agriculture technologies to urgently address food insecurity and the realities of climate change in cereal growing regions of Kenya. Technologies have been generated for improved maize and beans production and their impact has not been fully felt. In this study, technologies and innovations on tillage, liming and cropping systems that can improve maize and beans production were evaluated and demonstrated to farmers in different agro-ecological zones in Kenya with the aim of enhancing their adoption. Trials were established at KALRO-Njoro, KALRO-Kakamega, KALRO-Kitale, Baraton University, and Mabanga Agricultural Training Centre, in Nakuru, Kakamega, Trans-Nzoia, Nandi, and Bungoma Counties, respectively. The tillage treatments evaluated included conventional, tied ridges, minimum and zero tillage planted in plots applied with 2 t/ha of lime or without lime. The cropping systems evaluated were maize intercropped with beans or sole cropped maize. A split-split plot design with four replications was used. Results indicated that conventional, tied ridges, and minimum tillage produced higher (P<0.05) yields than the zero tillage with or without lime irrespective of the cropping system in Nakuru, Nandi and Trans-Nzoia Counties. In Nandi, Kakamega and Bungoma Counties, there were no differences (P>0.05) between the four tillage systems.Item The Effect of Time of Seedbed Preparation on Conserved Soil Moisture and Grain Yield of Wheat at Njoro, Kenya(1978) Mulamula, H.A.; Olum, G.R.; Oggema, M.W.; Ministry of Agriculture ; National Plant Breeding StationThe effect of tillage implements and time of seedbed preparation on soil moisture status and grain yield of wheat at Njoro was determined over a period of four years. There were no significant differences in yield, soil moisture status and efficiency of operation among tillage implements tested. But there were significant differences in grain yield of wheat, soil moisture status due to the effect of time of seedbed preparation. Early seedbed preparation prevented regrowth of weeds and volunteer crop plants. This resulted in increased stored moisture and an increase in yields. Besides this early time of seedbed preparation appeared to –be related to some residual factors other than soil moisture which influenced yield but were not determined. The degree of yield reduction due to initial time of seedbed preparation depended on the amount of rainfall during crop life. The two were inversely related. From the results of study, early seedbed preparation was expected to be always beneficial at Njoro and probably all other areas with growing conditions similar or more adverse than Njoro. This includes all those areas which receive about 300 mm of rainfall before planting and significantly less than 1,000 mm of rainfall during crop life. In such areas stubble land must be cultivated within two months after harvesting for the next crop in order to avoid adverse moisture loss and yield reduction. These findings are of special importance to crop production in marginal rainfall areas.
