PROF. PETER WAFULA MASINDE
RESEARCH FOCUS
Optimal utilization of soil moisture, nitrogen for increased crop production in the field and greenhouse. The primary focus is on vegetable crops and includes evaluation of technologies and materials used during production
PUBLICATIONS
Peter Masinde, Benard Mwai: The influence of biochar from rice husks on evapotranspiration, vegetative growth and fruit yield of greenhouse tomato cultivar anna f1 grown in two soil types. Submitted to African Journal of Food and Nutrition (2021).
Peter Masinde, Benard Mwai: The influence of rice husks biochar on soil characteristics, vegetative growth and yield of cabbage and tomato. Submitted to Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology (2021).
Esther Waithira Kamau, Mworia G.E., Maingi, J.M., Masinde, P.W. (2019). Screening of Warburgia ugandensis crude extracts obtained from different organic solvents against Tomato phytophthora infestans and Alternaria solani. European Academic Research, VI (12):6908-6923.
Peter Biu Ngigi, Gijs Du Laing, Peter Wafula Masinde, Carl Lachat (2019). Selenium deficiency risk in central Kenya highlands: an assessment from the soil to the body. Environmental Geochem Health, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-019-00494-1.
- K. Masaku, S. M. Githiri, C. M. Onyango and P. W. Masinde (2018) Genotypic Variation of Green Gram Accessions in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of Kenya. Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International, 15(2): 1-15.
- K. Masaku, S. M. Githiri, C. M. Onyango and P. W. Masinde (2018). Evaluation of agronomic Performance of Green Gram Accessions Grown under Reduced Light Intensity in the Arid and Semi-Arid Areas of Kenya. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 23(2): 1-11
Kariuki, L.W., Masinde, P.W., Githiri, S.M. and Onyango, A.N. (2016). Effect of water stress on growth of three linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) varieties. SpringerPlus, 5(1):1-16.
Wainaina Cornelius, Inukai Yoshiaki, Masinde Peter, Ateka Elijah, Murage Hunja, Kano-Nakata Mana, Nakajima Yasunori, Terashima Takehiko, Mizukami Yuko, Nakamura Mitsuru, Nonoyama Toshihiro, Saka Norikuni, Asanuma Shuichi, Yamauchi Akira, Kitano Hidemi, Kimani J, Makihara Daigo (2015). Evaluation of Cold Tolerance in NERICAs Compared with Japanese Standard Rice Varieties at the Reproductive Stage. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science 201(6)401-409.
Lilian, Kariuki., Arnold, Onyango., Peter, Masinde., Stephen, Githira. and Kenneth, Ogile. (2015). Oil content and fatty acid composition of five linseed varieties grown in two agro-ecological locations of Kenya. Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, 4 (2):186-194.
Kariuki, L.W., Masinde, P.W., Onyango, A.N., Githiri, S.M. and Ogila, K. (2014). The growth and seed yield of five linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) varieties as influenced by nitrogen application. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 22(3):3493-3509.
Festus Makau, Peter Masinde, Patrick Home, Charles Njoroge (2014). Growth and yield of tomato under alternate furrow irrigation in “ASAL” areas of Eastern Kenya. African Journal of Horticultural Science, 8:24-37.
Lucy K. Murungi, Salifu, D, Peter Masinde, Aggrey Nyende , John Wesonga, Markus Knapp (2014). The invasive tomato red spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) affects growth and leaf yield of African nightshades. Crop Protection 59: 57-62.
Peter W. Masinde and Stephen G. Agong (2012). The influence of nitrogen application on the growth and chemical content of African nightshade species (Solanum spp.) cultivated in Kenya. Journal of Agriculture Science and Technology 14(2): 30-44.
Agili S, Nyende B, Ngamau K, Masinde P (2012) Selection, Yield Evaluation, Drought Tolerance Indices of Orange-Flesh Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam) Hybrid Clone. J Nutr Food Sci 2:138. doi:10.4172/2155-9600.1000138.
Peter W. Masinde and Stephen G. Agong (2011) Plant growth and leaf N of spiderplant (Gynandropsis gynandra L.) genotypes under varying nitrogen supply. African Journal of Horticultural Science 5:36-49.
