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Prof. Omwoyo Ombori

Professor, Department of Plant Sciences

Home School of Pure & Applied Sciences Department of Plant Sciences Prof. Omwoyo Ombori

Prof. Omwoyo Ombori

Professor, Department of Plant Sciences

Academic Qualifications

Biotechnology and the use of molecular markers in genomic characterization More especially in the improvement of crop production, food production,
induction/selection of stress tolerant crops against drought, salinity, diseases and pests.
Increase in crop production using organic fertilizer.
Improvement of crop production using indigenous rhizobia, bradyrhizobiua and Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi
Micropropagation and characterization of crops, ornamentals, medicinal plants and indigenous trees using low cost technology.
Conservation of genetic resource through the application of biotechnological techniques.

Refereed Journal Articles

  1. Kamore, H. K., Njeru, E. M., Nchore, S. B., Ombori, O. , Muthini, J. M. and Kimiti, J. M. (2024). Prevalence of banana diseases and post-harvest losses in Kenya, and biocontrol potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi against Fusarium wilt. International Journal of Horticultural Science, 30: 62-73. https://doi.org/10.31421/ijhs/30/2024/13781
  2. Asande, L.K.; Ombori, O.; Oduor, R.O.; Nyaboga, E.N. (2023). Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration of Farmer-Preferred Passion Fruit Varieties Grown in Kenya. International Journal of Plant Biology 14 (4), 1180-1189
  3. Asande, L.K., Ombori, O., Oduor, R.O., and Nyaboga, E.N. (2023). Occurrence of passion fruit woodiness disease in the coastal lowlands of Kenya and screening of passion fruit genotypes for resistance to passion fruit woodiness disease. BMC Plant Biology 23, 544 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-023-04546-8
  4. Wahome, C., Ombori, O., Maingi, J., Njeru, E., Nchore, S., Kimiti, J., and Muthini, M. (2023). Response of micropropagated tissue culture banana (Musa spp.) to acclimatization using arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi. African Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 4(2), 50-58. https://doi.org/10.33886/ajpas.v4i2.410
  5. Mwaura, A, Omwoyo, O., and Kamau, J. (2023). Potential application of DNA barcoding technology for identification of medicinal plant species traded in Nairobi County, Kenya. East African Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation, 4 (2).
  6. Wahome, C.N.; Maingi, J.M. Ombori , O.; Njeru, E.M. Muthini, M. and Kimiti, J.M. (2023). Diversity and abundance of bacterial and fungal communities in rhizospheric soil from smallholder banana producing agroecosystems in Kenya. Frontiers in Horticulture , 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/fhort.2023.106145
  7. Simon W. Mburu, S.W. Koskey, G., Njeru, E.M, Omwoyo Ombori, O, Maingi, J. and. Kimiti, J.M. (2022). Genetic and phenotypic diversity of microsymbionts nodulating promiscuous soybeans from different agro-climatic conditions. Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , 20:109. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43141-022-00386- 5
  8. Opere, W.M., John M., Ombori, O. and Kiulia, N.M. (2022). Identification of enteroviruses along Lake Victoria shoreline-a potential indicator of sewage Pollution. Access Microbiology 2022;4:000334
  9. Wahome, C.N., Maingi,J.M., Ombori, O, Kimiti J.M..and Njeru, E.M. (2021) Banana production trends, cultivar diversity and tissue culture technologies uptake in Kenya. International Journal of Agronomy, https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6634046
  10. Ngai, D.G., Nyamache, A.K. and Ombori, O. (2021). Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella species and Escherichia coli isolates from poultry feeds in Ruiru Sub-County. BMC Research Notes, 14: 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-021-05456-4
  11. Wasonga, M.O., Maingi, J. and Omwoyo, O. (2021). Effects of contamination of freshwater habitat with common heavy metals andanions on the prevalence of human adenoviruses and enteroviruses. Frontiers in Public Health, 8: 603217. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.603217. | www.frontiersin.org
  12. Nyamwaka, I.S., Monda, E., Ombori, R.O. and Kwach, J. (2020). Sources of Fungal Contamination of Fresh and Dried Fish in Kisii County, Kenya. Microbiology Research Journal International 30(10): 50-62. ISSN: 2456-7043
