Browsing PHD-Department of Plant and Microbial Sciences by Issue Date
Now showing items 1-20 of 29
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Interactions among leafhopper vector populations, maize streak virus disease, altitude and soil fertility
(2011-08-03)Leafhoppers of the genus Cicadulina exclusively transmit Maize streak virus (MSV) disease which is an important constraint to maize production in Sub-Saharan Africa. Current literature indicates that agro-ecological factors ... -
Indigenous knowledge and effects of integrated soil fertility management on growth, grain yield and rhizobia genetics of selected cowpea varieties
(2011-08-15)The main objectives of this study were; (1) To find out whether farmers in Makueni District were aware of soil fertility status in their farms and annual food availability, (2) To find out the proportions of cultivated ... -
Nitrogen fixation in promisccuous soybean (Glycine Max (1.) Merril) varieties in Eastern Kenya
(2011-08-15)Soybean (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 ... -
Geographic variation in the development of cotesia sesamiae (hymenoptera: braconidae) on Busseola fusca (lepidoptera : noctuidae) in Kenya: polydnaviruses and co-evolutionary dynamics
(2011-12-07)Microgastrine endoparasitoids co-inject symbiotic viruses known as polyDNAviruses (PDV) together with other wasp factors such as the venom and calyx fluid proteins during oviposition in hosts. These factors disrupt the ... -
Role of wild host plants in population dynamics of cereal stemborers and the associated parasitoids in Uganda
(2011-12-13)Lepidopteran stemborers attack several graminaceous and wild host plants. These pests are one of the major constraints to maize production in Africa. However, efforts to control stemborers have aimed at cereal crops and ... -
Bioecology and population dynamics of red spider mites( a cari: tetranychidae) on tomato in small scale production systems in Kenya
(2012-01-03)Tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (Solanaceae) is one of the most important vegetables grown in Eastern and South Africa for local consumption and income generation by small scale farmers. Yet, yields of the crop are ... -
Stemborer parasitism by Cotesia sesamiae and strurmiopsis parasitica and an assessment of the need to introduce cotesia flavipes into zimbabwe
(2012-01-03)Stemboreres are major pests of maize and sorghum in Zimbabwe. An analysis of the research work on cereal stemborers in the country revealed several gaps for which information is required. Thus, as a way of bridging the ... -
Carbon budget and sustainable harvesting of cyperus papyrus L. (Papyrus) in a papyrus swamp in lake Naivasha, Kenya
(2012-02-14)Carbon budget and sustainable harvesting of Cyperus papyrus (papyrus) in a papyrus swamp in Lake Naivasha were investigated. Carbon dioxide fluxes and photosynthesis were measured using eddy covariance and IRGA techniques ... -
An ethnopharmacological investigation of plants used by Abagusii traditional medical practitioners
(2012-03-07)An ethno-medical survey of plants used by Abagusii Traditional Medical Practitioners was carried out and 166 plant species representing 138 genera and 62 families were botanically identified. Antimicrobial and phytochemical ... -
Cross-stage physiological effects of the desert locust, schistocerca gregaria, aggregation pheromones on their behaviour and susceptibility to control agents
(2012-03-07)The desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal, 1775) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is a voracious and polyphagous pest of worldwide importance. Locust control relies on repetitive application of insecticides, rendering this ... -
Neem seed for the management of the banana weevil, cosmopolotes sordidus germar (coleoptera: curculionidae)and banana parasitic nematode complex
(2012-04-04)The study was conducted in Western Kenya, a prime banana growing area during the period of May 1996 to February 1999. The objectives were to control the banana weevil and parasitic nematodes with neem materials, thereby ... -
Cultural management of banana weevil cosmopolites sordidus germar (coleoptera: curculionidae) for improved banana field in Western Kenya
(2012-04-04)Studies on the effects of planting materials, weevil trapping, and intercropping on the banana weevil cosmopolites sordidus Germar. and crop yields were conducted in western Kenya from 1994 to 1997. The objectives of the ... -
Interaction between arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) and meloidogyne hapla on pyrethrun in Kenya
(2012-04-05)In this study, mycorrhizal status of pyrethrum in Kenya was determined. Fungal isolates obtained from pyrethrum fields were screened for efficacy against M. hapla and in improving pyrethrum growth. Effect of inorganic ... -
The influence of drip irrigation on ecophysiology and yield of arabica coffee hybrid Ruiru 11
(2012-04-11)The influence of drip irrigation on Coffee arabica L. cultivar Ruiru 11 was studied in a field experiment. Drip irrigation was applied when a soil moisture deficit (SMD) of 100 mm was recorded. FOur drip irrigation rates ... -
Phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics at Turkwel Gorge Reservoir, a new man-made lake in northern Kenya
(2012-04-17)Spatio-temporal variation in some physicochemical and phytoplankton parameters were investigated at Turkwel Gorge Reservoir and its inflowing and outflowing rivers between 1994 and 1995. Seasonal variation in inflow volume ... -
A study of the determinants of diversity and biosystematics of agromyzidae associated with leguminosae
(2012-05-25)Leafmining Agromyzidae has been reported to cause damage a wide variety of crops. Spencer (1973) Compiled a comprehensive review of the damage caused by the family and listed 156 pest species. He also provided summarized ... -
Fungal parasitism of root-knot nematode eggs and effects of organic matter, selected agrochemicals and intercropping on the biological control of meloidogyne javanica on tomato
(2012-06-05)Root-knot nematodes are serious pests all over the world. Over 50% Pyrethrum losses have been associated with these pests in Kenya. Chemical management of these organisms is effective but difficult to sustain for long-term ... -
Nitrogen fixation in faidherbia albida (chev) Del
(2012-06-07)Nodulation and arbuscular mycorrhizal infection was assessed in soils obtained from two habitats of Faidherbia albida in different ecoclimatic zones. A third site in a semi arid area but without F. albida was also assessed. ... -
Distribution, Behavioural Biology, Rearing and Pollination Efficiency of Five Stingless Bee Species (Apidae: Meliponinae) in Kakamega Forest, Kenya.
(2013-08-01)The study on distribution, behavioral biology, rearing and pollination efficiency of five stingless bee species (Apidae: Meliponinae) in Kakamega forest, Kenya showed that; species diversity was higher at Ivihiga compared ... -
Efficacy of Selected Medicinal Plants Used by the Ogiek Communities against Microbial related Infections
(2014-02-24)Ethnobotany and traditional medicines have been used for bioprospection for modern pharmaceutical in all the world continents. In Kenya the ethnobotanical of several communities has revealed that plants are important source ...