Horticulture in Kenya: An Overview

Abstract

Kenya is one of the more than 50 nations constituting the vast continent of Africa. Richly diverse, culturally and geographically, Kenya lies astride the equator in East Africa, in the same time zone as Moscow and Iraq. Kenya's size (5.8 × 10 5 km 2 ) equals that of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Indiana combined. The Indian Ocean forms the eastern coast of Kenya, from which the land gradually rises westward into the upland plains of 900-to 1800-m elevation and mountain ranges >2700 m (Fig. 1). In the southern portions of the upland plains, annual precipitation averages ≈500 mm. TO the north and east, generally <250 mm of rain falls annually, rendering that area (≈60% of Kenya's total area) unsuitable for nonirrigated agriculture.The Great Rift Valley, averaging ≈32 to 56 km wide and part of a 5600-km-long geological formation along rift faults in Africa's tectonic plate, bisects Kenya along its northsouth axis. Large mountain ranges and plateaus are found on both sides of the Rift Valley, many >2500 m elevation. During the coldest months (July-August), radiation/valley frosts occasionally occur at elevations >2500 m, damaging frost-sensitive crops. East of the Rift Valley is Mount Kenya; hence, the name of the country. Mount Kenya, at 5199 m, is the second highest mountain in Africa and the world's largest shield-type volcano. The mountain is centrally located in the country and can be seen from as far away as 100 km. Even though it is almost directly on the equator, perennial snow and ice can be found above 4500 m. Permanent streams flowing off the mountain are a vital source of water to millions of people. On the southern border of Kenya is Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m), Africa's high-

Effects of integrating companion cropping and nitrogen application on the performance and infestation of collards by Brevicoryne brassicae

“…Collards and kales, Brassica oleracea (L.) var. acephala (Brassicaceae), are important leafy vegetables grown in most parts of Kenya in small‐scale and at kitchen garden levels (M’Ribu et al., 1993; Chweya, 1997; Grubben & Denton, 2004). The production and marketing of these vegetables has created employment for many people in the country, especially women.…”