Effects of fresh leaf materials of Sesbania sesban (L.) Merrill on the growth and photosynthetic pigments of nightshade (Solanum nigrum L. var. popolo)

Solanum nigrum L. is one of the African leafy vegetable consumed in Kenya. High cost of inorganic fertilizers has made it inaccessible by smallholder farmers leading to low yields. A study was conducted at Maseno University, Kenya to investigate the effects of Sesbania sesban fresh leaf materials on the growth of Solanum nigrum L. The […]

Responses of slenderleaf rattlebox (Crotalaria ochroleuca) to water deficit

Water deficit affects plant growth and development thus affecting crop productivity. It is the major a biotic stress experienced in the vast semi arid and arid regions of Kenya and the world as a whole. Water deficit mainly causes reduction in plant growth and development. Crotalaria ochroleuca is an important indigenous leafy vegetable which is […]

Lignocellulolytic activities of crude gut extracts of marine woodborers Dicyathifer mannii and Sphaeroma terebrans

Marine woodborers have a close association with tropical mangrove plants whereby they voraciously consume lignocellulose and play a role in nutrient cycling. They represent a rich source of potential lignocellulolytic enzymes that can be harnessed for conversion of biomass into simple sugars and other monomers for a variety of uses. Ligninolytic enzymes find applications in […]

Segregation disortion of anthocyanin morphological marker in F2 population of cross between basmati and environment genic male sterile rice lines

Basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) is preferred by many Kenyans yet its yield per hectare is low. This challenge led to initiation of Basmati hybrid rice project in Kenya with a goal of leaping yield benefits of heterosis. Since quality traits in Basmati are under recessive gene control, then the two parents in hybrid programme […]

New sources of resistance to spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus in sorghum

The lepidopteran Chilo partellus Crambid, an introduced pest in East and southern Africa from Asia, is the most economically important stem borer species infesting cereals in Africa. Chilo partellus causes more than 40% yield loss in sorghum in East Africa. Cultural strategies, biological control using parasitoids, as well as pesticides are being employed, but are […]