Snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) farmers rely mostly on insecticides to manage pests and to satisfy the stringent market requirements for insect and blemish-free pods. However, the cost of these pesticides lowers farm incomes. In addition, heavy and wrong use of pesticides could result in residue accumulation, which reduces market access by the farmers. To identify optimal pest control with lower economic risks to farmers, we investigated the effectiveness and profitability of different insecticides and insecticide formulations against bean fly (Ophiomyia spp.) and bean flower thrips (Megalurothrips sjostedtii). Two separate experiments were conducted during 2009 to 2012. The first experiment targeted bean fly and bean flower thrips, comprising the treatments: seed dressings, soil drenches, foliar sprays and an untreated control. We used randomised complete block design, with four replicates. All the seed dressing and soil drenching insecticides, except Apron, significantly lowered bean fly infestation by two to 60 fold when compared with control. These insecticides, however, did not control flower thrips. Confidor® resulted in a marginal returns of 0.89 and Actara® -0.11 compared to seed dressings, which ranged from 0.47 to 1.82. The second experiment laid in a randomised complete block design involved the foliar application of Roket® under different spray regimes. Application of Roket® reduced infestation of thrips, and resulted in positive MRR in all the seasons.
Objective: The focus of this study was to evaluate the yield and stability of superior sweet potato cultivars for release in Kenya. This is the first attempt to document experimental results that have led to the first and so far only sweet potato variety release in Kenya. Methodology: Ten national performance trials laid out as randomized complete block designs were performed on 14 sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) genotypes in two geographical locations of Kenya. The trials were conducted to select local and introduced genotypes that were high yielding, stable, and tasty. Four experiments involving all the 14 genotypes were carried out in Nairobi while six experiments involving nine of the genotypes were carried out at three sites in Western Kenya. The stability of root yield and palatability test ranking were determined using appropriate statistical tools. Results: Significant (P = 0.05) differences in root yield between genotypes were observed for both locations. Mean root yield was higher in Nairobi (16,760 kg ha -1 ) than in Western Kenya (15,150 kg ha -1 ). The proportion of marketable roots was higher in Nairobi than in Western Kenya. Dry matter content was also higher in Nairobi (29.63%) than in Western Kenya (26.58%). Genotype x environment (G×E) interactions were significant (P = 0.05) in both locations. Conclusion and applications: Recommendations on the suitable varieties for official release are given. KEMB 10 and Mugande were the best performers in both environments. These two varieties contribute to enhancing food security among small scale household farmers in rural Kenya. Since its release in 2000, SPK 004 has contributed to enhancing the availability of the beta carotene micronutrient.
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