Developing Bt maize for resource-poor farmers – Recent advances in the IRMA project

This paper presents an overview of the advances in the IRMA project, which develops insect resistant maize varieties for resource-poor farmers, using both conventional breeding and genetic engineering. The project started in 1999 and is active in product development, impact assessment, andcommunication, all within the Kenya regulatory framework. So far, four application for introduction of tissue or commencement of field research were made to and approved by the National Biosafety Committee (NBC), and Bt maize leaves or seeds genes imported for testing against different stem borer species in bioassays on cut leaves in a biosafety laboratory, in potted plants in a Biosafety Greenhouse, and as whole plants in confined field trials in the Open Quarantine Station (OQS) at KARI Kiboko. All these biosafety facilities were specially built by the project for these evaluations. So far, good control has been realized against four of the five major stem borer species: Chilo partellus, Chilo orichalcociliellus, Eldana saccharina and Sesamia calamistis. Economic  impact assessment demonstrated that stem borers are major constraints and cause substantial losses. Resistant maizevarieties are likely to be adopted and to provide major returns to the investment if resistance against the economically most important species, Busseola fusca, can be found. Otherwise, returns would still be positive but small. Environmental impact research indicate that build-up of resistance against the Bt genes has not developed after that sufficient natural refugia exist in most areas, but suitable strategies acceptable to farmers need to be developed for some. Surveys, stakeholders meetings and other communications indicate that farmers, consumers and other stakeholders are cautiously optimistic about technology. Frequent interaction with the stakeholders and regulatory agencies assures a participative decision-making process and compliance with the strictest scientific and regulatorystandards

Improvement of the Quality of Cotton Fabric Through Functionalization of Tagetes minuta (TaMi) Dye

Non-functionalized and functionalized Tagetes minuta (TaMi) dye obtained using methanol and water showed varied fastness onto cotton fabric. Furthermore, HPLC profile of the methanol dye showed more peaks and hence was expected to be richer in secondary metabolites that impacted on the quality of the dye. This was confirmed from the IR spectrum which showed more functional groups from this dye as compared to the water dye. The functionalized methanol dye exhibited good fastness onto cotton textile and minimal bleaching effects, as compared to non-functionalized H2O and MeOH dye. Furthermore, the process involved the use of low quantities of the dye material/solution as compared to non-functionalized dye, hence resulting to less impact on environmental degradation. The colors of the textiles produced from the methanol functionalized dye were highly resistant to fading or running. The cotton fabric articles that were tri-mordanted at 80-90 °C and dyed using the functionalized dye exhibited uniform absorption of color of the dye and good fastness. Functionalization of the methanol TaMi dye was obtained by the reaction of the TaMi dye with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE). The alum tri-mordanted textile materials produced brighter colors of brown as compared to the singly alum mordanted fabrics. This is due to the tannin factor in tri-mordants that led to the brightening effect. Furthermore, longer duration of time for tri-mordanting might have had a greater impact to the brightness effect. Additionally, characterization of the dye obtained using the two solvents was done using HPLC and IR. The formed functionalized dye has many applications as colorants in textiles, paints, inks, plastics, cosmetic articles and electronic materials. Keywords: Cotton fabric, Tagetes minuta, dye, functionalized, 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether, colorants DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/11-16-02 Publication date:August 31st 202

Planning for and monitoring outcomes in action-research projects: The Napier grass diseases project

A presentation prepared for the 5th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture and the 18th Annual Meeting of the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production (ESAP), Addis Ababa, October 25-28, 2010

Conceptualizing Strategic Innovation in a Firm Context: A Theoretical Review and Research Agenda

The literature on strategic management recognizes the pivotal role played by strategic innovation as a strategic choice in organizations in order to create a sustainable competitive advantage. However, although there are emerging calls for the adoption of strategic innovation in a firm’s strategic management process, the concept of strategic innovation is not well understood. The scanty empirical literature reviewed has methodological and conceptual gaps that affect the generalizability of findings even in similar contexts. In this paper, the authors have attempted to review Strategic Innovation and argued that the emerging phenomena from its deployment in firms invite the role of the firm structure and innovative capacity as the firm seeks to enhance its chances of survival in a rapidly changing firm context. The conceptual, theoretical and empirical literature reviewed identified diverse issues that present a case for a theoretical model suitable to advance the current understanding of strategic innovation and the emerging phenomenon in firms. This paper therefore proposes an integrated theoretical model conceptualizing strategic innovation in a firm context and identifies relevant implications for future research

Experimental Investigation on Performance, Emission and Combustion Characteristics of Croton Megalocarpus Biodiesel Blends In a Direct Injection Diesel Engine

ABSTRACT The emission, performance and combustion characteristics of croton biodiesel blends were tested in a direct injection (DI) single cylinder four stroke diesel engine. The physico-chemical properties of the biodiesel blends were all found to be within the standard ASTM values. The reduction in exhaust smoke emissions for the biodiesel blends ranged from 10% to 41% at maximum engine load of 10 Kg while a slight increase in NOx emissions was observed with increase in concentration of biodiesel in the blends. Similar general increase in brake thermal efficiency (BTE), temperature of exhaust emissions and fuel flow rate was observed with increasing engine load for both petro-diesel and biodiesel blends. The difference between BTE for petro-diesel and biodiesel blends ranged from 2.04 to 5.03%. The brake specific energy consumption (BSEC) decreased with increasing engine load for both petro-diesel and biodiesel blends. An increase in both engine pressure and heat released was observed with increase in concentration of biodiesel in the blends. The difference in maximum engine pressure ranged from 1.05 bar at 0 Kg to 3.77 bar at 10 Kg load. The greatest difference in maximum engine pressure was recorded between petro-diesel and B50 blend. The observed difference in position of peaks for maximum heat released showed that there was slight delay in ignition of biodiesel blends as compared to petro-diesel. The results obtained in this study showed that higher blends of up to 50% biodiesel can be effectively used as an alternative to petro-diesel without compromising the engine performance

Management of Napier stunting disease

A poster prepared on stunt disease management in Keny

Controlling Napier smut and stunt diseases in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania

This article was compiled by ASARECA Livestock and Fisheries Programme in collaboration with Doctors Genevieve Renard, Janice Proud and Jean Hanson, Margaret Mulaa, Beatrice Pallangyo and Jolly Kabirizi. The project is funded by the AfDB