Peter Wafula Masinde, Christine Akoth Onyango, John Mwibanda Wesonga, Christopher Ochieng Ojiewo, Stephen Gaya Agong (2010). Leaf yield and nutritive value of Solanum villosum genotypes in response to nitrogen supply. African Journal of Horticultural Science 3: 34-47.
Masaharu Masuda, Christopher Ochieng Ojiewo, Mayumi Nagai, Kenji Murakami, Peter Wafula Masinde and Wang Yu (2010). Simulating Hybrid-seed Contamination Risk with Selfed Seeds from Residual Fertility in a Male-sterile T-4 Mutant Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. J. Japan. Soc. Hort. Sci. 79 (1): 34-39.
P.W. Masinde, J.M. Wesonga, C.O. Ojiewo, S.G. Agong and M. Masuda (2009). Plant growth and leaf nitrogen content of Solanum villosum genotypes in response to nitrogen supply. Dynamic Soil Dynamic Plant 3(1) 105-111.
Hunja Murage, Peter Masinde, Daigo Makihara, TakehikoTerashima, Shuichi Asanuma (2009). Evaluation of cold tolerance in NERICAs compared with Japanese rice varieties. Abstract in Research for Tropical Agriculture 2(2): 3-4.
R.Q. Bai, T.K. Schlegel, J. Scho¨nherr, P.W. Masinde (2008). The effects of foliar applied CaCl22H2O, Ca(OH)2 and K2CO3 combined with the surfactants Glucopon and Plantacare on gas exchange of 1 year old apple (Malus domestica BORKH.) and broad bean (Vicia faba L.) leaves. Scientia Horticulturae 116: 52-57
Christopher O. Ojiewo, Kenji Murakami, Peter W. Masinde, Stephen G. Agong, Masaharu Masuda (2007). Effects of day-length and temperature on floral structure and fertility restoration in a season-dependent male-sterile Solanum villosum Mill. Mutant. Euphytica , 158:231–240.
P.W. Masinde, C.O. Ojiewo, K. Murakami and S.G. Agong (2007). Scaling up the Production of Traditional Green Leafy Vegetables in Kenya: Perspectives on Water and Nitrogen Management. Dynamic Soil Dynamic Plant, 1(2) 105-111.
P.W. Masinde, C.O. Ojiewo, S.G. Agong and M. Masuda (2007). Plant growth, water relations and gas exchange of octoploid and tetraploid Solanum villosum Mill. Ssp. miniatum (Bernh. Ex Wild.) Edmonds under water deficit conditions. Dynamic Soil Dynamic Plant, 1(2) 112-121.
C.O. Ojiewo, K. Murakami, P.W. Masinde and S.G. Agong (2007). Polyploidy breeding of African Nightshade (Solanum section Solanum). International Journal of Plant Breeding, 1, 10-21.
C.O. Ojiewo, K. Murakami, P.W. Masinde and S.G. Agong (2007). Floral Genetics of African Nightshade (Solanum section Solanum). International Journal of Plant Developmental Biology, 1, 75-81.
C.O. Ojiewo, K. Murakami, P.W. Masinde and Stephen Gaya Agong (2007). Mutation Breeding in African Nightshade (Solanum section Solanum). Fruit, Vegetable and Cereal science and Biotechnology, 1, 39-52.
Masuda, M., K. Kato, K. Murakami, H. Nakamura, C.O. Ojiewo, and P.W. Masinde (2007). Partial fertility restoration as affected by night temperature in a season-dependent male- sterile mutant tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Journal of Japanese Society of Horticultural Science 76, 41-46.
Agong, S.G. and Masinde, P.W. (2006). Improvement of indigenous/traditional plants utilized as vegetables and medicinal plants in Kenya. AICAD Research Abstracts Pilot Second and Third Call Final Reports volume 3, pp 33
Masinde, W. P., H., Stützel, S. G., Agong and A., Fricke (2006). Plant Growth, Water Relations and Transpiration of Two Species of African Nightshade (Solanum villosum Mill. subsp. miniatum (Bernh. ex Willd.) Edmonds and S. sarrachoides Sendtn.) under Water-Limited Conditions. Scientia Horticulturae, 110, 7-15.
