We evaluated the effect of probiotics on the growth and culture condition of rotifer in medium‐si... more We evaluated the effect of probiotics on the growth and culture condition of rotifer in medium‐sized culture tanks. The influence of probiotics on the changes in swimming patterns, velocity and sinuosity indices of rotifer was also examined. The rotifers (Brachionus rotundiformis) were cultured for 14 days in nine polycarbonate tanks containing seawater which were divided into three groups: a control group (Chlorella product) and two treatment groups: Chlorella + Probiotic I and Chlorella + Probiotic II. The rotifer population and the water quality parameters were monitored daily. To evaluate the locomotory behaviour of the rotifer, a sub‐sample containing rotifers was obtained from each treatment and placed on a glass‐bottomed dish. A high‐speed camera mounted on a stereo microscope was used to record the rotifer movement. The footage was then analysed using motion analysis software to establish the swimming velocity, swimming pattern and sinuosity indices of the rotifers. Co‐feedi...
Cost of fish production can be reduced by replacement of high-priced fishmeal (FM) with insects s... more Cost of fish production can be reduced by replacement of high-priced fishmeal (FM) with insects sourced ingredients. Four months feed experiment was conducted at a fish farm in Baringo County, Kenya to investigate effects of substituting fishmeal (FM) with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) on survival and growth performance of C. gariepinus under aquaponic system. Three test diets 35% crude protein content (CP) in which FM was substituted by BSFLM at 25%, 50% and 75% were formulated and experimented with commercial diet of 35% CP. Four weeks old C. gariepinus were stocked in 12 tanks at a density of 50 fish/tank and subjected to the diets. Fish were sampled every three weeks; water parameters were sampled weekly and mortality recorded on occurrence. Diet with 50% BSFLM obtained better FCR for formulated diets with no significance (P<0.05) for FCR and survival. Weight gain of control diet (97.07 g) was significant (P<0.05) compared to formulated diets 64.09g, 69.78g and 67....
Highlights • Equatorial lakes Olbolosat and Oloiden are rich in prokaryotic diversity.• Prokaryot... more Highlights • Equatorial lakes Olbolosat and Oloiden are rich in prokaryotic diversity.• Prokaryotic diversity differ across samples between the two lakes• Environmental factors shape the prokaryotic community structures• Alpha Proteobacteria are the most abundant taxa in both lakes Olbolosat and Oloiden
Application of Fungi for effective removal of hydrocarbon contamination from soil is being consid... more Application of Fungi for effective removal of hydrocarbon contamination from soil is being considered as the better option when it comes to biodegradation. Other method like physical and chemical bioremediation leads to production of toxic compounds and these methods are not cost effective. In the present study, soil samples from four different oil contaminated soils were assessed for any recovery of fungi present. Cultural characterization was used as preliminary identification using keys. Initial isolation from the oil contaminated soil was done using potato dextrose agar. Colonies were observed and characterized morphologically. The isolates were grown at varied temperatures and pH. Eight fungal isolates were recovered from polluted soils namely, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma spirale, Neosartorya pseudofischeri, Neosartorya aureola, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, Penicillium griseofulvum and Trichoderma longibrachiatum. The optimum growth temperature range for the eig...
Purpose: The focus of this research was to identify pests and natural enemies of amaranth as well... more Purpose: The focus of this research was to identify pests and natural enemies of amaranth as well as quantify the losses as a result of these pests. Materials and Methods: Surveys of insect pests were done on randomly selected farms of farmers who were growing amaranth in Meru County between April 2012 and April 2013. The insects were collected by hand, sweep nets, knock down and pit-hole techniques depending on the type of insect. Results: A total of 1256 specimens were collected, stored in alcohol, pinned on boards, identified and archived at National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi. Insect pests were classified into 5 orders, 15 families and 33 species with the most damaging insects being Cletus sp., Hepertogramma bipunctalis and Hypolixus nubilosus. The natural enemies were grouped into 2 orders, 5 families and 8 species. Conclusion: There are diverse insect pests attacking amaranth causing considerable damage to yield of both leaves and grain hence requiring control measures. The nat...
The importance of Amaranth as a valuable source of food, medicine and income has been documented.... more The importance of Amaranth as a valuable source of food, medicine and income has been documented. In the recent past, the cultivation of Amaranth by small scale farmers in Kenya have been promoted by public extension services, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), research organizations and universities. The extent of influence of access to extension services and availability of markets for Amaranth products on the adoption of Amaranth in Buuri District has not been adequately studied. The purpose of this study therefore is to determine and document how access to extension advice and availability of markets Amaranth products affect the adoption of the crop in Buuri District in Meru County. An expost-facto survey design was employed in this study and targeted common interest groups growing Amaranth among Buuri district stakeholders. The population sampled comprised of 360 members of all common interest groups in Ruiri and Nchoroiboro locations. A total sample of 110 respondents from...
