http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/251 2026-04-13T16:04:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2553 CHARACTERIZATION OF SELECTED KENYAN COWPEA CULTIVARS FOR TOLERANCE TO ACIDITY SANG, JANETH Acid soils are normally deficient in available phosphorus and have high levels of soluble aluminium. Crops vary in sensitivity to acidity and associated stresses. Kenyan varieties of cowpea have not been tested for tolerance to acidity and phosphorus deficiency. This study was conducted to assess the response of selected cowpea cultivars to acidity and aluminium stress under laboratory and field conditions. A total of nine cowpea cultivars namely UOE-COWPEA-1, UOE-COWPEA-2, UOE-COWPEA-3, UOE-COWPEA-4, UOE-COWPEA-5, KENKUNDE-1, K-80, M-66 and KVU-27-1, were screened in culture solution containing 0 µM and 185 µM AlCl 3 at a pH of 4.3 and four which showed a greater ability to modify the culture solution pH and a higher relative net root length were further evaluated in the field. pH values of the culture solution were taken daily for a period of six days without adjustment. Root and shoot lengths were measured and recorded after six days. The field experiment were laid out in RCBD, where the two main plots were either limed (4 t/ha) or not limed. The treatments were phosphorus (TSP) (0.06 t/ha), lime, phosphorus plus lime and control (-P, -L) and four cowpea cultivars; UOE-COWPEA-2, KVU 27-1, K-80 and KENKUNDE-1 were grown for a duration of four months. Soil samples were analyzed prior to and after planting. Plant height, total number of leaves per plant, total number of branches per plant, leaf area per plant, plant biomass, number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight and seed yield per plant were assessed using standard procedures. The nine cowpea cultivars screened increase the pH of the culture solution as the days progressed. The increase in the culture solution pH could be due to cowpea cultivars secreting chelating agents that reduce H + thereby increasing the culture solution pH and reducing Al toxicity. UOE-COWPEA-4 cultivar grown at 185 µM Al was the most tolerant with higher relative net root length (75.6%) while UOE-COWPEA-1 cultivar was the most Al sensitve (63.7%). Lime increased the soil pH from 5.23 to 6.37 while both P+L increased soil P to the maximum of 28.93 mg/kg with K-80 cultivar. UOE-COWPEA-2 produced the greatest number of leaves (52) and number of pods per plant (59) while K-80 yielded the highest total seed weight per plant (42g) with KENKUNDE-1 recording the greatest number of seeds per pod (12) all under phosphorus plus lime treatment. UOE-COWPEA- 2, UOE-COWPEA-4, UOE-COWPEA-5, K-80 and KEN-KUNDE-1 cultivars that showed greater promise in modifying the pH, superior growth and yield attributes, could be grown in acidic soils. The cultivars can be tested further to establish their stability in alleviating acidity. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2536 PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION, ANTIBACTERIAL AND ALLELOPATHIC ACTIVITIES OF Achyranthes aspera AND Tagetes minuta LEAF EXTRACTS JEPTOO, LOYCE Antibiotic resistance remains a significant global health concern to date, putting at risk treatment options. As a result, treatments can be expensive and ineffective. It is therefore necessary to look for new options like using plant extracts with antimicrobial properties. Achyranthes aspera and Tagetes minuta have been traditionally used to treat various diseases in many communities and may possess antibacterial and allelopathic properties. Weeds cause more crop losses than insects, pests and diseases combined however their antimicrobial and allelopathic properties have not received much attention. This research aimed to determine the phytochemical composition, antibacterial and allelopathic activities of Achyranthes aspera and Tagetes minuta. Leaves were identified from the farm fields of University of Eldoret, collected, placed in sample collection bags, then transported to the laboratory. The leaves were washed, shade dried then ground to semi-powdery form. Extraction was conducted using sterile distilled water and ethanol. Extracts were tested against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 51299, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 by disc diffusion method in a Completely Randomized design with three replications. Ciprofloxacin was used as a positive control. Clear zones around the discs were recorded as inhibition zones in millimetres. Maize, millet, rice and sorghum seeds were dressed with extracts to establish their allelopathic activities by placing five surface sterilized seeds in each petri dish. Fifteen millilitres of extracts were used with distilled water set as a positive control. The design of the experiments was Completely Randomized with three replications. ANOVA was used to determine statistical significance at P ≤ 0.05. A. aspera and T. minuta extracts showed significant inhibitory