Since its introduction, large-scale commercial sugarcane farming has not significantly improved t... more Since its introduction, large-scale commercial sugarcane farming has not significantly improved the living standards of particularly small-scale farmers in the western Kenya sugar belts. Being a monoculture production system, environmental loss associated with it, particularly loss of biodiversity cannot be overemphasised. Lately, sugarcane farming is increasingly encouraging on land traditionally known as Kenya's food crop baskets. This discussion paper interrogates this trend in commercial sugarcane farming and warns on deepening food security threats if this industry is not controlled. Further ethical considerations that need to accompany commercial sugarcane farming are discussed based on research finding from Koyonzo, Lurambi, Nzoia and Chemelil in the greater western Kenya sugar belt. This paper thus argues in favour of dynamic policy and legislation to control expansion of sugarcane farming into areas known for their contribution to household and national food security. ...
Journal of agricultural and biological science, 2010
This study was carried out to investigate the ecophysiological and genetic characteristics of som... more This study was carried out to investigate the ecophysiological and genetic characteristics of some selected wetland plant species in Lake Victoria basin, Kenya. Seedlings of Cyperus esculentus L., Aframomum angustifolium (Sonn.) and Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex Steudel) were grown outdoors in pots. Plants were provided with four nutrient dosage levels of 0 mg [no fertilizer added], 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg fertilizer [N: P: K, 10:26:10] per pot and replicated five times. Data on Leaf area, number of tillers per pot, Leaf chlorophyll concentration, Gas exchange parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were determined. Separation of means was carried out to compare nutrient treatments and species. Increasing nutrient availability significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced most of the morphological and physiological parameters investigated. C. esculentus had significantly greater leaf area compared to A. angustifolium and P. australis. Number of tillers per pot was significantl...
Sugarcane farming is a monocultural land use practice which often leads to reduction in agro-biod... more Sugarcane farming is a monocultural land use practice which often leads to reduction in agro-biodiversity. In Mumias division sugarcane is cultivated under small scale, large scale and nuclear estate. The study was carried out in Mumias division of western Kenya where 68% of the land is under commercial sugarcane cultivation while 32% is left for subsistence agriculture and other uses. The objectives of the study were to identify indigenous crops grown in Mumias division before the introduction of commercial sugarcane farming and to assess the effects of commercial sugarcane farming on indigenous crops. Ninety respondents were purposively selected. Data was collected using questionnaires, focus group discussion and interviews. Secondary data were obtained from documented materials. Data was analysed using means and percentages and was presented through discussions, tables and figures. With the introduction of commercial sugarcane farming in the 1970s, the land under indigenous crops...
PowerPoint presentationThe presentation reviews successful crop diversification of 120 farm trial... more PowerPoint presentationThe presentation reviews successful crop diversification of 120 farm trial sites in Kenya, where bamboo seedlings were planted under the same growing conditions as tobacco crops in terms of soil, altitude, rainfall and temperatures. The presentation compares the cultivation of tobacco and bamboo in terms of inputs/outputs and costs/benefits. Bamboo cultivation and training was provided. 50% of former tobacco farmers involved in the project have switched to bamboo, which can be used for housing, furniture, handicrafts and general construction. Recommendations include provision of a transitional fund to support input requirements as well as to cover the period when intercropping with bamboo is completed
Journal of agricultural and biological science, 2010
Water deficit is a major problem in rice grown under rainfed conditions. It affects plant growth ... more Water deficit is a major problem in rice grown under rainfed conditions. It affects plant growth and development and ultimately leads to a considerable yield reduction or crop failure. Although the rice crop is susceptible to water deficit, there is a marked genotypic variation in rooting pattern in rice in response to water deficit. Drought tolerant cultivars have deep and thick roots. The thick roots are positively correlated with xylem vessel area, which are vital to the conductance of water from soil to the upper parts of the plants to meet the evaporative demand. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the possibility that the three developed rainfed rice varieties referred to as, New Rice for Africa (NERICA) and coded as N2, N4 and N11 might reveal cultivars specific diversity in the regulatory mechanisms underlying their different responses to water deficit with a view of establishing the most drought tolerant rice variety that can be grown under rainfed condition...
Inter-University Council of East Africa, Lake Victoria Research Initiative (VicRes) and National ... more Inter-University Council of East Africa, Lake Victoria Research Initiative (VicRes) and National Council of Science and Technology (NACOSTI)
1 School of Mathematics, Actuarial Science and Applied Statistics, Maseno University, P.O. Box 33... more 1 School of Mathematics, Actuarial Science and Applied Statistics, Maseno University, P.O. Box 333, Maseno, Kenya. 2 School of Environment and Natural Resources Management, South Eastern Kenya University, P.O. Box 170 – 90200, Kitui, Kenya. 3 Department of Botany, Maseno University, P.O. Box 333, Maseno, Kenya. 4 School of Mathematics, Actuarial Science and Applied Statistics, Maseno University, P.O. Box 333, Maseno, Kenya.
