dc.contributor.author | Mwendia, S W | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2013-05-08T11:04:52Z | |
dc.date.available | 2013-05-08T11:04:52Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2007-04 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Mwendia, S.W(2007).Impact of Head Smut Disease (Ustilago kameruniensis) on Napier Grass Yields in Smallholder Dairy Production Systems | en |
dc.identifier.uri | http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/20280 | |
dc.description | Msc-Thesis | en |
dc.description.abstract | Four consecutive studies were carried out to assess the impact of Napier grass head smut
on fodder production as well as to explore alternatives to the popular Bana grass variety in
smallholder dairy farms of central Kenya. The results indicated Napier grass, an important
basal fodder, was threatened by the disease. The most prevalent coping strategy used by
farmers was uprooting affected tillers and stools. However, disposal methods were found
likely to perpetuate and spread infection. Of the 150 households sampled 19% had
Kakamega I the only known Napier grass head smut resistant variety. A productivity
evaluation of three varieties showed that Kakamega I had a higher growth rate (1.04
ern/day) than Kakamega II (0.78cm/day) and Muguga Bana (0.61 ern/day). The three
varieties had cumulative dry matter yields of 68.32, 58.3 and 55.5 MT DM/ ha
respectively over the experimental period. This was equivalent to respective annual yields
of 34.2, 29.2 and 27.8 MT DMI ha for the three varieties. On harvest to harvest basis, the
leaf to stem ratio for the three varieties averaged were 2.49,3.32 and 4.98. The cumulative
yields of leaf were 48.6,44.9 and 45.7 MT DM/ha respectively. The study confirmed that
Kakamega I was resistant to Napier grass head smut. It also indicated that Kakamega II
and Clone 13 were resistant. ex-Githunguri, Muguga bana, French Cameroon and Farmer
bana were found susceptible with infection rates of 7.1%, 3.6% 18.2% and 50%
respectively. From the study it was concluded that Kakamega I is an effective replacement
for the existing susceptible varieties. Additionally, on the basis of the higher biomass
accumulation and yield, Kakamega I would be the cultivar of choice in all areas of
intensive dairy production where forage biomass availability IS critical. | en |
dc.description.sponsorship | University of Nairobi | en |
dc.language.iso | en | en |
dc.subject | Head Smut Disease (Ustilago kameruniensis) | en |
dc.subject | Napier Grass Yields | en |
dc.subject | Smallholder Dairy Production | en |
dc.title | Impact of Head Smut Disease (Ustilago kameruniensis) on Napier Grass Yields in Smallholder Dairy Production Systems | en |
dc.type | Thesis | en |
local.publisher | Department of Animal Production, University of Nairobi | en |