https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/94 Fri, 15 May 2026 12:07:54 GMT 2026-05-15T12:07:54Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6170 The role of Multi Actor Communities of practice in dissemination of push-pull technology Ngonga, Esther; Ombok, Benjamin; Osewe, D.O; Aila, Fredrick; Odhiambo, George Maize production is the main source of income in rural western Kenya, where 70% of the population lives below the poverty line. Many maize farmers over the years have been experiencing losses in their production that are brought about by striga weeds, stemborer, and fall armyworms as the major menaces. Push-pull technology (PPT), which was developed over three decades, has proven to be an effective organic method for reducing these biotic stressors. Multi-actor communities of practice (MACs) are important in the dissemination of agricultural technologies to diversified farming communities at different levels for enhanced adoption through the use of effective dissemination pathways. UPSCALE is a Horizon 2020 project whose aim is to promote wide-spread push-pull Pull Technology adoption through the transdisciplinary engagement of MAC. This paper focused on two objectives: to compare the differences in maize yield among adopters and non-adopters of PPT and to evaluate the effects of MACs on the adoption of push-pull technology in western Kenya. This brings the relevant stakeholders on board to ensure smallholder farmers realize the associated benefits of PPT and other agricultural technologies. It has been established that MACs collaboration can aid in increased adoption of agricultural technologies such as push-pull technology, as this is shown through responses from farmers via services they acquire from MACs. MACs inclusion is important because they interact directly with farmers to ensure farmers are up to date with new technologies in terms of information sharing, technology promotion, and the supply of inputs required to adopt technologies. Additionally, adopters tend to get higher maize yields as compared to non-adopters, based on the obtained results. Given the importance of involving MACs at every stage of technology adoption, there is a call to fully engage with stakeholders in ensuring the dissemination of agricultural research and technologies. https://doi.org/10.4314/jagst.v23i3.10 Thu, 12 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6170 2024-09-12T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6021 Host specificity controlled by PWL1 and PWL2 effector genes in the finger millet blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae in eastern Africa Hosea Isanda Masaki, Santie de Villiers, Peng Qi, K Prado, Davies Kiambi Kaimenyi, Kassahun Tesfaye, Tesfaye Alemu, John Takan, Mathews Dida, Justin Ringo, Wilton Mbinda, Chang Hyun Khang, Katrien M Devos Magnaporthe oryzae, a devastating pathogen of finger millet (Eleusine coracana), secretes effector molecules during infec tion to manipulate host immunity. This study determined the presence of avirulence effector genes PWL1 and PWL2 in 221 Eleusine blast isolates from eastern Africa. Most Ethiopian iso lates carried both PWL1 and PWL2. Kenyan and Ugandan iso lates largely lacked both genes, and Tanzanian isolates carried either PWL1 or lacked both. The roles of PWL1 and PWL2 towards pathogenicity on alternative chloridoid hosts, includ ing weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula), were also investi gated. PWL1 and PWL2 were cloned from Ethiopian isolate E22andweretransformedseparatelyintoUgandanisolateU34, whichlackedbothgenes.Resultingtransformantsharboringei ther gene gained varying degrees of avirulence on Eragrostis curvula but remained virulent on finger millet. Strains car rying one or both PWL1 and PWL2 infected the chloridoid species Sporobolus phyllotrichus and Eleusine tristachya, indi cating the absence of cognate resistance (R) genes for PWL1 and PWL2 in these species. Other chloridoid grasses, however, were fully resistant, regardless of the presence of one or both PWL1 and PWL2, suggesting the presence of effective R genes against PWLandothereffectors.PartialresistanceinsomeEra grostis curvula accessions to some blast isolates lacking PWL1 and PWL2also indicated the presence of other interactions be tween fungal avirulence (AVR) genes and host resistance (R) genes. Related chloridoid species thus harbor resistance genes that could be useful to improve fingermillet for blast resistance. Conversely, loss of AVR genes in the fungus could expand its host range, as demonstrated by the susceptibility of Eragrostis curvula to finger millet blast isolates that had lost PWL1 and PWL2. MPMI Vol. 36, No. 9, 2023, pp. 584–591, https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-01-23-0012-R Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6021 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6020 Post‐attachment resistance to Striga hermonthica in finger millet (Eleusine coracana) Josephine S Kunguni, Willy Kibet, Chrispus O Oduori, Mathews M Dida, Sylvester Anami, Benjamin Kilian, Josiah M Mutuku, Steve Runo, Damaris A Odeny Finger millet is a highly nutritious and climate-resilient cereal crop. Despite its importance, finger millet