In this Issue

Volume 33 October - December 2010

Pg.2 Pepper Tycoon F1, Word from ManagementPg.3 Mombasa Show Pg.4 Cabbage Victoria F1; Onion Jambar F1

Pg.5 Conservation Agriculture training in MeruPg.6 Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl VirusPg.7 Agricultural Show Pictorial, Potato Salad Pg.8 Farmers Price Centre, Wanguru

By Jared Onduso

In the recent past demand for tomatoes in the region has increased tremendously. This demand can only be met by increasing production area and yield. Better production methods, high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties will play a key role keeping up with the market demand.

Growing requirementsTomatoes thrive in well-drained, deep, uniform clay or silty loams. They are very sensitive to water logged soils and prefer a soil pH of between 6.0 to 7.5. They do best in temperatures of between 200C – 270C. Tomato production can be adversely affected when the temperatures get below 100C or exceed 300C, as fruit setting is affected. When choosing the field ensure tomatoes or a related crop (Solanaceous family) has not been planted in the field for at least 2 years to avoid high diseases presence in the soil.

Choosing a variety?The various tomato varieties that are available possess different benefits which include high yields, resistance to diseases and long shelf-life. It is up to growers to choose those that will meet needs and are also suited to climate where they are to be grown. No single variety will combine all the best features. Consider:

Resistance to Diseases: Farmers need to select varieties that are resistant to diseases. Varieties available from Monsanto Vegetable Seeds are resistant to Verticillium wilt (Vd), Fusarium wilt (Fol), Fusarium Crown and Root Rot (Fol) Nematodes (N), Alternaria solani (As) and Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV). Tomato Assila F1 is resistant

to TYLCV.

Continued on pg. 3 ...

Shelf life: The variety must guarantee that the fruit will remain fresh through the chain and especially during transportation. Monsanto Vegetable Seeds varieties have good shelf life.

Hybrids: Compared to open pollinated varieties (OPVs), hybrids produce higher yields, uniform fruits and possess other preferred quality attributes such as disease resistance and pest tolerance. It is better for the farmer to spend a little more money for Hybrid (F1) seeds but be assured optimal production.

Nursery EstablishmentBecause of the small nature of tomato seeds, the seedlings are first raised in the nursery then transplanted into the main field. Though some farmers carry out direct planting, it is usually difficult to maintain planting depth as well as moisture levels, leading to poor germination. In the nurseries proper care of the seedling is made possible avoiding the harsh environmental conditions that the seedlings might face if directly seeded. Seed beds also help the farmer ensure that only healthy and strong seedlings are transplanted; translating to better and uniform plants and high production. Another plus for nursery beds is that less seeds are used - 80-100gms/acre for the Nursery, compared to 250-500gms/acre for direct seeding.

Location: The nursery should be located in a flat area that is secure and accessible, to allow close monitoring. It should be established near a source of clean usable water and on well-drained soils. The area should be exposed to the sun, well-aerated, protected from strong winds and strategically located to avoid exposure to pests. Sowing lines: Seeds should be sown at a 1cm depth marked with a finger, with 10-15 cm spacing between the sowing lines. Keep the nursery well irrigated and free of weeds; loosen soil to allow water percolation.

TransplantingProper field preparation is essential for optimum performance. Recommended spacing for transplanting is 60cm by 60cm.

The seedlings are hardened before transplanting by reducing water application and directly exposing them to sunlight 6-9 days before transplanting. This is done to prepare them for the harsh environment they will face in the main field. A good seedling that is ready for transplanting is usually in its fourth or sixth leaf stage (about 4 weeks old) and is vigorous and stocky. Thoroughly water the seedlings about 12 hours before transplanting to the field. Transplanting late in the evening is recommended to allow the seedling longer cooler hours to increase chances of survival.

Tomato Production ... Challenges and solutions

In theNewsfrom MONSANTO

The excellent performance of Monsanto Vegetable Seeds during this year’s Mombasa International Show saw us scoop the ‘Best Non-statutory Agricultural Based Stand’ and with it a Winners’ Cup presented by the President of Kenya, Honourable Mwai Kibaki.

