Profile - PROF. ROBERT MORWANI GESIMBA

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PROF. ROBERT MORWANI GESIMBA

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PERSONAL DETAILS

Designation: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Corporate Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Job Category: Teaching
Phone Number: +254721551999
Alternative Phone No.: +254 703891728
Division / Faculty: Faculty of Agriculture
Directorate / Dept: DEPT OF CROPS, HORT AND SOILS
Section: Horticulture
Office Extension No.: 3218
Address: Box 655

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

2008: PhD Horticulture and Crop Science (Pomology, Physiology, Crop Protection, Biotechnology); Ohio state University

2001: MSc Crop Science (Production) Egerton University.

1995: BSc Horticulture Egerton University.

FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION

: Crop Production Physiology (Bevarages and Nut crops), Crop Protection (Pathology:Fungal Diseases), Fruit Science: Diversity, production and improvement using molecular tools, Post harvest Physiology and Technology of fruits.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

2018: Advances in Molecular techniques: Nanjing Agricultural University

2013: Advances in Mushroom Production: Punjab Agricultural University

2008: Advences in Plant Pathology analytical techniques: Ohio State University, ORDC Wooster.

WORK EXPERIENCE

2014 - date	Chairman, Crops Horticulture and Soils Department, Egerton University
2010 – date	Senior Lecturer, Crops, Horticulture and Soil sciences Department, Egerton University
2005 - 2009	Lecturer, Crops, Horticulture and Soil sciences Department, Egerton university
2001 - 2004	Assistant Lecturer, Crops, Horticulture and Soil sciences Department, Egerton University
1990 - 2000	Demonstrator, Crops, Horticulture and Soil sciences Department, Egerton University

KEY PROJECTS

Project period	Research Topic
2012-2014	Trilateral partnership for food security- Egerton University/Punjab Agricultural University/Ohio State University. Funding USAID. USAID $800,000. (Collaborating Research scientist)
2009-2012	Enhancing Productivity and Economic Value of Tomato and Passion fruit for Improved Income, Nutrition and Food Security. Donor: IPM-Crisp; Funding to KARI-$100,000(Collaborating Research scientist)
2014-	Breeding Tomato for improved resistance to bacterial wilt (Kenya seed). (Collaborating Research scientist)
2014-	Blackberry breeding and commercialization as an export cash crop in Kenya. Funding 60,000USD RUFORUM. (Principal investigator).
2015-	Enhancing post harvest shelf life of Mangoes using natural coatings. Funding NACOSTI 2000USD. (Collaborating Research scientist)
2015-	Detecting and prevention of the Mango fruit fly in Kenya. Funding NACOSTI 2000USD Collaborating Research scientist)
2015-	The use of Organic amendments in production of fruits. Funding SAGLA 10,000USD (Collaborating Research scientist)

RESEARCH INTERESTS

collection
chracterization and improvement of Fruit
Bevarage and Nut crops for improved productivity
disease resistance

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS

2004 - 2012

	Title
1	Gesimba, R. M., Struve, D.K. 2012.The effect of Fusarium oxyporum f. sp. Passiflorae on Passiflora species chitinase production and activity in Kenya. Botswana Journal of Agriculture and Applied Science. 7 (3):31-35.
2	Gesimba, R.M., Struve, D.K., Rhodes, L. andR.M.S. Mulwa. 2010 The effect of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Passiflorae on wilt development in Passiflora species from Kenya. Botswana Journal of Agriculture and Applied Science. 6 (2):41-48.
3	Gesimba, R.M. and D.K., Struve. 2013. Graft Compatibility between cultivated and wild Passiflora species. Journal of Phytology 38 (2)56-61.
4	Gesimba R.M. and M.C Langat. 2005. A Review on weeds and weed control in oil crops with special reference to soybeans (Glycine max L.) in Kenya. Agricultura Tropica Et Subtropica 38 (2)56-61.
5	Langat M.C., Okiror M.A., Ouma J.P. and R.M. Gesimba. 2006. The effect of intercropping groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) on yield and cash income. Agricultura Tropica Et Subtropica 39 (2) 88-91.
6	Kinyua, M.G., Njoka, E.M., Gesimba, R.M. and Birech, R.J., 2003. Selection of Drought Tolerant Bread Wheat Genotypes using Root Characteristics at Seedling Stage. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development. 4: 9-15.
7	Langat, M.C., Okiror, M.A., Gesimba, R.M., and J.P. Ouma. 2007. The effect of intercropping groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) with maize (Zea mays L.) on yield and cash income. Botswana Journal of Agriculture and Applied Science 3 (2) 139 - 148.
8	R.M. Gesimba, E. Njoka and M. Kinyua , 2004. Root Characteristics of Drought Tolerant Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Genotypes at Seedling Stage. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 3: 512-515.

