RECEIVING OF EQUIPMENT UNDER THE PROJECT ‘SYNERGY FOR MASS PROPAGATION OF ELITE

EDIT LATEST NEWS RECEIVING OF EQUIPMENT UNDER THE PROJECT ‘SYNERGY FOR MASS PROPAGATION OF ELITE MELIA VOLKENSII CLONES AND EXPLOITING ITS DERIVED BIO PESTICIDES’. FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCE AND CROP PROTECTION

Funded by the Government of Belgium, the project is a collaboration between the University of Gent; Prof. Stefaan Werbrouck as PI and  Prof. Guy Smagghe, University of Nairobi; Dr. Titus Magomere and Prof. Florence Olubayo , Kenya Forestry Research institute, Dr. Jackson Mulatya and Better Globe Forestry (BGF), Mr, Jan Vandenabeele. Total funding, 273,494 Euros. The project is in its second phase and aims to achieve massive planting of Melia volkensii, and is focussing on developing a good rooting system and reducing losses during acclimatisation of elite clones of the indigenous hardwood tree that will have a large impact on rural development in Kenyan semi-arid regions. The research is further working on the validation of the insecticidal extract of leaves and fruits. The capacity of the UON in-vitro lab has been further strengthened and the entomology lab of UON will be up-graded. Knowledge transfer regarding in-vitro and biopesticide research will be realized by postgraduate student’s research, (4 Masters and 2 Ph. D) mutual visits and workshops for foresters and farmers will also be undertaken during the life of the project. As part of the project deliverables, the Department of plant Science and Crop protection received the following equipment on 9th of June 2020.