This year’s Mombasa International Show began on 11th August 2010, lasting 6 days.

. . .continued from pg 1

Management

Elizabeth Mranda3

Field practicesIrrigation: Tomatoes must be regularly watered especially during critical periods like flower-setting and growth of the fruits. Watering should be reduced towards the end of a crop. Excess moisture on the leaves can lead to diseases especially early blight.

Weed management: Depending on the type of weeds and growth stage of both the weeds and the crop, appropriate control measures can be adopted. Manual weeding can be done on small fields but use of herbicides can be considered in extensive farming.

Plant Nutrition: To optimize performance, soil nutrition amendment is necessary. It is a requirement that farmers do a soil analysis which will serve as a base for coming up with a fertilizer program.

Apply farmyard manure at a rate of 8 tonnes per acre during land preparation to improve soil structure. A guideline to fertilizer application will include:

Basal application of Phosphorus during the early stages for •root and shoot development. This can be applied before transplanting.Top dressing with Nitrogen based fertilizers such as Urea and •CAN for vegetative growth. During flowering and fruit formation use of compound •fertilizers (NPK) is recommended. Plants require the three primary nutrients; Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium at various levels; fertilizer with high K (Potassium) in formulation will give best results.Weekly application of foliar feeds (can be mixed with pesticide •sprays) can also foster better plant development. During flowering and fruit formation the farmers can use high N (Nitrogen) foliar feed and during flowering, K (Potassium) foliar feeds are ideal.Magnesium and Calcium fertilizers can be applied to ensure •

Richer Harvests with Pepper Tycoon F1 By Jared Onduso

M

SPOTLIGHT

2

Monsanto’s stand had: Anna F1, Eden F1, Assila F1, Red Knight F1, Early Butternut F1, Oxylus F1, Blue dynasty F1, Squash ambassador F1, Jambar F1, water melon sugar baby and DK8031 hybrid maize. All the crops were in excellent condition.

Show goers were particularly keen on the tomatoes, cabbages and water melon.

Tomatoes: Anna F1 pulled the greatest interest because it was fully loaded with well-ripened fruits which had stayed on the plant for more than a week - confirming their keeping quality . The outdoor Anna F1 proved to all that it can perform just as well as the green house variety and our message that one can grow Anna outdoor and later using the proceeds to build a greenhouse was well demonstrated.

Cabbages: For many, it was remarkable to see cabbages flourishing at the Coast. Ours was the only stand with cabbages.

Onion: Jambar’s 90-day maturity and its very attractive red-colored bulbs spoke volumes, there was a huge demand for seed.

The appearance of Red Knight, early butternut, Squash Ambassador and watermelon left show goers equally impressed.

better fruit development but also when symptoms of blossom end rot manifest.

Staking and pruning: This is done to reduce excess canopy as well as to get rid of old leaves which contribute to high moisture accumulation leading to increased disease incidences. This can be done by using posts and wire rail, but sticks can also be used.

Management of pest and diseasesMajor tomato pests include white flies, aphids, thrips, bollworm. Whiteflies are known to transmit Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV). While major tomato diseases comprise the blights, wilts and rots.

Pest and diseases remain the greatest challenge in Tomato production. The general principles in pest and disease management include:

Practicing crop rotation.• Observe minimum 2-year rotation program.Growing resistant/tolerant varieties,• use certified disease-free seed treated with an approved fungicide to control seed rots and post emergence damping off.

Other MethodsUsing proper crop production practices that provide the right •growing conditions for plants (sufficient water and balanced fertilization), particularly when crops are young. Strong healthy plants are more likely to withstand pests and diseases.Irrigation management; poor irrigation timing and scheduling •may lead to disease, overhead irrigation in the evenings can encourage early blight.Regularly scout the crop for pest and disease as well as weed •and nutrient deficiencies Use registered products at the recommended rates•

onsanto Vegetable Seeds is proud to introduce Tycoon F1, a new hybrid pepper, into the market. It is a high-yielding variety with green deep , bell-shaped peppers.

SuitabilityThis variety is suitable for open field production.