Kenya has got a rapidly increasing population which was estimated to be 36 million in the year 20... more Kenya has got a rapidly increasing population which was estimated to be 36 million in the year 2009 with a growth rate of 2.7 per annum hence the need for diversified food production. Water deficit is one of the most environmental stresses affecting agriculture productivity. Drought may affect crop yield and gas exchange at any developmental stage while early reproductive stage is found to be one of the most susceptible phases of a crop to drought stress. NERICA (New Rice for Africa) are high yielding rainfed rice varieties with early maturity and has shown high potential to revolutionize rice farming even in Africa’s stress afflicted ecologies. However, NERICA varieties vary in their response to water deficit. A pot experiment was conducted in 2009 at the Maseno University Botanic garden, to evaluate the responses of five NERICA varieties (NERICA1, NERICA 2, NERICA 3, NERICA 4 and NERICA 5) to water deficit during their vegetative or reproductive stage of their development. The res...
Tea in Kenya is grown in the high and medium rainfall areas of the Kenyan highlands in east and w... more Tea in Kenya is grown in the high and medium rainfall areas of the Kenyan highlands in east and west of the Rift Valley, at altitudes ranging from 1300 to 2700 m above mean sea level. Variability in responses of tea genotypes to different environments affects the growth, productivity, and quality of tea. The annual receipt of total shortwave radiation received at any site is determined by the latitude and local climate. Within tea growing regions of Eastern Africa, the main receipt of solar radiation varies from 6500–6700 (MJm-2y-1) at Mufindi, southern Tanzania and Kericho, Kenya, (0022’S 350 21’E) to 7400 MJm-2y-1 at Mulanje, Malawi. Seasonal variations in solar radiation within the year also occur and incident solar radiation at high altitudes can exceed 1000Wm-2. However, the net available energy at the surface of a tea canopy reaches only 100Wm-2. Differences in total light penetration occur among tea varieties. The weight of tea shoots in any one harvest depends on the number ...
Since its introduction, large-scale commercial sugarcane farming has not significantly improved t... more Since its introduction, large-scale commercial sugarcane farming has not significantly improved the living standards of particularly small-scale farmers in the western Kenya sugar belts. Being a monoculture production system, environmental loss associated with it, particularly loss of biodiversity cannot be overemphasised. Lately, sugarcane farming is increasingly encouraging on land traditionally known as Kenya’s food crop baskets. This discussion paper interrogates this trend in commercial sugarcane farming and warns on deepening food security threats if this industry is not controlled. Further ethical considerations that need to accompany commercial sugarcane farming are discussed based on research finding from Koyonzo, Lurambi, Nzoia and Chemelil in the greater western Kenya sugar belt. This paper thus argues in favour of dynamic policy and legislation to control expansion of sugarcane farming into areas known for their contribution to household and national food security. In ad...
Photosynthetic activity decreases when plants are grown under saline conditions leading to reduce... more Photosynthetic activity decreases when plants are grown under saline conditions leading to reduced growth and productivity. Leaf growth, gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence of two sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] varieties, Serena and Seredo, were measured in response to increasing NaCl concentration. Sorghum plants were grown in sand culture under controlled greenhouse conditions. The NaCl concentrations in complete nutrient solution were 0 (control), 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mM. Salinity significantly (P ≤ 0.01) reduced leaf area by about 86% for both varieties of sorghum. Chlorophyll a and b, net CO 2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.01) with the increase in salinity, and these decreases were similar for the two sorghum varieties. Salt induced decreases for these physiological traits ranged from 75 to 94%. Photochemical efficiency of PSII (F v /F m ) and photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) decreased by about 9 and 10%, respectively, for both varieties, and electron transport rate (ETR) decreased by 20 and 25% for Serena and Seredo. In contrast, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) significantly (P ≤ 0.01) increased by 44 and 50% for Serena and Seredo. The results indicate that salinity affected photosynthesis per unit leaf area indirectly through stomatal closure, and to a smaller extent through direct interference with the photosynthetic apparatus. In addition, salinity decreases whole plant photosynthesis by restricting leaf area expansion. This effect starts from low levels of salinity, in contrast to that of net photosynthesis per unit leaf area, which occurs at higher levels of NaCI concentration.
