Identification and evaluation of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (l.) moench) germplasm from Eastern Kenya

Muui, Catherine W.; Muasya, Reuben M.; Kirubi, Duncan Thungu

doi:10.5897/ajar11.1519

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…However, part of the germplasm had low germination percentages indicating presence of low quality seeds used by farmers. Previous studies have reported that farmers obtain sorghum seeds from previously saved seeds, local markets, borrow from neighbors (Ochieng et al, 2011;Catherine et al, 2013;Kange et al, 2014;Muui et al, 2019). Majority of subsistence farmers in semi arid areas produce crops without fertilizers (Jama et al, 1998;Muui et al, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Seed Quality Attributes of Sorghum Germplasm Accessions from Eastern, Coastal and Nyanza Regions, Kenya

Muui¹,

Muasya²,

Nguluu³

et al. 2020

SAR

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Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is an important cereal crop in Kenya. Despite the crops importance, the yields attained by farmers in Eastern, Coastal and Nyanza regions of Kenya remain low. Access to good quality seeds of sorghum is one of the constraints facing the subsistence farmers. Good quality seed is important for increasing yield to attain food security. The aim of this study was to evaluate quality attributes of the seed used by farmers. A total of 108 germplasm accessions were obtained from 76 farmers. The seeds were tested for time and percentage of germination, seed vigour index, shoot and root dry weight. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance. Means were separated using Fisher’s Least Significance Difference test at p ≤ 0.05. Seed samples of 26 accessions attained germination percentage below stipulated standards by Seeds and Plant Varieties Act CAP 326. Majority of seeds showed longer mean germination time with only nine accessions germinating in less than ten days. Seed vigour index was relatively high in most of the accessions, while biomass accumulation varied from high to very low among accessions. Though most of the seeds attained a high germination percentage, about 92% of seeds showed longer mean germination time. The environmental conditions in the fields, pre and post harvest handling practices impact on the seed quality hence the wide variability in germination percentage, germination time, seed vigour index and dry matter accumulation. Therefore the need to improve quality of seeds used by subsistence farmers by providing extension services on best pre and post harvest handling practices. Increasing production of sorghum in these regions will contribute significantly towards realizing food security. Further analysis could be carried out on genetic and sanitary quality aspects of the seeds planted by farmers in Eastern, Nyanza and Coastal regions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Seed Quality Attributes of Sorghum Germplasm Accessions from Eastern, Coastal and Nyanza Regions, Kenya

Muui¹,

Muasya²,

Nguluu³

et al. 2020

SAR

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“…The results of this study also collaborate with the previous observations of Khan and Bhuta (1994), who reported the prevalence of Fusarium moniliforme as a major pathogen of sorghum seeds. In a related study, Catherine (2014) reported infection of sorghum seeds with various pathogens including Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavours and Fusarium spp. Also, similar fungal pathogens were reported on sorghum seeds by Syed et al, (2012) and Owolade et al, (2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed Borne Fungal and Bacteria Pathogens Associated with Farmer-Stored Sorghum Seeds from Eastern, Coast and Nyanza Regions in Kenya