effects with inhibition zones of ≥13 mm compared to ≥17 mm from ciprofloxacin. Bio-activity of extracts was highest on S. aureus followed by E. faecalis then P. aeruginosa then E. coli with least effect on K. pneumoniae. Plumule and radicle lengths of the test plants were also significantly affected with percentage reductions of ≥63%. Extracts were more detrimental on Rice followed by Maize then Sorghum with minimal effect on Millet. Millet recorded the highest germination percentage of 89.44% while rice had the lowest percentage at 67.78%, with Maize (87.50%) and sorghum (85.83%). Alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, phenols, quinones, saponins, tannins and terpenoids were present in extracts of both plants while Anthraquinones, glycosides and steroids existed only in A. aspera. This study concludes that A. aspera and T. minuta have remarkable antibacterial and allelopathic activities. There is therefore need to balance between controlling these plants which grow as weeds and maintaining them aimed at utilization for the development of newer antimicrobials and/or bio-control agents. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2534 IMPACT OF PARASITOLOGICAL, CLINICAL AND RENAL-HEPATIC BIOMARKER RESPONSES IN CHILDREN BELOW FIVE-YEAR OLD COINFECTED WITH MALARIA AND HIV IN WESTERN KENYA ARAMBE, MAMBO FIDELIS Malaria and HIV remain major causes of morbidity and mortality among children under five years in sub-Saharan Africa. Their co-infection presents a compounded health challenge, particularly in Western Kenya where Plasmodium falciparum transmission and HIV prevalence are both high. This study aimed to determine the burden of parasitemia and host biomarker responses in children aged below five years co-infected with P. falciparum and HIV. A cross-sectional case-control study involving 138 children aged 6–59 months was conducted at Kakamega County General Teaching and Referral Hospital. Parasitological diagnosis was done by microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests, while biochemical assays evaluated renal and hepatic function. Children co-infected with malaria and HIV were generally younger than those with HIV mono-infection, suggesting that mother-to-child acquired HIV predisposes to increased malaria susceptibility and severity in early life. The co-infected group had significantly higher median parasitemia (1,870 parasites/µL; range: 1,806–80,025), indicating intense transmission. Female children were more affected than males, suggesting possible gender-based differences in exposure, careseeking behavior, or immune response. Renal markers serum creatinine, urea, and blood urea nitrogen were significantly elevated in the co-infected group, reflecting early renal impairment likely linked to immune complex deposition and microvascular obstruction. Hepatic markers ALT, AST, GGT, total and direct bilirubin were also markedly raised, indicating hepatocellular injury and cholestasis. Total protein, albumin, and globulins were significantly higher in co-infected children, suggesting polyclonal B-cell activation and hypergammaglobulinemia driven by chronic immune stimulation. Among the biochemical markers, LDH, creatinine, and ALP exhibited high sensitivity and specificity in predicting organ dysfunction, while GGT, bilirubin, and total protein demonstrated high sensitivity but lower specificity. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analyses showed modest predictive value (AUC 0.43–0.69) for these markers in identifying renal and hepatic dysfunction. The findings suggest that combining hepatic and renal markers could enhance diagnostic accuracy in co-infected children. P. falciparum and HIV co-infection in children under five years significantly disrupts renal and hepatic function, reflecting compounded immune and metabolic stress. Elevated creatinine, bilirubin, and transaminases indicate potential for these markers to serve as adjunct diagnostic and prognostic tools in endemic areas. The study underscores the need to integrate biochemical assessment into pediatric malaria management, especially in HIV-prevalent regions. Routine monitoring of renal and hepatic function is recommended for timely identification of co-infected children at risk of severe outcomes. Further longitudinal and multi-center studies should investigate the mechanistic pathways underlying biomarker alterations and validate context-specific diagnostic thresholds for clinical use. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2523 CHARACTERIZATION OF CASSAVA (Manihot esculenta Crantz) GERMPLASM IN KENYA NYAMWAMU, CHARLES NYARANG’O Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a crucial income crop and staple food crop, providing substantial carbohydrates for millions globally and supporting small-scale farmers in Kenya. Due to incorrect characterization of the phenotypic and genetic materials available, the gene pool for cassava in Kenya are frequently overestimated or underestimated. Therefore, this study sought to characterize cassava germplasm in Kenya. Specific objectives were to; characterize and delimit cassava germplasm based on their phenotypic traits, investigate the genetic diversity among the cassava germplasm using molecular markers and also to determine the cyanide concentration levels in leaves, peels and pulp among cassava germplasm in Kenya. A total of 131 cassava accessions were collected from 7 major purposefully selected cassava growing Counties in Kenya. Each cassava accession was represented by a single plant. This plant was divided into 3- 10 pieces and planted in single rows. Plants from this main plot were collected and planted in three sites. In each plot, three rows of five plants were planted. Data collection on phenotypic traits was done at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Twenty-one qualitative and four quantitative phenotypic data were collected and subjected to multivariate analysis. At a statistical significance of p≤0.05, the data was subjected to cluster analysis and dendogram construction. From the main plot, apical leaf samples from 40 proportionately sampled accessions were taken for evaluation of genetic diversity and population structure using start-codon-targeted (SCoT) molecular markers. Cluster analysis and dendogram development was done to establish the accessions' genetic variability. A total of 32 samples were processed for cyanide content analysis using picrate paper and spectrophotometric methods. In a field survey, 32 cassava sample accessions were randomly collected from various farms in Migori County for cyanide determination. Phenotypically, a dendrogram generated categorized these accessions into four clusters with Cluster 1, 2, 3 and 4 containing 72.5%, 16.0%, 3.1%, and 8.4% of the genotypes, respectively. Out of the 25 phenotypic traits assessed, 11 principal components accounted for 71.58% of the genetic variation. A total of 119 fragments were amplified, with 89.9% being polymorphic, indicating moderate genetic diversity. The dendrogram grouped the accessions into two clusters at a 0.35 genetic similarity coefficient. Moderate genetic variation among the accessions was revealed by SCoT markers. The study also revealed significant variations in cyanide levels across different cassava parts and accessions. The spectrophotometric method recorded average cyanide levels of 5.89 mg/L, 7.42 mg/L and 8.20 mg/L in leaves, peels and pulps respectively while the picrate paper method showed 3.13 mg/L, 5.44 mg/L, and 7.97 mg/L. The highest cyanide concentration was found in Nyarkadera leaves (26.93 mg/L), Kazanzwara peels (17.82 mg/L) and Nyatanga pulps (26.93 mg/L). The lowest levels were in Nyatanga-002, Nyakanyamkago, and Kasukali leaves (0.40 mg/L), Kasukali peels (1.19 mg/L) and Mzungu pulps (0.40 mg/L). Moderate positive correlations (r=0.547 and r=0.570) between cyanide concentrations in leaves and peels, and a strong positive correlation (r=0.936) in pulps was established. Thus, cassava germplasm in Kenya exhibits moderate diversity, with molecular data revealing clearer differentiation among this germplasm. In addition, the germplasm shows significant cyanide variation necessitating integrated genetic and biochemical breeding approaches. Thus, these results may assist breeders and farmers in optimizing cassava germplasm utilization, ultimately contributing to food security. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2403 MORPHOMERISTIC AND GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF Enteromius SPECIES (PISCES: CYPRINIDAE) FROM SELECTED RIVERS AND RESERVOIRS OF THE NORTH RIFT, KENYA JEPLETING, HILDAH The Enteromius species of the family Cyprinidae, are known to have high genetic diversity and distinct population structure. They are widely distributed in rivers and reservoirs across Africa Because of the diversity in the group, accurated identification of species remains a big challenge, hampering their sustainable exploitation and management. The study was carried out to identify Enteromius species and perform the molecular characterization of select identified populations from the North Rift region, Kenya, a region where these species exist, but are poorly documented and therefore managed. Both morphomeristic and molecular techniques were used for species identification, while the D-loop region of the mitochondrial DNA was used to determine genetic diversity and population structure of populations. Sampling was carried out in man-made reservoirs and rivers across the region, from February to July 2018 using seine nets and an electrofisher. The captured fish were identified in the field using morphological characteristics, total length and standard length of each measured in cm and photographed. The fins were clipped and preserved in 90% ethanol for genetic analysis. Each fish sample was preserved in 10% formalin for laboratory analysis. Sixteen morphometric measurements and eleven meristic counts were done on each sample. The data was entered into Excel spreadsheet and then exported to PAST for Principle Component Analysis (PCA). Mann-whitney U test was used used to test for significance. Results on morphometric characteristics revealed clear separations of polygons of Enteromius species separating Enteromius species into four: Enteromius neumayeri, E. cercops, E. apleurogramma and E. paludinosus. The factor loadings analysis revealed that Standard Length (SL), Prepectoral Length (PPECL) and PrePelvic Length (PPELL) were the factors that clearly separated the four species. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the meristic data showed no clear separation of polygons of Enteromius species. However, the factor loadings established that mostly, the lateral line scales and caudal fin rays were significantly different within the four species. A total of 287 DNA sequences of the Cytochrome oxidase I region of mitochondrial DNA for species identification identified four fish species: Enteromius apleurogramma, E. cercops, E. neumayeri, and E. paludinosus. Enteromius neumayeri had seven clusters while E. apleurogramma had five clusters. Minimum spanning network showed two clusters for E. neumayeri and and one cluster for E. apleurogramma. Pairwise comparisons for FST values among E. neumayeri populations revealed significant differentiation in 27 out of 45 comparisons while in E. apleurogramma FST values were significantly different between the three sites, indicating that these populations were genetically differentiated. There was high genetic diversity of Enteromius species in North Rift selected rivers and reservoirs, with number of hapotypes ranging from 2 to 10, while haplotype diversity ranged from 0.1539 to 0.9082 Continual monitoring of Enteromius populations is essential to track changes of Enteromius species over time. Further studies should be conducted to determine the influence of environmental factors on the number of Enteromius species and their diversity in river and reservoir populations in North Rift region, Kenya which will help relevant bodies to develop population specific conservation strategies. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2398 PROFILING AND EVALUATION OF BACTERIAL CONSORTIA FOR EFFICIENT BIOGAS PRODUCTION IN SMALL SCALE BIODIGESTERS WITHIN UASIN-GISHU COUNTY OSESO, FLORENCE Anaerobic digestion is a sequential biological activity that accepts the efficient capture of methane for energy production. The dependence on fossil and wood fuels as a primary energy source has led to multitudes of problems such as global warming, environmental degradation and human respiratory health complications. The aim of this research was to characterize the anaerobic bacterial present in small scale bio-digesters within Uasin Gishu County. The specific objective of the study is to profile and evaluate anaerobic bacterial consortia for their efficiency in biogas production in a small-scale bio-digesters within Uasin Gishu County. Six study sites namely Opande, Radar, Energy station, Langas, Nettos and Beta farm were selected within Uasin Gishu county, they varied in both volume and biogas production volume. The cow dung which had been fed into bio-digesters were collected aseptically in 250ml sterile flask and transported to the laboratory. Bacteria were isolated in Microbiology laboratory, University of Eldoret by spread plate method on methanogenic media and incubated under anaerobic conditions in a Gas-pak jar at a mesophilic temperature of 35oC for seven days. Isolates were coded as per their study sites. Pure isolates were obtained using streak plate method and evaluation of physicochemical parameters was done in situ. Identification of isolates was done using cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Laboratory scale set up of anaerobic digester for biogas production was done to evaluate the anaerobe efficiency in biogas production. Three, 500ml erlernymer flask were half filled with cow dung and inoculated with Methanococcus and Methanosaeta sp separately and in consortia of both. This was done in triplicate with different inoculum ratios at 10:500, 20:500 and 30:500ml respectively and a control experiment with cow dung only was allowed to run for 31 days. Gas generated was collected by volume displacement of water and measured at an interval of 0:10, 11:21 and 21:31 days in ml. The temperature and the pH were regulated and monitored regularly. Shannon Weiner diversity test and Chi-square test was used to analyze the morphological and diversity of the anaerobes in each study sites. Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to determine the physico-chemical parameters while the Analysis of variance and linear regression was used to analyze the quantity of biogas produced in the three set- ups. Study identified 7 different anaerobic bacteria genera as Methanococcus, Sulfolobus, Methanosaeta, Methanospirillium, Methanosarcina, Methanomicrobium and Methanothrix. The most predominant methanogenic bacterial genera, which occurred in at least 5 digesters were Methanococcus and Methanosaeta genera which also produced the highest volume of gas with maximum production being observed in 21-31 days at a ratio of 30:500. Methanococcus and Methanosaeta synergistic activity yield the highest gas production of 74.23 ml versus 22.50ml in control. The study on the 6 bio digesters showed that physico-chemical parameters play a paramount role in biogas production and should be maintained at an optimum range. Predominant methanogens Methanococcus and Methanosaeta genera when inoculated in the digesters increased the quantity of biogas produced. Research recommends that biogas technique is an effective way of providing solution to the increasing waste management and disposal problems apart from the liberation of fuel or energy from recyclable energy sources, promotes the use of organic fertilizer as compared to chemical based fertilizers Further research work should be done on methanogenic bacteria involved in the production of biogas, the anaerobes should be isolated, recognized, and characterized at the species and strain levels before being utilized to produce biogas. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2396 CELLULOLYTIC ACTIVITY AND DIVERSITY OF BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM THE WHOLE BODY OF (Macrotermes michaelseni) FROM NANDI AND VIHIGA COUNTY MIYAYO, RAHELI NEEMA The accumulation of plant waste in the environment has increased recently since plants are not easily degraded. Consequently, there is a rising demand for efficient cellulolytic bacteria that can break done cellulose efficiently thus increasing the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, and product recovery. Termites are known have their ability of degrading plants with the help of cellulolytic bacteria in them. This project analyses the diversity of cellulolytic bacteria in termites (Macrotermes michaelseni) collected from different locations. Therefore, three Macrotermes spp termites were collected from Vihiga County and compared with three distinct termite hills in Nandi County. The cellulolytic bacteria were distinguished from non-cellulolytic bacteria using carboxymethyl cellulose media. Isolates containing cellulolytic bacteria were identified by amplifying the 16S rRNA gene and sequencing. The results showed that 17 isolates possessed cellulolytic activity based on formation of clear zone around their colony. The cellulolytic index values ranged from 1.50 to 5.80. The cellulolytic bacteria were identified as Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Arthrobacter defluvii, Klebsiella oxytoca, Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus thuringiensis, Serratia marcescens, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Bacillus cereus, Dietzia natronolimnae, and Exiguobacterium aurantiacum strain VMG12. Among all isolated strains, Paenibacillus polymyxa showed the highest cellulolytic activity of 5.8. Therefore, bacteria from this study’s findings, could be potential candidates for the degradation of cellulose, and hence could be employed to convert cellulose into valuable bio-products. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2392 CONTROL OF DELTAMETHRIN RESISTANT Anopheles gambiae FROM WESTERN KENYA HIGHLANDS USING Datura stramonium AND Tamarindus indica OKUMU, NAOMI AWINO Malaria, the most important mosquito-borne disease affecting millions of people globally. The disease is spread from one person to another by the bite of Anopheles mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium parasite. Malaria vectors thrive in habitats with bio-chemical properties attractive to gravid mosquitoes and which favour their development. Chemical insecticides used in long lasting insecticide treated nets and internal residual spraying, are currently challenged due to increasing resistance of the vectors to the insecticides. Vector resistance to insecticides necessitates the need for research on novel eco-friendly control tools. This study sought to evaluate the potential of ethyl acetate extracts of Datura stramonium leaf, seed and Tamarindus indica fruit pulp individually and in synergy on adult deltamethrin resistant Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes and their mid gut and cuticular microbiota. The study investigated Anopheles gambiae larvae productive sites in Chwele, Bungoma county, Western Kenya Highlands for larval sampling to determine their deltamethrin resistance status. Deltamethrin resistant adult An. gambiae and its mid-gut and cuticular microbiota were exposed to crude extracts of D. stramonium seed, its isolate F7, leaf and T. indica fruit pulp at concentration between 0.01g to 1g per 100ml of water to test for knockdown effect on deltamethrin resistant Anopheles gambiae. Data was analysed with R version 4.3.2. Stable and unstable habitats did not have significant differences in productivity p<0.05. Based on seasons larval instar one and two had significant