ATTRIBUTES

Hybrid Califonia Wonder type•Tolerant to anthocyanin (puling). •Plant has good leaf cover•Ideal for open field production•Green blocky fruit.•Tolerant to heat. Flower can establish even during high heat periods of the year•Yield potential: 8 tonnes/acre•Maturity: 75 days (green)•Fruit ripening 90 days from transplanting.•

BENEFITSHigh market demand•Early maturing•Reduced pesticide usage•High returns•Good shelf-life•

ResistanceResistant to Tobamo/Tobamovirus (PMMV) Tobamovirus Pathotype P0•BST/Bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv.vesicatoria Race 1-3•PVY/Potato virus Y caused by Potato virus y Strain 0•

Growing tipsSweet pepper requires heat in order to give optimum yield. However temperatures that exceed 32 0C over a prolonged period can cause abortion of fruits leading to small misshaped fruits and low yield. On the other hand too low temperatures below 120C can lead to fruit deformation. Proper fruit establishment requires pollination in case of poor pollination the fruit shape can be affected. In some cases this can result in “button” shaped fruits.

Care should be taken during transplanting as the plants are sensitive to injury. Tranplanting should be done at the right stage; survival of overgrown seedlings is highly reduced and chances of disease attack are also high as the seedling will bend over to the ground. Frail and etiolated plants especially when high seed density is used in the nursery have reduced survival chances. Depending on the area a spacing of 45 x 60 cm and 30 x 45 cm can be used.

>>> Monsanto’s Daniel Musyoka receives the Winners’ Cup from President Kibaki

As the year draws to a close, we look back at the successes and the challenges that came with it.

Success was, in part, from the more rain than anticipated and the resulting bumper harvest. Farmers across the country had enough to eat this year in sharp contrast to the previous year. Though the current November – December rains may not have been as expected, we can still say nature has favoured us this year.

As with all other years, our main focus is on the farmer. It is our constant endeavour to ensure that our products increase efficiency in the use of available resources in the production process; with the ultimate goal of conserving more; producing more and improving the lives of our farmers.

This year, Monsanto has introduced products that encourage increased production. Our newest entrant is Pepper (Capsicum) Tycoon F1, which promises increased yields and improved quality of pepper in the market - details of which are covered in this newsletter. In addition to this is Mercedes F1, a white onion variety which has already been planted in several areas in the region with farmers reaping its benefits.

Our products now have a new face. The latest Seminis packaging replaces the famous Royal Sluis brand which has long been a household name in vegetable farming in the region. The new pack has simplified the identification of our products in the market. The Seminis branded packaging identifies our open field crops and the De Ruiter Seeds packaging our protected (greenhouse) crop. The new packaging has also been enhanced to ensure even better seed storage.

As we celebrate our successes on different fronts, we also embrace the challenges that we have encountered; choosing to see them as lessons towards making our practises more focused and our commitment to serve even better. We will keep working towards making farming a commercial success by continuously engaging our research and development team in improving our product offerings.

We thank you for your continued partnership and take this opportunity to extend our best wishes to you and your family during this holiday season and wish you a prosperous year 2011.

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Empowering Farmers through TrainingsBy Peter Kiburih

“ I have learned that it is possible to get 32 bags per acre if one follows all the principles we have been taught, and this is what I plan on doing .”

I

Fhen it comes to horticulture, Monsanto Vegetable Seeds sells more than just seeds, it also offers solutions to fit all

sorts of farming situations’’. These are words of Joel Mwangi, a 36-year-old farmer from Naromoru in Laikipia County. He has known no other cabbage, apart from Victoria F1 from Seminis. Mwangi found out about Victoria F1 through a distributor in Naromoru, who informed him of its benefits.

“Since then I have never looked back. From one acre, I have been able to harvest 45-56 tonnes, with each cabbage having a head weight of 4-5 kilogrammes. The cabbage is also an early maturing type, ensuring that it is available in the market for sale. This has given me high profit margins. The proceeds have also enabled me to pay school fees for our children.

Initially, I started farming on a one-acre piece of land, which I have since expanded to two acres. I hope to purchase more land from my proceeds.

