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Prof. Agnes Wanjiru Kihurani

Associate Professor
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CONTACT DETAILS

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School: Agriculture and Biotechnology (SAB)

Department: Agricultural Sciences

Address: P.O. Box 1957-10101, Karatina, Kenya

Office No.: Tuition Block, Ground Floor

Email Address: akihurani@karu.ac.ke (Corporate) awkihurani@gmail.com (Personal)

Area/ Field of specialization: Agriculture & Crop Protection

Research interests: Root & Tubers Crops, Crop Protection (Disease Diagnosis & Pest Management), Plant Pathology (Bacteriology, Nematology, Mycology, Phytopathogenic Fungi) and Integrated Crop Management

Research Links, Pub, ORCID, Research Gate, Google Scholar e.t.c.

BIOGRAPHY

Studied BSc. Agriculture, MSc. and PhD Plant Pathology, University of Nairobi. Started professional career at Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), currently Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO) at the National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL). Develop practical skills, knowledge and competences in plant pathology, research and administration. 

Was member of a team that pioneered sweet potato (Ipomoea babatas L.) research the 1990s. The crop was that was previously neglected by both scientists and governments now holds an important position in the farming and food systems of East African nations, ensuring food security, employment and income generation. Pre- and post-harvest diseases of sweet potato were also documented.

Later joined faculty of Agriculture at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) as a senior lecturer, department of Horticulture. During the 9-year term at JKUAT, successfully supervised masters and doctorate students and mentored many undergraduate students.

Currently Associate Professor at Karatina University, in School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, department of Agricultural Sciences. Main activities are teaching, research and community outreach, in line with the university strategic plan. Academic leadership include heading the department for six years and external examiner at Meru University of Science and Technology for two terms.

