Browsing by Author "Maingi, J.M."
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Item Antibacterial activity of Apis mellifera L. propolis collected in three regions of Kenya(SCIELO Brasil, 2007-08) Muli, E.M.; Maingi, J.M.The present study aimed at investigating the susceptibility of the microorganisms Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis to ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) from three regions of Kenya (Taita, Tana and Samburu). Propolis was extracted using four different concentrations of ethanol: pure, 70%, 50%, and 30%. Ethanol (70%) and Streptomycin were used as controls. The agar diffusion method using filter paper disks was employed. Antibacterial activity was determined as an equivalent of the inhibition zones diameters (in millimeters) after incubation at 37°C for 24h. Significant differences in the antibacterial activities of propolis were observed among the three regions, depending on the test microorganisms and on the procedure used for the preparation of propolis extract. Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were the most susceptible bacteria and 70% EEP had the best antibacterial effect.Item Antimicrobial activity of honey from the stingless bee Trigona carbonaria determined by agar diffusion, agar dilution, broth microdilution and time-kill methodology(Wiley, 2010-05) Muli, E. M.; Maingi, J.M.; Macharia, J.This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of propolis and honey samples of stingless bee, Dactylurina schimidti collected from 4 colonies in Tana River district along the Kenyan Indian Ocean Coast. Ethanolic extract of Propolis (EEP) was extracted using 70 % ethanol. Pure honey and concentrations of 75 %, 50 % and 25 % honey in distilled water were prepared. These preparations were tested for antimicrobial activity against five different types of bacteria; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and two types of fungi; Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The disc diffusion method using filter paper discs was employed. Antimicrobial activity was determined as an equivalent of the inhibition zones diameters (in millimeters) after incubation of the cultures at 370C for 24 hours for bacterial species and 48 hours for fungal species. EEP exhibited highest inhibitory effect on Gram positive bacteria compared to all other bacterial and fungal strains. Pure honey had more effect in inhibiting bacterial growth than different dilutions of honey. Pure honey did not inhibit growth of A. niger and C. albicans. Generally, our findings indicate that propolis from D. schimdti had higher antimicrobial activity against the microbes compared to its honey.Item Antimicrobial Properties of Propolis and Honey from the Kenyan Stingless bee, Dactylurina Schimidti(2008) Maingi, J.M.; Muli, E. M.; Macharia, J.This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of propolis and honey samples of stingless bee, Dactylurina schimidti collected from 4 colonies in Tana River district along the Kenyan Indian Ocean Coast. Ethanolic extract of Propolis (EEP) was extracted using 70 % ethanol. Pure honey and concentrations of 75 %, 50 % and 25 % honey in distilled water were prepared. These preparations were tested for antimicrobial activity against five different types of bacteria; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and two types of fungi; Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The disc diffusion method using filter paper discs was employed. Antimicrobial activity was determined as an equivalent of the inhibition zones diameters (in millimeters) after incubation of the cultures at 370C for 24 hours for bacterial species and 48 hours for fungal species. EEP exhibited highest inhibitory effect on Gram positive bacteria compared to all other bacterial and fungal strains. Pure honey had more effect in inhibiting bacterial growth than different dilutions of honey. Pure honey did not inhibit growth of A. niger and C. albicans. Generally, our findings indicate that propolis from D. schimdti had higher antimicrobial activity against the microbes compared to its honey.Item Bacterial profile of' bacteremia and septicemia among children under five years visiting Kisii Level 5 hospital in Kisii county, Kenya(2014-07-28) Mokua, Evans Chakua; Maingi, J.M.Bacteremia and septicemia in children is an important cause of mortality and morbidity. It is among the most common health-care associated infections. In recent years, bacteremia and septicemia infections in children less than five years have been on the increase due to infections that occur without localized signs or focus of infection, for example, typhoid and non-typhoid Salmonella infections that are a common cause of bacteremia or those infections whose localized signs develops later. These infections are treated using first line antibiotics such as Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, and Nalixidic acid, Streptomicin, Sulfixozasole, and Tetracycline. However, multi-drug resistance is an increasing problem. The aim of this study will be to describe the frequency of occurrence of etiological isolates of bacteremia and septicemia and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns at Kisii hospital levelS in Kisii County, Kenya. This crosssectional study will be carried out at Kisii hospital levelS for children below five years. In this study, about 150 patients will be enrolled. Blood collected will be cultured, sub cultured and isolates identified by standard conventional methods such as colonial morphology, Gram stain method, and confirmed by biochemical tests. The frequency of the various bacterial isolates will then be determined. