ABSTRACT Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an economically and nutritionally important crop in Rwanda. However, its production is threatened by the invasive tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta Meyrick) since 2015. Options for integrated pest management (IPM) for its control under Rwandan conditions have not been developed. The main objective of this study was to contribute to enhanced tomato productivity and fruit quality in Rwanda through evaluation of entomopathogens and plant extracts as o...
ABSTRACT French bean is a major export vegetable crop in Kenya that is currently facing a steady decline in production. Two-spotted spider mite, (Tetranychus urticae Koch) is one of the major pests that has contributed to the fluctuations in French beans production. The conventional management of this pest using miticides has caused serious environmental and safety concerns particulary in the export market. Plant-based products provide safe alternatives that can be included in integrated pes...
ABSTRACT Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a popular and economically important tropical fruit throughout the world due to its excellent visual and eating qualities and nutritional composition. But the fruit is highly perishable and utmost care is required in handling to reduce postharvest losses. Trade in mangoes has been limited because of its highly perishable nature and its susceptibility to low temperature injury, physical injury and post-harvest diseases. Approaches to extending fresh fru...
ABSTRACT Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a major vegetable crops, and is ranked second at 14% of total value of exotic vegetables produced in Kenya after potato with a value of 55%. It is predominantly grown by small to medium scale growers in open fields. However, open field tomato production faces many challenges including weather extremes, diseases and insect pests. The whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius), is one of the major pests of tomato capable of causing up to 80% loss in yield....
ABSTRACT Blackberry is a crop of great economic potential but it has not been exploited commercially in Kenya. Breeding and commercial production of blackberry requires rapid propagation which is not possible through the traditional seed and vegetative techniques. This study aimed at developing an efficient protocol for rapid multiplication of blackberry (Rubus sp). The study comprised of seven separate experiments to establish the best sterilization protocol, explant size, source of explant...
ABSTRACT This study was done to evaluate the effects of agronets on insect pests and crop performance on cabbage production under Kenyan conditions. Two experiments were conducted over a span of two seasons at the Horticulture Research and Teaching Field, Egerton University. The objectives were to determine the effects of agronets on (1) microclimate modification, (2) insect pest population and damage, and (3) the subsequent effect on seedling performance, crop growth, yield and quality of ca...
ABSTRACT Spider plant (Cleome gynandra) is among traditional leafy vegetables whose consumption is increasing in Kenya. Characterization of spider plant ecotypes has not been exclusively done even though a collection exists at the national museums of Kenya. Production of spider plant as a vegetable is constrained by low leaf yields resulting from lack of improved planting materials and a short vegetative phase of the plant. The objective of this study was to morphologically characterize 36 sp...
Weeds interfere with turfgrass growth lowering functional and aesthetic quality of lawns. Conventional weed control using synthetic pesticides is hazardous to lawn users and to the environment while cultivation alone is not sufficient. A study was conducted with the aim of exploring the potential of biofumigation with African spider plant (Cleome gynandra) as an environmentally friendly alternative to use of synthetic herbicides for establishment of weed-free Paspalum notatum turfgrass. ...
ABSTRACT African indigenous leafy vegetables (AILVs) contribute significantly to improved nutrition and food security. However, the potential to meet the growing demand for AILVs has not been met. This study determined the effect of agronets on growth, yield and nutritive values of African nightshade and spiderplant. The experiment was laid on a RCBD, replicated thrice. Blue, gray, white, yellow agronets and uncovered plants (control) were used as the treatments. Spiderplant was direct seeded...
ABSTRACT Potato production is hindered by pathogens like Pectobacterium carotovorum that cause blackleg in the field and soft rot after harvest. The purpose of this study was to determine the possibility of integrating Tagetes minuta and Capsicum frutescens extracts in the management of soft rot and blackleg in potatoes. The research was conducted at the horticulture research and teaching laboratory and field of Egerton University, Njoro. In vitro and in vivo experiments were set up in a Comp...
ABSTRACT Carnation growers heavily use mineral fertilizers and plant growth regulators to obtain desirable stem length, girth and flower head size against Global GAP. This dependency on inorganic fertilizers and synthetic chemicals adversely pollute the environment. While there are limited alternatives to inorganic fertilisers for meeting the nutritional requirements of crops, organic products for regulating plant growth and development are lacking in some crops. The main objective of this st...
ABSTRACT Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a nutritious vegetable consumed worldwide. Open field production faces a number of constraints including biotic and abiotic stresses. The general objective of the study was to enhance tomato productivity through provision of an alternative pest control and protected cropping system that is relatively affordable to small scale farmers. The study entailed a field production and laboratory postharvest experiment at the Horticulture Research Field, Ege...
ABSTRACT Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) belongs to Lamiacea family. It is well known as a common medicinal and aromatic plant widely used in food as well as herbal medicine products. It has wide applications in food flavouring, cosmetics and perfumery by the use of its essential oil. In Kenya, it is increasingly becoming important mostly being grown by export farms. Its leaf productivity is however often limited by nitrogen and phosphorus, which are deficient in many Kenyan soils. The problem i...
ABSTRACT Blackberry (Rubus L. sub-genus Rubus Watson) fruits grow wild in Kenya; though in some parts of the world they have been adopted and are cultivated commercially. However, limited information is available regarding, growth characteristics, fruit yield and quality of wild species growing in Kenya under conventional production. The objective of the study was to contribute towards increased blackberry cultivation, by evaluating the performance of wild blackberry species under conventiona...
ABSTRACT French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is among the leading export vegetables in Kenya, intensively grown by small scale farmers. Despite the economic importance of the crop, many growers are still not able to achieve maximum yield and quality due to unfavourable weather and heavy infestation by insect pests as the crop is predominantly grown in open fields. Coloured net technology is an emerging technology, which introduces additional benefits on top of the various protective functions...