CW-Department of Environmental Science

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Adaptation Mechanisms to Curb the Impacts of Climate (rainfall and temperature) Variability
(Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), 2014) Mucheru-Muna, M.; Mugwe, J. N.; Ngetich, F.; Mugendi, D.N.; Mairura, F.; Mugi, Esther
Smallholder farmers in Tharaka and Kitui suffer the adverse effects of climate variability, especially variations in rainfall and temperatureThis has had a negative impact on agricultural production and is attributed to the fact that most of their agriculture is rain-fed There is therefore need for adaptation as a fundamental and necessary response to the threats posed by climate variability Adaptation refers to all adjustments that reduce the vulnerability of farmers to conditions caused by climate variability Smallholder farmers in these areas have characteristically adopted adaptation/coping mechanisms to help in reducing the overall vulnerability to climate variability shocks.
Adapting conservation agriculture to climate change variability: An overview of sorghum and cowpea production in Kirinyaga west county
(African Crop Science Society, 2013) Njeru, P. N. M.; Maina, I.; Mugwe, J.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Mugendi, D.; Lekasi, J. K.; Kimani, S. K.; Miriti, J.; Mugo, B. J.; Mwangi, H.; Oeba, V. O.; Muriithi, F.
Rain-fed agricultural productivity has continually declined due to unpredictable and unreliable rainfall patterns in Kirinyaga West County. The decline in food productivity has been as a result of inadequate understanding of intra-seasonal rainfall variability to develop optimal cropping calendar. A study was conducted to access the effect of various water harvesting and integrated soil fertility management technologies for enhanced sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) productivity in Kirinyaga West County, Central Kenya. The field experiment was laid out in Partially Balanced Incomplete Block Design (PBIBD) with a total of 36 treatments replicated three times. The treatments of tied ridges and contour furrows under sorghum alone plus external soil amendment of 40 Kg P /ha + 20 Kg N /ha + manure 2.5 t/ha had the highest grain yield ranging from 3.3 t/ha to 3.6t/ha. The soil fertility levels differed significantly from one another (p=0.0001) in terms of sorghum grain yield. Generally, all experiment controls had the lowest grain yields as low as 0.4 t/ha to 0.6 t/ha. Therefore, integration of minimal organic and inorganic inputs under various water harvesting technologies could be considered as an alternative option towards food security as a way of climate change mitigation options for Kirinyaga West County in Central Kenya. Key words: Climate change, food security, soil amendments
Aerobic mineralization and recovery of nitrogen as affected by soil organic matter status in three sites in Kenya
(The Soil Science Society of East Africa National Research Laboratories, 2005) Karunditu, M.W.; Mugendi, D.N.; Kung'u, J.B.; Vanlauwe, B.
Pressure on available land has increased due to high population density and other competing land-use demands which have led to reduced use of traditional fallows and subsequent decline in soil fertility. Aerobic Nmineralization potential as affected by soil organic matter status in the soil was determined by a 56 day aerobic incubation at25°C. Calliandra treatment at Maseno and Embu trials had the highest mineralization over the incubation period. This was attributed to its low quality (slow decomposition and N release) and its ability tobuild up soil organic matter (SOM) in the soil. Recovery of nitrogen in maize plants was also determined and recovery was highest at Embu trial followed by Maseno trial while Kabete trial had the lowest recoveries. Rainfall distribution and resource quality were the main factors affecting recovery of nitrogen at the three trials.
Analysis of water use trade-offs between crop and livestock in Kalacha settlement, Marsabit district, Kenya.
(Kenyatta University, 2009) Sikunyi, T.M.; Olukoye, G.A.; Koske, J.K.A.
Consumption of Dryland Indigenous Fruits to Improve Livelihoods in Kenya. The Case of Mwingi Distric
(Kenyatta University, 2008) Kung'u, J.B.; Kimiywe, Judith; Simitu, Parnwell Juma; Jamnadass, R.; Kindt, R.