“From one acre, I have been able to harvest 45-56 tonnes, with each cabbage having a head weight of 4-5 kilos,”

Realising the ‘Full Benefits’ of Victoria F1 in NaromoruBy Mr Joel Mwangi with Isaac Nzuka

My success in cabbage farming would not have been possible without the dedicated technical team from Monsanto. The relationship Monsanto has with farmers is a partnership; they always appreciate the problems we encounter and offer appropriate solutions.

My advice to farmers is to plant Victoria F1 and enjoy the full benefits of cabbage farming. “

W

Retirement Bliss for Jambar F1 Farmer in Eldoret “ Onion Jambar F1 is a good yielding variety, fast in maturity and thus a better crop for small scale farmers insted of cereals; it will drive us out of poverty.””

>>> Arthenas Tuiyot on his onion farm in Eldoret

By Arthenas Tuiyot with Nathan Koskei

4

SpeakGROWERS The

arming is the back bone of many African economies. In propelling the wheels of development, a country’s citizenry

must be well fed - not with donations but through local production; this calls for appropriate technology to produce enough for an ever increasing population amid changing climatic conditons. Spawning from this need is Monsanto’s vision to empower famers.

Chaaria-Gaitu is at the heart of a fertile maize-growing region in Meru County. According to Kezziah Kangai, an agronomist working with one of the major agricultural input distributors in Meru, Monsanto’s DK8031 is the most popular maize variety in this region. Recently, the Monsanto technical team in collaboration with other stakeholders embarked on a rigorous farmers’ training program aimed at equipping maize growers in Chaaria-Gaitu for the planting season. The turnout was impressive; farmers came to learn and even purchase conservation agriculture products.

Mr Peter Twerandu, is a beneficiary of these trainings. Each season he has 6 acres under maize but his yields have never been good. With the training he has received on conservation agriculture he is optimistic that he will finally see an increase in his maize yields. “From my 6 acre farm I only get 18 bags per acre and my biggest headache is weeding. Now I want to practice conservation agriculture especially since we have been warned that the rains may not be enough. This time round my DK8031 crop will be the best; I have learned that it is possible to get 32 bags per acre if one follows all the principles we have been taught, and this

is what I plan on doing. I’ll be using Guardian Max for weed control and also to reduce nutrient-competition, just as we were trained.”

If done well, conservation agriculture can increase maize yields upto 50 percent. The main steps to conservation agriculture are as follows:

Land preparation using Roundup Turbo to get • rid of existing weeds

Plant your maize (DK8031) •After the first downpour, wait for two days then •

spray Guardian Max on the bare soil.

You can do conservation farming even on small land sizes:DK8031-packed at 2kg packet, Roundup Turbo in 150mls pack and Guardian Max at 250mls, are enough for planting quarter of an acre. These are available at any agrovet shop stocking Monsanto products.

Avoid fake products Make purchases from recognised agrovet shops and request an official receipt for each buy.

Prepare for the SeasonPurchase your maize seed early enough to avoid late planting or running out of seed. •Choose a variety that suits your region. •

DK8031- mid-low altitude zones •DKC80-53 –mid altitude zones•DKC90-89-Mid altitude zones. •

THISSEASON’s TIPS

t was during the Eldoret ASK show that Mr. Arthenas Tuiyot of Chepkanga in Uasin Gishu

County saw onion Jambar F1 - he was impressed by the variety. Tuiyot had been in formal employment for the past 27 years but always had a soft spot for farming; ultimately he knew that it would be the one thing he would opt for upon his retirement.

“The challenge that I faced after seeing the variety was finding the seeds. I finally bought 200gms from one of the Monsanto distributors in Eldoret town. I didn’t have much space at the time, so I seeded 150gms which I transplanted in Dec. 2009 into a tenth of an acre, sharing out the remaining seedlings among my neighbours.

My harvest came in April 2010, and I couldn’t believe it! Out of the small space I managed 2.5 tonnes. This was impressive. The spacing I had used at the time was a bit big and thus my harvest consisted of large bulbs which I comfortably sold to the hotels in Eldoret town.