2020

JBAH

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Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an important cereal crop in Kenya. Access to good quality seeds is one of the constraints facing the small scale farmers in key areas growing sorghum. Good quality seed is an important factor for maintaining plant population and increasing crop yield to attain food security. One of the important aspects of good seed, besides high germination and purity is the absence of seed borne pathogens. In the present study, an experiment was carried out to identify fungal and bacterial pathogens associated with farmerstored seeds of sorghum. The seeds were collected from farmers in Nyanza, Coast and Eastern regions, Kenya. The seeds were washed with sterile distilled water and sterilized in 1% Sodium hypochloride for 5 minutes, rinsed with sterile distilled water and dried using a blotting paper. The dried seeds were placed onto prepared Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and macerated seeds streaked on nutrient Agar (NA) on sterile Petri dishes and incubated at 23±2 0 C. The growing pathogens were sub-cultured on new media to make pure cultures. A segment of mycelia from the sporulating colonies in each pure culture was examined under a compound microscope and identified based on their morphology, colour and mycelia growth characteristics for fungi while bacterial identification was done using colony color and morphology on nutrient agar and biochemical tests. Ten fungal pathogens and one bacterium were identified growing on the sorghum seed samples. These were Acremonium spp., Alternaria spp., Aspergilus niger, Bipolaris cookie, Collectotrichum graminicola, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium solani, Fusarium ventrichosum, Phythium aphanidermatum, Rhizoctonia spp. and a bacterium Xanthomonas spp. It was observed that majority (32%) of the seed samples from Coast region were infected with bacteria Xanthomonas spp. Phythium. aphanidermatum was the most prevalent fungal pathogen detected on seed samples from Nyanza region with about 20% prevalence. Results showed that majority of the seed samples from all the regions were contaminated with various pathogens. This study highlights the need to create awareness to farmers on the use of proper production practices, storage facilities and conditions to improve the quality of stored sorghum seeds.

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“…The study found that majority of the farmers planted saved sorghum seeds from the previous season while those who could not have saved sufficient seeds bought from the local market, Base titanium, agrovet shops or sourced from the ministry of agriculture. Previous studies have also reported that farmers obtain seeds of locally produced crops from previously saved seeds, local markets or borrow from neighbors (Simiyu et al, 2003;Catherine et al, 2013). Earlier studies conducted in Mbeere Eastern Kenya indicated that approximately, 90% of farmers rely on locally selected seeds with only 10% using certified seeds (KFSSG, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sorghum Landraces Production Practices in Nyanza, Coast and Eastern Regions, Kenya

2019

JESD

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Sorghum Sorghum bicolar L. is an important cereal crop grown in the semi-arid areas. It is rank as the fifth key cereal crop worldwide. The ability of sorghum to adapt to drought, salinity, infertile soils, and high temperatures makes it a critical crop in the dry regions. However, farmers grow many landraces some of which do not perform well since the majority cannot afford nitrogenous fertilizers to boost their harvest. Therefore, a baseline survey was conducted in Eastern, Nyanza and Coastal regions to assess the production systems for sorghum. Structured questionnaires were used to gather information from a total of 76 randomly selected farmers in the study regions. Data on socio-economic characteristics, sorghum varieties, use of farm inputs, and source of seeds, farming systems, traits preference, farm sizes, yields and constraints in production of the crop was collected. Parameters studied were analyzed using Statistical Programmes for Social Sciences (SPSS) (IBM SPSS Statistics 20). Results showed that majority of respondents in Eastern (99%), 80% in Nyanza and all respondents in the coastal region cultivated landraces. Most of the respondents had farm sizes between 0.5-5acres. A larger proportion of respondents in the three regions reported low harvests from their farms, recording below 5 bags every season. Most of the farmers across the three regions intercrop sorghum with other crops with all respondents in Eastern, 80% in Coast and 68% in Nyanza. Some farmers plant sorghum without fertilizers, others used either inorganic or organic fertilizers while the rest use both organic and inorganic. The traits desired by farmers in the region included high yields, early maturity, resistance to pest and diseases, sweetness and tolerance to drought. Farmers cited pests and diseases, weeds such as striga, and drought as the key constraints to sorghum production in the regions.

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Identification and evaluation of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (l.) moench) germplasm from Eastern Kenya

Cited by 6 publications

References 12 publications

Evaluation of Seed Quality Attributes of Sorghum Germplasm Accessions from Eastern, Coastal and Nyanza Regions, Kenya

Evaluation of Seed Quality Attributes of Sorghum Germplasm Accessions from Eastern, Coastal and Nyanza Regions, Kenya

Seed Borne Fungal and Bacteria Pathogens Associated with Farmer-Stored Sorghum Seeds from Eastern, Coast and Nyanza Regions in Kenya

Sorghum Landraces Production Practices in Nyanza, Coast and Eastern Regions, Kenya

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