Dry areas of Kenya rely on alternative food products such as indigenous fruits to supplement their diets. Kenya has an estimated 400 indigenous fruit plants, most of which are not fully exploited This is because these species have not been fostered by agricultural and forestry institutions. IFTs show great potential for providing food, vitamins and income to communities e.g Sclerocarya birrea fruit contain 180 mg of vitamin C per 100 g, surpassing exotic lemon, orange and mango Experts have recommended a daily intake of ~ 200 g of fruits for a healthy diet, East Africa consumption is only ~ 40 g. Berche Increased IFT consumption therefore has strong potential to reduce existing micronutrient deficiencies among populations of dryland Kenya, especially in mothers and children Vangueria infausta tree and fruit survey conducted to establish intake levels of indigenous fruits in the drylands of Mwingi District in Kenya Study assessed patterns of consumption and perspectives and practices of use and cultivation of IFTs by smallholder farming communities
Cost-benefit analysis of farmer-tested soil fertility replenishment technologies in Kirege Location, Chuka Division, Eastern Kenya
(The Soil Science Society of East Africa National Research Laboratories, 2005) Kangai, R.; Mugendi, D.N.; Kung'u, J.B.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Otor, S.C.J.; Waswa, B. S.; Mugwe, J. N.
A study was conducted in Chuka Division, eastern Kenya to assess trends in adoption of soil fertility replenishment strategies. Eighty farmers adopted the soil fertility improvement technologies during the short rains season of200 1.During the subsequent 2 seasons, 163 and 206 farmers representing an increase of 99% and 150% above the initial adopters practiced the soil fertility improvement strategies. Technologies involving use of Tithonia diversifolia and Calliandra calothrysus alone or in combination with inorganic fertilizer were readily adopted due to the high yields obtained as well as being sources of fodder. During the 151 season of farmer follow-up, tithonia + Y2 of inorganic fertilizer gave the highest net benefit ofKshs. 50133 ha' and was followed by the full rate inorganic fertilizer treatment with a net benefit of Kshs. 39568 ha'. Tithonia treatment had the highest benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 5.4. Sole manure treatment recorded the lowest net benefit (Kshs. 4601) and hence the lowest BCR of 0.9. However, during the 2nd season, manure plus Y2 rate of recommended inorganic fertilizer recorded the highest net benefit (Kshs. 41567) with a BCR of 3.7. Farmer practice involving no input had the lowest BCR of 0.2 with a net sale of Kshs. 9853. Sole tithonia treatment Traditional farming systems in Africa relied had the highest BCR (4.6) indicating greater on shifting cultivation practices to replenish benefit per unit investment. Constraints to soil fertility. According to Sanchez and the adoption of the proposed soil fertility Leakey (1997) and Vissoh et al. (1998), this 511 ABSTRACT improvement strategies were identified as inadequate labour, poor yield observed from some of the technologies at the demonstration trial, inadequate organic and inorganic resources and laxity due to fear offailure. The technologies were seen to increase food production at affordable cost at the same time improving the soil quality in the area. Therefore tackling of the mentioned limitations to adoption of soil fertility technologies need priority in any effort to encourage widespread adoption. Timing application of the organic resources needs to be ensured to check on conflicts between labour requirements with other farm or domestic chores
Disparities in wildlife resource governance and implications for environmental management in commercial and communal ranches of Laikipia District, Kenya
(Kenyatta Universiry, 2003) Olukoye, Godfrey A.
Laikipia rangelands of Kenya are endowed with diverse natural resources that support both livestock and wildlife enterprises. Laikipia district is, therefore, home to several commercial and communal ranches. However, disparities in wildlife resource governance in these two categories of ranches have serious implications for environmental management. Such disparities have led to the "perceived" mismanagement of resources in communal ranches with concomitant environmental degradation in, for example, Mukogodo pastoral rangelands. On the other hand, the commercial ranches have a "perceived" appropriate management system with environmental conservation and upgrading as its yardsticks. However, one question that still remains unanswered is whether the perceived mismanagement in communal ranches is the making of the Laikipia pastoralists. This paper sets out to answer this question and discusses the ecological and socio-economic causes of disparities in wildlife resource governance in communal and commercial ranches. It is concluded that a level playing field for the two categories of ranches coupled with local capacity building are essential ingredients towards a comprehensive wildlife resource governance and resource use conflict resolution in Laikipia Rangelands of Kenya.
The effect of education levels in dissemination of soil fertility management practices in the central highlands of Kenya
(2011) Mucheru-Muna, M.; Kimaru-Muchai, S. W.; Mugwe, J. N.; Kimemia, J. N.; Mugendi, D.N.; Macharia, J. M.
