Track D Social Science, Human Rights and Political Science

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138414/1/jia218442.pd

Response of Common Bean to Rhizobium Inoculation and Fertilizers

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) yields in Western Kenya are low and this has been attributed to low soil fertility. Field trials were conducted in farmers fields in Ukwala Division of Siaya District in Kenya during the long rains of 1998 and 1999 to determine the potential for improving bean yields through Rhizobium inoculation, and fertilizer N and P applications. The three factors: Rhizobium inoculation at two levels and fertilizers-N and P each at three levels were factorially combined to give 18 treatments. The treatments were laid out in a randomised complete block design with a split-plot structure and three replications. A popular local bean variety Okuodo was used as the test crop. During the 1998 long rains season, P significantly (P=O.05) increased the stand count after emergence, pod number per plant and the bean grain yields. Seed number per plant alone was significantly increased by fertilizer-N application. Significant interaction effects (P=O.05) were observed for NXP on the stand count after emergence and for Rhizobium inoculation XP on stand count after emergence, stand count at harvest and the bean grain yields. Rhizobium inoculation alone did not significantly affect any of the measured variables in both seasons. In 1999, only the bean grain yields were determined and were significantly (P=O.05) increased only by fertilizer P applications. The Journal of Food Technology in Africa Volume 6 No.4, 2001, pp. 121-12

Effect of Insecticidal Plant Materials, Lantana camara L. and Tephrosia vogelii Hook, on the Quality Parameters of Stored Maize Grains

The effect of ground powders of two tropical plants, Lantana camara   L. and Tephrosia vogelii   Hook, on the level of insect damage and the grain quality parameters of stored maize were evaluated for five months. The evaluations were aimed at generating natural product treatments suitable for post-harvest grain protection and as sustainable alternatives to synthetic insecticides in the control of the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais   Motschulsky. Three rates (1.0, 2.5 and 5.0% w/w) of each plant powder, a synthetic insecticide, Actellic Super 2% dust at 0.05% w/w and an untreated control were used as treatments. Results showed that the plant powders significantly minimised the magnitude of depression in percent grain moisture content albeit at a lesser rate with high concentration and had no effect on the percent germination of maize grains when compared to the controls. The botanical treatments and synthetic insecticide were equally effective in reducing insect damage by 25%, but the level of damage was independent of the concentration applied. Grain colour and odour were unaffected by the botanicals. Results are discussed with regard to the use of botanicals by small-scale farmers as cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to synthetic insecticides in maize grain storage