Department of Basic Scienceshttp://repository.tharaka.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/1/402024-03-28T13:54:59Z2024-03-28T13:54:59ZEvaluation of Selected Green Gram (Vigna Radiata) Varieties Against Insect Pests Infestation in The Field, Tharaka Sub-County, KenyaMusyoki, Purity WWepukhulu, MiriamNgugi, FidelisOsoro, Eric Khttp://repository.tharaka.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/1/43372023-11-20T11:26:16Z2023-10-01T00:00:00ZEvaluation of Selected Green Gram (Vigna Radiata) Varieties Against Insect Pests Infestation in The Field, Tharaka Sub-County, Kenya
Musyoki, Purity W; Wepukhulu, Miriam; Ngugi, Fidelis; Osoro, Eric K
Background: Green grams farming plays a vital role in Tharaka and the country(Kenya) at large by ensuring
food security, creating employment for rural households and greatly contributing to the national economy.
However, the infestation of pests on the green grams has drastically affected its production in the country. This paper presents different types of insect pests attacking green grams in the field and the most resistant among the selected green gram crop varieties in Tharaka sub-county of Kenya.
Materials and Methods: Insect pest infestation was monitored on the following green gram crop varieties; Uncle (KS20), Biashara (KAT 00308), Karembo (KAT 00309), Tosha (KAT 00301) and Nylon (N26). The level of resistance of the aforementioned green gram crop varieties against the field pests was also determined. The study was conducted in Mukothima and Gatunga wards of the Sub-County during one growing season (March-May, 2023), the period of long rains. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The type and population of insect pest was determined by observation, setting up sticky traps and dissecting microscope analysis. The data was analyzed using Friedman's two-way nonparametric ANOVA.
Results: White flies (Uncle-334.3, Biashara-446.33, Karembo-352.8, Tosha- 420, Nylon- 515.7) and aphids
(Uncle-323.9, Biashara-459.6, Karembo-394.5, Tosha- 413.6, Nylon- 468.8) were the major pests recorded on green gram crops with population mean value per variety indicated in brackets. Other insect pests noted during the study season included African pod borers and leaf weevils. Nylon (severity of leaves damage-1991.0, incidence of pods damage- 0.328, number of holes poked in leaves- 3.11) proved to be the most resistant to whiteflies and aphids while Tosha (severity of leaves damage-2564.76, incidence of pods damage-0.599, number of holes poked in leaves-4.45) the least resistant to whiteflies and aphids.
Conclusion: Whiteflies, aphids, African pod suck borers and leaf weevils were the insect pests infesting the growing green gram varieties during the planted season with whiteflies and aphids causing major damages. N26 variety was the most susceptible to attacks but also the most resistant to damage and loss.
2023-10-01T00:00:00ZAction and variation potential electrical signals in higher plantsWairimu, Ndung’u RKuria, Kamweru PTuwei, Kirwa Ahttp://repository.tharaka.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/1/43322023-11-20T10:53:52Z2021-01-01T00:00:00ZAction and variation potential electrical signals in higher plants
Wairimu, Ndung’u R; Kuria, Kamweru P; Tuwei, Kirwa A
This review evaluates the types of electrical signals (ESs) in plants, generation and propagation of various ESs, their ways of transmission within the plant body and their corresponding physiological significance. It also outlines abiotic factors, e.g., light, temperature, water content as stimuli on the electrical potential (EP) of the plants. The paper also summarizes a review of the effects of ESs on photosynthesis, the mechanisms of the effects, and its physiological role in plants. Local irritations of plants induce various photosynthetic responses including fast and long-term inactivation of photosynthesis and its activation. The paper
also reviews the concept of plant energy harvesting. The measurement techniques used for ESs in plants including extracellular measurement and intracellular measurement are also reviewed. A brief summary of the applications of these methods for investigating ES in plants is also given.
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZMonitoring Temperature and Humidity using Arduino Nano and Module-DHT11 Sensor with Real Time DS3231 Data Logger and LCD DisplayKuria, Kamweru PRobinso, Owino OGabriel, Mutinda Mhttp://repository.tharaka.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/1/43162023-11-08T18:36:20Z2020-12-01T00:00:00ZMonitoring Temperature and Humidity using Arduino Nano and Module-DHT11 Sensor with Real Time DS3231 Data Logger and LCD Display
Kuria, Kamweru P; Robinso, Owino O; Gabriel, Mutinda M
Humidity and Temperature are crucial parameters for the optimal response of biological systems e.g.
each has its own impact on growth and production of quality crops. There are several techniques of measuring humidity and temperature. However, there is still a need for continuous technological innovation to enable fast, real time and remote monitoring of these parameters. The aim of this study research
was to fabricate a functional hardware and software system to measure temperature and humidity. The system was designed to allow multiple communication with user by recording of the data in Real time, storing the acquired data in an SD card, incorporate an alarming system (piezo buzzer) together with an
LED indication mechanism. The study utilized an Arduino Nano board interfaced with a Temperature and Humidity sensor, Real Time Clock (RTC), LCD, and Micro SD card Module, piezo buzzer and LED, and had the ability to store the data as text file. A code was generated using the computer with the appropriate Arduino program and sent to the Arduino microcontroller for running the circuit. To study the performance characteristics of the Arduino-based humidity and temperature sensor, two independent running test were done, one outside the Physics laboratories and the second inside a Green House, both at Chuka University, Kenya.
2020-12-01T00:00:00ZArduino Uno, Ultrasonic Sensor HC-SR04 Motion Detector with Display of Distance in the LCDGabriel, Mutinda MKuria, Kamweru Phttp://repository.tharaka.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/1/43142023-11-08T18:22:01Z2020-05-01T00:00:00ZArduino Uno, Ultrasonic Sensor HC-SR04 Motion Detector with Display of Distance in the LCD
Gabriel, Mutinda M; Kuria, Kamweru P
- Motion detection has become one of the great areas of research in the world. Many activities are carried out in the presence of motion. One of the research focus has been the use of Arduino Uno microcontroller, Ultrasonic sensor, passive infrared sensor and many others to sense and measure distances. The goal is to measure and monitor human activity remotely, and using less manpower as much as possible. This study aimed at designing a sensor that can easily measure how far the object is, monitor change of distances as the object approach and display the results in the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), give a light coded signal and a sound alarm. The hardware utilized included the Arduino Uno on a bread board interfaced with LCD, LEDs, Buzzer and Ultrasonic sensor. The program to run the circuit was developed using Arduino
IDE and stored at the memory of the Arduino microcontroller. The study demonstrated that the designed
sensor could be used to accurately determine the position of an approaching object and display the distance readings on the LCD. Simultaneously the sensor display visual LED signals set and color coded as for instance, distances less than 150 cm, 70 cm and 40cm corresponding to Green, Blue and Red LED lights respectively, while at the same time producing sound signals n a sound buzzer. Thus, this method of distance sensing and measurement is efficient and assures measurements of small distances precisely. This distance sensing and measurement system can get wide applications where proximity detection is required e.g. in industries and traffic departments.
2020-05-01T00:00:00Z