Since its introduction, large-scale commercial sugarcane farming has not significantly improved t... more Since its introduction, large-scale commercial sugarcane farming has not significantly improved the living standards of particularly small-scale farmers in the western Kenya sugar belts. Being a monoculture production system, environmental loss associated with it, particularly loss of biodiversity cannot be overemphasised. Lately, sugarcane farming is increasingly encouraging on land traditionally known as Kenya's food crop baskets. This discussion paper interrogates this trend in commercial sugarcane farming and warns on deepening food security threats if this industry is not controlled. Further ethical considerations that need to accompany commercial sugarcane farming are discussed based on research finding from Koyonzo, Lurambi, Nzoia and Chemelil in the greater western Kenya sugar belt. This paper thus argues in favour of dynamic policy and legislation to control expansion of sugarcane farming into areas known for their contribution to household and national food security. ...
Journal of agricultural and biological science, 2010
This study was carried out to investigate the ecophysiological and genetic characteristics of som... more This study was carried out to investigate the ecophysiological and genetic characteristics of some selected wetland plant species in Lake Victoria basin, Kenya. Seedlings of Cyperus esculentus L., Aframomum angustifolium (Sonn.) and Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex Steudel) were grown outdoors in pots. Plants were provided with four nutrient dosage levels of 0 mg [no fertilizer added], 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg fertilizer [N: P: K, 10:26:10] per pot and replicated five times. Data on Leaf area, number of tillers per pot, Leaf chlorophyll concentration, Gas exchange parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were determined. Separation of means was carried out to compare nutrient treatments and species. Increasing nutrient availability significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced most of the morphological and physiological parameters investigated. C. esculentus had significantly greater leaf area compared to A. angustifolium and P. australis. Number of tillers per pot was significantl...
Sugarcane farming is a monocultural land use practice which often leads to reduction in agro-biod... more Sugarcane farming is a monocultural land use practice which often leads to reduction in agro-biodiversity. In Mumias division sugarcane is cultivated under small scale, large scale and nuclear estate. The study was carried out in Mumias division of western Kenya where 68% of the land is under commercial sugarcane cultivation while 32% is left for subsistence agriculture and other uses. The objectives of the study were to identify indigenous crops grown in Mumias division before the introduction of commercial sugarcane farming and to assess the effects of commercial sugarcane farming on indigenous crops. Ninety respondents were purposively selected. Data was collected using questionnaires, focus group discussion and interviews. Secondary data were obtained from documented materials. Data was analysed using means and percentages and was presented through discussions, tables and figures. With the introduction of commercial sugarcane farming in the 1970s, the land under indigenous crops...
PowerPoint presentationThe presentation reviews successful crop diversification of 120 farm trial... more PowerPoint presentationThe presentation reviews successful crop diversification of 120 farm trial sites in Kenya, where bamboo seedlings were planted under the same growing conditions as tobacco crops in terms of soil, altitude, rainfall and temperatures. The presentation compares the cultivation of tobacco and bamboo in terms of inputs/outputs and costs/benefits. Bamboo cultivation and training was provided. 50% of former tobacco farmers involved in the project have switched to bamboo, which can be used for housing, furniture, handicrafts and general construction. Recommendations include provision of a transitional fund to support input requirements as well as to cover the period when intercropping with bamboo is completed
Journal of agricultural and biological science, 2010
Water deficit is a major problem in rice grown under rainfed conditions. It affects plant growth ... more Water deficit is a major problem in rice grown under rainfed conditions. It affects plant growth and development and ultimately leads to a considerable yield reduction or crop failure. Although the rice crop is susceptible to water deficit, there is a marked genotypic variation in rooting pattern in rice in response to water deficit. Drought tolerant cultivars have deep and thick roots. The thick roots are positively correlated with xylem vessel area, which are vital to the conductance of water from soil to the upper parts of the plants to meet the evaporative demand. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the possibility that the three developed rainfed rice varieties referred to as, New Rice for Africa (NERICA) and coded as N2, N4 and N11 might reveal cultivars specific diversity in the regulatory mechanisms underlying their different responses to water deficit with a view of establishing the most drought tolerant rice variety that can be grown under rainfed condition...
Inter-University Council of East Africa, Lake Victoria Research Initiative (VicRes) and National ... more Inter-University Council of East Africa, Lake Victoria Research Initiative (VicRes) and National Council of Science and Technology (NACOSTI)
1 School of Mathematics, Actuarial Science and Applied Statistics, Maseno University, P.O. Box 33... more 1 School of Mathematics, Actuarial Science and Applied Statistics, Maseno University, P.O. Box 333, Maseno, Kenya. 2 School of Environment and Natural Resources Management, South Eastern Kenya University, P.O. Box 170 – 90200, Kitui, Kenya. 3 Department of Botany, Maseno University, P.O. Box 333, Maseno, Kenya. 4 School of Mathematics, Actuarial Science and Applied Statistics, Maseno University, P.O. Box 333, Maseno, Kenya.
