Joseph Kamau0315


Title/Qualifications: Ph.D
Department/Unit/Section: Plant and Microbial Sciences  
Contact Address: P. O. Box 1644, THIKA
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Position: Lecturer and Chairperson
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Dr Joseph Kamau obtained his Doctorate degree from university of KwaZulu Natal South Africa. He is a long time breeder. He started breeding sorghum and oil crops later shifted to root and tuber crops where he release over 15 varieties of cassava and four of sweet potatoes as well as coordinating research for these crops nationally. He has also been principle investigator in major projects in the region. In the last ten years he has been involved in rice improvement and agronomy. He has mentored many young scientists at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and supervised postgraduate student. He has published papers in referee journals and made several conferences, symposiums and workshop on various issues affecting agriculture.

Publications on Referred Journals

  • Njenga Peninah, Edema Richard, Kamau Joseph and Abong’ George. 2022. Agronomic Performance and Carotenoid Content of Kenyan Yellow-Fleshed Cassava Clones. ISSN1916-9752; E-ISSN 1916-9760. Journal of Agricultural Science Vol.14(5):128133
  • Al-Imran, D., Musila, R.N., Kamau W.J. 2022. Agronomic, performance, genetic variation and heritability of yield and related traits in rice genotypes under upland conditions. ISSN: 2710-0758. African Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.3(1), 169-176.
  • Al-Imran Dianga, Ruth N. Musila  and Kamau  W. Joseph,  2021. Book Chapter: Rainfed Rice  Farming Production Constrains  and Prospects, the Kenyan Situation. Intech Open Book Series, peer-reviewed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.98389
  • Al-Imran Dianga, Kamau W. Joseph, and Ruth N. Musila. 2020. Analysis of Combining Ability for Early Maturity and Yield in Rice (Genus: Oryza) at the Kenyan Coast.  International Journal of Agronomy. Volume 2020 |Article ID 6230784| https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6230784
  • Valentine Atieno*, Grace W. Gatheri, Joseph W. Kamau and Morris Muthini. Morphological and molecular characterization of cultivated yam (Dioscorea species) in selected counties in Kenya. African Journal of Plant Science Vol. 14(7), pp. 270-279, July 2020 DOI: 10.5897/AJPS2020.2020 Article Number: 332CF7B64301 ISSN 1996-0824 Copyright © 2020 http://www.academicjournals.org/AJPS .
  • Ann Mwaura, Joseph Kamau, Omwoyo Ombori. 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 No. 3 (2020): Volume 1 issue 3 
  • Kanyange , J. Kamau, O. Ombori , A. Ndayiragije  and M. Muthini1. 2019. Genotyping for Blast (Pyricularia oryzae) Resistance Genes in F2 Population of Supa Aromatic Rice (Oryza sativa L). International Journal of Genomics Volume 2019, Article ID 5246820, 10 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5246820
  • Muchemi, P.K., Kamau, J.W., Shem. B.N, Mathew P. N, Kimaru, S.K. Mwangi. J.W, Joyce. W, Florence, M. 2019. Genetic Response of Selected Maize Germplam Screening for MLND Resistance in Kenya. Kenyatta University Biennial Research & Innovation Conference 
  • Muchemi, PK, Kamau, J.W., Shem. B.N, Mathew P.N, Kimaru, S.K., Mwangi, J.W. Waithira, J., Munguti, F. 2019. The relationship between level of education, Farmers varietal prevalence, control and distribution of Maize Lethal Necrosis in Bomet County. Kenyatta University Biennial Research & Innovation Conference
  • Muchemi, P.K., Kamau, J.W., Shem, B.N., Omwoyo, R.O., Kimaru, S.K., Mathew, P.N. 2019. The use of low Tissue Culture Technology towards food sustainability in Kenya. Kenyatta University Biennial Research & Innovation Conference
  • Muchemi, P.K., Kamau, J.W., Mathew, P.N., Shem, B.N. and Mwangi, J.W., Kimaru, S.K. 2018. The currents status of Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease in Nyandarua County, Kenya. Horticultural Association of Kenya