2014 to Date

	Title
1	Wanjukia, J.W., Gesimba,R.M., and Wolukau, J.N., 2020. Effects of Tithonia Diversifolia and Trichoderma asperellum on growth and yield of strawberry Fruit (Fragaria x ananassa var Duch) Journal of Agriculture and veterinary Science 13 (8) 50-55.
2	Ouma, K.O, Gesimba, R.M and Wolukau, J.N., 2020. Wild Blackberry (Rubus spp.) differ in duration to reproductive phase under conventional production in Kenya, African Journal of Plant Science, 14(4) 150-154.
3.	Adrien Turamyenyirijuru¹, Guillaume Nyagatare², Rhoda J. Birech³ and Robert M. Gesimba. 2019 Assessment of Soil Fertility in Smallholder Potato farms in Rwanda Agricultural Science Digest, Volume 39 (4) 280-285.
4.	Jared A. Ochieng, Robert M. Gesimba, Maurice E. Oyoo , Korir, P, Owuoche J.O. Miheso M.^,2019. In-situ Morphological Characterization of blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson) in Rift Valley region of Kenya. African Journal of Plant Science 13(11) 297-308
5	Turamyenyirijuru, A, Nyagatare G, Gesimba, R.M, Birech, R, 2019. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Tuber Yield and Yield Components as Influenced by Different Levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in Rwanda. Agricultural Science Digest, 39(3)195-199
6	Gichaba, S.N., Gesimba, R.M. & Wolukau, J.N.2018. In vitro responses of wild blackberries to sterilization protocols, different parts of plant and sizes of explant used in micropation (Rubus spp.) in kenya. IOSR Journals of Agriculture and Veterinary Science 11 (10) 51-56
7	Jared A. Ochieng, Maurice E. Oyoo, Robert M. Gesimba, Paul C. Korir and Pascal O. Ojwang’ and James O. Owuoche 2018. Genetic diversity of blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson) in selected counties in Kenya using SSR Markers African Journal of Biotechnology. . 17 (39) 1247-1264.
8	Omondi, Kenneth Ouma, Gesimba, R. Morwani and Wolukau, J. Ngwela. 2018. Growth and Yield Potential of Wild Blackberry (Rubus spp.) under Conventional Production Practices in Kenya. Journal of Experimental Agriculture International 26(6): 1-9.
9	Wolukau, J.N., Gesimba, R.M., Nyamari JK., Chen J.F., Zhou, X.H., 2018. RAPD analysis of genetic diversity of Chinese F1 cultivated Melon (Cucumis melo L). African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security, 6(5) 248-254.
10	Nyamari J.K, Wolukau J.N, R.M. Gesimba. 2017. Management of Pectobacterium carotivorum infections in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) using Tagetes minuta and Capsicum fructescens extracts. Journal of agricultural and crop Research, 5(5) 77-84.
11	Gesimba, M. R. 2016. Mechanical strengths, Hydraulic Conductance and Growth of Passiflora edulis f. edulis grafted on five different rootstocks at three different cleft lengths in Nakuru Kenya. International Journal of Plant and Soil Science 12(5) 1-9.
12	Gesimba, R.M. 2016. The Relationship between Graft Compatibility and Cyanohydrin glycoside type and content in Passiflora species. Annals of Biological Research 7(8) 8-12.
13	Nyamari J.K, Wolukau J.N, R.M. Gesimba. 2016 In vitro antibacterial activity of Tagetes minuta and Capsicum frutescens extracts against Pectobacterium carotovorum. International Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 6 (8) 1119-1127.
14	Maluki, M., Gesimba, R.M., Ogweno. J.O. 2016. The effect of different Phosphorous levels on Yield and Quality of Watermelon {Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsumara & Nakai} grown in the Kenyan Coastal region. Annals of biological research 7(5): 12-17.
15	Maluki, M., Ogweno, J.O., Gesimba, R.M. 2015. Evaluation of Nitrogen Effects on Yield and Quality of Watermelon {Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsumara & Nakai} Grown in the Coastal Regions of Kenya. International journal of Plant and Soil Science 9(2) 1-8.
16	Maluki, M., Gesimba, R.M., Ogweno, J.O. 2015. Evaluation of Interaction effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorous on Yield and Quality of Watermelon {Citrullus lanatus (thunb.) Matsumara & Nakai}. International Journal of Science and Nature Vol 6 (2):2015:188-194
17	Ochiki, S, Wolukau, J. N, Gesimba, M. R, 2015. Effect of Aloe vera gel coatings and storage temperatures on quality of mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruits. Annals of Biological Research 6(5): 1-6.
18	Ochiki, S, Gesimba, M. R, Wolukau, J. N. 2015. Effect of Aloe vera gel coating on postharvest quality and shelf life of mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruits Var. ‘Ngowe’. African Journal of Horticulture and Forestry Vol. 7(1) 1-7.
19	Ochiki, S, Wolukau, J. N, Gesimba, M. R. 2014. Effect of various concentrations of Aloe vera coating on postharvest quality and shelf life of mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruits Var. ‘Ngowe’. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 13(36) 3724-3729
20	Adrien Turamyenyirijuru¹, Guillaume Nyagatare², Rhoda J. Birech³ and Robert M. Gesimba. 2019. Assessment of the relationship between Soil reaction, Organic carbon and other soil chemical attributes in Potato farms in Rwanda. Bulgeria

Publications under review

1.	Gesimba R. M¹, Otieno, P.C¹ and Omondi K. O^.2018. Fruit yield, growth, and quality of grafted red and yellow tree tomato (Cyphomandra betacea Sendt.) on soda apple (Solonacea aculeastrum)
2	Gichaba, S.N.,¹* Gesimba, R.M.¹& Wolukau, J.N. 2018. In vitro responses of wild blackberries to sterilization protocols, different parts of plant and sizes of explant used in micropation (rubus spp.) in Kenya.

