Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Profile - PROF. James Otieno OWUOCHE
Back
Upload

PROF. James Otieno OWUOCHE

OffLine
Staff Information
PERSONAL DETAILS
Designation
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Corporate Email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Personal Email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Job Category
Teaching
Phone Number
0720710040
Alternative Phone No.
0720710040
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Agriculture
Directorate / Dept
DEPT OF CROPS, HORT AND SOILS
Section
Agronomy
SUMMARY

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

 

2017 to date

Associate Professor  at Egerton University in the Department of crops, horticulture and Soil Science

2017 to date Associate Professor

2009-2019 Senior Lecturer at Egerton University in the Department of crops, horticulture and Soil Science

2005-2009 Lecture at Moi University, in Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology, in the department of Biotechnology. 

2003-2005 Wheat  Breeder and Geneticist at KARI now KALRO

2001-2003 Post Doctorial at Kansas State University.  Involved in developing wheat germlasm with  resistance to different leaf rust (Puccinia tauchii ) races Lr21, Lr50, Lr41, Lr43, BYDV, Wheat Streak mosaic virus (WMSV) and with high protein content using Molecular markers assisted Selection (MAS). During this tenure, I was involved in developing Wheat resistant to Hessian fly gene H6.

1997-2001 Kansas State University, Graduate Research Assistant.   Participated in laboratory, field, laboratory and greenhouse wheat breeding activities.

1992-1996 Kenya Agricultural Research Institute    In charge of Cereal Breeding Department conducting all breeding aspects on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), durum wheat (Triticum durum), Barley (Hordeum vulgare), Oats,  and triticale.

While working at KARI, I was also a part-time lecturer in Egerton University, Department of Agronomy. At this institution, I was teaching undergraduate Theory and practicals in Plant Breeding and Genetics.

1989-1992 University of Alberta as MSc. Graduate Student.  At this university, I had the opportunity to conduct  practicals in grain science and plant breeding.

1988-1989 Research Officer at Kenya Agricultural Research Institute   and participated in the breeding of Bread wheat, durum wheat and  triticale varieties.  Some of the varieties that were released and are widely grown include Kwale, Mbuni K.Chiriku

 

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

 

2001 Kansas State University USA.    PhD (Wheat Breeding and Genetics). Kansas State University

1992 University of Alberta.  Canada.      MSc.   (Plant Breeding). University of Alberta

1985 University of Nairobi.   Kenya.       BSc.  (Agriculture). Nairobi University

1980  Egerton College, Kenya.               Diploma (Agric.  Education). Egerton College

 

FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION

Plant Breeding and Genetics

Molecular Breeding 

Wheat Breeding using molecular markers

WORK EXPERIENCE

 

2017 to date  Associate Professor  at Egerton University in the Department of crops, horticulture and Soil Science

2009 - 2017 Senior Lecturer at Egerton University in the Department of crops, horticulture and Soil Science

2005- 2009  Lecture at Moi University, in Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology, in the department of Biotechnology.

2003- 2005  Wheat  Breeder and Geneticist at KARI now KALRO

2001 –2003.  Post Doctorial at Kansas State University.  Involved in developing wheat germlasm with  resistance to different leaf rust (Puccinia tauchii ) races Lr21, Lr50, Lr41, Lr43, BYDV, Wheat Streak mosaic virus (WMSV) and with high protein content using Molecular markers assisted Selection (MAS). During this tenure, I was involved in developing Wheat resistant to Hessian fly gene H6.

1997-2001 Kansas State University, Graduate Research Assistant.   Participated in laboratory, field, laboratory and greenhouse wheat breeding activities.

1992-1996 Kenya Agricultural Research Institute    In charge of Cereal Breeding Department conducting all breeding aspects on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), durum wheat (Triticum durum), Barley (Hordeum vulgare), Oats,  and triticale.

While working at KARI, I was also a part-time lecturer in Egerton University, Department of Agronomy. At this institution, I was teaching undergraduate Theory and practicals in Plant Breeding and Genetics.

1989-1992.   University of Alberta as MSc. Graduate Student.  At this university, I had the opportunity to conduct  practicals in grain science and plant breeding.

1988-1989.   Research Officer at Kenya Agricultural Research Institute   and participated in the breeding of Bread wheat, durum wheat and  triticale varieties.  Some of the varieties that were released and are widely grown include Kwale, Mbuni K.Chiriku

 

KEY PROJECTS

Breeding wheat for stem rust yelow rust and leaf rust resistance

  1. Development of Wheat and Barley germplasm Resistant to Stem rust
  2. Use of Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) in plant breeding and genetics to develop resistant varieties to stem rust resistance in wheat and Barley.
  3. Developing wheat and barley cultivars suitable for a wide range of Agro-ecological areas.
  4. Developing snap bean varieties that are widely adapted to Kenyan environments
  5. Genetic analysis of stem rust resistance in Barley, Spring wheat and Winter wheat varieties.
  6. Developing barley varieties for a wide range of Agro Ecological zones
  7. Screening Kenyan Wheat varieties for leaf rust in Kenya.
  8. Developing sweet sorghum hybrids for industrial alcohol
  9. Developing Sorghum for composite Bread/confectionaries
RESEARCH INTERESTS
  1. Development of Wheat and Barley germplasm Resistant to Stem rus
  2. Use of Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) in plant breeding and genetics to develop resistant varieties to stem rust resistance in wheat and Barley.
  3. Developing wheat and barley cultivars suitable for a wide range of Agro-ecological areas.
  4. Developing snap bean varieties that are widely adapted to Kenyan environments
  5. Genetic analysis of stem rust resistance in Barley, Spring wheat and Winter wheat varieties.
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS

 

 

2.) Owuoche, J.O., Briggs, K.G., Taylor, G.J.  and Penney, D.C. 1994.  Response  of Eight Canadian Spring Wheat (Triticum astivum L.) cultivars to copper I. Pollen viability, Grain Yield and yield components. Can. J. Plant  Sci. 74:25- 30.