Masinde, W. P., H., Stützel, S. G., Agong and A., Fricke (2005). Plant Growth, Water Relations and Transpiration of Spiderplant (Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq.) under Water-Limited Conditions. Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science 130:469-477.
Masinde, W. P., Stützel H., Fricke A., and Agong S. G., (2005). Effects of water stress on dry matter production and nutritive quality of spiderplant (Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq.). Paper in: Abukutsa-Onyango et al. (eds), the proceedings of the 3rd Workshop on Sustainable Horticultural Production in the Tropics, 26th -29th November 2003, Maseno University, Kenya, pp.3-12.
Murungi, L.K., Knapp, M., Hassanali, A. Agong, S.G. and Masinde, P.W. (2005). The activity of leaf-emitted volatile compounds and essential oils in tomato accession against the tobacco spidermite Tetranychus evansi Bake and Pritchard. In Wesonga et al. (eds) the proceedings of the 4th Workshop on Sustainable Horticultural Production in the Tropics, 24-27th November 2004, Department of Horticulture, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya, pp.270-279.
Masinde, W. P., Stützel H., and Agong S. G., (2002). Influence of water level and genotype on transpiration of spiderplant and black nightshade in pot experiments. Paper in: Wesonga et al. (eds) the proceedings of the 1st Workshop on Sustainable Horticultural Production in the Tropics, 3rd -6th October 2001, Department of Horticulture, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, pp. 92-97
RESEARCH PROJECTS AND FUNDING
2021: Restoration of soil health and biodiversity by smallholder farmers in Kenya. Funded by Global Challenges Research Fund to Exter University, UK (British pounts 24000)
2020: Towards improved environmental management and increased food productivity through biochar production and use. Funded by NRF
2020: ICT and Market-based Irrigation Water Productivity Improvement for Food and Nutritional Security in Water Deficit Counties. Funded by Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project.
2019: Enhancing Partnerships for Industry-led Vocational Training and education (ePIVOT) in the horticulture value chains of Kenya. Funded by NUFFIC.
2018: Evaluation of the influence of Fortified Biochar on Production and Nutritional Quality of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata), Onion (Allium cepa) and Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) Funded by MUST
2017: Biochar Project, The influence of Biochar from agricultural wastes and sewage on the growth, yield and quality of Kale (Brassica oleracea var acephala) and Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) in Kenya Funded by JICA
2013-2015: Water Use efficiency in Traditional Vegetables; A sub-project of the HORTINLEA Project within the framework of the program “Global Food Security (Globe) of the Federal Ministry of Education and research Germany
2011-2014: Modification of the fatty acid profiles of farmed tilapia and catfish for improved health and livelihood in Kenya: Funded By RPE, JKUAT (Collaborator)
2010-2012: Participatory evaluation and selection of high yielding spiderplant lines for increased per-urban vegetable production. Funded by National Council for Science and Technology (PI)
2009-2012: Assessment of agronomic, water use efficiency, nutrition, value addition and market potentials of slenderleaf (Crotalaria spp) in Kenya. Funded by RPE, JKUAT. (Collaborator)
2009-2011: Increasing profitability of horticultural production through water saving irrigation, improved crop husbandry and value addition technologies. Funded by National Council for Science and Technology (Collaborator)
2008-2012: Evaluation of capillary wicks for use in irrigation for horticultural crop production in Kenya. Funded by RPE, JKUAT. (Collaborator)
Evaluation of NERICA upland rice varieties in Kenyan highland areas and developing appropriate upland rice-vegetable intercropping systems (Funded by JKUAT), 2009
A member of an Edulink project team on strengthening university capacity for teaching rural innovations, funded by EU, 2008
November 2005-March 2006, Use of mycorrhiza in nutrient management of indigenous vegetables, funded by International foundation of science
April 2004-March 2005: AICAD research project grant on: Improvement of indigenous/traditional plants utilized as vegetables and medicinal plants in Kenya, final report submitted to African Institute of Capacity Development (AICAD), Kenya.