productivity in East Africa trails other cereals due to several biotic and abiotic factors, including the parasitic weed, Striga hermonthica. Striga spp. are noxious parasitic weeds whose damage can result in 100% yield losses in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of our study was to determine differences in post-attachment responses of a selection of genotypes. We germinated finger millet in Petri dishes, transferred them to rhizotrons and infected the roots with Striga that had been pre-conditioned for 7 days at 30°C and subsequently pre-germinated using GR24. Histological analysis was done on three distinct genotypes to determine the host–pathogen interactions. The attachment of Striga onto the host was observed 3 days after inoculation. LESK10, a wild genotype, and OKHALE1 (cultivated) consistently supported fewer Striga plants after inoculation, while GBK029646A, a cultivated finger millet, consistently supported the highest. Histological analysis recorded an incompatible reaction in both OKHALE1 and LESK10 and a compatible reaction in GBK029646A as early as 3 days after infection. Our results suggest the likely existence of novel resistance in crop wild relatives that will be valuable for developing durable resistance to Striga in elite finger millet varieties. Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6020 2023-11-21T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6019 Molecular Breeding for Iron Toxicity Tolerance in Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) Onyango, A .Dorothy; Dida, M. Mathew; Drame, N.Khady; Nyongesa, O.Benson; Sanni, A. Kayode Rice consumption is on an upward trajectory worldwide based on changes in eating habits, population growth, and ease of cooking and yet rice production is not keeping up. There are many constraints including abiotic stresses that significantly reduce rice yields and hence lower rice production. Iron (Fe) toxicity is one of the abiotic stresses that affect lowland rice ecology, mostly under poorly drained field conditions. Excessive iron uptake can lead to complete crop failure if the planted variety is highly sensitive. Fortunately, sources of Fe toxicity tolerance have been reported in both cultivated and wild rice and breeding efforts have resulted in improved rice varieties that are tolerant to this stress. Genetic mapping has led to the identification of several quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with iron toxicity tolerance. However, understanding the molecular mechanism for tolerance to Fe toxicity is limited. This chapter will cover key achievements in breeding for Fe toxicity tolerance in rice with a key focus on molecular breeding. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119906506.ch9 To read the full-text of this research, you can request a copy directly from the authors. Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6019 2023-11-03T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6018 Combination of linkage and association mapping with genomic prediction to infer QTL regions associated with gray leaf spot and northern corn leaf blight resistance in tropical maize Omondi, O. Dennis; Dida, M. Mathews; Berger, K. Dave; Beyene, Yoseph; Nsibo, L.David; Juma, Collins; Mahabaleswara, L.Suresh; Gowda, Manje Among the diseases threatening maize production in Africa are gray leaf spot (GLS) caused by Cercospora zeina and northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) caused by Exserohilum turcicum. The two pathogens, which have high genetic diversity, reduce the photosynthesizing ability of susceptible genotypes and, hence, reduce the grain yield. To identify population-based quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for GLS and NCLB resistance, a biparental population of 230 lines derived from the tropical maize parents CML511 and CML546 and an association mapping panel of 239 tropical and sub-tropical inbred lines were phenotyped across multi-environments in western Kenya. Based on 1,264 high-quality polymorphic single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the biparental population, we identified 10 and 18 QTLs, which explained 64.2% and 64.9% of the total phenotypic variance for GLS and NCLB resistance, respectively. A major QTL for GLS, qGLS1_186 accounted for 15.2% of the phenotypic variance, while qNCLB3_50 explained the most phenotypic variance at 8.8% for NCLB resistance. Association mapping with 230,743 markers revealed 11 and 16 SNPs significantly associated with GLS and NCLB resistance, respectively. Several of the SNPs detected in the association panel were co-localized with QTLs identified in the biparental population, suggesting some consistent genomic regions across genetic backgrounds. These would be more relevant to use in field breeding to improve resistance to both diseases. Genomic prediction models trained on the biparental population data yielded average prediction accuracies of 0.66–0.75 for the disease traits when validated in the same population. Applying these prediction models to the association panel produced accuracies of 0.49 and 0.75 for GLS and NCLB, respectively. This research conducted in maize fields relevant to farmers in western Kenya has combined linkage and