Peris Nderitu, crop protection researcher from Kenya, visits SLU

CBC decided to take the opportunity to ask her a few questions before her arrival!

What is your area of research and what are you investigating at the moment?

My area of research is in Crop Protection, specializing in Entomology. Am currently working on ‘Integrated Management of the Tomato Leaf Miner (Tuta absoluta) on Tomato in Kirinyaga County, Kenya’ I will seek to;

a) Assess the level of invasion of T. absoluta and farm management practices in Kirinyaga County, b) Determine the natural enemy complex in Kirinyaga County, c) Evaluate commonly grown varieties of tomatoes for resistance against T. absoluta and, d) Determine the interaction between host plant resistance, selective insecticides and biological control agents in an integrated management of T. absoluta.

What do you think the main finding with your thesis will be?

I think that I will establish the extent of tomato crop losses caused by T. absoluta in Kirinyaga County, as well as farmer’s management practices which will form the basis of advising on further research. In addition, I hope to identify existing natural enemies of T. absoluta in Kirinyaga County, determine the most susceptible and resistant variety of tomato to T. absoluta. I will investigate interactions, if any, between host plant resistance, insecticides and biological control agents and identify an environment friendly management measure against T. absoluta through integration of host plant resistance with biological control.

Why are you passionate about your research, why is it so important?

My current research is part of Community Outreach. Through it, I will be able to advice farmers as well as the University farm on the best control measures against Tuta absoluta. Tomato is a source of income for most small scale farmers in Kenya. The control of Tuta absoluta will boost crop production and hence increase farmer’s income. For this reason, am interested in not only controlling T. absoluta but also having an environmentally sustainable control method of the insect pest.

What are you hoping to achieve with your visit to Sweden?

I hope to acquire skills in Statistical analysis using R-Software that will assist me in the analysis of my research work. I also hope to meet with other researchers in my field of interest who can critic or advice my current research. I would also want to utilize available resources in SLU to enable me do my studies. I hope to build network and possible financiers to my research work.

How did you come to be a researcher? Was it a childhood dream? Did you want to solve something?

I was inspired to be a researcher during an attachment in a flower farm, where I got the opportunity to go for training on Integrated Pest Management. I developed interest in having environmentally friendly ways of controlling insect pests instead of over-reliance to pesticides which would reduce Pesticides Residue Levels in our local products and promote natural enemies in the environment. Having in mind the health risks related with increased use of pesticides

What do you like to do when you are not working?

I like adventure, Travelling/Visiting a place I have never been.

Is this your first visit to Sweden?

Yes

Do you know anything about Sweden?

Yes, the latest reports ranked Sweden as one of the top 10 happiest countries in the world. One of my supervisors Dr. Jamleck Muturi has informed me that it is much forested country, peaceful, beautiful with open minded society.

Contact information

If you want to find out more about Peris Nderitu’s visit to Sweden, please email Mattias Jonsson: mattias.jonsson@slu.se

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