Inadequate links between researchers and farmers has resulted in a pitiful lack of take-up of research advances recommended to improve food security in the central highlands of Kenya. Access to timely and accurate information by extension agents and farmers is paramount in dissemination of soil fertility management (SFM) practices. Hence, the study sought to investigate the effect of education levels on communication channels used to disseminate soil fertility technologies in the Central highlands of Kenya. Structured questionnaires were used to elicit information from 105 extension agents and 240 farmers. About 50.5% of the extension officers were certificate holders while 29.5% were diploma holders from agricultural institutes. Majority of the farmers had attained primary education (59.6%) while 25.8% and 9.2% had attained secondary and tertiary education, respectively. Research institutions were the most accessible sources of information on soil fertility management practices by extension agents while internet and scientific conferences were the least scored as accessible sources of SFM information by extension agents. Education levels significantly (r=0.154, P<0.01) influenced preference of individual approach methods by farmers. There was positive significant relationship (r=0.368, P<0.001) between education and accessibility of internet as a source of information on green manure. The implication of the study was that education levels influenced the mode of communication used in transfer of SFM research outputs to the target end users. Consequently, it is extremely important to consider education levels in selection of dissemination pathways used in agriculture.
Effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil total bacteria, denitrifying bacteria and fungal microbial communities in a long-term experiment, Kabete Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2009) Kamaa, M.M.; Kung'u, J.B.; Njagi, N.M.; Lesueur, D.
Environmental impacts and disparities associated with rural urban migration
(Kenyatta Universiry, 2003) Abwao, Peter
Population change in a given area is an aspect of demographic study, which relates to biophysical and human phenomena Conceptually, it embraces the three components of population dynamics -fertility, mortality and migration- which influence both population structure and change. However, this paper places emphasis on migration, whichredistributes the population in both time and space, resulting inpopulation changes discernible through their impactson the environment. Migration is the movement of people across a specified boundary. It falls into two categoriesnamely international and internal. It is international when it occurs between countries and internal when withinthe same country such as the case of rural-urban migration. These broad forms of migration have far reachingconsequences on the environment both at the origin and destination. This paper addresses itself to ruralurbanmigration, its impact on the environment and resultant rural-urban disparities
Estimation of Aboveground and Belowground Carbon Sequestration of Cupressus Lusitanica, Pinus Patula and Eucalyptus Saligna Plantation Species in Kenya
(United Nations Conference Centre, 2016) Oeba, Vincent Onguso; Otor, S.C.J.; Samuel, Kung’u B.; Shisanya, C.A.
Health facility utilization differentials: a case of Mathare and Soweto slums, Nairobi
(Kenyatta Universiry, 2003) Keraka, Margaret N.; Oyieko, Ernest
Evidence from studies carried out by KDHS (1998), UNCHS (1996), Hardoy (1990), Republic of Kenya (1988), UNICEF and WHO 1984 and AMREF (1989) indicate high levels of child mortality in Nairobi. This has been attributed to disparities in availability and utilization of health care facilities and services. This paper, therefore, aims at examining the extent of provision and utilization of health care services, factors affecting utilization and provision of health care facilities, impact ofthe existing disparities in the usage and provision of health on child morbidity, indigenous medical beliefs relating to common ailments, use of traditional and biomedical service. It also gives recommendation of how such disparities and their impact can be avoided. Primary data collected using in-depth interviews and focus group discussion was used. The respondents were mainly caretakers of children under five years and clinical officers from private and public hospitals. Secondary data was also obtained from the KDHS (1998) and thel999 Kenya population Census.The study established that there were fewer modem health care facilities and that the rate of utilization was low. This is evident from the fact that there were more disease incidences reported in study areas compared to those found in the 1999 population Census for Nairobi province.It was recommended that the government gives small loans to slum dwellers that can be used to start income generating activities. This will in turn assist them to participate effectively in the cost-sharing expenditure in medicine. In addition, that there should be increased awareness campaigns to recognize the importance of utilizing available health care facilities.
