Francis Kathimba pursued an MSc degree in Plant breeding and Biotechnology and undertook research on Tomato breeding in University of Nairobi; Alumni of Catholic University of Eastern African (MBA strategic management), INSEAD Business School in France (Marketing and Sales Excellence modules), Kenya Institute of management (Diploma in Business management), Kenya College of Accountancy (CPA 2), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (BSC Horticulture). Currently working as the CEO and Managing Director with Continental seeds company, and formerly Syngenta AG as Portfolio manager for Africa and Middle East(managing Brassica, Leafy and Industrial crops), Product manager(vegetables) in East and Central Africa in same company; Export manager in Seminis / Monsanto for East Africa and product development position in same company responsible for establishing product screening and selection trials.He has been engaged in research trials for variety development, selection and advancement across Africa and middle East focusing on vegetable seeds. Kathimba is tasked with establishment of research and development department in Continental seeds and overall management of the company operations across all countries of trade. He is directlyresponsible in steering the strategic plan of the company for expansion across Africa and beyond with credible research and innovation capacities for genetics and trade He is pioneering tomato breeding and other vegetables in Kenya and
Eastern Africa with the view towards realization of food security and economic empowerment in COMESA countries. Francis has published in peer reviewed journals and presented in several global multidisciplinary conferences and trainining
Abstract
Tomato has not received much research and breeding attention despite its importance in Kenya, hence the reliance on imported seeds. The study objectives were to: (i) identify suitable parental lines for
population development from new accessions and local genotypes; (ii) screen parental lines and their F1 hybrids for resistance to bacterial wilt; iii) determine the inheritance for agronomic, bacterial wilt
resistance, and fruit yield traits.; iv) determine the heterosis and combining ability for agronomic traits and fruit yield, and v) determine the shelf-life of parental lines and their F1 hybrids.Trials for each objective were conducted in field and greenhouse conditions for two seasons from 2017. Duration to flowering varied from 36 to 42 days; maturity from 85 to 100 days, plant height from 66.37 to 182.57cm, and fruit yield from 18.3 to 55.7 t ha-1. Wilt
incidence varied from 11.87% (AVTO1424) to 89.87%. Wilt incidence among the 45F1 hybrids varied from 7% in cross AVTO1429 xAVTO1314 to 90%. The six generations in each cross performed betterat Kabete than Mwea. Significance in the scaling tests suggested presence of epistasis. Out of 45F1s , 89% had reduced duration to
flowering and 11% maturity than their better parents. AVTO1424 x UC82 had highest heterosis for plant height and Roma VF x Cal J for total soluble sugar. Positive heterosis for fruit yield was observed.Negative heterosis for wilt incidence and severity was observed in 29% of F1s. Genotype AVTO1424, AVTO1429 and the ir F1 had the longestshelf life and processing quality
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Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2359-9090
Research Supervisors
Prof. Paul M. Kimani
Prof. Rama D. Narla
Dr. Leonard M. Kiirik
