Browsing by Author "Konje, Martha"

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Effects of N and K fertilization of sugarcane (Saccharum oficinarum) on acrisols in western Kenya
(Elixirpublishers : Agriculture, 2014-01-01) Mutonyi, J.; Shibairo, Solomon .I.; Chemining’wa, G.N.; Olubayo, F.O.; Nyongesa, Hillary; Konje, Martha
Sugarcane fertilization in Kenyan plantations is largely concentrated on Nitrogen and Phosphorus. Use of Potassium, secondary nutrients and micronutrients is altogether missing. Recent soil analysis results indicate that soils in the Mumias Sugar zone of western Kenya that accounts for 50-60 % of national production are K- deficient. In examining the quality factor in sugarcane payment systems as envisaged in recent legislation, adoption of balanced nutrition by inclusion of K would help improve sugar cane productivity and enhance sugar recovery. This paper reports the effect of K, N and their interaction on sugarcane yield and juice quality on acrisols. Four experiments were established in several locations from 2009-2011. The treatments included a factorial combination of four rates of K at 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg/ha K2O and four rates of N at 0, 46, 92 and 138 kg/ha N. Recommended basal phosphate was included in every plot at 92 kg/ha P2O5. Each experiment was harvested after 18 months of growth. Results showed significant responses to K and N. Agronomic efficiency was higher in plots supplied with K along with N. Nitrogen and K2O application rates that produced optimum cane yields were: N = 46kg/ha and K2O = 60 kg/ha; however, economically profitable rates were N = 46-92 kg/ha and K2O at 60 kg/ha. Productivity gains did not offset costs when rates were higher than 120 kg/ha of K2O and 138 kg/ha of N. The results imply that the inclusion of K in the sugar cane fertilization regime at Mumias will be beneficial. An initial rate of 60kg/ha K2O (2 bags of 50 kg muriate of potash is recommended on soils with K-deficiency. There were strong indications that with K fertilization the current N recommendation of 120 – 150 kg N/h
Forage availability and quality for the Impala (aepyceros melampus (brian) kathryh) of Impala sanctuary, Kenya
(International Journal of Recent Scientific Research, 2014-10-28) Obiet, Leonard; Konje, Martha; Muyekho, Francis; Danyuku, Esther; Kigen, Charles; Wamalwa, Stella; Kassily, Fredrick; Wabusya, Moses
Brian) Kathryh) in three ecosystems of the Impala sanctuary, Kenya was assessed during the wet and dry seasons. The grazing behavior of the impalas was observed to identify the preferred forage species and patterns grazing between seasons and ecosystems. Preferred grass species were sampled to determine percentage dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fibers, and Crude protein. Data was subjected to Analysis of Variance using SAS version 9.0. The results showed that impala sanctuary had 37 different grass species but Cynodon dactylon, Eragrostis curvula, Digitaris scalarum, Eleusine indica, Pennisetum setaceum and Hyparrhenia filipendula were most grazed on by the Impala. Grassland ecosystem had significantly high forage availability during the wet season, but in the dry season the marshes ecosystem was the one with the most nutritious forages. Grazing patterns varied with seasons, with most impalas preferring to graze in the grassland during the wet season and in the marshes during the dry season. The study suggests management practices that favor dominance of species that are most foraged in order to increase forage availability for the impalas in the sanctuary.
Heavy metal contamination at dumpsites at Eldoret, Kenya, in the Lake Victoria Basin
(Ajol: African Journal of Tropical Hydrobiology and Fisheries, 2018-06-01) Khatiebi, Sandra; siamba, Donald N.; Onyando, Zedekiah; Mulmbala, Chrispinus; Konje, Martha
This study assessed the heavy metals concentrations in municipal solid wastes at Eldoret Mwenderi dumpsites located at the shores of river Sosiani within the Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya. Concentrations of the three heavy metals analysed (lead, arsenic and cadmium) in water and leachate were higher than the WHO acceptable standards. Lead concentrations in solid wastes were slightly above East African acceptable standards but well above the US EPA compost standards. The wastes dumped in this site are not sorted and the dumpsite lacks a leachate collection and removal system. Lack of composite liners at the bottom and side of the dumpsite allow leachates to move into the ground water around the dumpsite. These metals are a potential threat to Lake Victoria and regular monitoring of ground and surface water of the surrounding area should be done to detect any heavy metals escaping the dumpsite.
The impacts of human activities on tree species richness and diversity in Kakamega Forest, Western Kenya
(Academic Journals : International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 2014-06-01) Vuyiya, Esther; Konje, Martha; Tsingalia, Harrison; Obiet, Leonard; Kigen, Charles; Wamalwa, Stella; Nyongesa, Humphrey
Tropical rain forests are species rich ecosystems that are being depleted at very high rates through human encroachment. Kakamega forest is one of the heavily fragmented and disturbed tropical rain forests due to the high human population densities that surround the forest. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of human activities on tree species richness, diversity, canopy surface area and seedling density in Kakamega forest. The study was conducted in four sites within Kakamega forest: Handidi, Lukusi, Isecheno and KWS as a control site. The data was collected between June and December, 2011. Vegetation sampling was done in randomly selected sites within each study site using belt transects and quadrants. Within each transect, the number of tree species and seedlings were counted and the intensity of human disturbances assessed. Vegetation data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance. Correlation and regression analysis were done between dependent and independent variables. Simpson’s diversity index was used to calculate tree species diversity in each study site. There were significant differences between species diversity, richness, canopy surface area and seedling density with distance from the forest edge. The study showed that there was negative impact of human activities (logging, grazing, debarking and charcoal burning) on tree species in the three study sites as compared to the control site. The results revealed a negative influence on the forest by human activities. The study recommended strict enforcement of the existing conservation laws concerning forest use by the local communities as well as formulating more integrated approach to the needs of local communities for natural resource use.
