Chickpea is a major source of proteins especially in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya. However, its average yield per hectare is low when compared to neighbouring countries. This research was carried out to determine the levels of hybrid vigour on yield in the F1 generation. To obtain the F1s, reciprocal crossing between Mwanza 2 and Chaina I was carried out with controls being the parental lines. The experimental layout was a randomized block design replicated thrice for three seasons. A spacing of 50x20cm was used in plants, while all other agronomic practices were maintained constant. Data on grain yield and biomass per plant was obtained by measuring the weight, then subjecting it to a one-way ANOVA in SAS 9.4 software. Mwanza 2 expressed the highest biomass (2.56g), while both parents attained a maximum grain yield of 1.69g per plant. Chaina I x Mwanza 2 hybrid expressed maximum means of F1s for biomass (2.31g) and grain yield (1.4g) per plant. Chaina I x Mwanza 2 hybrid recorded the highest biomass and grain yield in better parent heterosis with 14.36% and 330% respectively. Mid-parent heterosis means were also highest at 24.53% and 405.88% for biomass and grain yield respectively. Further, the heritability was maximum for biomass under Mwanza 2 x Chaina I, varying from 93.1% to 100%, while Chaina I x Mwanza 2, expressed maximum grain yield and harvest index. Better parent heterosis and mid-parent heterosis was highest in Chaina I x Mwanza 2 than its reciprocal, Mwanza 2 x Chaina I.

Chickpea is a major legume grown in Kenya. The agronomic performance, nodulation ability and grain crude protein are not fully exploited. Field experiments were conducted at Embu, Kenya to determine the effect of plant spacing and N-fertilizer rates on nodulation and protein content of selected chickpea varieties. A split-split plot design was used and replicated three times. Treatments consisted of main factor, variety in four levels (Saina K, Mwanza 2, Chania I, Chania III), sub factor, spacing in three levels (S 1 : 50 x 10; S 2 : 50 x 20; S 3 : 50 x 30 cm), and sub-sub factor, nitrogen fertilizer rates in four levels of (0; 30; 60; 90 kg ha -1 ). Data on nodulation and CP was subjected to GLM. Spacing and N-fertilizer rates significantly affected nodule numbers, fresh weight and their sizes. Mwanza 2 x 50x10 cm x N 30 posted highest nodule numbers while Chania III had highest protein content. Interactions of VS, VN, SN and VSN had no consistent pattern under nodule factors but were highly significant in percent CP. Hence, optimal interactive effects of VSN can improve nodulation factors and CP of chickpea. The information will help growers make informed decisions, and researchers in developing improved varieties.

Despite the fact that virtually all households in Kenya grow maize, over 60% of them are net maize buyers because they do not produce enough for their consumption. This is due to both biotic and abiotic factors such as poor planting materials, diseases and unreliable weather among others. This study was conducted to select lines with good combining ability. The trials were conducted in 2012 at experimental stations of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Muguga South and Embu in Kiambu and Embu counties of Kenya respectively. The study was conducted with 18 inbred lines. The experiment was laid out in a 6 x 6 lattice incomplete randomized block design with two replications. In Embu inbred line POPA produced the best grain yields when crossed with MUL 541 and MUL 521. Its high grain yield was also witnessed in Muguga where on average its performance was superior to other inbred lines. Inbred line MUL 513 can further be evaluated for grain yield improvement with all the other inbred lines which had high Original Research Article

Aims: Cotton (Gossypium species) occupies a prime position as a fibre crop of the world used for making cooking oil, soup and seed cake for animal feed industry among other uses. Performance of wild cotton germplasm in Kenya has not been well studied and therefore there is need for understanding the correlation of traits influencing seed cotton productivity for effective improvement of the standard HART 89M. The study aimed at determining the correlation in performance between domesticated cotton HART 89M with wild cotton. Experimental Layout: Four wild cotton species and HART 89M were planted in three experimental blocks, each measuring 6 m by 30 m. There were three replications per experimental block, the distance between blocks was 2 m. The experimental blocks were then divided into 5 plots of 5 m by 5 m, with 1 m separating plots. The cotton seeds were planted in rows of 1 m by 0.5 m at depth of 2 cm.