We evaluated the effect of probiotics on the growth and culture condition of rotifer in medium‐si... more We evaluated the effect of probiotics on the growth and culture condition of rotifer in medium‐sized culture tanks. The influence of probiotics on the changes in swimming patterns, velocity and sinuosity indices of rotifer was also examined. The rotifers (Brachionus rotundiformis) were cultured for 14 days in nine polycarbonate tanks containing seawater which were divided into three groups: a control group (Chlorella product) and two treatment groups: Chlorella + Probiotic I and Chlorella + Probiotic II. The rotifer population and the water quality parameters were monitored daily. To evaluate the locomotory behaviour of the rotifer, a sub‐sample containing rotifers was obtained from each treatment and placed on a glass‐bottomed dish. A high‐speed camera mounted on a stereo microscope was used to record the rotifer movement. The footage was then analysed using motion analysis software to establish the swimming velocity, swimming pattern and sinuosity indices of the rotifers. Co‐feedi...
Cost of fish production can be reduced by replacement of high-priced fishmeal (FM) with insects s... more Cost of fish production can be reduced by replacement of high-priced fishmeal (FM) with insects sourced ingredients. Four months feed experiment was conducted at a fish farm in Baringo County, Kenya to investigate effects of substituting fishmeal (FM) with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) on survival and growth performance of C. gariepinus under aquaponic system. Three test diets 35% crude protein content (CP) in which FM was substituted by BSFLM at 25%, 50% and 75% were formulated and experimented with commercial diet of 35% CP. Four weeks old C. gariepinus were stocked in 12 tanks at a density of 50 fish/tank and subjected to the diets. Fish were sampled every three weeks; water parameters were sampled weekly and mortality recorded on occurrence. Diet with 50% BSFLM obtained better FCR for formulated diets with no significance (P<0.05) for FCR and survival. Weight gain of control diet (97.07 g) was significant (P<0.05) compared to formulated diets 64.09g, 69.78g and 67....
Highlights • Equatorial lakes Olbolosat and Oloiden are rich in prokaryotic diversity.• Prokaryot... more Highlights • Equatorial lakes Olbolosat and Oloiden are rich in prokaryotic diversity.• Prokaryotic diversity differ across samples between the two lakes• Environmental factors shape the prokaryotic community structures• Alpha Proteobacteria are the most abundant taxa in both lakes Olbolosat and Oloiden
Application of Fungi for effective removal of hydrocarbon contamination from soil is being consid... more Application of Fungi for effective removal of hydrocarbon contamination from soil is being considered as the better option when it comes to biodegradation. Other method like physical and chemical bioremediation leads to production of toxic compounds and these methods are not cost effective. In the present study, soil samples from four different oil contaminated soils were assessed for any recovery of fungi present. Cultural characterization was used as preliminary identification using keys. Initial isolation from the oil contaminated soil was done using potato dextrose agar. Colonies were observed and characterized morphologically. The isolates were grown at varied temperatures and pH. Eight fungal isolates were recovered from polluted soils namely, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma spirale, Neosartorya pseudofischeri, Neosartorya aureola, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, Penicillium griseofulvum and Trichoderma longibrachiatum. The optimum growth temperature range for the eig...
Purpose: The focus of this research was to identify pests and natural enemies of amaranth as well... more Purpose: The focus of this research was to identify pests and natural enemies of amaranth as well as quantify the losses as a result of these pests. Materials and Methods: Surveys of insect pests were done on randomly selected farms of farmers who were growing amaranth in Meru County between April 2012 and April 2013. The insects were collected by hand, sweep nets, knock down and pit-hole techniques depending on the type of insect. Results: A total of 1256 specimens were collected, stored in alcohol, pinned on boards, identified and archived at National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi. Insect pests were classified into 5 orders, 15 families and 33 species with the most damaging insects being Cletus sp., Hepertogramma bipunctalis and Hypolixus nubilosus. The natural enemies were grouped into 2 orders, 5 families and 8 species. Conclusion: There are diverse insect pests attacking amaranth causing considerable damage to yield of both leaves and grain hence requiring control measures. The nat...
The importance of Amaranth as a valuable source of food, medicine and income has been documented.... more The importance of Amaranth as a valuable source of food, medicine and income has been documented. In the recent past, the cultivation of Amaranth by small scale farmers in Kenya have been promoted by public extension services, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), research organizations and universities. The extent of influence of access to extension services and availability of markets for Amaranth products on the adoption of Amaranth in Buuri District has not been adequately studied. The purpose of this study therefore is to determine and document how access to extension advice and availability of markets Amaranth products affect the adoption of the crop in Buuri District in Meru County. An expost-facto survey design was employed in this study and targeted common interest groups growing Amaranth among Buuri district stakeholders. The population sampled comprised of 360 members of all common interest groups in Ruiri and Nchoroiboro locations. A total sample of 110 respondents from...
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Papers by Robert Kagali