  13. Opere, W.M., John, M. & Ombori, O. Molecular Detection of Human Enteric Adenoviruses in Water Samples Collected from Lake Victoria Waters Along Homa Bay Town, Homa Bay County, Kenya. Food and Environmental Virology (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12560-020-09444-y
  14. Naluyange V., Ochieno, D.M.W., Wandahwa, P., Maingi, J.M., Ombori, O.. Mukaminega, M., Amoding, A., Odendo, M. and Muoma, J.V.O (2020). Performance of Mwitemania Bean Under the Influence of Nitrogen-Fixing Rhizobium Inoculant, Water Hyacinth Composts and DAP Fertilizer in a Field Infested with Aphis fabae and Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. In: Sutton M.A. et al. (eds) Just Enough Nitrogen. Springer, Cham, pp 125-138. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58065-0_9
  15. Njeru, E. M., Muthini, M., Muindi, M.M., Ombori, O., Nchore, S.B. Runo, S. and Maingi, J.M. 2020). In: Exploiting Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi-Rhizobia-Legume Symbiosis to Increase Smallholder Farmers’ Crop Production and Resilience Under a Changing Climate. In: Singh B., Safalaoh A., Amuri N., Eik L., Sitaula B., Lal R. (eds) Climate Impacts on Agricultural and Natural Resource Sustainability in Africa. Springer, Cham, Pp 471-488. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37537-9_27
  16. Mburu, W., Koskey, G., Njeru, E.N., Ombori, O., Maingi, J.M. & Kimiti, J.M. (2020). Differential Response of Promiscuous Soybean to Local Diversity of Indigenous and Commercial Bradyrhizobium Inoculation Under Contrasting Agroclimatic Zones. International Journal of Plant Production
  17. Asande, L.K., Omwoyo, O., Oduor, R.O and Nyaboga, E.N. (2020). A simple and fast Agrobacteriummediated transformation system for passion fruit KPF4(Passiflora edulis edulis × Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) , Plant Methods, 16:141. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-020-00684-4
  18. Asande, L.K., Omwoyo, R.O., Nyaboga, E.N. and Oduor, R.O. (2020). Efficient Shoot Organogenesis Using Leaf Disc and Nodal Explants of Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) and Genetic Fidelity Assessment Using Sequence-Related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) Markers. International Journal of Agronomy, 2020, Article ID 3205710. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3205710
  19. Opere, W.M., John, M. Ombori, O. (2020). Occurrence of Enteric Viruses in Surface Water and the Relationship with Changes in Season and Physical Water Quality Dynamics. Advances in Virology, 2020, Article ID 9062041. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9062041
  20. Nyamwaka, I.S., Monda, E., Ombori, R.O. and Kwach, J. (2020). Prevalence and Characterization of Moulds Associated with Fish Feeds Sold in Kisii County, Kenya. Journal of Advances in Microbiology, 20(8): 31-41, Article no.JAMB.60520. ISSN: 2456-7116
  21. Towett, G., Maingi, J, Omwoyo Ombori, O. and Mbuvi, H. (2020). Reduction of mobile heavy metals during composting of water hyacinth International Journal of Biological, Physical and Chemical Studies (IJBPCS), www. ijbpcs.one
  22. Mwaura, ., Kamau, J., omwoyo, O. (2020). An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants commonly traded in Kajiado, Narok and Nairobi counties, Kenya . East African Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation, Vol. 1 (3): 2020.
  23. Alaro, L., Monda, E., Ombori, O., & Okun, D. (2020). Mr. Fumonisin B1 (FB1) and fumonisin B2 (FB2) levels in maize genotypes grown in Nakuru County-Kenya. Current Educational Research, 3(02). Retrieved from http://educationalresearch.in/index.php/cer/article/view/50
  24. Langat ,C., Ombori, O., Leley, P., Karanja, D., Cheruiyot, R., Gathaara, M., and Masila, B. (2020). Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Related to Drought Tolerance in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Using F2 Population from (KATB1 GLP2). International Annals of Science, 8 (1): 75-86,. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21467/ias.8.1.75-86.
  25. Kanyange, L. Kamau, J. Ombori, O., Ndayiragije, A., and Muthini, M. (2019). Genotyping for Blast (Pyricularia oryzae) Resistance Genes in F2 Population of Supa Aromatic Rice (Oryza sativa L.). Internationa journal of Genomics, 2019: 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5246820.
