Application of vermicompost in crop production results in improved soil chemical properties. Studies relating to use of vermicompost as alternative to synthetic fertilizers have gotten considerable attention as the demand for organically produced agricultural products increases. Goat manure has been reported to be rich in nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. However, preparation and utilization of goat manure-based vermicompost in organic garlic production in the study area is scanty. Thus, farmers have solely relied on chemical fertilizers in garlic production which is a health and environmental hazards and causes ground and surface water pollution due to nitrate leaching. In Manyatta sub-county of Eastern Kenya, farmers use synthetic fertilizers in garlic production which is not sustainable despite having readily available goat manure which can be composted for use. The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate effectiveness of goat manure-based vermicompost for organic garlic production in Manyatta sub-county, Kenya. Goat manure-based vermicompost was prepared at KALRO Embu station, Embu County between July-November 2018. The vermicompost obtained was dried, screened and filled into bags and was used for growing garlic. A sample of goat manure-based vermicompost was analysed for chemical properties and the results showed that it had very high total N (1.79%), very high available P (52 ppm), very high exchangeable K (1.75 Cmol Kg -1 ) and it was moderately alkaline (pH 7.73). Hence, goat manure-based vermicompost is recommended in the organic production of garlic in Manyatta sub-county of Eastern Kenya.
Tomato early and late blight diseases caused by Alternaria solani and Phytophthora infestans respectively, are constraints to tomato production globally. Conventional use of commercial synthetic fungicides in management of tomato blight disease has become a key input for tomato production among farmers in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Indiscriminate use and application of sub-lethal doses of fungicides negate disease management efforts, and may lead to gradual fungicide resistance. Yet, local tomato farmers have continued to use the fungicides without periodic evaluation of their effectiveness. This study was carried out in-vitro to evaluate the efficacy of six synthetic commercial fungicides used by farmers around River Ruguti, against two tomato leaf blight pathogens; Alternaria solani and Phytophthora infestans. The poison food method was used to evaluate fungicides known by trade names and application levels; Mancozeb (640 g kg-1) + Metalaxyl (40 g kg-1), Mancozeb 640 g/kg + Metalaxyl 80 g/kg, Mancozeb, Propineb700 g/kg + Cymoxanil 60 g/kg, Carbendazim and Triticonazole at different concentration (25%, 50% and 75%). The in-vitro plate experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Design with 3 replicates, and data on mycelia growth inhibition analyzed through General Linear Model (α=.05) and significant means separated using Least significant difference (LSD) using Scientific Analysis System version 9.4. All the tested fungicides significantly (p≤ 0.05) inhibited mycelial growth of tested pathogen. Percentage inhibition for early blight pathogen (Alternaria solani) was 80.42% compared to late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans at 69.51%. Mancozeb (640 g kg-1) + Metalaxyl (40 g kg-1) and Propineb700 g/kg + Cymoxanil 60 g/kg recorded higher per cent inhibition of mycelia growth of 92.4% and 89.71% respectively. Carbendazim recorded lower per cent inhibition of 39.15%. Mycelia growth inhibition increased with an increase in fungicide concentration. Lower inhibition of 71.78% was observed at 25% concentration as compared to 50% and 75% with 76.77% and 76.36% respectively. Fungicides screened varied in mycelia inhibition against P. infestans and A. solani isolates with Mancozeb (640 g kg-1) + Metalaxyl (40 g kg-1) and Propineb700g/kg +Cymoxanil 60g/kg giving significantly (p≤ 0.05) better inhibition while Carbendazim had the lowest inhibition effect. Increased fungicide concentration effectively inhibited mycelia growth. Thus higher concentration of fungicide application is recommended in cases where there is low efficacy of fungicides.
Herbals have been used for decades to treat gastrointestinal infections across the world, including in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. Crude extracts from herbs have long been prescribed by traditional healers for treatment of typhoid, cholera, and shigellosis. However, the effectiveness of extracts obtained using different extraction solvents such as methanol, acetone, and hexane have not fully been evaluated. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of solvents (Ethanol, hexane, and methanol) on the yield of crude extract from plants (Erythrinna abyssinica, Aspilia pluriseta, Vangueria infausta, Ficus sycomorus, and Carissa edulis), assessing the effect of the solvents on extracted active metabolites, and determining the effect of these solvents on extract’s bioactivity against Vibrio cholerae, Shigella flexneri, and Salmonella typhimuriumi and, Escherichia coli that served as a model organism for screening plant extracts against Gram-negative bacteria. Crude extracts were obtained by soaking dried ground plant parts in individual solvents, which were then concentrated by a rotary evaporator. The phytochemical screening to detect plant metabolites was done qualitatively. Bioassays to analyze the efficacy of the plant crude extracts against the microbes were carried out in 4×3×3×5 factorial experiment laid out in a completely randomized design. The determination of bioactivity of herbal extracts was carried out using minimal inhibition concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration methods. Data obtained on the bioactivity assay (Count of the bacteria colony forming units) was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test at α = 0.05, and medians were compared by the Wilcoxon rank sum test in Scientific Analysis System version 9.4. Methanol solvent produced higher quantities of crude extracts for all the herbal samples used with, Vangueria infausta producing the highest extract (5.06g). Most phytochemicals were present in Methanolic extracts compared to hexane and acetone extracts. There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in the bioactivity of different herbal plants against bacterial pathogens at different concentrations of crude extract. The efficacy of plant extract increased progressively from 100ppm to 1000ppm concentration. Methanol is recommended for use in the extraction of medicinal plant extracts as it leads to improved potency as compared to hexane and acetone.
Soybean (Glycine max) is an important legume crop that is cultivated all over the world as livestock feed, food for human consumption, soil fertility improvement and industrial products such as candles and paints. However, Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrient have been attributed to the decline in soybean yields. Furthermore, scanty information is documented on P-efficient soybean genotypes, which are a sustainable P management strategy for enhancing symbiotic efficiency (SEF) and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE). As a solution, field experiment was conducted at Chuka University farm to evaluate the integration effect of rhizobium inoculation (R) and P on tissue nutrient content, SEF and PUE in soybean production in Meru South Sub County. Two cultivations (Trial I and II) were done in 2018. Treatments included; three rates of R (0, 100 and 200 g ha -1 ), three rates of P (0, 20 and 30 kgha -1 ), either applied alone or integrated and soybean genotypes (SB19 and SB24). Both Trials were laid out in a randomized complete block design in split-split plot arrangement with each treatment replicated thrice. Genotypes were assigned main plot, R subplots and P in sub-subplots. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance using the Scientific Analysis System SAS and significantly different means separated using Tukey test at (p≤0.05). The results showed significant difference in N and P tissue content, SEF and PUE for SB19 and SB24 genotypes in both Trials at (p≤0.05). The highest N tissue content of between 1.73% and 9.10% was observed when integration of R and P were applied at the rate of 200 g and 30 kg for SB19 and SB24 in both Trials. While R and P at the rate of 200 g and 30 kg per ha showed the highest P content of between 849.6 ppm and 955.0 ppm in both Trials. The highest SEF recorded was 207% and 261%, and 201% and 227% in Trials I and II, respectively. The PUE was highest when R and P was applied at the rate of 200 g and 30 kg per ha for SB19 and SB24 soybean in both Trials. Integration of R and P at the rate of 200 g and 30 kg ha -1 and adoption of either SB19 or SB24 showed a potential in enhancing soybean cultivation.
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