seasonal differences in stable habitats p<0.05 while larval instar four in unstable habitats p<0.05. Plant secondary metabolites in the extracts were saponin, phenols, terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids and flavonoids. The quantities of major bio-active compounds in the eluents were: D. stramonium seed areas ranged between 28.24% -9.18%, its leaf extracts had one major compound taking area of 53.34% of entire eluent whereas D. stramonium seed isolate F7’ had compounds ranging between 16.8% and 7.54% and Tamarindus indica crude fruit pulp extracts had area ranges of 13.04% to 7.76%. While all extracts showed significant knockdown on deltamethrin resistant An. gambiae over time p<0.05, growth inhibition effectiveness on its mid mid-gut and cuticle microbiota, F7 was the most potent in small concentrations. F7 at 60 minutes post treatment, had LC₅₀ of 0.164g/100ml and LC₉₀ of 0.6558g/100ml. D. stramonium crude seed extracts had LC₅₀ of 1g/100ml and LC₉₀ of 1.5g/100ml at 60 minutes. Datura stramonium leaf extracts and T. indica, remained ineffective until at 120 minutes. Seed extracts isolate F7’ had superior growth inhibition efficacy p<0.05 comparable only to lincomycin on Elizabethkingia, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Proteus, Serratia, Shigella, Acinetobacter, salmonella Enterobacter, and Citrobacter, bacteria isolated from the mosquito. There is need to consider habitats positive of larvae around Chwele for larval source management. The novel botanical, F7 should therefore be considered for processing as an ecofriendly insecticide for control of knock-down and bacteria mediated resistant malaria vector and this is hoped to significantly reduce the spread of malaria, its morbidity and mortality. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2292 OVERLAPPING, NON-MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE EVENTS AND INVERSE SURVIVAL ANALYSIS WITH APPLICATION IN MODELING OF STUDENTS’ CHRONIC DISEASES A CASE STUDY OF MOI AND U.O.E UNIVERSITIES MWANGI, WANGUI PATRICK The analysis of time to event(s) has taken roots in many fields including health studies, statistics, among others. Single and mutually exclusive events have been studied, and, methods, for handling such cases have been developed. However, events could be overlapping and nonmutually exclusive (ONME) in such a way that subjects experience multiple events simultaneously. The events could be taking long durations before their termination and the time could be long enough for consideration in analysis. In such cases, time to event analysis is important as well as accompanying it with time to non-event (inverse survival) analysis. No methods have been developed to handle cases of ONME events as well as combining survival and inverse survival analysis for extensiveness of analysis. The main objective of this research was to study events that are ONME and apply the concepts in modeling students’ chronic diseases. The specific objectives are to create illustrations for the various forms of ONME events, developing ways of handling data from such events, expounding on concepts of inverse survival analysis and to apply the ideas in conjunction with concepts of discrete-time, rightcensored survival and unbalanced three-stage hierarchical designs in modeling and analyzing chronic diseases among selected university students. The percentage of university students currently nursing chronic diseases is alarming, and for a long time, these students are ever thought to be healthy. However, research shows otherwise with up to 30% of the students nursing the diseases. For the first three objectives, AutoCAD software was used in developing the illustrations where hypothetical data was used. Mixed-study design was applied in sampling 739 students randomly and using a questionnaire for data collection in Moi University and University of Eldoret. Descriptive analysis and inferential analysis including t-tests, log-rank tests, MANOVA and regression were performed. Data management was carried out in R, Minitab, STATA and SPSS. All the tests were carried out at 5% level of significance. In objective 1, figures were used where the number of events, starting and ending points of each event and the study periods were found to be the factors affecting the number of illustrations. In objectives 2 and 3, five methods were developed in each case for handling ONME events. Each of the methods developed is appropriate based on the situation at hand, and the ONME events showed similar analysis approaches with the standard survival models. In objective 4, discrete-time models and ANOVA components were applied. Currently, there are approximately 14.6% of the students who are suffering from chronic diseases. At every level of study, the number of students who get sick is significant. The factors ‘family history’ ( 2  =29.03, p-value<0.0001), ‘involvement in drugs’ ( 2  =27.03, p-value<0.0001), ‘adopted lifestyles’ ( 2  =23.04, p-value<0.0001) and ‘extreme