Evaluation, selection and improvement of African nightshade genotypes for higher leaf yields. (Joint project with Dr. C.O. Ojiewo and Prof. M. Masuda, Okayama University, Japan)
August 2006, Applied for and obtained funding for purchase of scientific equipment costing Euros 1700.33 from the Germany Academic Exchange Programme (DAAD)
2005-2007, As an alumni of the Germany Academic Exchange Programme (DAAD), applied for and obtained literature useful in Horticulture and related sciences: Wien, H.C. (1997) The Physiology of Vegetable Crops, Brown, L.V. (1996). Applied Principles of Horticultural Science, George, A. (2005). Horticulture: Principles and Practices, Journal of Herbs and Spices, 2004, Davies G. and Lennartsson M. (2005). Organic vegetable production.
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
May-November 2009, Visiting researcher, International Centre for Cooperation in Agricultural Education (ICCAE), Nagoya University, Japan: on Evaluation of cold tolerance in NERICA rice varieties.
April-October 2005, postdoctoral research at Okayama University, Japan on: Mutational breeding of tomato (Lycopersicon esulentum Mill.): In Matsumae International Foundation Fellowship Report, 2005, pp. 309-330.
EXTERNAL EXAMINATION AND JOURNAL REVIEWS
- External examiner, Taita Taveta University College, 2015-2016.
- External examiner for MSc and PhD, University of Nairobi, Department of Crop Science since 2013
- Reviewer for African Journal of Horticultural science
- Reviewer of Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology
- Reviewer of Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION
MSc Research 2020 titled “Growth, yield and quality of selected sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam.), lines under varying soil moisture and potassium nutrient conditions” By Peninah Ngugi
Msc Research 2020 titled “Influence of spacing, nitrogen supply and soil moisture on growth and yield of Chia (Salvia hispanica l.) in low-mid land zone (Meru county)
PhD Research 2017 titled “The influence of transplanting and agronomic practices on the growth, yield and quality of baby corn (Zea mays) in Kenya. By Mr. Richard Kirigia.
PhD Research 2017 titled “Control of Early and Late blight Using Trichoderma asperellum and Warburgia ugandensis Spray on Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esulentum Mill.)” by Esther Waithira Kamau.
PhD. Research 2014 titled “Assessment and optimization of dietary selenium intake in Kenya: exploration of biofortification as a solution to the ‘hidden hunger’ “ by Peter Biu
MSc. Research 2013 titled: Critical shoot nitrogen for potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L) varieties in Kenya by Mugo James Njeru (completed).
MSc. Research 2013 titled: Influence of nitrogen application on phytochemicals, nutritional and sensory characteristics of accessions of cleome gynandra harvested at different developmental stages by Daniel Ong’era Kebwaro (completed).
PhD. Research 2012 titled: The influence of variety and nitrogen on the growth, oil yield and fatty acid profile of linseed by Lillian Kariuki (Completed)
PhD. Research 2011 titled: Adaptation to climate change through intergration of reduced canopy exposure and micro-catchments for green gram production in the arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya by Margaret K. Masaku
MSc. Research 2010 titled: Growth and productivity of selected vegetables under alternate furrow irrigation in the “asal areas of Eastern Kenya with special reference to Kibwezi district by Makau J. Mulei (Completed)
MSc. Research 2009 titled: Plant growth, yield and gas exchange in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv. Anna F1) grown in different media under capillary wick irrigation system by Cornelius Mbathi Wainaina (completed)
PhD research 2009, titled: Screening, yield evaluation and genetic fingerprinting of orange flesh sweet potato (Ipomea batatas Lam) under drought conditions in East Africa by Sammy Agili (completed)
PhD research 2009, titled: The influence of leaf surface morphology and phytochemical factors on tobacco spider mite (Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard) attack in African nightshade (Solanum spp.), a traditional leafy vegetable in Kenya by Lucy Kananu Murungi (completed)
PhD research 2004, titled: Physiological responses of grafted tea to water stress by John Kipkoech Bore (completed)
MSc research 2005, titled: Response of virus infection on local sweet potato varieties by Grace Mumbi (completed)
MSc thesis 2005, titled: Chemical composition and activity of volatile compounds and essential oils in tomato accessions against the tobacco spidermite. Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard by Lucy Kananu Murungi (completed, funded by International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology, ICIPE)
MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND COMMITTEES
Horticultural Association of Kenya