Esther wanjiru Ndirangu was born in Uasin-Gishu County in 12th
of August, 1988. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in
Horticulture Science and Management, Second Class honors
upper division, from Moi University, Chepkoilel Campus, in
2012.
In 2014 she worked at Timac Agro Kenya as the Area Sales
Representative for the North-rift region, she later joined Amiran
Kenya as the Post-Harvest Technical Advisor for the export farms
in Kenya and in 2018, she was awarded the best Employee of the
year recognition by the company. In December 2o18 she join
Kenya Plant Heath Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) where she
works up to date as a Plant Inspector at the Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport. She is a diligent Pest Risk Analyst and also
a trained Integrity Assurance Officer
Abstract
Management of fumonisin contamination in maize has been a challenge
since there are no effective management measures for Fusarium ear rotsand lack of resistant maize varieties. This study was conducted to
determine the efficacy of atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus (Aflasafe KE01)
on the population of Fusarium species and fumonisin contamination of
maize. Twenty four maize fields were selected in four sub counties in
lower Eastern Kenya, where 12 fields were treated with Aflasafe KE01,
while 12 fields comprised the untreated controls. Aflasafe KE01 was
applied at a rate of 5 kg/ha and 10kg/ha in the maize fields two to three
weeks before tussling. Soil samples were collected from each field prior
to application of Aflasafe while maize grain samples were collected at
harvest. Fusarium species were isolated from the ground maize and soil
samples and identified based on their cultural and morphological.
Fumonisin in the maize samples was determined using an enzyme-
linked immunosorbent assay. The Fusarium species isolated from soil
and maize samples at high frequency were F. verticillioides, and F.
proliferatum. Maize samples from Aflasafe KE01 treated maize fields
had significantly lower population of the Fusarium species compared to
untreated maize. There was significant reduction of up to 68.7% in the
fumonisin levels in maize samples from Aflasafe KE01 treated
compared to the untreated maize fields. This indicates that Aflasafe
KE01 is a potential biopesticide for the biocontrol of Fusarium species
and fumonisin production in maize and its efficacy on other key staples
in Kenya should be evaluated
Research Supervisors
Professor James Muthomi
2. Dr Maina Wagacha
3. Dr Charity Mutegi