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates will be tested using the disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute. Data collected will be analyzed using appropriate biostatical tools and will be used in future management of the bacteremia and septicemia infections.Item Bacterial wilt, a challenge in Solanaceous crops production at Kenyan highlands and lowlands(World Journal of Research and Review, 2016) Kariko, E.K.; Murimi, Z.K.; Owuor, P.O.; Maingi, J.M.Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of bacterial wilt disease, results in serious world-wide economic losses particularly in the tropics. Members of the family Solanaceae such as potato, tomato, chili and tobacco are the most affected. A survey was conducted in the period of short rains (October December ) the year 2015, covering Kenyan highlands and lowland regions of Nyeri, Kiambu, Nyahururu, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, and Embu counties; the major production zones of potato, tomato and capsicum to determine the prevalence, effects and management measures in practice by farmers in control of this bacterium. The findings implicated high dependence of farmers to the solanaceous crops both for income and food (68%), and extensive presence of the bacteria in all the seven study counties. The survey indicated bacterial wilt as a big challenge in production of Solanaceae crops in central Kenya. Lack of elaborate disease management measures and poor seed systems (57%) were found to be the key contributors to the extensive spread, high prevalence (68.57%) and the high incidence (17.74%) of the disease. These findings indicated an urgent need for set up of affordable up to standards seed systems of Solanaceae crops family. This output will enable experimentation of the plant extracts and organic supplements as cheap measures in management of the bacterium leading to alleviation of bacterial wilt challenges in Kenyan highlands and lowlands.Item Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Selected Legumes of the Semi-Arid Makueni District of Southeast Kenya(Journal of Agriculture in the Tropics and Subtropics, 1999-10) Shisanya, C.A.; Maingi, J.M.; Gitonga, Nkanata Mburugu; Hornetz, B.The major objective of this study was to investigate biological nitrogen fixation in two main legumes (green gram and common bean) grown in semi-arid southeast Kenya. Nodulation experiments on the two legumes were carried out in the greenhouse of the Botany Department, Kenyatta University with soil samples that had been obtained from Kiboko. Indigenous rhizobia were isolated from the two legumes and screened for the ability to fix nitrogen in comparison with commercially available strains from MIRCEN, UniverSity of Nairobi. The population of indigenous rhizobia specific to the two legumes was determined using the Most Probable Number (MPN) plant infection technique. Results showed that infectivity in common bean was better (80 nodules/plant) than in green gram (18 nodules/plant). Bisection of the nodules showed that 32 % and 77 % of them had an inner pink colour in common bean and green gram, respectively. This is an indication that a majority of the nodules in green gram were effective nitrogen fixers compared to those in common bean. The results of the MPN counts indicated that the number of indigenous rhizobia resident in Kiboko soils, and specific to green gram and common bean were 519-3,780 and 2,037-14,850 rhizobia cells per gram of soil, respectively. Two different isolates of rhizobia for common Bean (C_1S and C_2L) and one for green gram (GG-T), were isolated. Presumptive and authentication tests confirmed these isolates as rhizobia. Greenhouse trials showed thaI isolate C_1S and C_2L was not as effective in nitrogen fixation, as C_2L, and Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli strain 446 from MIRCEN although no significant difference in Shoot dry weight was recorded for C_2L and 446. Further, isolate GG-T from green gram was not as effective in nitrogen fixation as the commercial strain Bradyrhizobium sp. strain CB1015.Item Compatibility of Rhizobium inoculant and water hyacinth compost formulations in Rosecoco bean and consequences on Aphis fabae and Colletotrichum lindemuthianum infestations.