association mapping to identify new QTLs and confirm previous QTLs for GLS and NCLB resistance. Overall, our findings imply that genetic gain can be improved in maize breeding for resistance to multiple diseases including GLS and NCLB by using genomic selection. Tue, 07 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6018 2023-11-07T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6010 Southwestern Kenya’s smallholder dairy farmers’ climate change perceptions, knowledge and adaptation Odhiambo, Charles Okech; Wasike, Chrilukovian Bwire; Ogindo, Harun Okello Globally, climate change (CC) adaptation is critical as CC compounds smallholder dairy farmers’ challenges. Farmers’ CC perceptions and knowledge could influence their CC adaptations. This study in Southwestern Kenya sought to establish smallholder dairy farmers’ CC perceptions and CC knowledge level and their relationships to CC adaptations. Concurrent Fixed Mixed Methods was used to collect data from 367 smallholder dairy farmers obtained by multi-stage sampling. Purposive sampling was used to pick qualitative study respondents. Binary logistic regression and Framework methods were used in data analysis. Meteorological data indicated an increase in both day and night temperature (0.3oC) and mean annual rainfall (195 mm). Respondents perceived CC had high impact on dairy cattle health (61.0%) and feed availability (42.2%), and moderate effect on labour requirements (42.2%). Adaptation practices included mixed farming (96.5%), non-intensive production (95.1%), using household labour (94.6%), reducing herd size to 2 (92.9%), establishing own fodder (92.4%), rearing cross-bred cattle (87.7%), mainly of non-Friesian blood and their crosses (87.5), and maintaining an increasing trend in milk income (68.4%). Perceptions of decreased night temperatures significantly influenced mixed farming (Adjusted Odds=0.13; p=0.04) and rearing of non-Friesian breeds and their crosses (Adjusted Odds=0.19; p=0.01). Perceptions of no change in night temperatures significantly influenced rearing of non-Friesian breeds and their crosses (Adjusted Odds=0.08; p=0.02); and perceptions that distribution of short rains got worse significantly influenced adoption of own fodder (Adjusted Odds=0.02; p=0.01). Majority (61%) of respondents had above-average CC knowledge, with the total score greatly influencing dairy herd size (Adjusted Odds=0.11; p=0.02). Governments should invest in climate forecasting infrastructure and incorporate indigenous CC knowledge in CC adaption plans, strategies and policies. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6010 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5748 A high-density linkage map of finger millet provides QTL for blast resistance and other agronomic traits Thomas H Pendergast IV; Peng Qi; Achieng, Damaris Odeny; DIDA, M Mathews; Katrien M Devos Finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] is a critical subsistence crop in eastern Africa and southern Asia but has few genomic resources and modern breeding programs. To aid in the understanding of finger millet genomic organization and genes underlying disease resistance and agronomically important traits, we generated a F2:3 population from a cross between E. coracana (L.) Gaertn. subsp. coracana accession ACC 100007 and E. coracana (L.) Gaertn. subsp. africana , accession GBK 030647. Phenotypic data on morphology, yield, and blast (Magnaporthe oryzae) resistance traits were taken on a subset of the F2:3 population in a Kenyan field trial. The F2:3 population was genotyped via genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and the UGbS-Flex pipeline was used for sequence alignment, nucleotide polymorphism calling, and genetic map construction. An 18-linkage-group genetic map consisting of 5,422 markers was generated that enabled comparative genomic analyses with rice (Oryza sativa L.), foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.], and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Notably, we identified conserved acrocentric homoeologous chromosomes (4A and 4B in finger millet) across all species. Significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) were discovered for flowering date, plant height, panicle number, and blast incidence and severity. Sixteen putative candidate genes that may underlie trait variation were identified. Seven LEUCINE-RICH REPEATCONTAINING PROTEIN genes, with homology to nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) disease resistance proteins, were found on three chromosomes under blast resistance QTL. This high-marker-density genetic map provides an important tool for plant breeding programs and identifies genomic regions and genes of critical interest for agronomic traits and blast resistance DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20175 Mon, 13 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5748 2021-12-13T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5747 Determining the Incidence and Severity of Maize Ear Rot Disease in Western Kenya Opande, T George TGeorge; Dida, Mathews; Onyango, Phillip; Wesonga, Christine The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence and severity of the symptoms of ear rot in the four