Farmers’ perceptions on adoption of Bambara nut production as a food security crop in Kakamega county, Kenya

This study was conducted between April and December 2011 to examine perception of smallholder farmers in four districts of Kakamega County, Kenya in adoption of Bambara nut production as food security crop. The study was conducted to determine relationship between the perception of the farmers and some socio-economic factors. Bambara nut, a crop a species only identified and classified as “underutilized” crop. The crop has several production advantages compared to other legumes. Bambara nut, a crop a species only identified and classified as “underutilized” crop and has several production advantages compared to other legumes. Three hundred and eighty four respondents used for the study were selected by random sampling while focus group discussions and interview schedule were employed to gather additional data through survey and correlational research study designs. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were used to analyze collected data. The findings showed that farmer perceived adoption of bambara nut production was high, but however, despite its vast potential production at household level was low and hence, its the utilization at household level was quite low too. And that; age, labour availability, credit availability, farmers’ income, membership to social organizations significantly influenced farmer’s perceveived decisions to adoption of bambara growing as a food security crop. However, farmers level of education, land size, marketing and provision of extension service did not significantly influence farmers’ perception in their decision to adoption of bambara nut production as food security crop. Overall, it was found that farmers had positive perception towards adoption of bambara nut production as food security crop. However they had a number of challenges e.g lack of certified seeds for planting, lack of extension service information on the crop and labour shortages particularly duting peak periods. To ensure sustainaible increase in production and utilization, there is need for adelibarate efforts to be stepped up by Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and other stakeholders to provide agronomic information for fomulating and implimenting research programmes towards commercialisation of this crop. This would lead to increased production and assist to fight against hunger and food insecurity. Key words: Perception , Food Security, Bambara nuts, “underutilized” Adoptio

Effect of Water logging on Selected Morphological Characteristics in Maize

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine waterlogging tolerance in acidic soils for maize crop improvement in low lying flood prone regions of Western Kenya where waterlogging is a severe problem. Three replicates of nine cultivars, seven tolerant and two susceptible accessions identified after a preliminary screening were subjected to waterlogging to select traits for tolerance to waterlogging using randomized complete block design. 17 dayold seedlings planted in acidic ferralsol soil were exposed to field capacity flooding for 10 days, drained and growth monitored. Waterlogging caused significant reduction in mean number of leaves, leaf area, root collar diameter, seedling height and grain yield. K8 recovered least from water logging. Kan2 and K27 were least affected with regard to leaf tip death and wilting. K8, Br2, K24 and C8 recorded the most significant reduction in leaf area. K3 and Kan2 recorded the least internode length. Plant height recovery was most significant in K27 and K8. Lowest reduction in yield was recorded in Br2 and K3 while the highest grain yield was K3 and Kan2. Reduction on collar root diameter had a significant influence (F value = 2.7) on total grain yield of maize in the affected accessions (y= 1.0183x – 0.5685). There exists a significant genetic variability among Kenyan maize germplasm in terms of response to waterlogging, which can be exploited for crop improvement

Effect of Eco-Physiological Variability in Leucaena leucocephala Growth and Development

The effect of eco-physiological differences in two sites on growth and development of Leucaena was assessed. A 2-factor (provenance-site) experiment in a completely randomized design with three (3) replications was set up. Pot and field experiments were used to assess growth and development of three local Leucaena provenances in two regions, Maseno ICRAF/KEFRI centre (pH 4.8) and Chepkoilel Campus farm (pH 5.0). Seeds of three local Leucaena provenances K156 (Gede), K136 (Kibwezi) and KIT2724 (Kitale) were used in this study. Lime was applied at 0 and 33.3 kg per kg of soil (6.7 ton/ha) in each pot and aluminium at 0, 100, 200 and 300 M. Field experiment was conducted at Chepkoilel Campus farm. Lime was applied at a rate of 7ton/ha. Number of leaves per plant, plant height, root length, root collar diameter, plant dry weight, selected nutrients (N, P and Ca) and Al were assessed from potted and field grown seedlings. Data were subjected to multivariate analysis of variance. There was relatively better seedlings growth at Maseno than at University of Eldoret. The differences in environmental factors, such as higher mean temperatures (25°C) at Maseno could promote growth, resulting in higher plant height, root length and plant dry weight than at Chepkoilel Campus, which had lower mean temperature 17°C, However, although the Maseno plants were taller, they had smaller root collar diameters, especially after 90 days. The comparatively higher levels of nitrogen in the Maseno soils could also be responsible for the better growth. This was also reflected in the shoot tissues where the seedlings grown at Maseno had higher nitrogen content than those same genotypes grown at Chepkoilel Campus site. Seedlings at Maseno ICRAF/KEFRI centre had significantly (p < 0.05) better growth than at University of Eldoret. Maseno soils had higher N and less Al than at University of Eldoret

