School of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management

Seasonal variations of water quality parameters and their effect on the phytoplankton along a salinity in the Lake Naivasha-Oloiden

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Seasonal variations of water quality parameters and their effect on the phytoplankton along a salinity in the Lake Naivasha-Oloiden Guto, Kerubo Carolyne; Njiru, Murithi James; Getabu, Albert; Gichana, Moraa Zipporah Lake Naivasha and Lake Oloiden merged leading to the formation of an estuary. This occurrence may affect the water quality and phytoplankton. A study was conducted with the objective: to investigate seasonal changes in the water quality parameters and their effect on phytoplankton. Depth and secchi depth were measured while some water quality parameters were measured in situ using YSI Multiparameter meter and water samples were collected for laboratory analysis of chlorophyll-a, phosphates, nitrates and total suspended solids. Phytoplankton sample was collected; identification and counting were done under a compound microscope. The nutrients, depth, secchi depth, temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, conductivity, total dissolved solids and pH varied monthly. All the water quality parameters positively correlated with Chlorophyceae in Lakes Naivasha and Oloiden except dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a, depth and secchi depth that negatively correlated. There were seasonal changes in all the water quality parameters in Lakes Naivasha and Oloiden except the total suspended solids whose effects were in Midlake There were seasonal changes in all the water quality parameters in Lakes Naivasha and Oloiden except the total suspended solids whose effects were only in Midlake and Oloiden ST2. Euglenophyceae, Bacillariophyceae were not affected by water quality except the depth while the other families had varied effects from water quality in Lake Naivasha. All Lake Oloiden's phytoplankton families had varied effects from the water quality. Thus, the prevailing water quality affect phytoplankton.

Phytoplankton distribution, abundance and diversity along a salinity gradient between Lake Naivasha and Lake Oloiden

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Phytoplankton distribution, abundance and diversity along a salinity gradient between Lake Naivasha and Lake Oloiden Guto, Carolyne K.; Njiru, James M.; Getabu, Albert; Gichana, Zipporah M. A study was conducted with an objective of determine the spatial and temporal distribution, abundance and diversity of plankton along a salinity gradient in the Lakes Naivasha and Oloiden. The phytoplankton and some physico chemical parameters were sampled monthly for one year (August, 2020 to July, 2021). Identification and counting of phytoplankton were done under a compound microscope and the diversity was studied using indices. Salinity was higher in Lake Oloiden sites and it was associated negatively with the phytoplankton abundance. Thirty-two species were identified and they belonged to the families: Bacillariophycea, Chlorophycea, Dinophycea, Euglenophycea, Cyanophycea and Rhodophycea. The most abundant families were Bacillariophycea and Cyanophycea (Lake Naivasha), and Chlorophycea and Dinophycea (Lake Oloiden). The diversity index was low: 0.97 and 0.67 for Oseria and Oloiden (ST1, ST2) respectively. The Margalef’s index was highest for Oseria (4.62) and lowest for Oloiden ST1 and ST2 (2.86). The dominance index (D) was highest in Korongo (0.16) and lowest in Oloiden ST1 (0.1) while Korongo had the lowest evenness (0.77) and Oseria’s was the highest (0.86). The species richness decreased with an increase in salinity. The phytoplankton diversity was low in the lakes and it could be attributed to the salinity. Further research should be done along the salinity gradient since conditions may change and, thus the phytoplankton diversity.

Impact of Farmers’ Involvement in Agricultural Value Chain on Livelihoods, A Case of Maize Seed Multiplication Programme in Baringo South Sub-County, Kenya

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Impact of Farmers’ Involvement in Agricultural Value Chain on Livelihoods, A Case of Maize Seed Multiplication Programme in Baringo South Sub-County, Kenya Meiguran, Mirasine; Adede, Ochola Washington; Nyang'au, Martha Kemunto Agricultural value chains must establish mutually beneficial and sustainable relationships with farmers and farmer groups to ensure commodity supply and farmers’ livelihoods are more resilient. Small-scale farmers, comprising most of the world's farming population are important actors in the agricultural value chains. A study was done to determine whether farmer involvement in the maize seed multiplication programme impacted their livelihoods in Baringo South, Kenya. The study focused on whether farmers’ ability to repay the credit, whether they make savings from maize seed multiplication programme, the sustainability of such savings and how the savings translate to consistency in meeting family basic needs. Results indicated that, sustainability of farmer savings from the maize seed programme was statistically significant in relation to farmers’ livelihoods; where, with a unit increase in sustainability of savings, the odds of a farmer inability to consistently provide for all his family basic needs decreased by 1.767. Only 61.8% of farmers reported to be making some income savings in the maize seed multiplication programme while 22.1% reported being unable to make any savings. Therefore, to enable farmers realize better productivity from maize seed multiplication programme and adequately sustain their family livelihoods, the study recommends; building farmer capacity on financial management and providing environment conducive for farmers so as to minimize losses and safeguard their hard-earned income.

The Predictive Value of Biorisk Perception on Biorisk Management Level of University Bioscience Laboratories in Kenya

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMT

The Predictive Value of Biorisk Perception on Biorisk Management Level of University Bioscience Laboratories in Kenya Muruka, Andrew Oduor; Getabu, Albert; Onchieku, James; Ogendi, George; Aluoch, Austin Ochieng’ demand more attention to reduce any incidences of fatal and non-fatal injuries. The main objective of the study was to determine the predictive value of biorisk perception on the level of biological risks' management at the university bioscience laboratories. A quantitative, descriptive survey design was employed and administered through a survey by both the researcher and online to 1300 university students, lecturers, and laboratory technologists with a response rate of 79.5% (1034 respondents). A questionnaire designed to capture independent (level of biorisk perception of life scientists) and dependent variables’ (Biorisk Management Level) scores were used. IBM SPSS software assisted in computing Pearson correlation coefficients, analysis of variance (t-tests, F-tests), univariate, simple linear regression analysis, and chi-square tests. Data were summarized as tables and other descriptive statistics. One way ANOVA revealed that the private medium university category (M = 21.00) had the highest biorisk perception mean score but there was no statistically significant difference of the mean scores at the p<.05 for the six university categories [F (5, 1028) = .329, p = .895]. Simple linear regression analysis revealed that 36.3% of the variation in Biological Risk Management Level at the universities was explained by variation in biorisk perception (R Square= .363, p<0.001). It was concluded that biorisk perception has great predictive value in determining the biorisk management level of university bioscience laboratories. To improve biorisk management at the universities, there is a need to enhance the biorisk perception of students, lecturers, and laboratory technologists.