PUBLICATIONS

  • Njenga John Ng’ang’a, Mukundi John Bosco, Masinde Peter Wasike, Agnes Wanjiru Kihurani. 2023. Heavy metal occurrence within urban agriculture practices in eastern zones of Nairobi city. Journal of Agriculture Science and Technology 22(3):146-158.
  • Kihurani, A. W and P. Kaushal. 2016. (Book Chapter). Storage Techniques and Commercialization Aspects. in: Tropical Roots and Tubers: Production, Processing and Technology. (eds. Sharma, H. S., Njintang N. Y., Singhal, S. R. and Kaushal, P.). Wiley & Sons.UK. pp.  253-280.
  • Gatambia, E. K., Agnes W. Kihurani, Fredah K Rimberia. and Monica M. Waiganjo. 2016. In vitro meristem culture for rapid regeneration of papaya plantlets in liquid media. Annual research & Review in Biology 9 (1): 1-7.
  • Munganyinka, E, E. M. Ateka, A. W. Kihurani, M. C. Kanyange, F. Tairo, P. Sseruwagic and J. Ndunguru. 2017. Cassava brown streak disease in Rwanda: The associated viruses and disease phenotypes. Plant Pathology. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. British Society for Plant Pathology (BSPP). Doi: 10.1111/ppa.12789. Pgs. 1-11.
  • Gatambia, E. K., Agnes. W. Kihurani, Fredah K Rimberia. and Monica M. Waiganjo. 2016. Evaluation of growth rate and phenotypic traits of meristem – cultured papaya plants. Journal of ExperimentalAgriculture International. 14 (4): 1-8.
  • Gatahi, D., Wanyika, H., Kihurani, A. and Gatebe, E. 2016. Effect of biological Control Antagonists adsorbed on Chitosan Immobilized Silica Nanocomposite on Ralstonia solanacearum and Growth of Tomato Seedlings. Advances in Research 6(3): 1-23, 2016, Article no. AIR.22742. ISSN: 2348-0394, NLM ID: 101666096. SCIENCEDOMAIN international. www. Sciecedomain.org.
  • Gatahi, D. M., Wanyika, H.N, Kihurani, A.W and Adhiambo O. D. 2016. Synthesis of Nylon-ferrous Oxide Chitosan Immobilised Silica Nanoprobe for Detection of Ralstonia solanacearum. Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International. 7(4): 1-17, 2016; Article no.JAERI.23845. ISSN: 2394-1073. SCIENCEDOMAIN international. www. Sciencedomain.org.
  • Gatahi, D. M., Wanyika, H.N, Kihurani, A.W and Gatebe, E. G. 2016. Synthesis of Chitosan Immobilized Silica Nanocomposite adsorbed with biocontrol antagonists for the control of bacterial wilt disease. Journal of Kenya Chemical Society Vol. 9 Issue 1: 111-134. Kenya Chemical Society. www. Kenchemsoc.org.
  • Mwangi, H. W., Kihurani, A. W., Wesonga, J. M., Ariga, E.S. and Kanampiu, F. 2015. Effect of Lablab purpureus L. cover crop and imidazolinone resistant (IR) maize on weeds in drought prone areas, Kenya. Crop Protection 72: 36-40. www.elsevier.com/locate/eja.
  • Mwangi, H. W., Kihurani, A. W., Wesonga, J. M., Ariga, E.S. and Kanampiu, F. 2015. Factors influencing adoption of cover crops for weed management in Machakos and Makueni counties of Kenya. Europ.J.Agronomy 69: 1-9. www.elsevier.com/locate/cropro
  • Mumo, N. N., Rimberia, F. K., Mamati, G. E. and Kihurani, A. W. 2014. In vitro grafting of selected Kenyan papaya (Carica papaya L.) lines in Kenya. Annual Research & Review in Biology 4 (14): 2337-2346.
  • Wachira, P. M., Kimenju, J. W., Kiarie,J. W., Kihurani, A. W., Mwaniki, S. W. and Gathaara, V. N. 2013. Incidence of Pests and Diseases Affecting Banana in a Commercial Banana Production Setting in Kenya. International Journal of Research in Agriculture and Food Sciences. Vol. 1, No.1:23-29. http://www.ijsk.org/ijrafs.html.
  • Wachira, P. M., Kimenju, J. W., Kiarie,J. W., Kihurani, A. W. and Mwaniki, S. W. 2013. Occurrence and Diversity of Nematode Destroying Fungi in Banana Production Zones in Maragua, Kenya. Journal of Agricultural Science; Vol. 5, No. 1: 180-186.
  • Mumo, N. N., Rimberia, F. K., Mamati, G. E. and Kihurani, A. W. 2013. In vitro regeneration of selected Kenyan papaya (Carica papaya L.) lines through shoot tip culture. African Journal of Biotechnology. Vol. 12(49), pp. 6826-6832.
  • Abang, M. M., Kihurani, A. W. and Srinivasan, R. 2012. Managing diseases and pests of Indigenous vegetables for good agricultural practices (GAP) compliance in sub-Saharan Africa. Scripta Horticulturae Number 15: 191-232.
  • Mounde, L.G., Ateka, E. M and Kihurani A.W. and Wasilwa, L. 2012. Morphological characterization and identification of Phytophthora species causing citrus gummosis in Kenya. African Journal of Food, Agriculture nutrition, and Development (JFAND) Volume 12 No. 7: 7072-7087.
  • Muriithi, C.W., Mugai E. N., Kihurani A.W., Nafuma, L. S. and Amboga, S. 2010. Management of rice blast using silicon sourced from rice by-products and chemical sources. E. Afr. agric For. J. 76(2). 75-80.
  • Mounde, L.G., Ateka, E. M and Kihurani A.W., Wasilwa, L. and Thuranira, E.G. 2009. Occurrence and distribution of citrus Gummosis (Phytophthora spp.) in Kenya. Afr. J. Hort. Sci. (2009) 2: 56-68.
  • Kihurani, A.W., Narla, R.D., Shibairo, S.; Imungi, J.K., and Carey, E. 2008. Effect of soil pH on postharvest pathological deterioration of sweet potato storage roots. Afr. J. Hort. Sci. (2008) 1:1-8.
  • Oirschot van, Q. E. A. Rees, D., Aked, J. and Kihurani, A. 2006. Sweetpotato cultivars differ in efficiency of wound healing. Postharvest Biology and Technology 42 (2006) 65-74. www.elsevier.com/locate/postharvbio.
  • Kihurani, A. W., Skoglund, L. G. and Gatumbi, R. W. 1993. Occurrence of sweetpotato chlorotic leaf distortion caused by Fusarium lateritium in Kenya. Plant Disease. Vol. 77:1260-1261.
  • Skoglund L. G., R. W. Gatumbi and A. W. Kihurani. 1994. Non-viral foliar pathogens and disorders of sweet potato in Kenya. International Journal of Pest Mgt. Vol. 39(4) 452-458.