Department of Natural Sciences

Research Projects

Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum): Health, Agronomy and Utilization

Mentor: Dr. Evans Obura. Two students will be involved and can choose any of the research questions.

Summary

Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is utilized as the dominant fodder grass for smallholder dairy production systems globally, but in East Africa, the grass production is limited mainly by Napier Stunt Disease (NSD), caused by Phytoplasma, with significant reduction in fodder yield (Jones et al., 2004). Phytoplasma are minute, walless and pleomorphic bacteria in the class Mollicutes, causing over 600 plant diseases worldwide. In Kenya, the pathogen causes a yellows-type disease in Napier grass P.purpureum, Star grass Cynodon dactylon and Thatching grass Hyparrhenia rufa (Obura et al., 2010, 2011). The pathogen reduces grasses productivity, affecting food chain from livestock all the way to human beings, with impacts reaching millions of farmers in East Africa. Plants form symbiosis with fungi known as Mycorrhiza (Cavagnaro et al., 2006). The fungus may control plant diseases. For example, hormones secreted by Tomato Mycorrhiza inhibit growth of Phytoplasma in tomatoes. In Pear trees, Glomus sp Mycorrhiza increases tolerance of trees to pear decline Phytoplasma (Garcia-Chapa et al., 2004).

Possible Research Questions

  1. What is the effect of Mycorrhiza colonization on Napier grass growth and development?
  2. What are the growth parameters of locust (for food, feed) reared on Napier grass diet regime? Hypothesis
  3. Does poor Mycorrhiza diversity in the soil hasten NSD?

Aquaculture Innovation Lab for Improved Food Production (AILiFP)

Mentor:  Dr. Elick  O.Otachi, Two students can choose any research questions.

Summary

The increasing human population expected to add another 9 billion people by 2050 demands a parallel increase in food security. The importance of fish as a source of protein is exemplified by the 2030 Agenda of UN member states that sets aims for the contribution to fisheries and aquaculture towards food security and nutrition in the use of natural resources (FAO- SOFIA, 2016). Because of this recognition, our program aims at harnessing the best knowledge, skills and practices including encouraging new innovative ways of achieving growth in the aquaculture sector. Aquaculture has been documented as the fastest developing food industry in Kenya with increased production since the Government initiated the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) in 2009. However, the production has not yet reached the maximum level (20,000 metric tons per year). This ongoing program seek to answer the following research questions:

Possible Research Questions

  1. In the face of climate change: Could the fish of extreme environments be domesticated e.g. Magadi Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis?
  2. In view of population increase: which culture units and systems could be easily adopted across the populace e.g  Aquaponic, pot to pot culture etc ?
  3. In view of the diseases and pests: What is the role of probiotics and natural extracts in control and treatment of fish diseases?
  4. In view of pollution: What is the potential to re-use plastic in fish culture?
  5. In view of fish feeds: What are the alternative, cheap and nutritious fish feed ingredients?

Agricultural Extension Experiential Learning Activities

Mentor: Dr. Maurice Ongalo Udoto is a Senior Lecturer in Department of Agricultural Education and Extension at Egerton University. Two students will be involved in extension.

Summary

Agricultural extension is the application of scientific research and knowledge to agricultural practices through farmer education. Generally, agricultural extension can be defined as the “delivery of information inputs to farmers. The role of extension services is invaluable in teaching farmers how to improve their productivity and how to strengthen the farmer’s capacity to innovate by providing access to knowledge and information. Extension is also critical to move research from the lab to the field and to ensure a return on investment in research by translating new knowledge into innovative practices. The UN High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE) argue that “national research and extension systems need full attention and investments from governments and the donor community. This program seeks to give Minority Students international experience in Agricultural Extension and therefore encourage them to consider careers in Agricultural Extension. The Extension Experience activities will include; initiating partnership with; (i) Nakuru County Agriculture Extension Call Center (ii) Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)- Plant Breeding Research Institute-Njoro and (iii) Agri-Flora – Large Scale Commercial Flower Farm in Njoro.  The partnership will be concretized with memoranda of understanding to host one REEU student per organization for 8 weeks for experiential learning.  Two students on the REEU program will be attached to these organizations based on their preferences.  These will be determined prior to their arrival at Egerton University. The activities will include; a) Introduction of students to the b) Orientation of the student to the organization by the cooperating supervisor; c) Discussion of agricultural extension challenges in the organization – Egerton Faculty mentor, student and cooperating supervisor; d) Identification of extension problem/challenge for investigation by the student; e). Proposal development by the student.  The student will employ qualitative methods comprising; i) Actor Interview; ii) Focus Group Discussions (FGD); iii) Content Analysis and Observations. ;f) Students will prepare and present work plans and budgets; the seminar offered will be will be on Technical Report Writing and Reporting’s; g) The Implementation of the proposal will be done as well as Data collection and analysis; h)  Report Writing; i)  Presentation of the report in a seminar. The student will maintain a Logbook throughout the attachment period.  This will be a daily journal containing; Week, Station/Department, Activities/Duties/Responsibilities, Knowledge & Skills Learnt, and Remarks. A link between the partner organizations, the student, Egerton University and REEU program coordinator will be provided and mechanisms for sharing experience arising out of the international field attachment program will be created.