Pathological changes in calves that died from experimental water intoxication

The pathology of calves that died from experimental water intoxication was investigated. Oedema of the brain and urinary bladder, and renal damage were significant pathological findings in these calves. The findings were attributed to positive water balance in calves suffering from water intoxication.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat X Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Application of ultrasonography in prevalence studies of hydatid cysts in goats in north-western Turkana, Kenya and Toposaland, southern Sudan

A study was done to determine the prevalence of hydatid cysts in goats using ultrasonography. A total of 1 390 goats were examined, 43,6 % (606/1390) of them from north-western Turkana, Kenya and 56,4% (784/1390) from Toposaland, southern Sudan. Hydatid cysts were visualized in 1,82 % (11/606) of the goats from north-western Turkana and 4,34% (34/784) of those from Toposaland. Unlike abattoir surveys, the prevalence data obtained in this study were unbiased because entire flocks were examined. The lower prevalence rate of the disease in goats from Turkana was attributed to the hydatid disease control programme in that area, which is absent in Toposaland .The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat v.9 was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.DAAD, Germany.mn201

Climate Change and Immovable Cultural Heritage in Kenya: Impact and Response Strategies

Immovable cultural heritages represent past human life that links the past, present, and future landscapes. Protection and preservation of authenticity and integrity of these built heritages is a major challenge in the twenty-first century. Increased number of extreme weather events associated with climate change is a major concern in management and conservation of cultural heritage around the globe. This study assessed climate change impacts on immovable cultural heritage and the response strategies being employed along Kenya’s coastline. Two counties in the coast region (Mombasa and Kilifi) were chosen for the study because of their rich cultural heritage surrounded by natural hazard-prone environment which has seen some of the sites listed to be in danger due to climate change. Through engagement with practitioners responsible for management of the sites, the following elements were looked into: sea level rise, coastal flooding, temperature rise, coastal winds, coastal erosion, increased precipitation, and increase in acidity levels. Data was collected through observation, interviews, and administering of questionnaires in the eight immovable cultural heritage sites in Mombasa and Kilifi counties. Findings indicate that the immovable cultural heritage sites are greatly affected by the climatic changes. Presence and growth of plants, corroded metallic parts, cracks, fallen walls, rotten wooden parts, submerged structures, and flaked walls have been acerbated by extreme weather-related events. Furthermore, despite climate changes being a major threat to these sites, it has not been included in cultural management plans. Inadequate resources are the main barrier in adapting to climate change. Structural and managerial strategies employed in the management of heritage sites in the region are highlighted

A case of ovine lymphosarcoma in Kenya : case report

Ovine lymphosarcoma was diagnosed clinically in a 5-year-old Blackhead sheep in Kenya, and confirmed on blood smear, leukocyte count and macroscopic pathology. Four progeny of the ewe were examined. They were normal haematologically but 2 revealed bilaterally enlarged lymph nodes

Response of Bread Wheat Genotypes to Drought Simulation Under a Mobile Rain Shelter in Kenya

