http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/253 2026-04-03T21:48:54Z 2026-04-03T21:48:54Z Akenga, Prof. Teresa Sudoi, Prof. Vincent Kerich, Emmy Cherono, Gladys Aiyabei, Kiplagat Kuya, Cyrus http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/328 2020-08-12T09:33:08Z 2020-02-03T00:00:00Z

Prevalence of Agrochemicals Use on Irrigated Vegetables Farms along River Moiben, Uasin-Gishu County Akenga, Prof. Teresa; Sudoi, Prof. Vincent; Kerich, Emmy; Cherono, Gladys; Aiyabei, Kiplagat; Kuya, Cyrus The purpose of this study was to carry out a survey on farming practices and agrochemical application along River Moiben in Moiben, Uasin Gishu County where intense agricultural practices are done especially during the dry season. As many other areas near water places, irrigated farming is done along Moiben River during dry season. Structured questionnaires were randomly administered through personal interviews and focused group discussion among farmers who practiced irrigated farming along River Moiben and a total of 136 respondents were interviewed. Data were collected in the month of March, 2019 and entered into the Statistical Package of Social sciences (SPSS) after which it were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that eight villages practiced crop irrigation in Moiben Sub County and they include; Koisagat, Kapsurur, Kaptik, Sasitwo, Kapsoni, Kabomoi, Meibeki and Kapsiliot. From each of these villages, 17 farmers were interviewed. It was also indicated from the results that 94 % of the farmers obtain irrigation water from River Moiben. The main crop grown under irrigation was tomatoes with 91.7 %, others were collard greens, black night shade, cabbage, maize, beans, spinach, coriander and black pepper. The most applied fertilizer was Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) with 99.2 % followed by Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) with 73.3 %, others were urea, Mono-Ammonium Phosphate, farm yard manure and ammonia. The study further recorded the most applied pesticides to be insecticides at 72.5 % of the respondents to be applying them. Labda Cyhalothrin active ingredient was the most applied chemical under insecticide with 31.9 % of the farmers applying it on tomatoes, cabbages and kales. It was noted that some farmers applied fertilizers and pesticides above the recommended level. The study recommends farmers training on appropriate agrochemicals application to reduce the possibility of detrimental effects and on the adverse effects of agrochemicals use on environment and human health. Keywords: irrigation, agrochemicals, human health, survey, crop farming

2020-02-03T00:00:00Z Akenga, Prof. Teresa Sudoi, Prof. Vincent Machuka, Walter Kerich, Emmy Ronoh, Elkana http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/325 2020-08-10T13:03:37Z 2017-11-13T00:00:00Z

Heavy Metals Uptake in Maize Grains and Leaves in Different Agro Ecological Zones in Uasin Gishu County Akenga, Prof. Teresa; Sudoi, Prof. Vincent; Machuka, Walter; Kerich, Emmy; Ronoh, Elkana Maize grain is the second most vital food after wheat to humans and forms an important part of a human diet due to its nutrients. In Kenya, it is estimated that one out of every two acres of land put to crop production is under maize crop. Maize can also be fed whole to livestock (grazed or chopped and ensiled). Due to increased demand and the need for higher productivity, farmers have adopted modern farming methods which include use of fertilizers, pesticides, compost manure, and irrigation. Uses of these products elevate amounts of heavy metals in the soil. Such heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium when taken up by plants accumulate in the plants becoming toxic at high levels. It is essential to monitor these levels in grains and leaves to ensure they do not exceed the WHO permissible limits. This study aimed at monitoring the levels of heavy metals uptake in maize ( Zea mays ) grains and leaves is within permissible levels. Level of heavy metals in maize grains from different ecological zones in UG County had mean concentration of Zn 0.122, Cd 0.03, Cu 0.111, Co 0.04, and Pb 0.33 mg/kg. These results were below WHO standards except for Cadmium, Co, and Pb which were slightly higher than recommended standard. The study also found that maize leaves had mean concentration of Zn 0.115, Cd 0.04, Cu 0.117, Co. 0.041 and Pb 0.323 mg/kg. The results were below WHO standards except Co and Pb which had slightly higher levels than the recommended WHO standards. The analytical results from this study provided important baseline statistics on the concentration of selected heavy metals in maize grains and leaves besides being an important assessment of environmental pollution in rural areas where maize farming is predominant. Keywords Heavy Metals, Maize Grains and Seeds, Uasin Gishu Cou

2017-11-13T00:00:00Z