(Elsevier, 2014) Ombori, O.; Naluyange, V.; Ochieno, D.M.W.; Maingi, J.M.; Mukaminega, D.; Amoding, A.; Odendo, M.; Okoth, S. A.; Shivoga, W.A.; Muoma, J. V.O.The common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris is an important crop for food security and nitrogen fixation through Rhizobium symbiosis. Commercial Rhizobium inoculants are being promoted to fix nitrogen and enhance bean production in the Lake Victoria basin. Rhizobium symbiosis depends on nutrients, especially phosphorus, which is widely applied as diammonium phosphate (DAP) in the Lake Victoria basin. Water hyacinth, Eichornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laubach (Pontederiaceae) is being developed into compost, with perceived benefits of improving crop production and limiting its disastrous spread in Lake Victoria. High nutrient content in water hyacinth compost can stimulate Rhizobium nodulation and nitrogen fixation, consequently improving plant growth and pest resistance. However, it is not yet established whether Rhizobium inoculants and water hyacinth composts are compatible options for plant growth promotion and pest suppression in beans. A field experiment with two trials was conducted to assess the compatibility of commercial Rhizobium inoculant, DAP, cattle farmyard manure (FYM), and four formulations of water hyacinth compost i.e., water hyacinth only (H), with molasses (H+Mol), cattle manure culture (H+CMC) or effective microbes (H+EM). Rhizobium inoculated plants had high number of root nodules when grown with H+CMC and H+EM. Plants were large in size with short development period when grown with the composts, especially H+CMC and H+EM. Those grown with H+EM produced high number of flowers. Rhizobium inoculated plants had high anthracnose incidence than non-inoculated ones when grown with H+CMC. Those grown with H+EM had low anthracnose incidence, but was high in FYM. During flowering, Rhizobium inoculated plants had higher Aphis fabae population than non-inoculated ones when grown in FYM or without fertilizer. Those grown with H+EM had the lowest A. fabae population. Yields in water hyacinth compost were improved, especially for H+CMC in the second trial. DAP treated plants had more flowers and pods having heavy seeds, with low anthracnose and A. fabae infestations; but had low germination rates that reduced the yields. In conclusion, the commercial Rhizobium inoculant is predominantly compatible with water hyacinth compost formulations containing effective microbes and cattle manure culture, which could enhance tolerance of bean plants to aphids and possibly to anthracnose disease. These two water hyacinth compost formulations need further investigation for their potential in enhancing food production and alleviating the water hyacinth problem in the Lake Victoria basin.Item Determination of bacteriological quality of fresh beef post- harvesting in Nyagacho slum, Kericho, Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2015-01) Ronoh, Kipkurui Bernard; Maingi, J.M.; Kebira, A.While food borne diseases remain an important public health problem worldwide, one of the most significant food safety hazards is associated with those from animals. Food borne infections and illnesses are a major international health problem with consequent economic reduction and deaths. Meat is considered the most important source of proteins consumed by humans, yet most perishable. For highly perishable foodstuffs such as fresh red meat, the threat of food poisoning is particularly high since it contains all the nutrients that support bacterial growth. Inappropriate slaughtering and retail operation can compromise food safety and more so, in densely populated areas like informal settlements. In the present study, the microbial quality of meat from slaughterhouse and butcheries supplying residents of Nyagacho, Kericho County was assessed to determine their safety for human consumption and to highlight the potential contamination points. The bacteriological quality of the meat samples were performed using the Total Plate Count (TPC) method, while standard culture methods were used for bacteria isolation and identification. Equipment, walls, floors, hands and clothing of meat personnel were swabbed and analyzed by means of Rodac plates. The results obtained indicated that the meat quality from the butcheries exceeded acceptable range over the study period. The bacteriological load obtained from the study in the slaughterhouse however, was within the acceptable range <3.5 log (HACCP 2002). During the study, the meat sampled from the slaughterhouse was therefore fit for human consumption (ranged between ± 3.20 - ±3.50 log). However, butchery isolates recorded high counts exceeding the acceptable maximum limits prescribed by Meat HACCP (Scotland) regulations 2002 No. 234. TPC yielded counts as high as ±6.49 - ±7.50 and exceeded the accepted range > 5.0 cfu/g and hence all butchery meat sampled during the study was not fit for consumption. It was established that there was a high significant difference (p=0.000 at p<0.05) of the means from the two sites (slaughterhouse and butcheries). From 27 samples cultured from the slaughterhouse, 15 tested positive for pathogens. Of the 15, 4 (27%) were positive for Staphylococcus aureus, 6 (40%) for Proteus vulgaris and 5 (33%) for Proteus rettgeri. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was not isolated in all the samples of the slaughterhouse. From the 27 samples collected from butcheries, 24 were positive for pathogens. Of the 24, 7(29%) were positive for Staphylococcus aureus, 6 (25%) for Proteus rettgeri, 7 (29%) for Proteus vulgaris and 4 (17%) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. During the study period, meat from the sampled butcheries was not suitable for human consumption since the counts exceeded the acceptable limits and hence a serious threat to the consumers‟ and calls for urgent intervention.Item Diurnal and Seasonal Variations of Pathogenic Bacteria in Dandora Sewage Treatment Plant Wastewater, Nairobi, Kenya(International Research Journals, 2013-02) Musyoki, A.M.; Suleiman, M.A.; Mbithi, J. N.; Maingi, J.M.Diurnal and seasonal variation of pathogenic bacteria diversity and loads at Dandora Sewage Treatment Plant (DSTP), and compliance of effluent with local and international statutory requirements was assessed. Standard bacteriological techniques were used to describe bacteria content from wastewater samples collected from influent and effluent sources. Diurnal variation of bacterial loads occurred only in the effluent (F ꞊ 22.788, p ꞊ 0.000) with lower counts in the afternoon. Seasonal variation was observed in both influent (F ꞊ 14.795, p ꞊ 0.001) and the effluent (F ꞊ 23.574, p = 0.000), with more pollution during the dry season. The effluent microbiological quality, irrespective of diurnal and seasonal changes, did not adhere to local and international statutory requirements for discharge into natural environment. The effluents were polluted with pathogens including; Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella aerogenes. The health risk posed to downstream users of DSTP effluent occurs notwithstanding the time of the day or season. The findings in this study suggest need for appropriate measures to monitor and control the microbiological quality of DSTP effluentItem Effect of Borrower’ Characteristics to Government Funded Micro-Credit Initiatives in Murang’a County, Kenya(Globeedu Group, 2014) Mungai John Njangiru; Maingi, J.M.; Muathe, Stephen M. A.The role of the government in providing start-up funds and their relationship to sustainability is crucial. The main focus of this research was to analyze the loan repayment and sustainability issues of government micro-credit initiatives in Murang’a County. The specific objective of the study was to establish the effect of borrower characteristics to micro-credit repayment in Murang’a County. The study adopted a positivism philosophy of research, where the researcher was independent on what was being observed and what was studied. Descriptive survey design was used to determine the level of government funded micro-credit loan repayment and its effect on sustainability for other borrowers. The target population was 1520 social and economic groups in Murang’a County. Clustering and Simple Random Sampling techniques were applied to select a sample size of 307 groups including a census of 16 constituency credit officers, who were interviewed. This, in total accounted to 19.5% of the total population. A questionnaire and an interview schedule were used to collect data. Descriptive data were analysed using tables and charts. Qualitative data were analysed using Chi-square, Analysis of Variance and Logit Regression Model. Hypothesis testing revealed statistically significant results, for borrowers’ characteristics effect to loan repayment and sustainability. The study found that due to problems of high risk and high cost of borrowing, uncertainity of repayment capcity on the rural borrower has been reported high due to irregular income streams. Systems should be developed to ensure consistent incomes and expenditure to reduce/remove uncertainty. The study found some spouses who had run away from homes after receiving loans, to evade repayment or to evade the nugging demands from their partners or to part with some/all the amount borrowed. This may be one of the explanations of wife/husband buttering in Cental Kenya reported by the local mediaItem Effect of inoculating selected climbing bean cultivars with different rhizobia strains on nitrogen fixation(Online International Journal of Microbiology Research, 2013-03) Cheruiyot, R.C.; Gicharu, G.K.; Gitonga, Nkanata Mburugu; Boga, H.; Maingi, J.M.Experiments were designed to investigate biological nitrogen fixation in indeterminate (climbing) bean cultivars namely Cargamanto, NG224-4 and G59/1-2. Greenhouse and field studies were carried out to determine the most efficient bean cultivars and rhizobia strains in nitrogen fixation. Each cultivar was inoculated with the rhizobia strains CIAT 899, USDA 2674, USDA 2676, the three strains combined and one was not inoculated. There were no statistical differences in nodulation between the different inoculant treatments but in the field, beans inoculated with rhizobia strain USDA 2676 formed