poverty’ ( 2  =5.14, p-value=0.0233) were found to be significantly associated with the chronic diseases. On the effects, the diseases were found to be negatively affecting the aspects of life of the infected students. Across gender and years of study, survival of the students was found to be the same, age was affected inverse survival negatively. It is concluded that, methods for handling ONME events and inverse survival as an emerging field in the near future adopt similar approaches to standard survival methods in analysis. Also, there is need for intervention among the university students as 14.6% is not a number to be ignored. It is recommended that the researchers and data managers to adopt the new ideas in this work in expanding the field of survival analysis, as well as stakeholders to come together and arrest the situation in universities before things slip out of hands 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2280 EFFECTS OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZER ON THE POPULATION OF SOIL PATHOGENIC MICRO-ORGANISMS IN TEA RHIZOSPHERE MUTAI, CAROLINE CHEPKORIR The long-term cultivation of tea (Camellia sinensis) alters microorganism communities in the rhizosphere; it can increase saprotrophs, pathogenic microorganisms and reduce symbiotrophs. Fertilizers are sources of plant essential nutrients used regularly in tea production to replenish soil nutrition and can influence the activity and population of the soil microorganisms. This study aimed to determine the effect of fertilization regimes on the population dynamics of soil microorganisms in the tea rhizosphere. The study was carried out at the Tea Research Institute in Kericho, Kenya. Two main fertilizer types; organic (Phymix) and inorganic (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) and foliar fertilizer Tecamin Max and Tecnokel Amino Mix as sub treatments application at the rates of 75 and 150 kg N ha-1 of inorganic fertilizer were applied in four replications. Sampling of soil was done before treatment, during the dry season (January-February), the wet season (JuneJuly) and short rainy season (September-October). The fungal and bacterial species for these seasons were identified. The data obtained was analyzed using Genstat Statistical Software, 15th Edition. The results demonstrated that the number of fungal colony units varied significantly (P≤0.05) between fertilizer type throughout the dry season. Similarly, in the rainy season the fungal population (32.9 CFU/g soil) varied significantly (P≤0.05), where organic fertilizer was applied in comparison with the fungal population where inorganic fertilizer was applied (19.2 CFU/g soil). The short rainy season indicated that fungal and bacterial colony units in the tea rhizosphere varied significantly (p<0.05) between organic and inorganic fertilizer form applied and all interactions of fertilizer and rate plus foliar varied significantly (p<0.05) for both fungal and bacterial populations. Both interactions of fertilizer type and rate varied significantly (P≤0.05) for fungal populations in all seasons. No significant variation was noted for the bacterial population (CFU/g soil) during the dry seasons regardless of fertilizer type and rates. The fungi identified included; Cylidrocarpon spp., Trichoderma spp., Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp. Colletotrichum spp., Pestalotiopsis spp. and Fusarium spp. The bacteria species included; Pseudomonas spp., Bacillus spp., Rhizobium spp. and Xanthomonas spp. In regard to the dynamics of the pathogenic fungi, there was fluctuation and an increase of propagules recovered during the wet season than the other two seasons with Colletotrichum spp. (61 CFU/g soil) of soil followed by Pestalotia spp. and the least was Cylidrocarpon spp (29 CFU/g soil). Fields where organic Tecnokel amino mix fertilizer regimes were applied showed high increase in the fungal pathogens across the seasons except in the case of Fusarium spp. where the population increased due to inorganic Tecamin mix. The soil-borne pathogenic bacteria also varied between the seasons and the fertilizer form applied. The Pseudomonas sp. recorded the highest population across the seasons ranging between 54 CFU/g soil to 69 CFU/g soil during the dry seasons and the long rains respectively. Contrary to the fungal pathogens the organic Tecamin mix was the fertilizer form where a higher bacterial population was recorded between the two seasons. Generally, the organic fertilizer form increased fungal and bacterial populations significantly, except in Fusarium sp. an indication of its ability to increase propagules of both bacteria and fungi. Further it was noted that the microbial population was higher during the wet season, implying the need for integrated approaches to enhance soil health and suppress soil-borne diseases by promoting beneficial microbial communities that compete with or antagonize pathogenic fungi. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z