Performance of Leucaena leucocephala, Seedlings in Two Agro-climatic Regions of Kenya

A study was conducted to determine the response of Leucaena seedlings planted in two variant agro-climatic regions, Chepkoilel Campus and Maseno in Kenya. The experiment was a 2-factor (provenance – site) split plot design with five replications. Three provenances were randomly assigned to the sub-plots. A block measuring 60 m by 30 m was divided into two plots, which were separated by a 1 m strip of land. The study was conducted at Chepkoilel College Campus and Maseno farms in Kenya. Farm experiments were conducted. Soil samples were amended with lime at the rate of 6.6 ton/ha. Three genotypes of Leucaena were planted. At 60 DAP and 120 DAP, seedlings were subjected to analysis to determine seedling height, root length, root collar diameter, leaf number and seedling biomass at both sites. There was variation in the performance of each provenance based on the growth parameters assessed between the two sites. KIT2724 recorded the highest means in all growth attributes followed by K136, and the lowest means was recorded by K156 at Maseno. However, in Chepkoilel, K136 recorded the best performance in the growth Original Research Article Kodiango et al.; JAERI, 6(4): 1-7, 2016; Article no.JAERI.234892 attributes followed by KIT2724 and lastly by K156. L. leucocephala provenances (K136) seedling growing in the field at Chepkoilel bore flowers and pods at the age of 6 months. The seedlings of L. leucocephala grew faster at Maseno than at Chepkoilel. With liming, KIT2724 and K136 could be grown in acid soils especially in both Maseno and Uasin Gishu Districts where agroforestry practice is being promoted. However, K156 seems to be more tolerant to soil acidity and the genetic basis of this tolerance should be further established

Gender Influence on Farmer’s Level of Involvement in Utilization and Conservation of Bambara Groundnut

Aims: To understand the role of gender on Bambara groundnut cultivation with respect to levels of farmers’ involvement in utilization and conservation in Western Kenya. Study Design: A questionnaire was administered to 120 farmers in two districts. The districts neighbor each other and do share common ecological attributes and therefore, provided sufficient population for the study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in 2009 in Mumias and Butere Districts of Western Kenya. Methodology: Level of involvement in Bambara groundnut utilization and conservation activities was measured by farmers’ level of participation using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple regression equation. Aspects of utilization examined included food preparation, selling and social capital. Crop conservation variables analyzed included; seed selection, seed preservation and seed storage. Crop utilization (CUI) and Crop onservation (CCI) indices were computed to determine the relationship between gender and level of involvement. Results: There was significant influence of gender on farmer’s level of involvement in the districts. Involvement level of female farmers was higher than the male farmers in production and conservation activities. Overall, there was significant difference in the means of the computed CUI and CCI Indices between males and females. CCI indicated that women participation in conservation activities was higher (2.71+0.477 and 2.54+0.8) than the males (1.8+0.500 and 2.04+0.82) in both Mumias and Butere districts. This confirmed that the females have a higher level involvement in conservation activities than males. Computed CUI indicated considerable difference in means with women having a high index (2.86+0.315 and 2.6+0.713) than males (1.51+0.448 and 1.70+0.587). For both districts, ANOVA for Gender and CUI were significant (F=30.799, p=0.00; F=174.332, p=0.000) as was for CCI (F=46.913, p=0.000; F=6.304, p=0.015). Conclusion: The high level of involvement of female farmers in the utilization and conservation necessitate consideration of gender role in the transfer of farm technology. Findings provide extension agencies with guidelines for mainstreaming gender roles to target the right clientele by gender in order to enhance the revival and utilization of underutilized crops as an alternative food crop. Agricultural extension agents therefore need to adopt specific models of intervention, approaches and time schedules to enhance the role played by the farmers in revitalizing utilization and conservation of Bambara groundnut. Female farmers should be accorded special attention by extension officers seeking to improve agricultural productivity. Similarly dissemination of innovations to farmers should be appropriate to each gender

