|
KARI Mwea Research Centre
PO Box 298, Kerugoya
Tel: (0613) 48057, 48067
Fax: (0163) 48424
The Mwea Research Centre is in Kirinyaga District, Central
Province, at an altitude of 1140m, latitude 0o, and longitude
37o27'E. the mean annual rainfall is 1000 mm and the mean
evaporation 1780-2180 mm. The soil types according to the
FAO/UNESCO classification are Nitisols at the station and
Cambisols on the main farm.
The centre's mandate is to conduct research on cotton as
a high-priority crop and kenaf as a low-priority crop.
Research programmes co-ordinated or conducted by the centre
include the cotton research programme and the kenaf research
programme. Activities in the cotton research programmes
include evaluation and breeding for high yield and high
fibre quality varieties, development of improved agronomic/production
packages, development of suitable pest control methods with
greater emphasis on IPM and development of appropriate cropping
systems. Research activities in kenaf programmes include
evaluation of local and introduced kenaf germplasms for
fibre yield and quality and agronomic requirements including
fertilizer use and kenaf setting.
|