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Identification of Fungi Causing Canker and Dieback on Vangueria. Rotundata and Berchemia Discolor In Eastern Kenya, Using Morphological and Molecular Techniques
(Kenyatta University, 2024-03) Karani, Susan Wanjiku
A study on the fungal pathogens of Vangueria rotundata and Berchemia discolor was conducted in three sites in two counties: Kitui County (ICRAF gene bank at Tiva and Ikanga areas) and Makueni County (Mukange areas) of Eastern Kenya. The two counties are located in the arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya, which are characterized by low rainfall and prolonged periods of drought. These two species are candidates for domestication in dryland agroforestry due to their potential to provide valuable products that are vital for combating food and nutritional insecurity as well as in mitigating climate change. A preliminary survey by the Kenya Forestry Research Institute in 2015 highlighted mild canker and dieback symptoms in both tree species. However, the causal agent remained unidentified, prompting the need for this comprehensive study. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the health status of the two fruit tree species and identify the fungi associated with the observed disease symptoms using conventional and molecular methods. Assessment conducted during the study showed widespread dieback and canker infections in both fruit tree species across the selected sites. Samples were collected from the leaves, branches, and bark of symptomatic and asymptomatic trees of V. rotundata and B. discolor in the three sites, and isolations carried out on Malt Extract Agar (MEA) enhanced with streptomycin sulfate. Emerging fungi were first identified using a high-precision dissecting and compound microscope. Subsequently a pathogenicity test was carried out using frequently occurring fungal isolates on five agroforestry tree species, namely: V. rotundata, B. discolor, O. europeae, T. indica, and C. megalocarpus, using a complete randomized design. DNA was isolated from pure cultures of fungi, and the ITS region of rDNA amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out through multiple sequence alignment of the DNA sequences from the isolated fungi and reference sequences from the Genebank using CLUSTALW of MEGA X software and a Maximum likelihood tree constructed. A one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to examine the significance of variations in disease incidence, disease severity, and pathogenicity of the isolated fungal species. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant variations in disease incidence and severity between the two tree species (P ≤ 0.05). Notably infections were prevalent and severe in V. rotundata compared to B. discolor with heightened severity during the dry season for both tree species and across the three sites. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 15 fungal species belonging to seven groups: Botryosphaeriaceae, Diaporthaceae, Glomerellaceae, Nectriaceae, Pleosporaceae, Sporocadaceae, and Trichosphaeriaceae. Pathogenicity tests identified susceptibility of V. rotundata, B. discolor, and other native agroforestry trees species to pathogenic isolates of the genera Lasiodiplodia, Alanphillipsia, and Dothiorella which are within the Botryosphaeriaceae family. Therefore, these fungal isolates were considered potential fungal pathogens causing canker and dieback in the two tree species at the three sites. This is the first investigation into the identification of fungi linked to the canker and dieback diseases of V. rotundata and B. discolor. The results of this study are anticipated to guide management and ensure the exchange of quality germplasm for propagation and upscaling indigenous fruit farming.
Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Trichoderma spp. on Nutrient Uptake and Water Stress Tolerance in Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Cowpea)
(Kenyatta University, 2024-07) Juma, Daniel Wanjala
In a bid to explore alternatives that mitigate effects of low water and nutrient supply for crops, the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma spp. on cowpea growth and nutrient uptake at different soil water levels under greenhouse conditions was undertaken. Cowpea is an essential food crop for both humans and livestock. It’s a source of income in marginal areas and also adds nutritive value to the soil by fixing nitrogen. The experiment was arranged on a completely randomized design (CRD) with the three water levels treatment, of 90 % (no stress), 60 % (mild stress), and 30 % (severe stress) of field capacity (FC). Two cowpea varieties including KVU 27-1 and Katumani 80 (K80) that are commonly grown by farmers were used in each water level. Each water level was subjected to seven fungal inoculation treatments: I- Funneliformis mosseae (BEG 12), II- Rhizophagus irregularis (BEG 44), III- Trichoderma harzianum (Har), IV- Trichoderma asperellum (Asp), V- BEG 12 + BEG 44 (BB), VI- Har + Asp (HarS), VII- Har + BEG 12 + BEG 44 (HBB), and VIII- which was un-inoculated as control (C). Each experimental unit was replicated four times resulting in 192 pots. The variables measured included, plant height, chlorophyll content, Shoot Dry Weight, Root Dry Weight, Root Length, Leaf Area, Stem Diameter, Relative Water Content, Specific Leaf Area and root mycorrhizal colonization. The shoot tissue analysis was also done to determine the nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) contents. All data were subjected to a two-way ANOVA in R software version 4.2.1 to test levels of significance due to treatments and their interactions. Means that were significant at p ≤ 0.05 were separated using Bonferroni test. Results showed that all the growth parameters and the shoot nutrient content were statistically significant at (p ≤ 0.05) with soil water level treatment in both varieties. Water stress had a negative influence on growth and the shoot nutrient content. The fungal inoculants were significant on stem diameter (p = 0.006), relative water content (p = ˂0.001) and p = 0.002 for KVU 27-1 and K80 respectively) and Specific Leaf Area (p = 0.049) for KVU 27-1. The widest stem diameter was 0.4 cm in KVU 27-1 under Har and HarS fungal treatments. The highest Relative Water Content was 94 % in KVU 27-1 with the inoculation of HBB while the highest SLA was 657 g/cm2 in K80 with HarS inoculation. In addition, the interaction between water levels and fungal inoculations were observed in Stem Diameter, Relative Water Content and Specific Leaf Area. The combined inoculation of HarS and HBB had the greatest influence on the shoot nutrient levels for both cowpea varieties. The highest N and P shoot content were 3.7 % (in KVU 27-1) and 0.12 % (in K80) inoculated with HBB and HarS respectively. The highest K content was 2.7 % in both varieties inoculated with HarS. Mycorrhizal colonization increased with increase in soil water level with the highest root colonization percentage of 37.8 % at 90 % FC. From the study, the co-inoculation of HarS and HBB was the most appropriate to enhance growth and nutrient uptake in the cowpea varieties. Therefore, these two treatments are recommended to be incorporated on agricultural soils to enhance plant growth.
Development of a Guidance Programme for Students with Special Educational Needs in Kenya: A Study on Personal Orientation
(Kenyatta University, 2003-09) Wamocho, Franciscah Irangi
’l“hc major{›ur{iosc a/this sludy waz la collect baseI‹ne data to b« used in
tleielt›ping a comprehensive guidance and counselling programme for students
»'itli‘ special educationalneeds in special education secondary schools and vocation&1 rehabilitation training centres in Kenya. This was a quantitative study which involved collecting baseline data using penonal orientation inventory (POI) a standardized instrument which consists of 150 paired
opposing statements to measure these” students values” and behavinurs Which are viewed to be importantin self-actualized persons. The population of the study was drawn from four purposively selected provinces viz: Eastern, Nyanza and Nairobi because of their higher percentage of special education institutions. Eight districts and two divisions were randomly selected born the four provinces. A total of 22S first and final year students aged between 13-26 years old were randomly sampled for the study. Data collected were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The independent sample t-test was used to compare the difference between the POI of twD ma or scale's mean scores against the POI approximate range scores given in POI manual, and also to compare the mean of the students with disabilities against nominated subjects given in the POI manual.The results of the study indicated that students with special needs were non-self-actualizing. These findings suggest that these students are other directed and time incompetent and live in the past or future with a Not of regrets and sentiments. Based on the self-actualizing theory guiding this study and the findings of this study, indicated that there was need
for a guidance and counselling programme to be developed for students withs,›« al ‹›c«sml›:chsl,ovldbe coxyreheneivc and coulJ involvethcorientation
of tliCs¢ studcr›ts toward positive conceptOf peF8Of)âI growth (sclf-concept, self-
¢st¢cn›, s¢lf-acceptance end pursuity of independence). Such a pfO Cammc should fllriheraddress the students' educ3Ji0nal,S0cial, personal and vocational slid Rehabilitation needs based on their handicappillg Ond
Quality Management Practices and Performance: The Perspective of Public Healthcare Institutions in Kenya
(ESJ Social Sciences, 2025-02) Jumapili, Dorcas Nyangulika; Muathe, Stephen Makau A.