  26. Langat ,C., Ombori, O., Leley, P., Karanja, D., Cheruiyot, R., Gathaara, M., and Masila, B. (2019). Genetic variability of Agronomic Traits as Potential Indicators of Drought Tolerance in Common Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). International Journal of Agronomy, 2019: 1-8. ID 2360848, https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2360848
  27. Kawaka, F, Ombori, O., Maingi, J., Amoding, A., Mukaminega, D. and Muoma, J. (2018). Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars to Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms) Compost in Kisumu, Kenya along the Lake Victoria Basin. Journal of Experimental Agriculture International 28(1): 1-9, 2018; Article no.JEAI.8260. ISSN: 2457-0591.
  28. Kawaka,F. Makonde, H., Dida, M., Opala, P., Ombori, O., Maingi, J. and Muoma, J. (2018). Genetic diversity of symbiotic bacteria nodulating common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Western Kenya. PLoS One 13 (11), e0207403.
  29. Beesigamukama, D., Tumuhairwe, J.B., Muoma, J., Maingi, J.M., Ombori, O, Mukaminega, D., Nakanwagi, J. and Amoding, A. (2018). Agronomic effectiveness of water hyacinth-based composts. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 13(39): 2055-2062. DOI: 10.5897/AJAR2018.13440. ISSN: 1991-637X. http://www.academicjournals.org/AJAR
  30. Beesigamukama, D., Tumuhairwe, J.B., Muoma, J., Maingi, J.M., Ombori, O, Mukaminega, D., Nakanwagi, J. and Amoding, A. (2018). Improving Water Hyacinth-Based Compost for Crop Production. Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology, 4 (3): 52-63. ISSN: 2465-7522. http://pearlresearchjournals.org/journals/jasft/index.html
  31. Koskey G., Mburu, SW, Kimiti, J.M., Ombori, O., Maingi, J.M. and Njeru, E.M. (2018) Genetic characterization and diversity of Rhizobium isolated from root nodules of Mid-Altitude climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9:968. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00968
  32. Mose, DN., Ombori. O. Allan, M.J. and Okemo, P. (2018). Sources of microbial contaminants in biosafety laboratories in Kenya. Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 17(2): 1-11. Article no.JABB.38583. ISSN: 2394-1081.
  33. Kawaka, F, Dida, M., Opala, P., Ombori, O., Maingi, J., Amoding, A. and Muoma, J. (2018). Effect of nitrogen sources on the yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Western Kenya. Journal of Plant Nutrition, https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2018.1458870
  34. Koskey G., Mburu, SW, Kimiti, J.M., Ombori, O., Maingi, J.M. and Njeru, E.M. (2018) Genetic Characterization and Diversity of Rhizobium Isolated From Root Nodules of Mid-Altitude Climbing Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Varieties. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9:968. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00968
  35. Jackline, T.E., Njoka, F.M., Ombori, O. and Peter N. Njau, P.N. (2018). Introgression of stem rust resistance into popular Kenyan wheat varieties to improve production. Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology, 17(1): 1-11. Article no.JABB.38609. ISSN: 2394-1081. DOI : 10.9734/JABB/2018/38609
  36. Mbinda, W., Ombori, O., Dixelius, C. and Oduor, R. (2018). Xerophyta viscosa Aldose Reductase, XvAld1, enhances drought tolerance in transgenic sweetpotato. Molecular Biotechnology, 60(3): 203-214. DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s12033-018-0063-x
  37. Jackline, T.E., Ombori, O., Njau, P.N. and Njoka, F.M. (2017). Determination of Stem Rust Ug99Disease Severity in Selected Wheat Backcrosses in Kenya. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR JAVS), 10(5): 66-71. e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. www.iosrjournals.org
  38. Koskey,G; Mburu, S.W.; Njeru, E.M.; Malia, J.K.; Ombori,O. and Maingi, J.M. (2017). Potential of native rhizobia in enhancing nitrogen fixation and yields of climbing beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in contrasting environments of Eastern Kenya. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8:443. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00443
  39. Wekesa, C.S.; Muoma, J.; Ombori, O., Maingi, J.; Okun, D., Juma, K.; Okoth, P.; Wamalwa, E.; Kollenberg, M. and Mauti, E. (2017). Genetic Characterization of Rhizosphere Bacteria that inhabit common bean nodules in Western Kenya soils. Applied Microbiology, 3(1): 128. DOI: 10.4172/2471-9315.100012. ISSN:2471-9315
  40. Mbinda, W., Anami, S., Ombori, O., Dixelius, C. and Oduor, O. (2016). Efficient Plant Regeneration of Selected Kenyan Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) Cultivars through Somatic Embryogenesis. Journal of Tissue Science & Engineering, 7(2). DOI: 10.4172/2157-7552.1000176
  41. Mburu, S.W., Koskey, G., Kimiti, J.M., Ombori, O., Maingi, J.M. and Njeru, E.M. (2016). Agrobiodiversity conservation enhances food security in subsistencebased farming systems of Eastern Kenya. Agriculture & Food Security, 5(19). DOI 10.1186/s40066-016-0068-2
  42. Naluyange, V., Ochieno, D.M.W., Wandahwa, P., Odendo, M., Maingi, J.M., Amoding, A., Ombori, O., Dative Mukaminega, D. & John Muoma, J. (2016). Belowground influence of Rhizobium inoculant and water hyacinth composts on yellow bean infested by Aphis fabae and Colletotrichum lindemuthianum under field conditions. Journal of Plant Studies, 5(2): 32-36.