For my next crop, I sought advice from Monsanto’s area representative on spacing and general crop husbandry. I’m pleased to say this was my dream crop. My advice to the farmers in the North Rift region is onion Jambar F1 is a good yielding variety, fast in maturity and thus a better crop for small scale farmers instead of cereals; it will drive us out of poverty.

Mine would also be to let farmers know that hybrids are better by all

means since its production is unmatched, with resistances or tolerances which means less is spent on production . It’s time we embraced them if we are to remain relevant”.

Tuiyot is now preparing an acre for transplanting Jambar F1 seedlings that he seeded a month ago.

>>> Monsanto’s Peter Kiburih explains Conservation Agriculture to farmers

QUESTIONSAnswered

Your

By Daniel Musyoka

What is it?Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl is a destructive viral disease of tomato. The disease is caused by Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). It is locally known as ‘Ngumi’, ‘Gathuri’ or ‘Kwikunza’ .

Spread of TYLCVThe disease is vector transmitted and whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum) are the main agents.

SymptomsPlants infected at an early stage can be stunted and with short internodes, develop erect branches, and have small chlorotic leaflets which cup and twist upward. Severely affected plants generally do not set fruit. Yellowing of leaflets, leaf cupping, failure to set fruit and flower abortion can also be common when infection occurs at a later stage. Fruit that has set before the plants become infected often ripens normally.

Conditions for Disease DevelopmentThe virus is acquired from infected tomatoes or several solanaceous weeds by the larvae of the sweet potato whitefly and is transmitted in a persistent manner by the adult whitefly into a tomato crop. Secondary spread of the virus in a field is common. The virus is not mechanically transmitted so it is unlikely that it will be spread from infected to healthy plants by workers. Severe outbreaks of the disease are often associated with large populations of the whiteflies.

Disease managementUse of tolerant or resistant varieties greatly reduces •losses from this disease ( Tomato Assila F1 from Monsanto Vegetabe Seed is resistant to TYLCV)Removal of Solanaceous weeds which are in the •

7

TOMATO YELLOW LEAF CURL How do I Manage this?

vicinity of the tomato crop.Rogue diseased plants and destroy by burning. •Control white flies to discourage spread of the •virus. Use of oil sprays helps control whiteflies.Practice a good crop rotation program. •Planting a maize crop around the tomato field •reduces the possibility of white flies accessing the crop.

How can you control whiteflies?

Applying mineral oil on a regular basis may help slow the rate of spread of the disease by reducing the acquisition and transmission of the virus by the whitefly.

Covering plant beds with yellow plastic mulch which attracts the whiteflies and then spraying on a regular basis with insecticides which has proven effective in some areas.

UV-reflective mulch can also be effective at deterring whiteflies from landing on crops.

Adult whiteflies can be controlled by water especially in overhead irrigation, soap (eg: dish-washing liquid), Pyrethroids and other contact insecticides. The larvae stages can be controlled by system growth regulators such as buprofezin

Biological control options such as the use of Encarsia formosa and Entomopathogenic fungi such as Beuaveria bassiana and Verticillium lecanii. Physical control options including crop rotation, ploughing infested crop at night and weed management which can help bring the whitefly population below threshold levels.

Use of effective insecticides such as, Oxamyl, Imidacloprid, Azadirachtin, Dimethoate, Lambda-Cyhalothrin, Deltamethrin, Acephate, Pyrethrin and Thiacloprid among others. Farmers MUST adhere to the recommended dosage and observe the pre-harvest intervals as advised on the product label.

Ingredients:6 medium potatoes (preferably the waxy kind that •doesn’t get mushy when cooked)2 stalks of celery ( thinly sliced) •1/2 cup finely chopped onion •1/3 cup sweet pickle relish •1 1/4 cups mayonnaise or 1 1/4 cups salad dressing •2 teaspoons sugar •2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar •2 teaspoons prepared mustard•2 hardboiled eggs, coarsely chopped •

MO

MBA

SA A

SK S

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Keny

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Creamy Potato SaladRECIPE:

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anza

nia

a small green pepper •Salt and pepper to taste•paprika & dried parsley to garnish •