Evaluation of Polymorphism Generated By Single Sequence Repeat Markers in Selected Taro Populations

Genetic structure of Kenya and Secretariat of Pacific Community’s Tarogen taro germplasm was investigated. Fifty cultivars were evaluated using six SSR primer combinations. Significant polymorphic variations within the Kenyan and Tarogen taro sub-populations were revealed. A total of 64 alleles were detected with sizes from 99 to 294 bp. Kenyan germplasm generated 30 alleles and averaged 5.0 alleles/ locus while the Tarogen revealed 34 alleles with an average of 5.70 alleles/ locus. Primers generated a higher polymorphism information content (PIC) in Tarogen (0.6508) compared to Kenyan (0.6108) genotypes and genetic diversity index mean in Tarogen (0.6989) than Kenyan (0.6530) genotypes. Genetic diversity ranged between 0.25 to 0.6218 and 0.25 to 0.06204 for Kenyan and Tarogen genotypes. Allele frequency ranged from 42.52 to 75% across the populations. Generally, observed mean heterozygosity was lower than the expected mean genetic diversity indexes of 0.6530 and 0.6989 for Kenyan and Tarogen. Kenya recorded the highest mean genetic diversity (0.4735) and richness (3.04), allele frequency (0.62) and PIC (0.412) while Tarogen recorded 2.0, 0.4527, 0.5988 and 0.3917, respectively. Observed genetic diversity was significantly greater than the expected diversity. All the evaluated primers displayed distinct polymorphisms among the taro accessions studied indicating the robust nature of microsatellites in revealing polymorphism variability

A Comparative Assessment Of Taro{Colocasia Esculenta L. (Schott)} Phenotypic Corms/Cormels Characteristics Among Kenya And Tarogen Core Taro Collections For Taro Crop Improvement And Breeding

Determination of qualitative phenotypic taro cormels characters were scored based on the key International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) descriptors for taro (IPGRI, 1999). Twenty five taro germplasm each from Kenya and Tarogen core taro collections from Pacific Island Communities were used for this research study. These characteristics were as follows: Corm shape, Corm cortex color; Corm flesh color; Number of sprouting suckers; Corm sucker length; Corm weight; Corm length; Corm diameter; Number of cormels; Corm branching and cormel root colour. Shannon’s Diversity Index was used to calculate the diversity for the qualitative characters that showed polymorphism in various traits. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze cormels genotypic agronomic performance among Kenyan and the Pacific Islands tarogen collections. The analyses of variance were tested at 0.05 level of significance. In Kenya, the corm characters with highest diversity value were corm shape (1.399), corm cortex color (1.204) and corm flesh color (0.973) while Tarogen core taro collections from Pacific Islands community showed similar variations with the corm shape leading with diversity value of 1.357. The application of analysis of variance test at (p>0.00) revealed a significant difference between corms/cormels and yields of taro accessions with reference to taro genotype performance characters and yields. These findings have shown that there exists a high significant difference between taro genotype agronomic cormels characters and yields between Kenya and PITCs taro collections. The application of analysis of variance test at (p>0.00) revealed a significant difference between taro cormels characters with reference to yield performances

