The quality of domesticated crickets depends on the choice of feed substrate that has a direct impact on the economic viability of the farming operation. This study assessed the popular local cricket feeds in the Lake Victoria region. Data were collected through individual interviews, focus group discussions, personal observations, and growth experiments. Kales, sweet potato leaves, ugali, and banana peels were the most preferred by the farmers. Crickets fed on kales and sweet potatoes had a significantly higher weight gain and maturity rate than those fed on ugali and banana peels (p < .05). Additionally, crickets fed on kales and sweet potatoes had higher (82.4% and 78.6%, respectively) crude proteins compared to those fed on ugali (57.9%) and banana peels (62.9%). Kales and sweet potatoes can serve as cheaper, alternative local feeds for cricket farming. Empowerment of farmers through subsidies or provision of loans can enhance local cricket feed production.

Striga hermonthica weed infestation continues to persist among smallholder poor farmers in Kenya who depend on traditional maize (Zea mays L.) seeds for their livelihood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of five local Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Strigae strains (FK1, FK2, FK3, FK4, and FK5) to control Striga on susceptible local maize cultivar “Rachar” in three farmer field sites in Siaya County, Kenya. A complete randomized block design was used in each site. Statistical analysis was done using SAS 9.1 software, and means for different strains were tested with Fisher's LSD. The strains differentially reduced the number of emerged Striga and infected most of the emerged Striga, which affected performance of the local maize. Striga emergence and infection rates were significantly different (p < .05) between different strains of F. oxysporum f. sp. strigae. FK1 and FK2 strains had the least pathogenicity, while FK5 strain had the highest pathogenicity on Striga. Soil and climatic factors influenced the rate of infection for the tested strains and maize performance. Improvement in yield during the short rains was attributed to the persistence of Fusarium strains in the soil. Based on Striga emergence and infection rates, and maize yield, FK5 was the most effective strain to curb Striga menace. Adoption of local F. oxysporum strains will increase maize yield in Siaya County's Striga‐infested fields from a dismal average of 0.95 t/ha to about 1.95 t/ha. The observed significant differences in the tested strains between sites for the infection and emergence rates revealed the importance of considering pathogens on a field‐to‐field basis. Further studies should be carried out to establish the relationship between soil properties and the five fungal strains.

Psidium guajava L. has been documented as an exotic invasive species in many parts of the world, but little is known about its interactions with native woody species during secondary forest succession in tropical forests. Its invasion and interactions with native species in different stages of secondary forest succession were assessed in Kakamega Rainforest in western Kenya. The study covered three forest blocks each with five different forest types, namely: open fields, young secondary forest, middle-aged secondary forest, old-growth secondary forest and disturbed primary forest, which served as the control. Open fields that were subjected to frequent clearing to control the spread of Psidium guajava remained under a thicket of the species two decades later. On the other hand, open fields where Psidium guajava was ignored, either due to lack of resources or sheer neglect, transformed into young secondary forest stands within a decade. The transformation increased woody species richness from 2.0±0.0 to 5.0±0.0 ha-1 , and the Shannon diversity index from 0.30±0.33 to 1.10±0.01. It reduced the dominance of Psidium guajava from 80.5±22.7 to 62.26±0.84% and changed the canopy structure. The change in canopy structure led to the mortality of Psidium guajava stems in the sub-canopy and understory layer, which significantly reduced its stem density from 1,111±313 to 639.4±45 stems ha-1. The pattern was repeated in middle-aged secondary forest stands with woody species richness increasing to 26.0±8.2 ha-1 , and Shannon index to 2.72±0.32. Psidium guajava's dominance and stem density decreased further to 30.44% and 400.57 stems ha-1 , respectively, due to mortality attributed to shading by native tree species. In the old-growth secondary forest, only snags of Psidium guajava were recorded. The species was not represented in the disturbed primary forest. The results indicate that Psidium guajava facilitates secondary forest succession by allowing shade-tolerant native tree species to recruit and grow in its shade. It is thereafter eliminated when the native species close the forest canopy. The species can be ecologically manipulated to facilitate post-disturbance forest regrowth and thereafter removing it when the forest canopy begins to close.

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The future emissions of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) are likely to increase beyond the current levels due to rapid industrialization in China. Several methods have been proposed as possible mitigation strategies to reduce the anthropogenically emitted CO 2 from the atmosphere and water. This study provided the description of stratigraphic structure of the basin through analysis between the regional groundwater flow and the injection of carbon dioxide. The geological and geomechanical data was used to model the aquifer for geostatistical analysis. Data storage sites for geotechnical provided critical information to assess the potential risks and associated sequestration. The movement of groundwater occurred slowly with infiltration through the pores. CO 2 was stored in deep aquifers for longer periods due to slow movement of water downstream. Over time, the injected CO 2 dissolved water, forming minerals through chemical reactions, which converted it into carbonate minerals resulting in permanent sequestration.The chemistry of formation waters in this basin is important for many geological processes, such as the fluidrock interaction, the migrating paths of fluid and the entrapment mechanisms of hydrocarbon. In this study, the emissions of CO 2 were shifted several kilometers away from the storage area, such that the regional groundwater mixing affected the quality of surface water with consequent of toxicity to every living creature that depended on the available water from Urumqi River Basin. Injection of fluids into deep saline aquifers is therefore considered as the best mitigating strategy for CO 2 abatement in water due to its enormous storage capacity.