Abstract Kenya’s Vision 2030 identifies agriculture as one of the key sectors to deliver sustainable economic growth and improved livelihoods for the poor in the rural areas. However, the sector continues to face several endemic and emerging constraints that require special attention. During the first two decades after independence, Kenya’s economy grew at an average rate of 6 percent per year and this was substantially driven by a robust agriculture sector. However, until about five yea...
Abstract Roundup degrading bacteria were isolated from the soil and gut of fungus cultivating termites Macrotermes michaelseni using MM7 media supplemented with the pesticide as the sole source of carbon and energy. The isolates were gram negative rods the isolate from the soil was designated GS1 while that from termite gut was designated GT2. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolates revealed that isolates Both isolates GS1 and GT2 are closely related to Enterobacter sp AY 0822447 with 99%...
Abstract Smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face several challenges that include pests and diseases. Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) reduce crop yields and affect their quality. They are an emerging threat to smallholder agriculture with several species attacking economically important crops. In SSA, most PPN control strategies are therapeutic and therefore unsustainable. Cost-effective nematode management strategies that promote soil health and enhance soil suppressiveness agai...
Abstract/Overview We characterised the physiological mechanisms of tolerance in two beanvarieties (Phaseolus vulgaris L. viz. French Bean cv. Amy and Rosecoco(GLP2» differing in Al tolerance of the varietal level. Root elongation atvarying levels of Al over time clearly showed the Al tolerance superiority of Rosecoco over French bean. Aluminium uptake was much higher in French bean, in both root apex and 2 mm region of the root apex. The root cationexchange capacity of the AI-sensitive F...
Abstract: v ABSTRACT Common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L .) is an important source of protein, minerals and food for the majority of the poor population in sub - Saharan Africa. However, its contribution to grain yield and micronutrient level is constrained by moisture stress and low available soil phosphorus. A study was carried out to determine the effects of bean genotypes, P fertilizer and moisture regimes on bean ( P. vulgaris L. ) grain yield and tissue concentration of Zn and Fe in thr...
Abstract: Environmental factors such as topography, climate, geology, biotic factors and land-use activities are largely responsible for creating local differences in soil characteristics. These in turn create variations in the agricultural potential and management options of the soils that need detailed study in order to have adequate and comprehensive information and be able to solve site specific problems related to their sustainable use. However, there exists still a dearth of data in th...
Abstract: Soil and water conservation practices in Tigray, northern highlands of Ethiopia are given special emphasis for the restoration of degraded lands. However, information on the effect of SWC practices on the dynamics of soil biota is limited. This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effect of two decades long community-based soil and water conservation (CBSWC) practices, viz, stone terraces, exclosure with and without stone terraces which were evaluated against no...
Abstract: The morphological, physical and chemical properties of soils in Lay Gayint district have never been studied and scientifically classified to provide soil resource information. Besides, the area receives high amount of annual rainfall, and the soils develop acidity which is a critical issue requiring urgent attention in most highlands of Ethiopia due to its impact on crop production and productivity. Therefore, characterization and classification of soils in Yikalo subwatershed of L...
Abstract: Cellulases are complex hydrolytic enzymes working synergistically on the hydrolysis of cellulose to produce smaller sugar components including glucose units. These enzymes have tremendous environmental, industrial and agricultural applications including enhancement of the degradability of lignocellulosic materials. In this research fungal isolates were isolated from forest and compost soil samples and allowed to produce cellulases; and the extent to which the cellulases enhance the...
Abstract: Soil-transmitted helminth parasitic infections constitute major public health challenges among school children in developing tropical and sub-tropical countries. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of soil transmitted helminth parasitic infections and their associations with anthropometric measurements at Tulu Nageso Primary School of Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The design was cross sectional survey, involving 348 participants (1...
Abstract: Homegardens are one of the most important niche in which farmers feel confident to plant and maintain tree and shrub species. Homegardens floristic composition and its indigenous tree species that are used for soil fertility improvement in western Harerghe in general and Habro district have not been given much research attention. The study investigated the floristic composition of the homegarden agroforestry system in 36 homegardens, and assessed the effect of indigenous tree speci...
Abstract: Potassium in soil system found in different forms in different soil types and land use systems. Information on the forms and characteristics of potassium in different soils under different land use types is vital for the management of potassium fertility of the soils. This study was aimed at investigate the forms of potassium and its adsorption characteristics in soils of Kafta Humera district under different land use types. The bulk soil samples were collected randomly from adjace...
Abstract: Detailed characterization of agricultural landscapes and knowledge on soil spatial variability induced soil fertility differences are crucial for developing site specific, profitable and sustainable nutrient management. In view of this, landscape characterization and soil fertility assessment studies were conducted on the agricultural lands of the Amhara National Regional State, northwestern Ethiopia in the year 2014. Semi-structured questionnaire and personal observations were use...
Abstract: Soil salinity is an enormous problem for agriculture under irrigation as it affects the growth and development of plants in Ethiopia, the problem is widespread in the rift valley areas where middle Awash and Amibara irrigated farms are present. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the impact of depth of water table fluctuation on the occurrence of salt affected soil in Amibara irrigation scheme. Based on the existing piezometers points, additional ground water monitor...
Abstract: In highly weathered and leached soils, acid soil infertility is a major limitation to crop production. Three major experiments were conducted under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions to assess soil acidity status of surface soils under three land use types (forest, cultivated, and grazing lands), evaluate the effects of lime, vermicompost (VC), and chemical phosphorus (P) fertilizer on selected soil properties, and investigate the effects of the three amendments on select...