Articles: Department of Biological Sciences: Recent submissions
Now showing items 21-40 of 284
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Molecular Phylogeny of Selected Kenyan Eucalyptus Species Inferred from MatK, rbcL and TrnL-F Genes and Their Suitability for Power Transmission Poles
(MDPI, 2022-04)Genus Eucalyptus belongs to the family Myrtaceae and consists of more than 900 species, various hybrids and varieties. The major species that are grown in Kenya are Eucalyptus grandis, E. globulus, E. saligna and E. ... -
Geomorphic and Climatic Drivers Are Key Determinants of Structural Variability of Mangrove Forests along the Kenyan Coast
(MDPI, 2022-06)Mangrove forests occur across a diversity of coastal landforms that influence their structural development and productivity. Preliminary studies in Kenya indicate that mangroves growing in the region north and south of ... -
Short Communication: Efficacy of Two Commercial Disinfectants on Paenibacillus larvae Spores
(Frontiers, 2022-05)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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
Identification and distribution of pathogens coinfecting with Brucella spp., Coxiella burnetii and Rift Valley fever virus in humans, livestock and wildlife
(Wiley, 2002-01)Zoonotic diseases, such as brucellosis, Q fever and Rift Valley fever (RVF) caused by Brucella spp., Coxiella burnetii and RVF virus, respectively, can have devastating effects on human, livestock, and wildlife health ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
Effect of Institutional and Farmer Based Climate Change Adaptation Measures on Crop Production in Mavuria Ward, Mbeere South Sub-county, Embu County, Kenya
(Original Research Article, 2020-12)Africa is under pressure from climate stresses and is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In Kenya, agriculture is the backbone of the economy making it an important contributor to food security of rural ... -
Agro-morphological characterization of horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus) accessions from selected agro-ecological zones in Kenya
(Australian Journal of crop science, 2020-09)Morphological characterization of genotypes is fundamental in providing information on their genetic status to guide on their conservation and improvement. The objective of this study was to determine agro-morphological ... -
Detection and Profiling of Antibiotic Resistance among Culturable Bacterial Isolates in Vended Food and Soil Samples
(Hindawi, 2020-09)The emergence and persistence of antibiotic resistance remain formidable health challenges. This study aimed at detecting and profiling antibiotic resistance of bacterial contaminants in vended food and the environment. ... -
A hybridization technique for orphan legumes: development of an artificial interspecific pollination protocol for Crotalaria spp.
(Taylor and Francis, 2020-08)rotalaria brevidens: and C. ochroleuca commonly grown as vegetables have been extensively studied. However, information on breeding techniques is scanty. This study aimed to develop an artificial interspecific pollination ... -
Diversity and structure of prokaryotic communities within organic and conventional farming systems in central highlands of Kenya
(PLOS, 2020-08)Management practices such as tillage, crop rotation, irrigation, organic and inorganic inputs application are known to influence diversity and function of soil microbial populations. In this study, we investigated the ... -
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. ... -
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 ...