Masters Graduands September 2020

Waiti Martin Maina

Tomato production in Kenya agronomically faces challenges of insufficient water for growth and nitrogen depleted soils. Selection and breeding for adaptable varieties from wild accessions could be key in alleviating these challenges.

KULIMUSHI MATUMWABIRHI

Microbial antagonists, unlike synthetic chemicals, are friendly to the environment and human health. Trichoderma isolates, Bacillus isolates and commercial Pseudomonas fluorescens were used in the management of early blight, a major disease of tomato. These were tested for their effectiveness in managing Alternaria solani in vitro. The dual culture technique was used. Trichoderma isolates were the most effective against the radial growth of A. solani. These were followed by Bacillus isolates.

BOL MOU BOL AKOT

Sorghum is a food security crop for millions of people in E. Africa but its production is negatively impacted by fall armyworm damage. The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of seed dressers and the resistance of sorghum varieties to manage FAW. The study tested four seed dressers (Thiamethoxam, Imidacloprid, Lindane and Carbofuran) and screened six sorghum varieties (Wagita, Seredo, Gadam hamam, KARI Mtama 1, Nakhadabo and IESV24029SH) for resistance to FAW.

Atsango Emmanuel Wesonga

The demand for cut flowers has risen in recent years, however, production of cut flowers face many challenges and the most important amongst the challenges are the environmental conditions and diseases that hinders production. Crown gall disease cause significant losses to rose production in Kenya. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of a mixture of amino oligosaccharins and alternaria activated proteins on the growth and quality of rose and incidence of crown gall disease on roses.