the highest nodule number. The bean cultivars inoculated with a mixture of the three rhizobia strains gave the highest total plant dry weight. Treatments within each of the cultivars showed differences in total plant dry weight yield in response to rhizobia strain used. Field experiments showed that plant dry weight differed significantly between cultivars but there were no significant differences in yields. Keywords: Climbing beans, rhizobium, nitrogen fixation, inoculation, Central Kenya.Item Effects of Cabbage Tissue and Calcium Hypochlorite on Soil Fertility and Yields of Selected Solanaceous Crops(Annual Research & Review in Biology, 2014) Kago, E.K.; Okemo, P. O.; Maingi, J.M.; Kinyua, Z.M.The objective of this study was to determine the effect of inorganic compounds treatment(s) namely: ChalimTM (CM), a chlorine-containing compound, metham sodium (MS) (positive control) and Co (negative control) versus organic compound such as Brassica tissue treatment (BT), on soil pH, micro and macroelements. Three levels of ChalimTM and that of Brassica tissue; one of MS and one for Co were used. The test crops included were; Tomato, capsicum and potato. All the plots were inoculated with R. solanacearum to a level of approximately 7.5×107 Colony forming unit (CFU) per plot. Soil samples were taken using zigzag method after which the selected parameter levels were determined at the beginning and at the end of each season for three seasons (2009-2010). The amendments were prepared and applied in the field plots measuring (4.5×2.7 M) in randomized complete block design at Kenya agricultural research institute National agricultural laboratories in plant pathology section and Department of Plant and Microbial Sciences, Kenyatta university. The effects of the soil amendments on soil physico-chemical properties and yields were determined. The findings established that, Brassica tissue, at highest level of application was the best soil amendment to be incorporated since more nutrients and yields were realized at that treatment as compared to the others. The various treatments differed significantly on their effect on the total yields. In tomato, the various treatments differed significantly (P<0.05) with plants grown on MS200 and BT5292 having significantly higher yields than the control. The study revealed that BT5292 increased the soil pH, yields, Nitrogen content, organic carbon, calcium and potassium concentration as compared to the other treatments and the control. - See more at: http://www.sciencedomain.org/abstract.php?iid=308&id=32&aid=2407#.Us0CBvs3TIUItem Effects of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [mart.] solms) compost on growth and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays).(SCIENCEDOMAIN International, 2013-11-18) Osoro, N.; Muoma, J.O.; Amoding, A.; Mukaminega, D.; Muthini, M.; Ombori, O.; Maingi, J.M.Aims: To evaluate the effects of water hyacinth compost prepared with various cultures on growth and yield parameters of maize. Study Design: Randomized Complete Block Design. Place and Duration of Study: Field experiments were carried out at Otonglo Division in Kisumu County and greenhouse trials were carried out at Kenyatta University from November 2011 to August 2012. Methodology: The water hyacinth compost was prepared using effective microorganisms (EM) solution, cow manure and molasses separately as starter cultures for composting. The compost was applied on maize (H513) on separate growth pots in the greenhouse and plots in the field. The treatments applied included compost prepared with EM (8.84 g/pot), compost prepared with cow manure (8.84 g/pot), compost prepared with molasses (8.84g/pot), diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer (70.7 mg N/pot) and control (without fertilizer). For the field experiments, water hyacinth compost was applied at a rate of 5000 kg ha-1 and DAP at 40 kg N/ha. The experiments had five treatments and three replications for each treatment in the greenhouse and four treatments replicated four times in three farmers’ fields. Results: Application of water hyacinth compost and DAP significantly influenced positively (P ≤ 0.05) the growth attributes of maize. Among the various treatments of the compost, water hyacinth compost prepared with EM (WHE) performed better in most parameters evaluated including plant height, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and root collar diameter. Yield parameters such as 100 seed weight and grain yield were not significantly (p > 0.05) influenced by various treatments. Conclusion: Water hyacinth which is locally available and in large quantities (especially in lake Victoria) can be composted to prepare organic fertilizers and effectively used as an organic soil amendment to restore soil and increase maize production.Item Efficacy of Brassica Tissue and Chalim TM on Control of Plant Parasitic Nematodes(Journal of Biology, 2013) Kago, E.K.; Kinyua, Z.M.; Okemo, P. O.; Maingi, J.M.Nematodes, as parasite, contributes to a high losesin crops. Brassicaspecies produce general biocides called