Maize Response to Micro Dose Inorganic Inputs on an Acid Smallholder Farm in Kenyan Lower Midland

The study determined nitrogen, phosphorus fertilizers and lime micro doses effects on soil chemistry and maize performance on an acid soil smallholder farm. Treatments were micro doses (50% of recommendations) of N (0 and 37.5 kg N ha-1), P (0 and 13 kg P ha-1) fertilizers and lime (0 and 2.26 tons lime ha-1). Nitrogen, Pfertilizersand lime significantly (p<0.05) increased soil N, P and pH. Agronomic N-fertilizer use efficiency were 29 and 35 kg ha-1 kg-1 N-fertilizer due to 37.5 kg N and 37.5 kg N+2.26 tons lime ha-1, respectively. Grain agronomic P-fertilizer use efficiency was 24 and 30 kg ha-1 kg-1 P-fertilizer due to 13 kg P and 13 kg P+2.26 tons lime ha-1 , respectively. N-fertilizer recovery were 47 and 50% due to 37.5 kg N and 37.5 kg N+2.26 tons lime ha-1,respectively and P-fertilizer recovery efficiency were 14 and 16% due to 13 kg P and 13 kg P+2.26 tons lime ha-1,respectively. Grain yield increments were 72, 27 and 12% due to 37.5 kg N, 13 kg P and 2.26 tons lime ha-1, respectively. Therefore, N-, P-fertilizers and lime micro doses can improve maize grain yield on acid nutrient deficient smallholder farms

Influence of Farmers’ Socio-economic Characteristics on Adoption of Bambara Nut Production in Western Kenya

A survey was conducted to determine the effect of the socio-economic and institutional factors on farmers’ adoption of Bambara nut as food security crop. Purposive survey research design was used to generate both qualitative and quantitative data. 384 respondents were interviewed in the study. Proportionate sampling technique was used to select 131, respondents from Kakamega North Sub- county, 127 from Butere and 94 from Matungu and 32 respondents from Mumias subcounties based on population. Primary data was collected through structured questionnaire, interview schedules alongside focused group discussion. Findings indicated that that seven variables were statistically significant and contributed to adoption. These factors include: subcounty of farmer’s residence, gender, farm size, on-farm income, labor, member of social group, marketing problems, access to extension services and respondents’ access to credit. Four other factors (age, level of education marketing and credit) were not significant. Chi-square test showed that the estimated model fitted the data reasonably well and indeed the variables were jointly significant in explaining adoption of Bambara production and utilization in Kakamega County. In order for smallholder farmers to benefit from neglected food crops there is need for stakeholders to contribute towards formulating relevant policies and impliment research programmes that will promote and commercialize amongst others Bambara amongst smallholder farmers. This would lead to increased smallscale growing of Bambara nut and thus contribute to ensuring food security at household level among resource poor farmerss in Kakamega Count of Kenya

Genetic diversity analysis of Kenyan taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] accessions using SSR markers

Six SSR primer pairs were used to characterize 25 taro genotypes of Kenya. A total of 30 polymorphic alleles were generated. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 1 to 6 alleles, with an average of 3.0425 alleles across 18 loci obtained in the study. The polymorphic information content values ranged from 0.1875 to 0.5731 in all 18 loci with an average of 0.4120. Genetic diversity ranged from 0.25 to 0.6218. Genetic richness ranged between 1.5 and 4.67. The frequency of most common allele at each locus ranged from 51.21% to 75%. The pair wise genetic dissimilarity co-efficient indicated that the highest genetic distance was obtained between the Rift Valley and Nyanza taro germplasm populations (0.794). The closest allele similarity was between Western and Nyanza (83.1%) taro populations while the widest dissimilarity was between Rift Valley and Nyanza populations (45.2%). Being grouped into a distant cluster KK12 could be exploited as probable parental for the development of variant taro varieties. The SSR markers are comprehensive source for the identification of genetically distant taro accessions as well as in the replica sorting of the phenotypically close germplasm