Abstract/Overview Intermediate host snails of schistosomiasis were surveyed in this study to determine their abundance and distribution in the lake and land aquatic habitats of Lake Victoria basin of Kenya. Several sites were sampled at eight locations, both in the lake and on the land. The habitat and/or vegetation type (i.e. open water, hippo grass, hyacinth, ambatch trees, other vegetation, stream, swamp, pond, dam) of the sampled aquatic sites within the locations were also differenti...
Abstract/Overview Over 6% of agricultural land is affected by salinity. It is becoming obligatory to use saline soils, so growing salt-tolerant plants is a priority. To gain an understanding of the genetic basis of upland cotton tolerance to salinity at seedling stage, an intra-specific cross was developed from CCRI35, tolerant to salinity, as female with Nan Dan (NH), sensitive to salinity, as the male. A genetic map of 5178 SNP markers was developed from 277 F2:3 populations. The map sp...
Abstract/Overview Cotton is a moderately salt-tolerant crop, but its salt tolerance threshold is not more than 7.7 ds•m−1. The seedling stage of cotton is the highly sensitive to salinity and the effects can be quantified by measuring morphological and physiological traits. The purpose of this study was to identify QTLs related with salinity tolerance at seedling stage. Meanwhile where they were localized in the genome, investigate the relationships between the traits at seedling stag...
Abstract/Overview Soil acidity is a major constraint to crop production on highly weathered tropical soils characterized by high Aluminum (Al) toxicity, low cation exchange capacity, and low phosphorus (P) availability to plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two powdered limes (calcium oxide, calcium carbonate), granulated lime (CaO.MgO), and their combinations with mineral fertilizer on soil chemical properties (soil pH, organic carbon, exchangeable acidity,...
Abstract/Overview We examined the socio-cultural practices on the use of beetle grubs as food and feed in western Kenya by interviewing 211 randomly selected households and conducting seven focus group discussions in Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, and Trans Nzoia counties. The grubs were used as food and feed in ~ 39% and 78% of the households, respectively. The perceived benefits of the grubs for human consumption were nutritiousness and no linkage to allergies. The grubs were perceived t...
Abstract/Overview This study was carried out to analyze mycotoxins of entomopathogenic fungi of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) and poultry feed safety. An experiment was set up to assess the types of mycotoxins produced by entomopathogenic fungal parasite of fall armyworm larvae and their subsequent efect on the safety of the larvae as a feed ingredient. Molecular characterization was done to estimate the diversity of entomopathogenic fungi on fall armyworm larvae specim...
Abstract/Overview Lake Flies are edible insects with the potential of contributing to food security in that they are an alternative protein and micronutrient food source in freshwater lake regions. The main challenge in exploiting the lake flies is the difficulty in the collection. This study was conducted to identify sustainable traditional collection practices and forecasting techniques of lake flies and was implemented in Rusinga and Mfangano Island in Kenya. The ethnographic study emp...
Abstract/Overview Ruspolia differens Serville (Orthoptera: Tettigonidae) is a highly nutritious and luxurious insect delicacy that is consumed as a food source in many African countries. However, the nutrient profile of R. differens in different geographical regions have received limited research interest. Here, we provide comprehensive evidence of geographical impact on the nutrient profile of R. differens and its potential to meet the recommended dietary intake of the population. Our ...
Abstract/Overview The utilization of edible insects as food and feed is not a new concept, it is a practice that has been part of the tradition of many communities around the world. They have been primarily used as supplementary food in most African countries. However, there has been a significant decline in the consumption of insects over the years, especially among young people. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge on entomophagy and the utilization of insects among ...
Abstract/Overview Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is a starchy, tuberous root with worldwide consumption. Production of sweet potatoes in Kenya is low due to disease constraints, such as fungal sweet potato leaf spot (SPLS), which is not well studied in the region. The infection results in reduced photosynthetic leaf area through premature defoliation and senescence. Effective management of SPLS presents an opportunity for increased production, improved food security and enhanced income...
Abstract/Overview This study examines the factors that influence the adoption of new improved wheat varieties (NIWV) by wheat farmers in Nakuru and Narok counties in Kenya. Cross-sectional data from 344 randomly selected wheat farmers from the Njoro and Rongai sub-Counties in Nakuru County; and Narok South and Narok North sub-counties in Narok County, Kenya were investigated. Probit model was run to estimate the factors influencing the adoption rate of improved new wheat varieties. Result...
Abstract/Overview Black ant, Carebara vidua (Smith) is an edible insect of critical value in nutrition. The population abundance of black ants has reduced drastically and they have become scarce in all the agro ecological zones in Western Kenya. Understanding factors influencing the distribution and abundance of C. vidua remains a challenge as C. vidua is an endangered species in many parts of Country Kenya. The decline in the insect population is worrying since black ants are an importan...
Abstract/Overview Edible termites have played an important role in the history of human nutrition due to their nutritional value. Despite their nutritional body content, it is known that during their termitarium construction, termites accumulate metals in their bodies. This study examined the heavy metal content in selected edible termites for food safety. The household survey was carried out in 8 camps of Magoye and Stateland farming blocks in Mazabuka district. The study was done to det...
Abstract/Overview Spiders, though not heavily researched, hold the possible key to new and innovative development, by not only being a source of biological control for farmers aiding in the reduction in the use of pesticides and insecticides on farms. But also, by playing a role in food security. However, in spite of this potential, arachnids (spiders) have not been traditionally included into the formal scientific education as a feed source despite their abundance, familiarity and ease o...
Abstract/Overview Scapsipedus icipe Hugel and Tanga (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) is a newly described edible cricket species. Although, there is substantial interest in mass production of S. icipe for human food and animal feed, no information exists on the impact of temperature on their bionomics. Temperature-dependent development, survival, reproductive and life table parameters of S. icipe was generated and integrated into advanced Insect Life Cycle Modeling software to describe relative S....