MethodStart eggs to boil for 10 minutes. 1. While eggs are boiling, peel and cube potatoes, boil potatoes 2. until they are just slightly fork tender. Do not overcook potatoes as this will make your potato salad mushy.Mix chopped onion, celery and green pepper in a bowl.3. Add mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar and mustard.4. Remove eggs from boil, cool and peel them. Chop eggs, reserving 5. some egg for garnish. Add eggs to mixture in bowl.Add drained potatoes to bowl and stir gently but thoroughly 6. so that potatoes are well incorporated. Add salt and pepper to taste. Transfer potato salad to serving bowl. Garnish with leftover egg, 7. parsley, and paprika. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely chilled (at least 3 hours).

Tips & WarningsThis salad can be made even more colorful by adding red or •yellow or orange peppers.Any product with mayonnaise should be kept cold. If you are •serving this dish outside, be sure to keep it cool on ice or put out only small amounts that will be eaten in a reasonable amount of time.

6

By Nashone Mukabane

Photo: LSU AgCenter

CLIENTSMeet our

armers Price Centre is located in Mwea town along the Nairobi-

Meru highway. The store was started with an aim of providing animal health products, agrochemicals and seeds to the farming community in Mwea and the surrounding areas of Kirinyaga County.

Farmers’ Price Centre

F

MONSANTO KENYA LTD, TUSKYS HEAD OFFICE COMPLEX

MOMBASA RD.P.O. Box 47686, 00100, NAIROBI, KENYA

Tel: 254 20 2060922/44, 3574301/4, Fax: 254 20 823086, 3574300

Mobile: 254 722 205594, 722 205294, 722 205529, 254 733 600468, 733 629414

www.monsantoafrica. com

Farmers Price Centre personnel (L-R) Mrs. Karanja, Monsanto’s Isaac Nzuka, Magdalene Wanjiku and Mr. Karanja

During the early years of their business, Farmers Price Centre used to sell Onyx, Cal J e.t.c from Seminis. They later expanded their business and currently stock a wide range of Monsanto products which include Tomato Assila F1, Eden F1, Anna F1, Cabbage Blue Dynasty

Event Venue Date

Field Days Amalemba, Kakamega December

Suneka, Kisii December

Bondo, Siaya December

EVENTS

WORD SEARCHHow well do you know our hybrid (F1) varieties, see if you can spot them in the puzzle below. Find them: horizontally, vertically, diagonally, forwards, backwards, intersecting.

Ambassador,

Anna,

Assila,

Blue Dynasty,

Dekalb,

Early Butternut,

Eden,

Heritage,

Jambar,

Mercedes,

Oxylus

Tycoon

Victoria

RedKnight

by Erastus Matete

A E A R L Y B U T T E R N U T

M W N B U I D E N G H T E O S

B T R R F O P X N Z Y H D I E

A H Y O E E P E R C Y W K J D

S G T M E N G I O K P X P J E

S I K E R A P O R X C D A O C

A N A O T B N V K L Y E K L R

D K B I U C N O P T I L T P E

0 D R P B E J P S N K L U N M

R E K N G K M A N N A P A S N

H R C P L G N I M R P K M E P

Z A B K R Y E R B B A P B K A

X P N E D E N O K L A L K L L

A L R E E A K T L B R R L Y I

B R U Z K S N C L M N K E B S

K L V I C T I I N D U L E D S

B L A K E D U V R K L A V S A

F1, Victoria F1, Squash Ambassador F1, Broccoli Heritage F1, Dekalb maize hybrids e.t.c. The high demand for these seeds has seen this supplier come back for more each time. For them, high quality seed ensures better returns both to the farmer and the dealer.

The proprietors, Mr. and Mrs. Karanja have made sure that their employees are well trained to handle customer needs and provide up to date advice to the farmers. This enables them to meet their objectives of offering high quality goods and services to their customers, ultimately improving farmers’ livelihooods.

The success of the Monsanto products at Farmers Price Centre is to a large extent the result of the excellent after sales service offerred by the Monsanto team.

With the increase of horticultural practices in the region, Monsanto has played a big role in providing quality seeds and technical support to both the farmers and our staff.