Diversity and Environmental Specificity of Fungal Isolates from Soils and Cereal Grains in Western Kenya
Edward Mwakichwa Mwatabu, Javan Omondi Were, Josiah Chemulanga Chiveu, E. Ouma, Meshack Amos Obonyo
Trends in Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
Background and Objective: Mycotoxin contamination in maize and groundnuts has undermined Kenya's health care system for decades.This study aimed to determine the diversity of mycotoxin fungi in maize, groundnut and soils of Western Kenya and farmers' awareness of on-field mycotoxin mitigation measures.Materials and Methods: Infected maize, groundnut and soil samples were collected from Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya and Busia Counties.Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect socioeconomic data on mycotoxin awareness and mitigation measures used by farmers.Pure fungal isolates were obtained for diversity assessment on PDA and incubated at 25-27C.A light microscope at 400 magnification was used for the morphological identification of spores and mycelia, while species were identified usin