Browsing Articles: Department of Biological Sciences by Issue Date
Now showing items 241-260 of 280
-
Free-living nematode assemblages associated with maize residues and their ecological significance
(2021)Return of plant residues to the soil is a sustainable way of enhancing plant growth, health, and levels of soil quality. In Kenya, maize plant residues are the most commonly returned plant material in many agro-ecosystems. ... -
Precision agriculture research in sub‑Saharan Africa countries a systematic map
(Springer, 2021-01-15)Precision agriculture (PA) has a huge potential for growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but it faces a number of social-economic and technological challenges. This study sought to map existing PA research and application ... -
Precision Agriculture for Resource Use Efficiency in Smallholder Farming Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review
(MDPI, 2021-01-21)Opportunities exist for adoption of precision agriculture technologies in all parts of the world. The form of precision agriculture may vary from region to region depending on technologies available, knowledge levels and ... -
In vitro anti-cancer efficacy and phyto-chemical screening of solvent extracts of Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth
(Cell press, 2021-01-25)Background and objectives: Kigelia africana is a medicinal plant growing naturally in many parts of Africa. In Kenya, a water concoction of the plant is used to treat breast and prostate cancers. Laboratory data on its ... -
Short communication: Efficacy of two commercial disinfectants on Paenibacillus larvae spores
(2021-03)Paenibacillus larvae is a spore-forming bacterium causing American foulbrood (AFB) in honey bee larvae. The remains of a diseased larva contains billions of extremely resilient P. larvae spores viable for decades. Burning ... -
Serological evidence of single and mixed infections of Rift Valley fever virus, Brucella spp. and Coxiella burnetii in dromedary camels in Kenya
(PLOS, 2021-03)Camels are increasingly becoming the livestock of choice for pastoralists reeling from effects of climate change in semi-arid and arid parts of Kenya. As the population of camels rises, better understanding of their role ... -
Phenomic characterization of Crotalaria germplasm for crop improvement
(Cabi, 2021-03)Background: Diversifcation of global food systems through exploration of traditional varieties and wild edible plant species is a focal mitigation strategy for food security worldwide. The present study determined the ... -
Molecular epidemiology of Brucella species in mixed livestock‑human ecosystems in Kenya
(Nature, 2021-03)Brucellosis, caused by several species of the genus Brucella, is a zoonotic disease that afects humans and animal species worldwide. Information on the Brucella species circulating in diferent hosts in Kenya is largely ... -
Influence of drought on interactions between Rhopalosiphum padi and ground dwelling predators – A mesocosm study
(Wiley, 2021-05)Climate change will lead to extreme droughts, but it is difficult to predict how this will affect crop pests. In particular, it is unclear how interactions between natural en- emies and pests will be influenced. In the ... -
Mutations and Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 Compared to Selected Corona Viruses during the First Six Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review
(2021-06)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus (CoV) disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study compared the genome, mutations, and infectivity/ transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 ... -
Prokaryotic diversity and potentially pathogenic bacteria in vended foods and environmental samples
(BMC, 2021-07)Purpose: Ready-to-eat fast food vending outlets provide a cheap and readily available food. Foodborne diseases have been previously reported in Embu, Kenya, but data on the prokaryotic metagenome in vended foods is scanty. ... -
Seagrass Loss and Sub-Surface Carbon Fate: Insights from a Long-Term Experimental Removal in Gazi Bay, Kenya
(Jupiter Publishers, 2021-08)Seagrass meadows are considered as global hotspots of blue carbon stocks. However, they suffer global cover loss mainly due to anthropogenic activities. Few is known on the impact of seagrass loss on their blue carbon ... -
Root and soil health management approaches for control of plant-parasitic nematodes in sub-Saharan Africa
(Elsevier, 2021-10)Smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face several challenges that include pests and diseases. Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) reduce crop yields and affect their quality. They are an emerging threat to smallholder ... -
Incidence of Brucella infection in various livestock species raised under the pastoral production system in Isiolo County, Kenya
(BMC, 2021-10)Background: We implemented a longitudinal study to determine the incidence of Brucella infection in cattle, camels, sheep and goats that were being raised in a pastoral area in Isiolo County, Kenya. An initial cross-sectional ... -
Land use effects on termite assemblages in Kenya
(Heliyon, 2021-12)Termites perform key ecological functions and they also cause crop damage. Land use change resulting from agricultural intensification can result in changes in termite species diversity and abundance. Termite species occurring ... -
Vertical Distribution of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Sweet Potato
(Sciendo., 2022)Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) are harmful pests that have become a severe threat to crop production worldwide. Diversity of PPN at horizontal and spatial scales influence the effectiveness of control strategies. This ... -
Effect of supplemental feeding on habitat and crop selection by wild boar in Sweden
(Taylor & Francis, 2022-01)The wild boar population has increased rapidly during the last 2 decades in Southern and Central Sweden. This rise in population size has caused severe damages to agricultural fields through their foraging behavior. Given ... -
Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Doum Palm (Hyphaene compressa) Using Genotyping by Sequencing
(Frontiers, 2022-02)Doum palm (Hyphaene compressa) is a perennial economic plant primarily growing in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). It is heavily relied upon for food, animal feed, construction materials and medicine, making it ... -
Sero-epidemiological survey of Coxiella burnetii in livestock and humans in Tana River and Garissa counties in Kenya
(Plos, 2022-03)Background Coxiella burnetii is a widely distributed pathogen, but data on its epidemiology in livestock, and human populations remain scanty, especially in developing countries such as Kenya. We used the One Health ... -
March 2019 dengue fever outbreak at the Kenyan south coast involving dengue virus serotype 3, genotypes III and V
(Plos, 2022-03)The first description of a disease resembling dengue fever (DF) was in the 15 century slave trade era by Spanish sailors visiting the Tanzania coast. The disease, then associated with evil spirits is now known to be ...