Kenya has got a rapidly increasing population which was estimated to be 36 million in the year 20... more Kenya has got a rapidly increasing population which was estimated to be 36 million in the year 2009 with a growth rate of 2.7 per annum hence the need for diversified food production. Water deficit is one of the most environmental stresses affecting agriculture productivity. Drought may affect crop yield and gas exchange at any developmental stage while early reproductive stage is found to be one of the most susceptible phases of a crop to drought stress. NERICA (New Rice for Africa) are high yielding rainfed rice varieties with early maturity and has shown high potential to revolutionize rice farming even in Africa’s stress afflicted ecologies. However, NERICA varieties vary in their response to water deficit. A pot experiment was conducted in 2009 at the Maseno University Botanic garden, to evaluate the responses of five NERICA varieties (NERICA1, NERICA 2, NERICA 3, NERICA 4 and NERICA 5) to water deficit during their vegetative or reproductive stage of their development. The res...
Tea in Kenya is grown in the high and medium rainfall areas of the Kenyan highlands in east and w... more Tea in Kenya is grown in the high and medium rainfall areas of the Kenyan highlands in east and west of the Rift Valley, at altitudes ranging from 1300 to 2700 m above mean sea level. Variability in responses of tea genotypes to different environments affects the growth, productivity, and quality of tea. The annual receipt of total shortwave radiation received at any site is determined by the latitude and local climate. Within tea growing regions of Eastern Africa, the main receipt of solar radiation varies from 6500–6700 (MJm-2y-1) at Mufindi, southern Tanzania and Kericho, Kenya, (0022’S 350 21’E) to 7400 MJm-2y-1 at Mulanje, Malawi. Seasonal variations in solar radiation within the year also occur and incident solar radiation at high altitudes can exceed 1000Wm-2. However, the net available energy at the surface of a tea canopy reaches only 100Wm-2. Differences in total light penetration occur among tea varieties. The weight of tea shoots in any one harvest depends on the number ...
Since its introduction, large-scale commercial sugarcane farming has not significantly improved t... more Since its introduction, large-scale commercial sugarcane farming has not significantly improved the living standards of particularly small-scale farmers in the western Kenya sugar belts. Being a monoculture production system, environmental loss associated with it, particularly loss of biodiversity cannot be overemphasised. Lately, sugarcane farming is increasingly encouraging on land traditionally known as Kenya’s food crop baskets. This discussion paper interrogates this trend in commercial sugarcane farming and warns on deepening food security threats if this industry is not controlled. Further ethical considerations that need to accompany commercial sugarcane farming are discussed based on research finding from Koyonzo, Lurambi, Nzoia and Chemelil in the greater western Kenya sugar belt. This paper thus argues in favour of dynamic policy and legislation to control expansion of sugarcane farming into areas known for their contribution to household and national food security. In ad...
Photosynthetic activity decreases when plants are grown under saline conditions leading to reduce... more Photosynthetic activity decreases when plants are grown under saline conditions leading to reduced growth and productivity. Leaf growth, gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence of two sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] varieties, Serena and Seredo, were measured in response to increasing NaCl concentration. Sorghum plants were grown in sand culture under controlled greenhouse conditions. The NaCl concentrations in complete nutrient solution were 0 (control), 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mM. Salinity significantly (P ≤ 0.01) reduced leaf area by about 86% for both varieties of sorghum. Chlorophyll a and b, net CO 2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.01) with the increase in salinity, and these decreases were similar for the two sorghum varieties. Salt induced decreases for these physiological traits ranged from 75 to 94%. Photochemical efficiency of PSII (F v /F m ) and photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) decreased by about 9 and 10%, respectively, for both varieties, and electron transport rate (ETR) decreased by 20 and 25% for Serena and Seredo. In contrast, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) significantly (P ≤ 0.01) increased by 44 and 50% for Serena and Seredo. The results indicate that salinity affected photosynthesis per unit leaf area indirectly through stomatal closure, and to a smaller extent through direct interference with the photosynthetic apparatus. In addition, salinity decreases whole plant photosynthesis by restricting leaf area expansion. This effect starts from low levels of salinity, in contrast to that of net photosynthesis per unit leaf area, which occurs at higher levels of NaCI concentration.
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