  • Muchemi, PK., J.W., Wabuyele, E., 2018. The Effects of Invasive Plants in East Africa and its Wild Beauty Beast. RUFORUM Biennial
  • Muchemi P.K, Kamau, J.W., Shem, B.N., Mathew. P.N. Omwoyo, R.O., Kimaru, S.K., 2018. The use of low Tissue Culture Technology towards food sustainability in Kenya. RUFORUM Biennial
  • A. Sikuku, J. M. Kimani, J. W. Kamau and S. Njinju. 2016. Influence of Nitrogen Supply on Photosynthesis, Chlorophyll Content and Yield of Improved Rice Varieties under Upland Conditions in Western Kenya. American Journal of Experimental Agriculture 13(2): 1-14, 2016, Article no.AJEA.13859. ISSN: 2231-0606
  • A. Sikuku, J. M. Kimani, J. W. Kamau and S. Njinju. 2015. Evaluation of Different Improved Upland Rice Varieties for Low Soil Nitrogen Adaptability.  International Journal of Plant & Soil Science. 5(1): 40-49, 2015; Article no.IJPSS.2015.058ISSN: 2320-7035
  • Kamau, J.W; Laing, M.; Melis R. and Migwa, U. Different Gender Preferences in Cassava a Breeder Should Consider. Accepted at as a Conference Paper to be presented in cassava conference in Kampala - Uganda 28 – 30th July 2014
  • Sikuku P.A., Kimani J.M., Kamau J.W. and Simon Njinju. 2014. Comparison of different improved upland rice varieties to low soil nitrogen adaptability. Accepted at as a Conference Paper to be presented in cassava conference in Morogoro - Tanzania 15th – 18th July 2014
  • Njenga, P., Edema, R. and Kamau, J., 2014: Combining ability for beta-carotene and important quantitate traits in cassavaf1 population. Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science Vol. 6(2), pp. 26-30, February 2014
  • Kamau, J. W., Melis, R., Laing, M., Derera, J., Shanahan, P. and Ngugi, E. C. K., 2011. Farmers’ participatory selection for early bulking cassava genotypes in semi-arid Eastern Kenya, Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science Vol. 3(3), pp. 44-52, March 2011
  • Njenga, P. W., Edema, R. Kamau, J.W., September 2010 Variability in carotenoid content among introduced yellow-fleshed cassava clones. Second RUFORUM Biennial
    Meeting 20 - 24 September 2010, Entebbe, Uganda. pp 139-142
  • Kamau, J.W., Melis, R., Derera, J. and Laing, M. R., Shanahan, P., E.C.K. Ngugi, 2010. Combining ability of selected cassava genotypes for yield and secondary traits in the semi-arid areas of Eastern Kenya. Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science Vol. 2(7), pp. 181–191, July 2010
  • Kamau, J.W., Melis, R., Laing, M., Shanahan, P., Derera, J. 2007. Farmers Participatory selection for early bulking cassava genotypes in the semi-arid areas of eastern Kenya. In: Biotechnology, Breeding and Seed Systems for Africa. (Research and product development that reaches farmers) 26 to 29 March 2007, Maputo, Mozambique. Abstract. Pp 87
  • Kamau J.W., R. Melis, M. Laing, P. Shanahan. 2006. Participatory based development of early bulking cassava varieties for the semi-arid areas of Eastern Kenya. PhD Thesis. University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Kariuki, C.W., J.W. Kamau, Mbwika, J., Munga, T., Makhoha, A.O., Tunje, T., Nzioki, S.Gatheru, Njaimwe, Wambua, Odendo, M. Lutta, M. and Karuri, E.G. 2002. A report on Cassava sub-sector analysis for Kenya. In J.M. Mbwika, P. Ntawuruhunga, C. Kariuki and A. Makhoka (eds). Proc. of the regional workshop on improving the cassava sub-sector, Nairobi Kenya. April 2002. Pp35.
  • Legg, J.P.Sseruwagi, B.Owor, J.B.A. Whyte, H.Obiero, J.W. Kamau, L. Ndyetabula, S.Jeremiah and G.W.Otim-Nape. July 2001.Management of cassava mosaic germiniviruses in East and Central Africa. Presented at the germiniviruses meeting at John Innes Centre UK.
  • Kamau, J.W. L. Muhamed, C.W. Kariuki, P.J. Ndolo, and T.L. Munga. 1998.Cassava in Kenya. In the proceedings “Cassava mosaic disease management workshop held held at Sunset Hotel Jinja, Uganda 7- 8 December, 1998.