High Rainfall Variability & the role of water use efficient technologies in maize productivity: A pamphlet for use by Extension Personnel and Farmers in Mbeere Sub- County, Embu County
(Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), 2014) Mucheru-Muna, M.; Kisaka, M. Oscar; Mugwe, J. N.; Ngetich, F.; Mugendi, D.N.; Mairura, F.
tillage practices with various surface management technologies under sub-soiling stabilizes yield over time as compared to use of surface management strategies alone. Partners: Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), Kenyatta University (KU) -is This pamphlet funded by RUFORUM -soiling -; Recommendation Sub Sub soiling helps to break the compacted soil layers allowing the rain water to percolate into the soil (Figure 5) This technique is very important especially in areas where soils compact forming a hard pan. In Mbeere yields of above 1.5 t/ha were achieved in farmers' elds with the use of sub-soiling. Minimum Tillage Reduced tillage is a practise in which the soil is tilled to some extent but not completely inverted. Reduced tillage means a smaller volume of soil is exposed to erosion and moisture loss by evaporation hence, conserving moisture (Figure 6) Figure 6: Minimum tillage Fig 5: Sub-soiling
Improve weather forecasting by integrating local indicators into conventional knowledge
(Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM),, 2014) Mucheru-Muna, M.; Mugwe, J. N.; Ngetich, F.; Mugendi, D.N.; Mairura, F.; Mugi, Esther
Why use local indicators in weather forecasting? • Most of agriculture in Tharaka and Kitui is rain-fed and the bulk is under small-holder farming. • Cropping systems in the region are often limited by variations in climate (rainfall and temperature). • The conditions caused by climate variability have negative effects on agricultural productivity by introducing unfavourable growing conditions into the existing cropping calendar. • There is therefore need for adaptation as a fundamental and necessary response to the unfavorable conditions introduced into the existing cropping calendar. • The adaptive responses include among others the use of indigenous knowledge (IK)/ local indicators that are passed on among local communities in addition to the conventional knowledge and this helps to predict disasters caused by climate variability
Long-term performance of organic crop rotations in the tropics: First results from a high and a medium potential site in sub-humid Central Kenya
(2009-05) Mucheru-Muna, M.; Zundel, C.; Schneider, M.; Musyoka, M.; Muriuki, A.; Vanlauwe, B.; Chabi-Olaye, A.; Niggli, U.
Organic Agriculture is perceived by many stakeholders as a promising approach to increase food security in developing countries. However, only few attempts have been made so far to assess agronomic and economic performance of Organic Agriculture in these regions in a systematic way. The Research Institute of Organic Farming (FiBL), together with its partners, is presently establishing long-term comparisons of farming systems in various agro-ecological and socio-economic contextsto study the different parameters that are essential for sustainable development. To date, three study areas have been selected: (a) a sub-humid area in Kenya where farming is subsistence-oriented; (b) a semi-arid area in India where cotton is produced for the export market; and (c) a humid area in Bolivia where cacao and other perennial products are produced for the export and domestic markets. The key elements are replicated long-term field trials. These are complemented by farm surveys and short-term trials underon-farm conditions. This network of comparison of farming systems in the tropics is expected to (1) put the discussion on the benefits and drawbacks of Organic Agriculture on a rational basis; (2) help to identify challenges for Organic Agriculture that can then be addressed systematically; (3) provide physical reference points for stakeholders in agricultural research and development and thus support agricultural policy dialogue at different levels.
Low Cost Soil Fertility Management Strategies for Improving Maize Production in the Central Highlands of Kenya
(Soil Science Society of East Africa, 2003) Micheni, A.; Mugendi, D.N.; Mucheru, M.; Mugwe, J.; Kung'u, J.B.; Otor, S.C.J.; Murithi, F.; Gitari, J.
Continuous decline in soil productivity is a major constraint to the improvement of livelihoods of Smallholder farmers of Kenya. In highlands, levels of soil nitrogen, phosphorus and sometimes Potassium are low and the situation is worsened by the methods of cultivation that results in nutrient mining rather than nutrient build up. Low soil fertility contributes to one of the greatest challenges currently facing Kenya; inadequate food production for the rapidly growing population. There is a need to seek for environmentally friendly and economically viable technologies to assist in soil fertility improvement and hence high and sustainable crop yields. To this end, a multidisciplinary research team of scientist and farmers implemented a participatory trial in Meru South district, one of the main maize growing areas of central Kenya. The trial was farmer-researcher managed with a general objective of offering small scale resource poor farmers with feasible soil nutrient management techniques for combating soil nutrient depletion caused by continuous cropping without adequate additions of external soil fertility inputs. Preliminary results indicate that maize performance may be improved by combining fast decomposing plant biomass(e.g. Tithonia diversifolia) with half the recommended rate of nitrogen fertilizer.