glucosinolates which are nematocidal. ChalimTM (Calcium hypochlorite) is a chemical biofumigant. The study was carried out in three seasons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of Brassica tissue and Chalim TM in the management of root knot nematodes. The effect on plant parasitic nematode (PPN) populations was determined in the 24 plots upon soil sampling. Data was then taken and analyzed for various parameters. The results showed that nematode loads reduced significantly using ChalimTM303.75 g and Brassica extract 5292 g compared to the control. The findings revealed that the population of plant parasitic nematode varied significantly (P<0.05) throughout the three seasons among the treatments with CM911.25 having the highest population, while CM303.75 was found to have the least. Various phytonematodes like Helicotylenchus, Pratylenchus, Meloidogyne (root knot nematodes), Tylenchus and Heterodera were present in all seasons with Meloidogyne, Tylenchus and Heterodera populations varying significantly in seasons two and three. A significant correlation relationship was established (r=0.415, P<0.05) between the PPN and the soil pH although the relationship was not significant (P>0.05) in RKN, Filenchus and Tylenchulus species. Brassica tissue improved moisture content and reduced PPN population at higher rates of application. Keywords: Brassica, Biofumigation, Helicotylenchus, Pratylenchus, Meloidogyne, Tylenchus and Heterodera, Tylenchus, HeteroderaItem Loan Repayment and Sustainability of Government Funded Micro-Credit Initiatives in Murang’a County, Kenya(Center for Promoting Ideas, 2014) Mungai John Njangiru; Maingi, J.M.; Muathe, Stephen M. A.In the attempt to alleviate poverty and empower the poor, many non-governmental organizations and Government line agencies have been providing credit money and social services to rural dwellers in Kenya. The role of these credit schemes is to help the rural poor, to earn a decent living, through their on-going income-generating activities. The government of Kenya overtime has formulated a series of rural development programmes to counter the problem. The most notable and current, is Youth Enterprise Development Fund and the Women Enterprise Fund which were both conceived in 2006 and 2007 respectively. In these programmes, identifying the marginal borrower has not been a simple affair owing to the complex interplay of costs, returns, and risks in credit markets. The role of the government in providing start-up funds and their relationship to sustainability is crucial. The main focus of this research was to analyze the loan repayment and sustainability issues of government micro-credit initiatives in Murang’a County. The specific objective of the study was to establish the effect of borrower characteristics to micro-credit repayment in Murang’a County. The study adopted a positivism philosophy of research, where the researcher was independent on what was being observed and what was studied. Descriptive survey design was used to determine the level of government funded micro-credit loan repayment and its effect on sustainability for other borrowers. The target population was 1520 social and economic groups in Murang’a County. Clustering and Simple Random Sampling techniques were applied to select a sample size of 307 groups including a census of 16 constituency credit officers, who were interviewed. This, in total accounted to 19.5% of the total population. A questionnaire and an interview schedule were used to collect data. Descriptive data were analysed using tables and charts. Qualitative data were analysed using Chisquare, Analysis of Variance and Logit Regression Model. Hypothesis testing revealed statistically significant results, for borrowers’ characteristics effect to loan repayment and sustainability. The study found that due to problems of high risk and high cost of borrowing, uncertainity of repayment capcity on the rural borrower has been reported high due to irregular income streams. Systems should be developed to ensure consistent incomes and expenditure to reduce/remove uncertainty. The study found some spouses who had run away from homes after receiving loans, to evade repayment or to evade the nugging demands from their partners or to part with some/all the amount borrowed. This may be one of the explanations of wife/husband buttering in Cental Kenya reported by the local media.Item Morphological Assessment and Effectiveness of Indigenous Rhizobia Isolates that Nodulate P. vulgaris in Water Hyacinth Compost Testing Field in Lake Victoria Basin(British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, 2014) Ombori, O.; Mgutu, Allan Jalemba; Muthini, M.; Maingi, J.M.; Muoma, J.O.; Amoding, A.; Mukaminega, D.; Osoro, N.Aims: The study was aimed at isolating, identifying and assessing the effectiveness of indigenous rhizobia nodulating P. vulgaris in Lake Victoria Basin (LVB). Study Design: Randomized complete block design. Place and Duration of Study: Soil and nodule samples were collected from Kisumu (Kenya); Kabanyolo (Uganda) and