  • S.T.Gichuki, E.Carey, R.Mwanga, R.Kapinga, P.J.Ndolo and J.W. Kamau. Presented at the ISTRC-AB, 1995. Evaluation of sweet potato seedling progenies in Kenya and Tanzania. Kamau, J.W., S. Nguluu, J. Kinama. Presented at the ISTRC-AB, 1999.Farmer evaluation of cassava varieties in the semi arid areas of Kenya.
  • Ndolo, P.J.,E.Carey, S.T. Gichuki, G. Maisiba, J. Ngungi, J.W. Irungu, J.W. Kamau, C. Lusweti and D. K. Maina. Presented at the ISTRC-AB, 1995.Multilocational testing of sweet potato clones in Kenya.
  • Kamau J.W. and H. Thomas. Identification of genetic diversity in physiological responses to stress in maize. University of Wales UK., Msc thesis, 1993.
  • Kamau, J.W., Kinama, J.M., Nguluu, S.N., Muhammad, L., Whyte, J.B.A., Ragwa, S.M., Migwa, E.N. and Simiyu, P.M. 1998b. Farmer’s evaluation of cassava varieties in the semi-arid areas of Kenya. In: Akoroda, M.O., and Ngeve, J.M. (eds.) Root Crops in the 21st century. Proceedings of the seventh ISTRC-AB. Pp. 378-383
  • Kamau, J.W., P.J. Ndolo, A. Mambiri, C.M. Githunguri, S.T. Gichuki, B.A. Bugusu, F. A. Omari, F. Kusewa, Presented at the ISTRC-AB, 1995.An update of cassava program in Kenya, Root Crops in the 20th century. Proceedings of the seventh ISTRC-AB.
  • Kermali, I.K., A. Shakoor, J.W. Kamau, 1983. Abstract, Breeding sorghums for semi arid area E. Afr Agri and For. J. Vol.44.
  • Waite, B.H., A.Shakoor, I.R.Kermali, J.W. Kamau. Evaluation of resistance of sorghum varieties to charcoal rot disease, (Macrophomina phasedlina) 1983. E. Afr .Agri and For. J. Vol.44.
  • Wambua . J., C. Kariuki, J. Kamau, D. Njarui, D. Miano, G. Keya and S. Nguluu Cassava market demand analysis for improved commercialization in Kenya. Proceedings of the 12th KARI biennial scientific conference, Nairobi, Kenya 8th to 12th November, 2010
  • Shakoor, E.C.K. Ngugi, S. Muthoka, J.W. Kamau, 1983. Improvement of cowpea varieties for the dryland areas in Kenya, E. Afr. Agri and For. J. Vol.44.
  • Research work
  • 2012-2014 Developing early bulking cassava varieties with acceptable agronomic and end-user preferences. Funded by Pro-AGRA, US$ 150,000 for three year.
  • 2010- Managing East African Agricultural Research Productivity Project on cassava
  • 2009- 2012: Breeding for high beta carotene content in Cassava roots.
  • 2008 – 2009: Physiological Mechanisms and their Variability for Drought Tolerance in Cassava. Funded by German government (BMZ/GTZ), EURO 60,000.00
  • 2007-2010: Developing early bulking cassava varieties with acceptable agronomic and end-user preferences. Funded by Pro-AGRA, US$ 182,300 for three year.
  • 2001-2003: Phase 2: Accelerated multiplication and distribution of improved cassava varieties in Western and Nyanza provinces, funded by The Rockefeller Foundation and The Gatsby Charitable Organisation, UK, US $ 200,000
  • 1999-2003: Cassava mosaic disease pandemic mitigation in East and Central Africa (Cassava multiplication in Western and Nyanza provinces) funded by USAID, US$ 90,000 per year.
  • 1997-2000: Phase 1: Accelerated multiplication and distribution of improved cassava varieties in Western and Nyanza provinces, funded by The Rockefeller Foundation and The Gatsby Charitable Organisation, UK, US $ 200,000
  • 1994- 2000: Pre and Post harvest improvement of cassava research work and extension by International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, US$ 40,000 per year.
  • 1987-1989: Wild species of grain legumes and underutilized grain legumes. Project funded by the national council for science and technology of Kenya. KSH 122,400.00
    : Dryland seed multiplication of food crops under FAO sponsored project
    : Onfarm training of farmers in food crop husbandry
  • 1985-1990: Conservation and exchange of Dryland germplasm
  • 1983- 1983: Breeding of sorghum crop that generated the crosses emanated with the release of KARI Mtama-1
  • 1981- 82: Breeding of cowpeas for grain and vegetables
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