Abstract:Finger millet is one of the potential cereal crops that can contribute to the efforts of realization of food security in the Sub-Saharan Africa. However, scientific information available with regards to improving soil phosphorus supply and identification of P efficient varieties for the crops potential yield is limited. In order to investigate the effects of P levels on yield components and grain yield On-station field experiments were conducted in two sites of western Kenya during the long and short rain seasons of 2015. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design in factorial arrangement with four levels of P (0, 12.5, 25 and 37.5 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 and three finger millet varieties (U-15, P-224 and a local check-Ikhulule) and the treatments replicated three times. The increase of phosphorus levels significantly (P≤0.05) increased the grain yield over the control up to 25 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 during the long rain seasons and 25 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 during the short rain seasons in both sites. Interactions at P≤0.05 were revealed on the grain yield where improved variety P-224 at 25 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 produced the highest grain yield of 4.74 t.ha -1 in Alupe and 4.77 t.ha -1 in Kakamega and the consistent results suggest that the combination is highly recommended. Therefore the use of judicious and proper rates of P fertilizers can markedly increase the grain yield of finger millet in western Kenya.

Analysis on economically viable indigenous food cereals like pearl millet as alternative strategies to curb under nutrition and boost food security is of utmost importance to widen the essential nutrient sources for human beings. To contribute to this area, macro and micro nutrient analysis was carried out on 60 pearl millet genotypes. On each of the genotype, 7 biochemical parameters (starch, amylose, amylopectin, protein, K, Zn and P) were analyzed. Starch content of the genotypes ranged from 27 -46.7% with a mean of 34.2%, while most of the genotypes had more amylopectin than amylose with exceptions of a few varieties with a ratio of 2:1. The protein content had a range of 4.6 -9.9% with a mean of 7.1%. Zinc was among the highest level followed by phosphorous and finally potassium. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first four PCA contributed to 79.8% of the variability among the pearl millet varieties. Cluster analysis grouped data into 6 clusters and a singleton with a genetic distance 0.37 -8.73 showing great variability. Biochemical traits are useful tool for determining genetic variability in pearl millet and can contribute to breeding programs and enhance food security.

Head smut caused by Tolyposporium penicillariae Bref. is a devastating fungal disease that cause up to 30% yield losses in pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.). An experiment was carried out in two sites (Koibatek and Marigat) in Kenya to estimate the losses in grain yield due to head smut at varying levels of susceptibility in 50 promising advanced pearl millet genotypes. The test germplasm were planted in a complete randomized block design (RCBD) in three replicates during the short rains (Sept-Dec 2011) and long rains (April-July 2012). To assess the yield loss, two experiments were set as sprayed with fungicide to control disease and unsprayed. Results showed that among the tested genotypes, KAT PM1 and ICMV 221 were resistant checks and showed minimum yield loss as compared to the susceptible genotypes, (SDMV 94001 and SDMV 94014)