counties in Western Kenya. Maize ear rot disease is caused by a complex relationship involving the fungal pathogens; Stenocarpella spp., Penicillium spp., Trichoderma spp. Nigrospora spp, Gibberella spp., Fusarium spp., Stenocarpella spp., and Aspergillus spp. According to reports, these diseases produce mycotoxins, which are hazardous to both cattle and people, and simultaneously degrade the quality of the maize crop. Using a stratified random sampling design (SRSD), studies were conducted in 12 Divisions in the counties of Kisumu, Homabay, Siaya, and Migori in Western Kenya during the successive long and short rain seasons of September to December 2014 and February to July of 2015, respectively. The divisions served as sampling units, and the farmer fields served as sampling fields. All 12 of the divisions under study had a high prevalence of maize ear rots. Only from February to July 2015 were they more prevalent than from September to December 2014. https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/ecafs/v7/3370E Wed, 28 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5747 2022-09-28T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5745 Non-host resistance to the finger millet blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae is modulated by a resistance response to PWL1 and PWL2 in Eragrostis curvula but not in related Chloridoid species Hosea Isanda Masaki, Santie de Villiers, Peng Qi, Kathryn Prado, Davies Kiambi Kaimenyi, Kassahun Tesfaye, Tesfaye Alemu, John Takan, Mathews Dida, Justin Ringo, Wilton Mbinda, Chang Hyun Khang, Katrien Devos Magnaporthe oryzae, a devastating pathogen of finger millet (Eleusine coracana), secretes effector molecules during infection to manipulate host immunity. This study determined the presence of avirulence effector genes PWL1 and PWL2 in 221 Eleusine blast isolates from eastern Africa. Most Ethiopian isolates carried both PWL1 and PWL2. Kenyan and Ugandan isolates largely lacked both genes, and Tanzanian isolates carried either PWL1 or lacked both. The roles of PWL1 and PWL2 towards pathogenicity on alternative Chloridoid hosts, including weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula), were also investigated. PWL1 and PWL2 were cloned from Ethiopian isolate E22 and transformed separately into Ugandan isolate U34, which lacked both genes. Resulting transformants harboring either gene gained varying degrees of avirulence on E. curvula but remained virulent on finger millet. Strains carrying PWL1 and/or PWL2 infected the Chloridoid species Sporobolus phyllotrichus and Eleusine tristachya, indicating the absence of cognate resistance (R) genes for PWL1 and PWL2 in these species. Other Chloridoid grasses, however, were fully resistant, regardless of the presence of PWL1 and/or PWL2, suggesting the presence of effective R genes against PWL and/or other effectors. Partial resistance in some E. curvula accessions to some blast isolates lacking PWL1 and PWL2 also indicated the presence of other AVR-R interactions. Related Chloridoid species thus harbour resistance genes that could be useful to improve finger millet for blast resistance. Conversely, loss of AVR genes in the fungus could expand its host range, as demonstrated by E. curvula’s susceptibility to finger millet blast isolates that had lost PWL1 and PWL2. Sun, 28 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5745 2023-05-28T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5744 Genome analyses reveal population structure and a purple stigma color gene candidate in finger millet Katrien M Devos, Peng Qi, Bochra A Bahri, Davis M Gimode, Katharine Jenike, Samuel J Manthi, Dagnachew Lule, Thomas Lux, Liliam Martinez-Bello, Thomas H Pendergast IV, Chris Plott, Dipnarayan Saha, Gurjot S Sidhu, Avinash Sreedasyam, Xuewen Wang, Hao Wang, Hallie Wright, Jianxin Zhao, Santosh Deshpande, Santie de Villiers, Mathews M Dida, Jane Grimwood, Jerry Jenkins, John Lovell, Klaus FX Mayer, Emmarold E Mneney, Henry F Ojulong, Michael C Schatz, Jeremy Schmutz, Bo Song, Kassahun Tesfaye, Damaris A Odeny Finger millet is a key food security crop widely grown in eastern Africa, India and Nepal. Long considered a ‘poor man’s crop’, finger millet has regained attention over the past decade for its climate resilience and the nutritional qualities of its grain. To bring finger millet breeding into the 21st century, here we present the assembly and annotation of a chromosome-scale reference genome. We show that this ~1.3 million years old allotetraploid has a high level of homoeologous gene retention and lacks subgenome dominance. Population structure is mainly driven by the differential presence of large wild segments in the pericentromeric regions of several chromosomes. Trait mapping, followed by variant analysis of gene candidates, reveals that loss of purple coloration of anthers and stigma is associated with loss-of-function mutations in the finger millet orthologs of the maize R1/B1 and Arabidopsis GL3/EGL3 anthocyanin regulatory genes. Proanthocyanidin production in seed is not affected by these gene knockouts. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-38915-6 Wed, 21 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5744 2023-06-21T00:00:00Z