  43. Piero, N.M.,Murugi N.J., Okoth, O.R., Ombori, O.R.,Jalemba, M.A. and Chelule, C.R. (2015). RNAi-Mediated Downregulation of Cyano-Glycoside Biosynthesis in Kenyan Cassava (ManihotesculentaCrantz) Genotypes. Plant Biochemistry and Physiology, 3 (3):148-153. doi:10.4172/2329-9029.1000148
  44. Ngugi, M. P., Murugi, N.J., Oduor, O. R., Mgutu, A. J., Ombori R. O. and Cheruiyot, R.C. (2015). Determination of Cyanogenic Compounds Content in Transgenic Acyanogenic Kenyan Cassava (ManihotesculentaCrantz) Genotypes: Linking Molecular Analysis to Biochemical Analysis. Analytical and Bioanalytical Techniques, 6(5):264-271.
  45. Ngugi M.P., Oduor, R.O. Omwoyo, R.O.,Njagi, J.M., Mgutu, A.J. and Cheruiyot R.C. (2015). Regeneration of Kenyan Cassava (ManihotEsculentaCrantz) Genotypes . Plant Biochemistry and Physiology, 3: 147. doi:10.4172/2329-9029.1000147.
  46. Ngetich, A., Runo, Ombori, O., Ngugi, M, Kawaka, F., Perpetua, A. and Nkanata, G., (2015). Low Cost Micropropagation of Local Varieties of Taro (Colocasia esculenta spp.) . British Biotechnology Journal 6(4): 136-145, Article no.BBJ.2015.036. ISSN: 2231–2927. www.sciencedomain.org
  47. Gacheri, P., Machuka, J., Ombori,O. and Bukach, B. (2015). Agrobacterium Mediated Transformation of Selected Maize Inbred Lines with pPZP200 towards Enhancement of Lysine and Methionine Content. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 5(2): 6-18. ISSN 2224-3208(Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online). www.iiste.org
  48. Mutua, B.M., Muriithi, J.K. and Ombori, O. (2014). Farmers’ awareness level on the effect of parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) on agricultural production and its control in Nyando division, Kenya . International Journal of Agriculture. Photon, 125: 305-310.
  49. Kawaka, F, Dida, M.M., Opala, P.A., Ombori, O., Maingi, J., Osoro, N. Muthini, M. Amoding, A., Mukaminega, D. and Muoma, J., 2014, Symbiotic Efficiency of Native Rhizobia Nodulating Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Soils of Western Kenya ., International Scholarly Research Notices, 2014, Article ID 258497. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/258497
  50. Osoro, N.O, Kawaka, F, Naluyange, V, Ombori, O, Muoma, J.O., Amoding, A, Mukaminega, D., Muthini, M. and Maingi, J.M,Effects of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes 1 [mart.] solms) compost on growth and yield of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Lake Victoria Basin European International Journal of Science and Technology, 3 (7): 173-186. ISSN: 2304-9693. www.eijst.org.u
  51. Mvuria, J.M. and Ombori, O.,2014, Low Cost Macronutrients in the Micropropagation of Selected Sweet Potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] Varieties Mvuria , Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, 3(1): 89-101. ISSN: 2334-2404. www.aripd.org/jaes
  52. Osoro, N., Ombori, O., Muthini, M., Muoma, J.O., Amoding, A., Mukaminega, D., Muthini, M. and Maingi, J.M. (2014). Effects of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [mart.] solms) Compost onGrowth and Yield of Common Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Lake Victoria Basin. European International Journal of Science and Technology.
