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    Yield Production for Soybean Varieties under Different Spacing on Maize Intercrop
    (Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Book Publishing Journal of Agriculture, 2022-10) Nchogu, Xavier Briggx; Kirambia, Rosemary; Ncene, William
    Soybean is an important crop not only in African countries, but also in the entire world being one of the most protein containing legume from its seeds which is used as food among other uses of the crop such as Nitrogen fixation. However, in Africa, low production levels have been recorded over the years with Africa contributing to 1% of the entire world soybean production. This paper therefore sought to determine the yield production for soybean varieties under different spacing on maize intercrop. The paper adopted experimental research design. From the analysis results on the measure of the total yield production for soybean varieties on different spacings on maize intercrop, the study established that DPSB variety seeds had the highest average weight while Gazelle and Nyala variety had the least average weight of seeds. The researcher recommended DPSB19 variety at 30cm with an average of 14.10335g with only the research boundary factors maintained on the total yield production for soybean varieties on different spacing on maize intercrop.
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    Chemical composition of Moringa oleifera Lam. and Moringa stenopetala Bac. leaves from Kenya
    (International Journal of Plant Research, 2020) Nathaniel, Ebenezer Udofia; Onyancha, Jared Misonge; Mugambi, Mworia; Ncene, William; Moriasi, Gervason Apiri
    The species of Moringa are native to India and Africa. However, they are cultivated in Tropical and sub-tropical countries mainly for nutrition and health products. In Kenya, most research has been done on M. oleifera and little on M. stenopetala. The paucity of consistent information of comprehensive chemical composition of the two species is generally observed. The purpose of this study was to find out the phytochemical and nutritive elements in M. oleifera and M. stenopetala collected from Kilifi and Isiolo counties in Kenya respectively. Standard chemical evaluation methods were used to establish qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the two species in this study. Qualitative screening revealed alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, phytosterols, saponins, tannins, coumarins, terpenoids, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and vitamins. Proximate chemical composition revealed significant difference in composition of carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, saponins ash and crude fibre between M. oleifera and M. stenopetala leaf powder at p ≤ 0.05. However, there were no remarkable differences in the composition of crude lipids, crude proteins and moisture content in the leaf powders of M. oleifera and M. stenopetala. The study revealed essential and non-essential amino acids and no significant differences in composition at p ≤ 0.05 between the leaf powders of M. oleifera and M. stenopetala. Remarkable differences in composition of Thiamine (Vitamin B1) between M. oleifera and M. stenopetala were also noted (p < 0.05). However, there were no difference in composition vitamins (B6, B9, A and C) between the leaf powder of M. oleifera and M. stenopetala at (p < 0.05). Finally, the composition differences of calcium and potassium were significant between M. oleifera and M. stenopetala leaf powders at (p < 0.05), while there were no outstanding differences in the composition of copper, manganese, iron, zinc, magnesium and potassium between M. oleifera and M. stenopetala leaf powders.
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    Effects of Moringa Stenopetala Bac. Leaf Supplement on Growth Performance of Broiler Chicken
    (International Journal of professional Practice (IJPP), 2020) Nathaniel, Ebenezer Udofia; Onyancha, Jared Misonge; Mugambi, Mworia; Ncene, William; Moriasi, Gervason Apiri
    Poultry keeping is the most widespread of all livestock enterprises, it plays a great role in food security improvement, socio-cultural and economic development in most countries. While broiler production is a source of income, it is a good source of protein and a profitable investment. In developing world, high feed to gain ratio and high feed costs are among the challenges in poultry keeping. Current attempts to mitigate these challenges involve the use of antibiotics in feed as growth promoters, prophylaxis and disease treatment. It is notable that the use of conventional antibiotics for promoting growth and performance has been effective. However, undesirable residual effects and antibiotic resistant pathogens due to antibiotics in conventional poultry feeds is of global health concern. Therefore, there is continuous need to evaluate natural alternatives to antibiotics to mitigate the problems encountered with conventional antibiotics. Many medicinal plants have been associated with growth performance enhancement, Moringa stenopetala Bac leaves are used as food for humans. Seeds, bark, roots, and flowers are widely used in traditional medicine. Leaf extracts are reported to have the greatest antioxidant activity. The extracts of Moringa stenopetala leaves have antioxidant potential, β-carotene, protein, vitamin C, calcium, potassium and natural antioxidants including flavonoids, phenolic, ascorbic acid and carotenoids and are thought to be responsible for their effectiveness The current study evaluated the effect of broiler chicken feed supplemented with M. stenopetala on feed conversion ratio. The study was prompted because the available data is limited and contradictory. Experimental study design was used. Cobb 500 broiler of one-day-old (165) chicks were obtained from Kenchic Ltd, Kenya and randomly selected. Feed meals were prepared by Unga feed Ltd, Kenya by replacing antibiotics with powders of M. stenopetala. Concentrations of 0.0 to 0.65 w/w % for powders were supplemented. Five treatments were used in the experiments and results were analyzed using Minitab Version 19.1. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Fisher’s Least Significant Difference was used at 0.05 Level of significance. Results indicated increases in the chicken weight gains in all the treatment groups at the end of treatment week five but with no significant difference except for the negative control group (p<0.05). Also, at the end of 5th week, the results obtained showed that all the chicken in all the experimental groups had a significantly lower feed conversion ratios except for the chicken on the negative control experimental group (p<0.05).
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    Growth Performance of Broilers Fed on Processed Acacia Tortilis Seed Meal as a Replacement of Soya Bean Meal
    (International Journal of professional Practice (IJPP), 2021) Ikiamba, Lawrence M.; Ncene, William; Mugambi, Mworia
    Chicken is a major source of protein to humans and a regular income earner to the farmer. Acacia tortilis seeds meal is a key diet in poultry farming. This study sought to determine the growth performance of broiler chicken fed on processed Acacia tortilis seed meal as a replacement of soya bean meal. The study employed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), and aimed at achieving the following specific Objectives: to determine the growth performance of broilers fed on processed Acacia Tortilis seed meal as a substitute of Soya bean meal; to determine carcass characteristics of broilers fed on processed Acacia Tortilis seed meal as a substitute of Soya bean meal; and to determine the economic benefit when broilers are fed on diets containing processed Acacia Tortilis seed meal as a substitute of Soya bean meal. The study adopted an experimental methodology. The broiler chicks were randomly assigned to six treatments, with three (3) replication (five birds per cubicle). The replacement feed levels; T0Control 0% acacia + 100% soybean, T1-20% acacia + 80% soybean, T2- 40% acacia + 60% soybean T3- 60% acacia+ 40% soybean, T4 - 80% acacia + 20% soybean and T5 - 100% acacia+0% soybean in a deep litter rearing system. Ninety-day old broiler chicks of mixed sex were experimented. The chicks were fed on broiler starter for 7 days and on experimental diet from day 8-35. The feed and water was provided ad libitum. Data collected was summarized and organized in excel. SPSS software was used to carry out Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), using the predictive analysis software version 20. The initial body weight was not significant (p > 0.05). The Final weight gain, Daily weight gain, Body weight Change was significant and biomass harvested was significant (p < 0.05), where T1 was the highest, followed by T2, T0, T3, T4 and T5 in that order. Voluntary feed intake was not significant (p > 0.05), showing that this ration was palatable and acceptable by the birds. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), T1 was the lowest and was significant (p < 0.05) and T5 was the highest. The higher the FCR the lesser desirable the feed is. It is recommended that Acacia tortilis seed meal of up to 40% can be included in chicken diet as a substitute of Soybean meal but optimally at 20%.