KEFRI Knowledge Base

KENYA FORESTRY RESEARCH INSITUTE

A report on KEFRIs 3^rd Institutional Scientific Colloquium held on 9^th June 2022 at KEFRI Auditorium

The 3rd KEFRI Institutional Colloquium was held on 9th June 2022 at KEFRI headquarters’ auditorium. It was attended by 108 physical and 88 virtual participants.”The colloquium started at 10.00am with a word of prayer led by Ms. Jane Njeru. Dr. Tito Mbuvi welcomed all members and outlined the program of the day. Dr. Robert Nyambati the MC welcomed and appreciated all those who attended the meeting either online or physical. Later he invited Dr. Jackson Mulatya who introduced and read through the Speaker’s profile– Dr. Jane Njuguna.

Title of address: Pathological Basis for Species - Site matching; The case of indigenous tree species in restoration and commercial forestry in Kenya.

Speaker : Dr. Jane Njuguna – Senior Deputy Director, Research and Development- KEFRI

Speaker Profile: View it here

Dr. Jane Njuguna holds a BSc in Botany and Zoology (Honours) from the University of Nairobi, MSc in Forest Science from the University of Melbourne and a Doctor of Philosophy in Forest Pathology and Mycology from Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. She is currently the Senior Deputy Director - Research and Development, Kenya Forestry Research Institute since September 2017. She served as acting Chief Executive Officer /Director - KEFRI between March 5th 2018 and March 31st 2019. Previously, she served as a Deputy Director, Forest Productivity and Tree Improvement from February 2014, Deputy Regional Director for Central Highlands Eco-Regional Research Programme and Head of Pathology where she guided research and scientists in career advancement and rebranding of Muguga Regional Research Centre (MRRC) to Central Highland Eco-Regional Research Programme (CHERP). She was also an Assistant Coordinator and Database Manager for the International Forestry Resources and Institutions (lFRJ) Research Programme - Kenya Chapter.

Dr. Jane Njuguna is a founding member of the African Women in Biosciences Forum, a full member of Forestry Society of Kenya, a member of the African Mycological Society, Member of the Kenya Women in Agriculture and Environment, and a member of the American association of Colleges and Universities. She has over 34 years' experience in forestry research and management specializing in; Forest Pathology, Forest Health, Forest Biotechnology and Forest Conservation

Key highlights

Dr. Njuguna in her presentation indicated it was a summary of her 34 years of service at KEFRI as a pathologist in the area of species - site matching while giving its basis in terms of disease incidence, severity and impacts.

She noted that her presentation was timely because it came at a time when KEFRI is tasked with developing a species – site matching tool.

" Trees that are planted in areas that are suitable are able to resist any attack of diseases and pests and are able to perform better and become more productive. Trees planted in wrong areas become highly susceptible to diseases and insect pests," she stated.

Further she said, KEFRI currently has a flagship mandate to “Produce, process, test and distribute quality forest and tree germplasm to meet the stakeholders demand for tree seed/seedlings as well as achieve 30% Kenya’s tree cover by 2050” Kenya therefore needs to grow 2 billion seedlings annually for this purpose. She noted that for the country to achieve this milestone, we need to make use of the ASALs expansive areas of land, propagate drought resistant and disease free seedlings and trees. She emphasized on the need of adopting guidelines on tree site matching while rehabilitating the ASALs, degraded landscapes and/ or establishing commercial forest plantations to avoid transmission of tree pathogens and diseases.

Dr. Njuguna informed the audience that for tree disease to occur, there must be the interaction of 3 main factors; pathogen, host and environmental factors.

“Pathogen, host, and environmental factors interrelate in a variety of complex ways to produce diseases. Different diseases require different balances and interactions of these three factors. Development of appropriate, practical, and effective measures to control or prevent diseases usually requires assessment of all three factors and their interactions” she said.

She informed the audience that in the history of tree diseases in Kenya, the first known recording was Dostithroma blight on Pinus patula in Taita hills in 1956 and in Nyeri in 1960s, as a result, Pinus radiata was suspended in the country. Cypress canker was also first detected in1960s that subsequently led to the discontinuation of cypress caltivation in the country.

Dr. Njuguna further discussed 5 case studies of research work she has done jointly with others. In one of the case studies, she gave insights into Canker and Dieback disease threat on the growth of Grevillea robusta in Kenya. She noted that Grevilea was mainly introduced in Kenya in the 1900s as a highland tree primarily to provide shade and act as a windbreak. Over the years, farmers started growing it in other areas, as a result, it became susceptible to canker and dieback disease. She noted that the disease is mild in the humid areas and severe in hot areas and its impact has been reduced wood quality. From data collected across 5 agro-ecological zones, the incidence of the disease seemed to have a positive correlation with increased periods of drought. She reinforced on the need of having proper species- site matching.

Discussion.

Controlling tree diseases

The presenter was asked to comment on other ways of controlling tree diseases apart from species site matching. The response was that the best stage of controlling a disease was at seed and seedling stage. She emphasized on planting hybrid seeds and practicing crop rotation. She elaborated that a seed should be dried for 9 years to resist a disease. The presenter informed the audience that KEFRI has been tasked to develop a species site marching tool because trees in areas suitable can resist diseases and pest.

Degradation of Grevillea timber

There was a concern that people have been using Grevillea timber in construction and furniture. The presenter responded that Grevillea was not planted for timber purposes but for a shade to tea and coffee. She continued to say that timber used for construction of houses should be from a mature tree of 80 years because using timber from juvenile tree will definitely warp after sometime causing economical loss. She said that people are using Grevillea because of wood deficit in the country.

Damages caused by dead trees

Dr. Njuguna cautioned that damaged trees are danger for they have fungus which injures nails, eyes and causes breathing problem. Local who normally collect such firewood were advised to use modern methods of cooking to avoid fungal diseases.

Clearing of species with consequences

The presenter was asked to make clarity of whether a forest pathologists can be given powers to clear the species with consequences of causing deaf. The presenters responded that they have written reports and power on clearing plantations but there are no resources. In Lake Victoria Basin majority of trees onfarm were sick and it have become a challenge as there are personal property. The presenter advised removal of such trees and replacement with the right species. Although there are trees such as Acacia that produce valuable gums and resins, Eucalypts and Grevillea produce oozing gums mostly due to Cankers and people should not consume because they habour poisonous fungi.

Mentorship

It was noted that 60% of young staff are unware of KEFRI's environment. She emphasized on the new staff to embrace teamwork and explore laboratories to appreciate the role they play to shape scientific work.