CONFERENCES & INVITED PRESENTATIONS

CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

1.	Omondi, K.O., Gesimba, R.M., Wolukau, J.N. 2017. Performance of Wild blackberry species in Kenya under conventional production. Ruforum working document Series (ISSN 1607-9345) 14: 627-632.
1	Ochieng’J.A, Gesimba, R.M., Korir, P.C. and M.E. Oyoo 2016. Blackberry (RubusL sub-genusRubus Watson) Germplasm Diversity and its Importance to Cultivar Development. RUFORUM working document series 14(1): 661-671.
2	Omondi, K.O., Gesimb, R.M., Wolukau, J.N. 2018 Evaluation of Growth characteristics and Yield Components of Wild Blackberry (RubusL. Sub-genus RubusWatson) Species. Kibabii University 3rd int’l conference Programme & Book of abstracts.

TEACHING AREAS

HORT 712: Advancec Physiolgy of Horticultural crops
HORT: 743: Advances in Fruit scioence
Hort 444: Industrial crops
HORT 342: Tropical and subtropical fruits
HORT 341: General fruit growing
HORT 442: Temperate fruit production
HORT: 222: Plant propagation
HORT 371: Agricultural experimentation
HORT 111: Principles and practices of Horticulture
HORT 0342: Bevarages nuts and medicinal crops

POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION

MASTERS LEVEL :

GRADUATE THESIS SUPERVISION MSc

	Title
1	Maluki, M. 2014. The effect of different Phosphorous levels on Yield and Quality of Watermelon {Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsumara & Nakai} grown in the Kenyan Coastal region.
2	Ochiki, S. 2015. Effect of various concentrations of Aloe vera coating on postharvest quality and shelf life of mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruits Var. ‘Ngowe’.
3	Nyamari J.K. 2016 In vitro antibacterial activity of Tagetes minuta and Capsicum frutescens extracts against Pectobacterium carotovorum.
4	Omondi, Kenneth 2018 evaluating nitrogen requirement for the growth, fruit yield and quality of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) and its potential for adoption and commercial utilization.
5	Ochieng, Jared 2018 Diversity of Blackberry (Rubus l sub-genus Rubus watson) in Kenya using morphological and DNA markers.
6	Gichaba, Sarah 2019 Optimizing micropropagation protocols for in vitro callusing, shooting and rooting for wild blackberry (Rubus sp) species
7	Wanjukia Julia Wamboi 2017. Interactive effect of Tithonia diversifoliar extract and trichoderma asperellum on growth, botrytis cinerea incidence and severity, yield and quality of strawberry (fragaria× ananassa var duch) (Defended)
8	Muraguri Pauline Wanjiru 2017. Morphological characterization and development of a production package for cape gooseberry (physallis peruviana) species. (Submitted thesis)
9	Ann Namusonge 2017. Regeneration of wild blackberry (Rubus sp.) through somatic embryogenesis (ongoing).
10	Faith Wangui 2018. Inheritance of bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) resistance among wild and cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicon l.) germplasm (Data analysis)
11	Mibei Kibet 2018: Effects of biostimulants on growth, yield and quality of strawberry (fragaria ananassa x duch) cv. Chandler (Data collection)
12	Mohamed Chunwa 2019 Regeneration of wild blackberry (Rubus sp.) through protoplast culture (Data collection).
13	Modeste Hakizimana 2020. : Effect of different horticultural waste materials and grains on spawn mycelia growth, quality and yield of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) under different environmental conditions (Data collection).
14	Timon Moi 2020. (Proposal preparation)

PhD. LEVEL :

RADUATE THESIS SUPERVISION Ph.D

	Title
1	Azenath Abigael Koech: 2009. Treatments for disinfestations of export mangoes against the African invader fly Batrocera invadens (Drew, Tsuruta and White) (Research stage)
2	Carol Mwende Mutua: 2016. Molecular and biochemical screening of Papino melon varieties for enhanced secondary metabolite production under different soil fertility regimes (Writing thesis).
3.	Adrien Turamyenyirijuru: 2015. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) growth, tuber yield and quality response to different nutrient rate combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in Rwanda (Graduated 2019)
4.	Sundy Akello Otieno. 2018. Molecular evaluation of Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense) and resistance response in chemically induced haploid banana (Musa spp.) variants from major growing counties of Kenya. (Research stage)

OTHER SOCIETIES

Membership Category	Organization
Member	Horticultural Society of Kenya
Member	Horticultural Association of Kenya
Member	Plant bleeders association of Kenya

PROF. ROBERT MORWANI GESIMBA

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