Browsing by Author "Maina, M."

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    Assessment of profit efficiency among sweet yellow passion fruit farmers in Mbeere south Embu county, Kenya
    (Elewa Biosciences, 2016) Mwita, A. C.; Maina, M.; Nyairo, N. M.; Ramasawmy, B.
    The main purposes of this research was to assess the profit efficiency of sweet yellow passion fruit farmers and also determine the socioeconomic and institutional determinants to profit inefficiency of sweet yellow passion farmers located in Mbeere south district, Embu County in Kenya. A stochastic profit frontier approach was adopted. The study used primary data obtained by administering a structured questionnaire to 79 randomly selected sweet yellow passion fruit farmers. The study showed that the profit efficiency levels ranged from 23% to 90% with a mean of 76% implying that an estimated 24% profit loss was being made due to a combination of both technical and allocative inefficiencies. The study also found out that the frequency of farming experience, group membership and access to market information influence profit efficiency significantly. Therefore, it is recommended that extension education investments should be scaled up through producer organizations to improve agricultural productivity and agricultural marketing through proper search and use of marketing information
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    Efficacy of indigenous fungi isolates against root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp) in-vito
    (RUFORUM, 2020) Kariuki, A. N; Waceke, J.W.; Maina, M.
    Root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are a serious problem in smallholder tomato farms causing 90-100% yield loss in tomato crop in Kenya. For sustainable food production, effective management of nematodes is primarily dependent on the application of chemical nematicides. Chemical nematicides though very effective are expensive and also environmentally unfriendly due to their residual toxicity and pollution of the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of indigenous antagonistic fungi in management of Root Knot Nematodes (RKN). Soil and root samples were obtained from Kirinyaga County. Fungal isolates were isolated from healthy tomato roots and Meloidogyne eggs by direct plating techniques. Root Knot Nematodes inoculum was extracted by Baermann’s technique from soil and through root maceration method from heavily galled tomato roots. A total of 45 fungal isolates were isolated from tomato roots and RKN eggs. The fungal isolates were identified to belong to the various genera (Trichoderma, Fusarium, Paecilomyces, Aspergillus and Penicilium spp.). Some genera are yet to be clearly identified. Trichoderma spp. were the most prevalent (33.3%) followed by Fusarium spp. (28.9%). An experiment was conducted in the Kenyatta University agricultural laboratory with 45 treatments (isolates) replicated three times in a Completely Randomized Design. Data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using SAS software and Means Separation done using Fisher’s Least Significance Difference (LSD) at 5% level of significance. The fungal isolates caused RKN juvenile mortality that was significantly higher than the control. The highest juvenile mortality was recorded with Trichoderma spp 13. (88.33%) followed by Paecilomyces spp. and Trichoderma spp 1. (86.67%) which was significantly different from the untreated (1.67%). The results of this study show that indigenous fungal isolates have the potential of controlling root knot nematodes in vitro.
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    Fusarium Species from the Cassava Root Rot Complex in West Africa
    (The American Phytopathological Society, 2006-06) Maina, M.; Bandyopadhyay, R.; Aigbe, S.O.; Leslie, J. F.
    Fusarium species are a significant component of the set of fungi associated with cassava root rot. Yield losses due to root rot average 0.5 to 1 ton/ha but losses >3 ton/ha, an equivalent of 15 to 20% yield, often occur. This paper reviews previous work on cassava root rot and summarizes a few recent studies on Fusarium species associated with the disease. Our studies in Cameroon showed that 30% of rotted tubers were infected by Fusarium spp. 12 months after planting and represented 25% of all the fungal isolates recovered. Other commonly recovered fungi were Botryodiplodia theobromae and Armillaria spp. Numerous and diverse species of Fusarium were associated with rotted cassava roots in Nigeria and Cameroon. At least 13 distinct amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) groups of Fusarium were distinguishable, each group probably a distinct species, and many of them might represent previously undescribed Fusarium species. The two largest of the AFLP groups correspond to F. oxysporum and F. solani species complex. The distribution of Fusarium spp. varied among countries and among locations within a country, suggesting that germ plasm resistant at one location may not be resistant at another. Fusarium spp. also cause seedling blight of cassava and can be recovered from the stems of infected plants up to 1 m above the ground. Therefore, the pathogen can spread with stems cut as planting material. Fusarium spp. also can colonize Chromolaena odorata, the dominant weed in short fallows, which could further complicate management efforts by serving as an alternative host for strains that colonize cassava.
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    In-Vitro Nematicidal Efficacy of Lantana Camara Leaf Extract Combined With Endophytic Fungus (Colletotrichum Nigrum) Against Root-Knot Nematodes
    (International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research, 2024-12) Waswa, Stanlous Juma; Waceke, J. Wanjohi; Maina, M.
    Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are a major threat to crop productivity due to their polyphagous nature. However, hazards due to chemicals have necessitated farmers to search for alternative safe approaches to manage RKNs. This study evaluated nematicidal effects of Lantana camara L. leaf extract alone and in combination with endophytic Colletotrichum nigrum isolated from roots of tree tomato as an ecofriendly solution to manage RKNs. Extract from powdered Lantana leaves (20 grams/100 ml w/v) were evaluated at 25, 50, 75 and 100 % concentrations as standalone and in combination with 1× 106 spores/ml of C. nigrum to leverage on their synergistic effect against second stage juveniles (J2s) of RKNs. One milliliter of each concentration of Lantana extract and or 1 ml of 1× 106 spores/ml of C. nigrum were pipetted into sterile eppendorf tubes containing 1 ml of 50 J2s. The control treatment contained 50 J2s in 1 ml of sterile distilled water. Data was analyzed using Anova SAS software version 9.2. Lantana leaf extract (100 %) alone caused highest significant (P≤0.05) mortalities of 89 and 91 % J2s at 72 hours in experiment I and II, respectively, while the same concentration in combination with C. nigrum had 81 and 83% mortalities of J2s at 72 hours in both tests, respectively. Colletotrichum nigrum alone had 88 and 89 % mortalities at 72 hours relative to control. Lantana leaf extract and C. nigrum may be used singly or in combination in the RKN management to increase agricultural productivity
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    Studies on German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) Propagation and the Effect of Light and Age on Seed Viability
    (Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum, 2015) Kavoi, K. T.; Maina, M.
    Chamomile (Matricaria recutica) is a herb grown for its flowers which have medicinal properties and are used to make tea and for oil extraction. The current research was carried out to determine the effect of light and age on germination of chamomile seeds and to compare vegetative (use of cuttings) and seed propagation methods. In the first experiment chamomile seeds were sown in 10 Petri dishes lined with moistened paper towel to retain moisture. Half of the Petri dishes were covered with aluminium foil to prevent entry of light while the rest were exposed to sunlight. In experiment 2 chamomile seeds were sown in a nursery bed. The seedlings were transplanted to the field at 6 weeks and raised to maturity (flower production). Cuttings were obtained from mature plants and rooted in polythene sleeves filled with soil before transplanting into the main seedbed. Results showed that the seeds germinated by the 4th day and light did not affect germination. Plants raised by use of cuttings took a shorter period to flower compared to those raised from seeds. Based on the results we recommend that chamomile seeds can be sown directly without covering with soil and that cuttings can be used to increase the number of plants. The results of this study will encourage farmers to adopt production of chamomile as an alternative cash crop since the crop is relatively easy to produce. More research should be carried out on other agronomic practices such as nutrition, weeding and water management