Selection of drought tolerant wheat genotypes for Arid and Semi-arid lands (ASALS) of Kenya, which consist of 83% of total land area, can provide alternative agricultural land for expansion. To reduce cost of dryland research, simulated drought under a rain shelter offers a good alternative for screening because marginal areas are vast and widespread. Four moisture regimes which simulated terminal, early, mid- and late- season droughts were created under the mobile rain shelter at Njoro in 1998/99, by applying drip irrigation (i) up to seedling stage (70 mm) (ii) through tillering (82 mm) (iii) up to anthesis (94 mm) and (iv) grain filling (106 mm), respectively, to determine drought responses of five wheat varieties (Duma, R748, R830, R831 and R833) and identify drought tolerant genotypes. Control watering regime had 118 mm applied at all stages. Yield and yield components in each season and the two seasons combined showed significant difference (P<0.05 and 0.01, respectively). Early drought during seedling stage and tillering caused significant reduction in plant heights, tiller number and number of reproductive tillers. However, drought from anthesis and grain filling to maturity caused significant (P<0.05) reduction in ear length (16.9%), spikelets/head (14.3%), 1000-kernel weights (22.4%) and an increase in the number of sterile florets/head (28.3%), compared to control. Seedling and reproductive stage (anthesis and grain filling) droughts caused the highest grain yield reduction (25 and 67%, respectively), indicating that they were the most critical stages in moisture requirement compared to control. Genotype R748 out-performed Duma (check) in all moisture regimes, and was recommended for field testing and participatory evaluation. From this study, it is possible to select drought tolerant cultivars using mobile rain shelters by drought simulations in Kenya.La sélection des génotypes tolérant a la sécheresse pour les terres arides et semi-arides (ASALS) du Kenya, lesquelles consistent a 83% de la surface de terre, peut pourvenir de terre pour l&apos;expansion agricole. Pour réduire le coût de la recherche dans les régions arides, la sécheresse simulée a l&apos;abris de la pluie offre une bonne alternative pour la sélection parce que les aires marginales sont vastes et éparpillées. Pour les régimes humides qui sont simulés a l&apos;état terminal, matinal, en pleine et en retard des saisons séches étaient crées sous un abri mobile a Njoro entre 1998/1999, par application de l&apos;irrigation par goutte 1) jusqu&apos;a l&apos; étape de semis (70 mm) ii) a travers le labourage (82 mm), iii) jusqu&apos;a l&apos;étape d&apos;anthere (94 mm) et iv) graine nourrissante (106 mm), respectivement pour déterminer les réponses a la sécheresse aux cinq variétés de blé (Duma, R748, R830, R831 et R833) et identifier les génotypes tolérant la sécheresse. Le contrôle du régime en eau avait 118 mm appliqués a toutes les étapes. Les composants de la production et du rendement dans chaque saison et les deux saisons combinées ont montré une différence significative (P<0,005 et 0,01 respectivement). La sécheresse matinale durant l&apos;étape de semis et de labeur a causé une réduction significative en hauteurs de plante en nombre de laboureurs et nombre de laboureurs reproductifs. Cependant, la sécheresse à partir de maturité d&apos;anthere et graine nourrissante a causé une réduction significative (P<0,05) en longueur d&apos;épi (16,9%), de pointes/ tête (14,3%), poids de 1000 grains (22,4%) et croissance dans le nombre de fleurons steriles / tête (28,3%) comparée au contrôle. L&apos;étape de semis et reproductive (anthere et graine nourrissante) de sécheresse a causé la réduction la plus élevée en rendement de graines (25 a 67%, respectivement)., indiquant qu&apos;elles étaient les étapes les plus critique en humidité requise comparée au contrôle. Le génotype R748 donne une mauvaise performance en tous les régimes humides, et était recommendé pour les test sur terrain et l&apos;évaluation participative. De cette étude, il est possible de sélectionner les variétés tolérantes a la sécheresse en utilisant les abris mobiles pour simuler la sécheresse au Kenya

Water intoxication in cattle : continuing education

Water intoxication is a condition that is common in cattle, and has also been reported in other domestic animals and man. A comprehensive description of the condition is lacking. For a better understanding of the condition, this paper reviews work that has been reported previously by various authors

Novel insights into factors associated with yield response and nutrient use efficiency of maize and rice in sub-Saharan Africa. A review

A common theme emerging from nutrient omission trials conducted extensively across sub-Saharan Africa has been the large variability in yield response to applied nutrients. Yet, little is known about the factors associated with this variability. Therefore, the objectives of this review were to (1) synthesize the available data from nutrient omission trials of maize and rice and quantify spatial variability in yield responses and the probability of attaining specified yield targets; (2) identify the genotypic, environmental, and nutrient management factors associated with yield responses; and (3) provide insights and actionable information for setting priorities for future nutrient management research and development. Here, we provide distributions and expected values of yield response and agronomic efficiencies of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) to serve as benchmarks for improving fertilizer recommendations. We also show that with the combined application of NPK fertilizer, rain-fed maize and rice yields can be raised from the current yields of ~2 Mg ha−1 to 4 Mg ha−1. Yield responses to N, P, and K were in the ratio of 11:6:1 in maize and 13:7:5 in rice, probably arising from differences in uptake requirements and growing environments. K yield responses were 2–3 times higher in rice than in maize. Explorative analysis using machine learning algorithms provided further insights into the possible interaction of agroecology, soil type, and exchangeable cations on the spatial variability in yield responses to N, P, and K in maize and rice. We recommend future research to address site-specific interactions between the applied and indigenous soil nutrients, focusing on optimizing application rates of K, other macronutrients and micronutrients for sustainable intensification of maize and rice production. This study highlights the critical need for balanced fertilization to optimize the productivity and nutrient use efficiencies in rice and maize production in smallholder farming systems in SSA