Nyabarongo (Rwanda). Field experiments: Kisumu (Kenya). Lab and greenhouse experiments: Department of Plant and Microbial Sciences Kenyatta University (Kenya) and Makerere University (Uganda). Research was carried out between January 2012 and April 2013. Methodology: Rhizobia were isolated from nodules obtained from P. vulgaris(rose coco variety) plants planted in the LVB water hyacinth compost trial fields and whole soil trapping experiments in the greenhouse using soil obtained from the LVB. The isolates were characterized using morphological features. Isolates from each group were used in authentication using the infection technique. Results: One hundred and twenty eight isolates were obtained from the trapping experiments and placed into nine groups based on their morphological characteristics. Four hundred and seventy two isolates were obtained from the nodules of the P. vulgaris grown in soils amended with water hyacinth compost and were placed into sixteen groups. The isolates varied in their morphological characteristics. There was a significant difference in the infectiveness and effectiveness of the representative rhizobia isolates. Conclusion: The studies revealed that rhizobia isolates from Lake Victoria are different morphologically. Authentication experiments, confirmed that the majority of the isolates were rhizobia due to their ability to infect the host plant P. vulgaris. All representative isolates varied in their ability to infect and fix nitrogen. Isolates that are more effective compared to the commercial Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar phaseoli strain 446 were isolated in this study. The effective indigenous rhizobia have therefore the potential of being sources of inocula for P. vulgarisItem Nitrogen fixation by common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in pure and mixed stands in semi-arid south-east Kenya(Science Direct, 2001-01) Maingi, J.M.; Shisanya, C.A.; Gitonga, Nkanata Mburugu; Hornetz, BertholdResearch was carried out in the field on the effect of intercropping common bean and maize crops in a semi-arid zone of south-east Kenya over two rainy seasons in 1997. The experimental design was a randomised complete block design with eight treatments replicated four times. Significant differences were observed in total plant dry weight by the different treatments in pure stands, 21 days after emergence with higher values under mixed cropping system in common beans. However, at 42 days after emergence, plant dry weights in uninoculated common bean pure stands with N application were significantly higher than under other treatments. Common bean yields were significantly reduced by the maize intercrop. The inoculated common bean and N application treatment recorded the largest seed dry weights and subsequently yields per hectare. These findings suggest that intercropping common beans and maize considerably suppresses the yield of the former under the semi-arid conditions of south-east Kenya. Inoculation of common bean with the commercially available Rhizobium strain 446 on the other hand was effective and improved yields. Soil analysis of the experimental plots before and after one cropping season indicated that common beans increased N slightly or maintained it at the pre-planting levels. This was unlike the pure maize plots where there was a marked decline in soil N. There was however, a marked increase in soil phosphorus in all treatment plots.Item Nitrogen Fixation by Vigna radiata L. Wilczek in Pure and Mixed Stands in SE-Kenya(CSA Illumina, 1999) Gitonga, Nkanata Mburugu; Shisanya, C.A.; Hornetz, B.; Maingi, J.M.Greenhouse and field experiments were carried out to determine the number of rhizobia in soils of SE-Kenya, nodulation and nitrogen fixation by green grams in two cropping systems was also determined. The Most Probable Number (MPN) of rhizobia cells capable of nodulating green grams were between 519 and 3,780 per gram of soil in SE-Kenya. These results were confirmed by lack of response to inoculation and effective nodulation of the control plants under field conditions. Green grams intercropped with maize had significantly higher dry weights than the ones grown as pure stand, 21 days after emergence (DAE). The increase was transitory because it was not observed at podding (42 DAE) and at physiological maturity (100 DAE). Green gram yield was not affected by maize intercrop. However, maize yields were significantly reduced by intercropping with green grams. Soil analysis from treatment plots before and after the cropping season indicated that green grams increased soil nitrogen slightly or maintained it at preplanting levels. This was unlike pure maize plots where there was a decline in soil nitrogen (N).Item Nitrogen fixation in promisccuous soybean (Glycine Max (1.) Merril) varieties in Eastern Kenya(2011-08-15) Maingi, J.M.; Gitonga Mburugu; Shisanya, C.A.; George MuluviSoybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril) is referred to as the golden crop of the future. It contains approximately, 40% proteins, 20% oil, 