  53. Muoma, J.V.O. and Ombori, O. (2014). Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation of Selected Kenyan Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes by Introgression of Nicotiana Protein Kinase (npk1) to Enhance Drought Tolerance . American Journal of Plant Sciences, 5: 863-883 http://www.scirp.org/journal/ajps
  54. Kawaka, F., Ombori, O., Maingi, J.M., Amoding, A, Mukaminega, D . and Muoma, J. (2014) . Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars to Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms) Compost in Kisumu, Kenya along the Lake Victoria Basin . American Journal of Experimental Agriculture. www.sciencedomain.org
  55. Naluyangea, V., Ochieno, D.M.W., Maingi, J.M., Ombori, O., Mukaminega, D., Amoding, A., Odendo, M., Okoth, S.A., Shivoga, W..A and Muoma, J.V.O (2014). Compatibility of Rhizobium inoculant and water hyacinth compost formulations in rosecoco bean and consequences on Aphis fabae and Colletotrichum lindemuthianum infestations. Applied Soil Ecology 76 (2014) 68– 77. www.elsevier.com/locate/apsoil.
  56. Muthini, M., Maingi, J.M., Muoma, J.O., Amoding, A., Mukaminega, D., Osoro, N. Mgutu, A and Ombori, O. (2014). Morphological assessment and effectiveness of indigenous rhizobia isolates that nodulate P. vulgaris in water hyacinth compost testing field in Lake Victoria Basin . British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, 4(5): 718-738. www.sciencedomain.org.
  57. Osoro, N., Ombori, O., M., Muoma, J.O., Amoding, A., Mukaminega, D., Muthini, M. and Maingi, J.M. (2014). Effects of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [mart.] solms) compost on growth and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays). British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, 4(4): 616-633. www.sciencedomain.org.
  58. Atieno, R.N., Owour, O.P. and Omwoyo, O. (2013). Antibiotic Resistance of Fecal Bacteria indicators and Pathogens Isolated from Sludge and Wastewaters of Abattoirs in Nairobi, Kenya. Journal of Biology, 1(5): 106-11. ISSN 2052-0751
  59. Atieno, N. A., Owour , O.P. and Omwoyo, O. (2013). Isolation of high antibiotic resistant fecal bacteria indicators, Salmonella and Vibrio species from raw abattoirs sewage in Peri-Urban locations of Nairobi, Kenya. Greener Journal of Biological Sciences 3(5): 172-178. ISSN: 2276-7762.
  60. Atieno, N. A., Owour, O.P. and Omwoyo, O. (2013). Heavy metal and associated antibiotic resistance of fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci and pathogens isolated from wastewaters of abattoirs in Nairobi, Kenya. Journal of Applied Biosciences 64:4858 – 4866. ISSN 1997–5902.
  61. Ombori, O., Muoma, J.V.O. and Machuka, J. (2013). Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of selected tropical inbred and hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) lines. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 113(1): 11-23.
  62. Osoro, N., Maingi, J.M., Ombori, O., Muoma, J.O., Amoding, A., Mukaminega, D. and Muthini, M. (2013). Effects of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [mart.] solms) compost on growth and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays). In C. Onyango, G. Unbehend and M. Lindhauer (eds.), Trends and opportunities in the production, processing and consumption of staple food crops in Kenya. TUD press, Verlag der Wissenschaften GmbH, pp 130-138.
  63. Ogero, K., Gitonga N.M, Maina, M., Ombori, O. and Ngugi, M. (2012). Cost-effective nutrient sources for tissue culture of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). African Journal of Biotechnology 11(66): 12964-12973.
  64. Ogero, K., Gitonga N.M., Maina, M., Ngugi, M. and Ombori, O (2012). Low Cost Tissue Culture Technology in the Regeneration of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) . Research Journal of Biology 2(2): 71-78.
  65. Ogero, K., Gitonga N.M, Maina, M., Ombori, O. and Ngugi, M. (2012). Response of two sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) varieties regenerated on low cost tissue culture medium . Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology A & Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology B 2(5B): 534-1250.