plant health

Growing runner beans for improved food security By Beritah Mutune Runner beans (Phaseolus Coccineus) commonly called the butter bean is a plant in the legume family, Fabaceae. Although it is traditionally grown in the highlands of Eastern Africa, it has received little research attention in the region including Kenya. If awareness is done on the […]

By Maureen Kamore Farmers are encouraged to practice intercropping as it not only helps in effective utilization of land but also facilitates better utilization of soil moisture and nutrients. Other reasons for intercropping include: repelling pests, reducing weeds and providing nutrients for the neighbouring crops. Intercropping offers smallholder farmers the opportunity to use the same

Musdalafa Lyaga I heard on radio that one can grow certified seeds. Is the use of certified seeds allowed in organic farming? Certified seed implies the seed has been grown following strict standards, and the resulting seed has been tried and tested before being given the status of being certified. This ensures that there are

Josephat Chengole Mulindo Introduction You can never go wrong with tamarillo (tree tomato) production. It is an easy plant to propagate, the cost of its seed is affordable and the fruits are highly marketable locally and in the export market. This is because tree tomatoes are known for their nutritional and health benefits. The tamarillo

By Charei Munene Bean anthracnose is a seed-borne disease caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. This disease causes severe losses to bean farmers in Kenya. The fungus infects leaves, stems, and pods of common bean plants, especially in the cold season, often killing the bean plant at a young age. This disease reduces yields by

By Esther Mwoloi In the previous publication we had identified some of the problems that farmers are likely to encounter in the farm during the rainy season. Farmers growing common crops such as maize, beans and green grams are likely to battle with  fall army worm, stem borers and aphids.  Ms Njeri  Kinuthia, a seasoned

Dr Shepard Ndlela Tomato production is a nightmare in most parts of Kenya’s leading tomato producing areas such as Kirinyaga, Taita Taveta and Kajiado. There is so much hope when farmers transplant seedlings into the traditional open field production field system. Sometimes the newly transplanted seedlings establish successfully, offering a glimmer of hope to farmers

Nutrient deficiencies can easily be confused with symptoms of diseases or physical factors. A keen eye on your crops will enable you to identify these common deficiencies and address them before losses are incurred. Maize Maize has a high requirement for nutrients especially nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Nitrogen deficiency in maize presents as pale green leaves, stunting