Small-scale Farmers In Kenya Research Articles

CONSTRAINTS AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION OF TC BANANA TECHNOLOGY AND MARKETING

CONSTRAINTS AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION OF TC BANANA TECHNOLOGY AND MARKETING

RAPD profiling of some banana varieties selected by small-scale farmers inKenya

SummarySeventeenMusa cultivars that were rated highly by the small-scale farmers in Kenya were examined for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) genetic markers using PCR with ten 10-mer primers. The aim of the study was to sort out synonyms and enable in vitro production of true-to-type plants. The study included five reference cultivars of genomic groups AA, AB, AAA, AAB, and ABB to uncover the genomic groups prevalent among the Kenyan cultivars. The ten primers generated 69 genetic markers that were used for estimation of genomic groups and for cultivar identification. Pairwise RAPDistance analysis of the data and subsequent generation of a dendrogram using the “Neighbour Joining Tree” program grouped the cultivars into two major clusters depending on their genomic similarities. One cluster comprised the Kenya highland bananas that grouped with the AAA reference cultivar Poyo, while the other cluster contained the coastal lowland cultivars that grouped with the ABB AAB and AB reference cultivars Saba, Kelong Mekindu, Safet Velchi, respectively. The dissimilarity analysis between the samples showed no duplication among the banana accessions. Each cultivar was genotypically different although some were closely related.

Production of indigenous mushrooms spawn using crop residues as substrates

Indigenous oyster mushrooms occur naturally when conditions are favourable. Achieving good quality spawn is a major challenge to small-scale farmers in Kenya, who strive to domesticate indigenous mushrooms. The use of wheat grain in mushroom growing industries for spawn production poses a threat to food security. The objective of this study was to evaluate crop residues as alternative substrates for indigenous mushrooms spawn production in Kenya. Different crop residues, including straws of wheat, barley and beans, maize cobs and sawdust were sterilised and tested for spawn production. Colonisation, pinning and mushroom yields were evaluated on bean and wheat straw substrates. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in mycelia colonisation period when different spawn types were inoculated on bean and wheat straw substrates. Bean straw spawn had the shortest colonisation period (23 days) and was the best agricultural waste spawn. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) on pinning days and 2nd flush yields for the different types of spawn. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between maize cob and wheat grain spawn in 1st flush yields. Bean straw spawn had a flush 1 yield of 125.2 g which, was not significant (P>0.05) compared to the wheat grain spawn (control) that gave a yield of 126.1 g. Results of this study indicate the suitability of various agricultural crop residues as alternative substrates for indigenous spawn production.