Indigenous knowledge, uses and conservation of prunus africana (hook. f.) kalkman in Nandi forests
(International Knowledge Sharing Platiform : JNSR, 2016-01-01) Koros, Hillary; Malombe, Itambo; Mwendwa, Kaleb; Jeruto, Pascaline; Agevi, Humphrey; Konje, Martha
Prunus africana is a multipurpose medicinal tree of worldwide fame in treatment of benign prostate cancer. However, the wild collection is no-longer sustainable due to overharvesting. In order to conserve the species, there is need to determine the status of the local community knowledge on uses and conservation measures to develop protocols for sustainable utilization and avert extinction of the species. Stratified random sampling was used to interview and administer questionnaires to 188 households and herbalists within a buffer zone of 1 km in South Nandi Forest. The study found that 99% of the locals were aware of the P. africana tree. Majority (82%) agreed that P. africana population was decreasing both in the forests and farmlands. Almost all parts of the P. africana were utilized for different purposes. Majority of the locals (66%) acquire P. africana products from the forest. Closer proximity to the forest and uncontrolled harvesting provides easier accessibility to P. africana for households use. The study concluded that P. africana is an important multipurpose medicinal tree to the local community and recommends enhanced planting and protection within and outside the forests to ensure posterity.
Population status and conservation hotspots of Prunus Africana (Hook. F.) Kalkman in South Nandi Forest, Western Kenya
(Researchjournali’s Journal of Forestry, 2016-07-01) Koros, Hillary; Konje, Martha; Wambua, Margaret; Chesire, Christopher; Odeny, Dickens; Malombe, Itambo
Prunus africanais assessed as vulnerable globally by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The conservation status is however general and under-illustrated. It lacks details on the actual threats that cause precarious spatial distribution of the population in certain localities such as South Nandi Forest, Western Kenya. This study assessed thepopulation structure of P. africanaby correlation of biometric variable including Diameter at Breast Height and height class distribution and regeneration with the diversity and frequency of threats in spatial context of the plant species. Stratified Random Sampling was used to establish three belttransects of 400 m by 2 km within the forest and 1 km buffer zone in farmlands. The measure of mean, spread, normal distribution and correlation of biometric variables of P. africana was analysed using PAST (Version 4.3). Population structure was summarised using histograms and bar charts. Frequency distribution table was used to analyse the number of incidence of the threats to P. africanaat plot level. T-test was used to test for differences in P. africanaparameters among transects. The spatial distribution model of P. africanain the forest and buffer zone was mapped using the maximum entropy suitability mapping methodas implemented in MAXENT software(Version 3.3.3k) and QGIS Brighton (version 2.6). Prunus africanapopulation was highly concentrated in North eastern part of the forest and surrounding farmlands with admirable number of mature individuals. The Diameter at Breast Height distribution ofP. africanain the forest showed unstable and intermittent population structure unlike a stable population in the surrounding farmlands. Although the seeds germinated profusely, there was poor establishment and survival.Key conservation threats were overgrazing, firewood collection, logging and charcoal burning. The study recommends both in-situand ex-situconservation measures.Keywords: multipurpose, overgrazing, regeneration, vulnerable
Spatial modeling of sorghum (sorghum bicolor) growing areasin Kenyan arid and semi-arid lands
(Elixirpublishers : Agriculture, 2014-01-10) Kigen, Charles; Ochieno, Dennis; Muoma, John; Shivoga, William; Konje, Martha; Onyando, Zedekiah; Soi, Benard; Makindi, Stanley; Kisoyan, Philip; Mironga, John
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is an important African cereal crop and is listed among Africa’s lost crops but is now gaining popularity as other cereals are declining in production due to climatic change. To promote food security, many researchers and policy makers are shifting the focus on production of sorghum. In Kenya, sorghum is primarily grown in ASALs whose suitability is climatic factors but the extent is not known. This paper modeled the potential sorghum suitable areas of current and the years 2050 and 2080 climatic periods. The sorghum location data were downloaded from GENESYS and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute while climate data was from world climate database website. Analysis was done using Maxent and DIVA-GIS softwares. The model generated an excellent AUC of 0.97 and the suitable areas in the future are shown to expand in both 2050 and 2080 climatic periods though not in same magnitude. The main variables contributing more than 10 % of change in suitability areas in decreasing order are precipitation of wettest period, temperature seasonality (STD * 100), precipitation of warmest quarter, and precipitation of driest month. The generated information will guide the policy makers and stakeholders in making informed decisions with regard to the efforts of re-introduction and promotion of sorghum production in ASALs.