14% carbohydrates, various minerals and vitamins. Approximately 70,000-100,000 tonnes of soybean are required in Kenya with only 5,000 tonnes produced locally and the rest imported. Human consumption is expected to rise ten-fold in the next ten years. The number of soybean producers is still small and fragmented across the country. The small scale farmers in Kenya are resource poor and cannot afford the expensive inputs in terms of nitrogen fertilizer to increase soybean production. The farmers do not also make use of inoculants that provide an alternative and cheaper source of nitrogen for crop production than the N fertilizers. Soybean crops as are grown by farmers receive no inoculants and little or no commercial nitrogen fertilizer. To avoid this need for inoculation, soybean breeders in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria developed new soybean genotypes for Africa. These genotypes known as tropical glycine cross (TGx) nodulate with Bradyrhizobium sp. population indigenous to African soils. These genotypes have been tested in some parts of Africa with great success. However, the TGxs have not been tested in Kenya. The main objective of this study was to investigate nitrogen fixation in promiscuous soybean varieties in two different agroecological zones in eastern Kenya. About fifty different isolates were obtained from the two study sites Kiboko, south east Kenya and Kaguru in east Kenya. About 20 % of the isolates were slow growers while 80 were fast growers. Four different rhizobia groups were identified upon restriction of the DNA of the isolates with Msp I and Hae III. Isolates, M8, M10, M12, M20 and M22 were identified as being potential source of effective inoculum for soybeans in the study areas. The results of Most Probable Number counts indicated that the total bradyrhizobia population in Kiboko was between 2.59x104 and 1.89x105 per gram of soil. In Kaguru, the approximate total bradyrhizobia was between 1.04x102 and 7.56x103 per gram of soil. The population size of taxonomically defined slow growing rhizobia in Kiboko was between 2.59x102 and 1.89x103 cells per gram of soil while in Kaguru, the population was between 1.33x102 and 9.72x102 cells per gram of soil. The approximate rhizobia population specific to TGx genotype in Kiboko was between 7.81x102 and 5.67x103 while in Kaguru, the population was between 2.37x102 and 1.73x103 cells per gram of soil. In terms of crop performance in field conditions, TGx varieties and Magoye performed better than Nyala and Gazelle in all the parameters that were assessed. From this study, persistence of introduced commercial inoculant, Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110 in the two study sites was also evident. Inoculants can be a potent alternative to chemical nitrogen fertilizer as well as a renewable resource that is capable of sustaining food production with little purchased inputs. The small scale farmers in the two study sites are resource poor and will benefit a lot by using this cheaper technology to boost soybean productionItem Physico-chemical and microbiological analysis in treated, stored and drinking water in Nakuru north, Kenya(2014-11) Nyamache, A. K.; Maingi, J.M.; Waithaka, Paul NjengaNakuru North sub-county is located 160 Km Northwest of Nairobi at an altitude of 1859 m above sea level. It has an area of 593 Km2 with a population density of 25.3 per Km2. People living in the area suffer from enteric diseases probably due to consuming contaminated water. The aim of this study was to determine the physico-chemical characteristics of water that has been treated and stored, isolate microbes from the water and carry out antimicrobial sensitivity test of the isolates. A crossectional study was carried out and a total of 540 samples from water that had been treated through boiling (135), chlorination (135), filtration (135) and solar disinfection (SODIS) and stored by the residents (135). Physico-chemical parameters which included pH, chloride ions concentration and dissolved oxygen were determined and microorganisms isolated and confirmed by biochemical tests. Out of the five hundred and fourty (540) samples examined 35% (189/540) were positive for all the microbial isolates. The prevalence of total coliforms was 51.8 %, E coli (32.3%) and Salmonella (15.9 %). Total coliforms showed the highest mean resistance (26.0 %) followed by Salmonella (16.9 %) while E. coli showed the least (15.5 %). However, there was no significant deference (p=0.98) in resistance among totalcoliforms, E. coli and Salmonellaat 0.05 level of significant. This study established that water that had been treated and stored by the residents in Nakuru North contains high levels of microorganisms and solar disinfection is effective in treating water upon exposure to sunlight for three to five hours per day. In addition, a high percentage of the isolates were resistant to the tested antimicrobials indicating a possibility of antimicrobial miss use and abuse. There is need for proper storage of water after treatment and prudent usage of antimicrobials.