Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is an important disease causing losses of up to 70% in the most susceptible cultivars. Its effects include: reduced root quality due to pitting, root constriction and necrosis, and reduced number and weight of tuberous roots. To contribute to CBSD management, a study was conducted to: (i) Screen East African cassava landraces and F1 populations for CBSD resistance; (ii) Analyse symptom expression and virus accumulation in CBSV graft inoculated cassava varie...
Abstract Opportunities exist for adoption of precision agriculture technologies in all parts of the world. The form of precision agriculture may vary from region to region depending on technologies available, knowledge levels and mindsets. The current review examined research articles in the English language on precision agriculture practices for increased productivity among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 7715 articles were retrieved and after screening 128 were review...
Abstract: Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa is predominantly subsistence and perennial food deficits, cyclic famines characterize it, and poverty is prompted largely by erratic rainfall patterns, declining soil fertility, and pests and diseases. In Kitui County, farmers are largely small-scale and face various challenges: from poor soil fertility to erratic rainfall. The farmers, too, have not been spared by the pest menace. Consequently, they have resorted to unwarranted and unregulated app...
Abstract: The study assesses the risk behavior, perceived vulnerability and adaptation behavior of farm households and the determinants using an integrative insight of the social-ecological system model and semi-quantitative research methodology. Besides, RSSH theory, integrative vulnerability analysis theory, and SMMA were applied to explain the farm households’ risk behavior, perceived vulnerability and adaptation behavior respectively. Survey data collected from the randomly selected 39...
Abstract: Weeds are one of the most damaging obstructions in sugarcane cultivation systems. The various cycles of sugarcane cultivation result in degrees of weed severity in which each species requires a different weed control method, the most popular of which is the pre-emergence herbicide method. The previously used pre-emergence herbicide application date in Wonji/Shoa sugar factory was applied mostly in the wide range of days within the standard (7-15 spray interval days). Due to this re...
Abstract: The Kenyan horticultural industry faces a new challenge following invasion by the quarantine Liriomyza leafminer species Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza sativae and Liriomyza trifolii which have recently become pests of economic importance. Controlling Liriomyza leafminers poses serious difficulties due to their biology and quarantine status. This paper examines farmers’ awareness of the pests and difficulties faced in controlling them. (1) A questionnaire survey showed that sn...
Abstract: Mycotoxins are harmful to health and mainly arise from ear rots, affecting maize in the field. This work analysed the effect of the cropping system on ear rot and final effect on mycotoxins from four subcounties (districts) of western Kenya, Butere, Kisumu, Siaya and Vihiga, where plots comprising maize planted either as pure stand or in mixture with legumes, predominantly common bean treated as “Maize Monocrop” (MM), were used as control for those of climate-smart push-pull st...
Abstract: Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are a major concern in agriculture as they cause significant crop damage resulting in yield losses and economic losses for farmers (FAO, 2019). For the past 50 years, the control of PPNs has relied heavily on the use of synthetic nematicides and soil fumigants, which have been effective in rapidly controlling nematode populations. However, due to environmental and health concerns, many traditional nematicides have been banned or withdrawn from the m...
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Abstract: Studies were conducted at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Mbita Point Field Station (MPFS) fana and the Lambwe Valley fanaer's field during 1983 - 1985 , to detenaine the natural population changes of Maruca testulalis Geyer (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae). The role of natural enemies, host plants and cliaetic factors on natural population, development and survival of M· testulalis was investigated. Further investigations on the biology of Tetrastichus sesaaiae...
Abstract: Amaranth is one of the African indigenous vegetables that is gaining popularity due to its nutritional, medicinal and economic values. Its potential as a source of food security in East Africa and most parts of the world has heightened demands for the once neglected crop. In Kenya and Tanzania, the Lepidopteran defoliators are important pests of the crop which can cause up to 100% yield loss. Little information on the population dynamics of these pests make their management difficu...
Abstract: Three neem-based biopesticides, namely Achook (0.15% Azadirachtin), Neemroc (0.03% Azadirachtin + 32% neem oil) and Neem + Com (0.03% Azadirachtin + 32% com oil) and one garlic-based product, namely GC- mite (40% garlic extract), were evaluated under laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions for their efficacy against red spider mites (Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard) on tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum L.). A synthetic acaricide, namely Omite (57% propargite) was also us...
Abstract: Metarhizium anisopliae isolate ICIPE69 is a highly virulent fungal pathogen against several thrips species such as western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), bean flower thrips (Megalurothrips sjostedti), onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) and others infesting key vegetable crops in Africa. Recently the isolate has been commercialized for pest control under the trade name, Campaign ®. The efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungi is known to be influenced by the prevailing climati...
Abstract: Plant-parasitic nematodes, in particular Meloidogyne spp., cause significant yield reduction in commercial pineapple (Ananas comosus) worldwide. In Kenya limited studies have been conducted on nematodes in pineapple although the main commercial producer in Kenya has sole mandate to use Telone II (1, 3-Dichloropropene) indicating the seriousness of the problem. The current study was conducted to provide an update on the occurrence of plant-parasitic nematodes in commercial pineapple...
Abstract: Laboratory studies were performed on tobacco spider mites (Tetranychus evansi) collected from Chinamhora and Mutoko to investigate grower claims of resistance to commonly used acaricides. Bioassays of T evansi collected from tomatoes showed presence of resistance to dimethotae, malathion, abamectin and amitraz. The RF values for Chinamhora were 1.2 for abamectin, 1.0 for malathion and 1.4 for an1itraz and dimethoate. For Mutoko RF values were 1.2 for aban1ectin and malathion, 1.4 f...