Kakamega forest is a tropical rain forest ecosystem while Saiwa Swamp National Park (SSNP) is a riverine ecosystem. A study was conducted to determine plant species diversity of the grasslands in both the ecosystems with emphasis on herbs and grass species, and the structure of the ecotones. The objective of study was to compare the plant species richness of these two ecosystems with an aim of proposing some conservation strategies. Species diversity was determined using inverse Simpson Index. The sampling sites were determined using stratified random sampling. The random quadrats (1x1M), line intercept, and nested quadrat sampling methods were used to collect data from the clear grassland. A 5x5M sampling plot was used to collect data from the bushed-grassland community of both ecosystems. All plants species present were identified and recorded. The density, frequency, foliage cover, importance value indices and relative values were calculated. Temperature and relative humidity were determined. Results clearly show that Kakamega forest grassland community had the highest species diversity of 0.9 and an abrupt ecotone compared to Saiwa National Park of species diversity of 0.8 and a blending ecotones These results confirmed that, there is great variation in species diversity in both ecosystems and discontinuity of ecotones due to influence of environmental conditions.
Aims: SSR markers were used to infer population genetic structure variability in taro cultivars with the objective of characterizing the allelic diversity of each geographical population.
The main goal of this study was to determine whether the integration of computer-based technology including computer animations and illustrations in teaching and learning of the gene concept could enhance students' understanding of the gene concept. The population of the study was the entire Form Four biology students who have studied biology for four years at public secondary schools in Kakamega Central District of Kenya. The schools were selected by stratified random sampling to include provincial girls', provincial boys', and district mixed secondary schools. Simple random sampling was used to select 240 Form Four biology students. The control groups (C1, C2 and C3) were taught in a conventional manner whereas the experimental groups (E1, E2 and E3) received instruction that integrated computer animations and illustrations. Gene concept administered was the same for both pre-test and post-test for a period of four weeks. Gene concept Achievement Standardized Test and Gene Concept Multiple Choice Test were used as instruments for data collection. The pre-test and post test scores in the pilot study indicated a positive correlation using Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient (r) of 0.79. Thus the instruments were reliable. With the help of SPSS data analysis was conducted using ANOVA (F-test), and T-test. The results were tested using ANOVA at alpha = 0.05 level of significance. The findings in the study showed that the integration of computer-based technology in teaching and learning improved students' achievement scores and understanding of the gene concept.
Western parts of Kenya are characterized by acid soils with phosphorus [P] deficiency and aluminum [Al] phytotoxicity. Reports indicate a declining trend in yields of legumes such as cowpeas. Though legumes can fix N, starter phosphorus need to be supplied for better yields and more often plants develop adaptive strategies for better P acquisition; probably through increased Al tolerance by carboxylates exudation, improved nodulation as a result of high P and better root development. Present study examined mutual relationship between P and nodulation in explaining yield differences between Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) varieties: Elanda (ELn, high yielding) and Inzeku (INz; moderate yielding), Ground nut (Arachis hypogea)-GN and Bambara nuts (Vigna subterrenea (Verdc) -BBN with proven P efficiency and Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) varieties Rosecoco (RCC) and Edwin (ED); low P efficient formed basis for comparison. The experiment was conducted at Masinde Muliro University field station from April 2009 and experimental design was CRBD having split plot with P as main plots (+P; or -P), whereas GN, BBN, ELn, INz, RCC and ED legumes were randomized within the P treatments. Legume genotypes were replicated four times. There were no differences in shoot biomass with +P and -P (INz), but ELn showed higher shoot DM with +P as compared with -P (significant p<0.05). Similar trends were replicated with nodulation with P supply. Shoot DM and nodulation were positively correlated for ELn (r 2 =0.99; +P and r 2 =0.68; -P) but not INz. Correlations were negative for beans and performance of BBN with +P and -P showed trends similar with Inz genotype. Sub-optimal P supply with concomitant enhancing nodulation in INz could not explain genotypic differences in yields, since high yielding BBN lacked this trait with additional P. Factors like high proton concentration and Al saturation need to be assessed and likely an interaction between P and Al through enhanced exudation of carboxylates may give more insights to cowpea genotypic differences.
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