Maize productivity as influenced by organic inputs and mineral fertilizer in a Nitisol soil in Meru South District
(2010-08) Mucheru-Muna, M.; Mugendi, D.N.; Pypers, P.; Mugwe, J. N.; Kung'u, J.B.
Declining land productivity is a major problem facing smallholder farmers in Kenya today. This decline primarily results from a reduction in soil fertility caused by continuous cultivation without adequate addition of external nutrient inputs. Improved fertility management combining organic and mineral fertilizer inputs can enable efficient use of the inputs applied and increase overall syste productivity. Field trials were established at two sites with different soil fertility status in Mucwa with the aim of determining the effects of various organic sources (tithonia, mucuna, calliandra and manure) and their combinations with mineral N fertilizer on maize grain yield and soil chemical properties. Sole tithonia and sole calliandra treatment generally recorded the highest maize grain yields for Mucwa poor and Mucwa good sites, respectively. Generally the maize grain yields were lower in the treatments with fertilizer alone compared to the treatments with organics in the two sites in the seven cropping seasons. There was a general decline in soil chemical properties over the seasons, even with the seasonal input application in both sites. Manure was superior in terms of improving soil chemical properties for instance, it supported an increase in soil pH, magnesium, potassium, calcium and nitrogen.
Marine resource and management- a case study of Kenyan coast
(Kenyatta University, 2009) Gakai, P.K.; Njuguna, S.G.; Macharia, G.
Nursery media effects on tamarindus indica seedling establishment
(The Soil Science Society of East Africa National Research Laboratories, 2005) Kung'u, J.B.; Kihara, J.; Jaenicke, H.; Mugendi, D.N.
Trees are an important component of farming systems and contribute to human needs both directly through tree products andindirectly through their influence in soil fertility. Efforts by small-scale farmers to increase trees of high value in their farms are hampered by poor quality of seedlings withlowsurvival and slow growth rate. One reason for poor seedling development is inappropriate chemical and physical properties of the growing media used. This studyattempted to find out the effect of these chemical and physical properties of the growing media used by farmers on the seedlings of Tamarindus indica (L.) and the appropriate levels for the species. Therefore, samples of the growing media usedin 6 on-farm tree nurseries in two agroecological zones in Mount Kenya region - main coffee and marginal coffee zones - were collected and tested in an on-station experiment at ICRAF headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya. The media were analyzed for chemical (nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium) and physical (pH, total pore volume, aeration pore volume and water holding capacity) properties. The root diameter, seedling height and root and shoot dry weights of seedlings raised in the media were measured periodically. Data were analyzed for variance (ANOVA) using Genstat 4.1 release and treatments compared using Students-Newman-Keuls test.Aeration pore volume, total pore volume and wet bulk density were the physical properties that had greatest influence on seedling quality parameters especially during initial period of growth (up to 75 days). Chemical properties, on the other hand, affected seedling growth and quality parameters at later stages of growth. Important nutrients were observed to be nitrogen, organic carbon, magnesium and calcium. From the findings of this study, farmers can curtail nursery period of Tamarindus indica (L.) from 130 days to as little as 75 days.
Organic residue effects on soil physical and chemical properties in Kenya
(The Soil Science Society of East Africa National Research Laboratories, 2005) Mugendi, D.N.; Waswa, B. N.; Vanlauwe, B.; Nandwa, S.; Kung'u, J.B.
This study was designed to evaluate the influence of organic resource management on selected soil chemical properties in central and western highlands of Kenya. Three ongoing experiments (Kabete, Masenoand Embu) involving the integration of organic and inorganic resources as nutrient sources were selected. The choice of these experiments was based on the different organic resources applied, their Key words: Soil organic matter, soil fertility lifespan as well as their unique ecological locations that characterize most smallholder fanning areas in Kenya. These experiments involved the application of Tithonia diversijolia, Senna spectabilis, Leucaena leucocephala and Calliandra calothyrsus as organic nutrient sources to a maize crop which were compared to fertilizer and). control treatments. Soils were sampled from these experiments and analysed for inorganicnitrogen, total carbon, nitrogen, bulk density and potassium permanganate oxidizable carbon. In addition, SOM

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