The global economy's transformations have prompted public healthcare institutions in Kenya to adopt strategies to expand their markets, improve customer satisfaction, and enhance operational efficiency globally. The county government of Tharaka Nithi and the Kenyan national government have implemented initiatives to enhance public healthcare facilities, but their performance remains below the required standards. According to The World Health Organization reports Kenya's public healthcare institutions provided 75% unsatisfactory services to customers, while their services remained at 6.6% from 2017 to 2020. Therefore, the current study investigates the effect of quality management practices on the performance of public healthcare institutions in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Specifically, the study examined the effect of customer focus and continuous improvement on the performance of public healthcare institutions in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The study used Scorecard, Six Sigma theories as well as the upper echelon theory. The study embraced descriptive research design. The target population was eight hundred and eighty-three employees of public healthcare institutions in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Stratified random sampling techniques were used as a sampling technique to select 275 respondents that were determined scientifically through a formula. Primary data was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. A pilot test of twenty-eight respondents was conducted. The study instrument's reliability and validity were evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, with a threshold of 0.7 or higher. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, which were presented in the form of tables, charts, and graphs. The findings were that strengthening customer focus (p<0.05), continuous improvement (p<0.05) and top management commitment (p<0.05) can contribute towards a significant improvement in the performance of public healthcare institutions in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The study concluded that total quality management practices are significant enablers of the organizational performance of an institution. The study recommended that employees working with public healthcare institutions in Tharaka Nithi County should be motivated to address customer inquiries promptly to improve the level of efficiency and effectiveness. The operational managers and all other heads of the functional areas in the public healthcare institutions in Tharaka Nithi County design their processes effectively for effective decision-making. Employees should be encouraged to use errors reported as the basis for further improvement in processes.
Teachers’ Preparedness and Its Effect on the Implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum in Public Primary Schools in Taita Taveta County, Kenya
(International Academic Journal of Social Sciences and Education, 2025-02) Muthoka, Jacinta Mwende; Mbirithi, Daniel Mange
Teachers’ preparedness noticeably dictates how effectively a curriculum is implemented. The resolve of this study was to establish teachers’ level of preparedness and how this affects the implementation of the competency- based curriculum (CBC) in public primary schools in Taita sub-county Taita Taveta County, Kenya. The present study was steered by the stated objectives, namely to: determine teachers’ preparedness to effectively include core competencies when lesson planning; establish teachers’ preparedness to employ learner centered teaching methods and skills; evaluate teachers’ preparedness to effectively implement digital learning integration; and establish teachers’ preparedness to implement formative assessment in line with CBC. According to Gross’s 1971 Curriculum Implementation Theory, a teacher must be fully prepared for any curriculum reform to succeed at implementation stage. The descriptive survey research design was employed to guide this study. The target population for this study comprised 50 head teachers and 344 handling grades 1 to 6 in the 50 public primary schools in the sub-county. Simple random sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 24 head teachers and 105 teachers who participated in this study using Taro Yamane’s formula. Qualitative data were obtained by interviewing the head teachers while quantitative data were obtained from teachers who filled the questionnaires. Qualitative data from interviews with head teachers and open-ended questionnaire items were analyzed thematically by grouping the data into major themes as per the objectives and variables, and then presented in form of narrations. Quantitative data were analyzed using measures of frequency with the help of SPSS Version 24 to obtain descriptive statistics, and then presented in the form of frequency tabulations, graphs and percentages. From the research findings, this study concludes that the level of teachers’ preparedness has a bearing on the effective implementation of the competencybased curriculum in public primary schools in Taita Sub-County, Taita Taveta County. The findings obtained from the research might be useful to education policymakers, scholars and various education stakeholders including KICD, MOE, and TSC in making decisions geared towards improved implementation of the competencybased curriculum in primary schools in Kenya.