3.) M. Kinyua, R. Wanyera, J.M. Pinto and J.O. Owuoche.  1994. Yellow Rust   Resistance in Wheat in Kenya: A Challenge. African Crop Science 1:277-279.

4.) Owuoche, J.O. J.M. Pinto and S. Wekesa. 1994. Resistance of Wheat Cultivars  For The Three Rust Species in Kenya. In Breeding for Disease Resistance With  Emphasis on Durability Editor Daniel L. Danial , Proceedings of  A Regional   Workshop for Eastern, Central and Southern  Africa, Njoro Kenya. Oct 2-6. p133- 138.

5.) Owuoche, J.O., Briggs, K.G., Taylor, G.J.  and Penney, D.C. 1995.  Response of  Eight Canadian Spring Wheat (Triticum astivum L.) cultivars to copper II.  Copper   content in  the  leaves  and  grains. Can. J. Plant Sci. 75:405-411.

6.) Owuoche, J.O., Briggs, K.G., and Taylor, G.J.  1996.  The Efficiency of copper use by 5A/5RL wheat-rye translocated lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars.  Plant and Soil.  180:113-120.

7.) Gathaara, V.N. and Owuoche, J.O. 1997. Triticale (X Triticosecale cereale) Research and Production in Kenya. In Proc of Satellite Meeting  of International Triticale Association in Triticale quality. All Africa Crop Science Congress. Pretoria South Africa. Jan 1997 pp 41-50.

8.) Owuoche, J.O. 2001.  Heterotic Effects of Wheat-rye Chromosomal Translocation on Yield and Yield components of Hybrid Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum  L.).  PhD Thesis.

9.) Xuming Liu, J. H. Hatchett, J.O. Owuoche, Gina Brown-Guedira and Ming-Shun Chen. 2002.  Identification and mapping of a novel Hessian fly Resistance gene. CSSA. Indianapolis, Indiana USA.

10.) Owuoche, J.O., R.G. Sears, G.L. Brown-Guedira, B.S. Gill and A.K. Fritz.  2003.  Heterotic effects of wheat-rye chromosomal translocations on agronomic  traits of hybrid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under an adequate moisture regime. Euphytica 132:67-77.

11.) Kimani E.N., J. Ndungu, M.G. Kinyua, and J. O. Owuoche. 2004. Evaluation  of Kenyan Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) lines for bread making quality. 12th Regional Wheat Workshop For East, Central and Southern Africa. Nakuru . Kenya. 22-26th

12.) Brown-Guidera, J.H. Hatchet, X.M. Liu, A.K. Frizt, J.O. Owuoche, B.S. Gill, R.G. Sears, T.S. Cox, and M.S. Chen. 2005 Registration of KS99WGRC42 Hessian Fly Resistant Hard Red Winter Wheat Germplasm. Crop Science 45:804-805.

13.) Liu X.M, Brown-Guedira, G.L., Hatchet J.H., Owuoche J.O. and Chen M.S. 2005. Genetic Characterization and Molecular Mapping of Hessian Fly Resistance  Gene Transferred From T. Turgidum spp. diccocum to Common Wheat. Theor. App Genet. 111:1308-1315.

14.) J.N. Oggema, M.G Kinyua, J.P. Ouma and J.O. Owuoche. 2007. Agronomic performance of locally adapted sweet Potato (Ipomea batatas) Cultivars Derived From Tissue Culture Regenerated Plants. J. of Biotech. Africa. 6:1418-1425.

15.) Gudu, S.O., P.O. Kisinyo, E.T. Makatiani, D. W Odee, J.F.O Esegu, S.A.O.  Shamchama, C.O. Othieno, J.R. Okalebo, J.R. Osiyo and J. O. Owuoche.  2009. Screening of Sesbania for tolerance to Aluminium Toxicity and  symbiotic Effectiveness with Acid Tolerant Rhizobia strains in Acid soils in  Western Kenya.  Experimental. Agriculture. 45:1-11.

16.) V.W. Wasike, H.N. Mburu, B. Vanlauwe, L.A. Wasilwa, N. Sanginga,  N.W. Mungai, L.M. Mumera, D. Lesueur, F.N. Wachira, J.O. Owuoche. 2009. Environmental Influence on the Genetic Diversity of Indigineous Bradyrhizobia Nodulating Promiscuous Soyabean in Kenya. E. Afri. Agric. For. For. J. 75: 109-119.

17.) Okiyo, T., S. Gudu, O. Kiplagat and J. O. Owuoche 2010. Heterosis in Sorghum and Potential for Hybrid Sorghum Production in Kenya. Proceedings of KARI conference 2010 held in Nairobi Kenya.

18.) E.S. Arunga, H.A. Van Rheenen, J.O. Owuoche 2010. Diallel Analysis of  Snap Beran (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties for Important traits.9 African  Journal of Agricultural  Research 5: 1951-1957.

19.) Karimi, R., Owuoche, J.O. and Silim, S.N. 2010. Inheritance of fusarium wilt resistance in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh]. Indian J. Genetics and Plant Breeding 70 (3) 271-276.

20.) J.H. Ringo, E.E Mneney, A.O. Onkware, B.A. Were, E.J. Too, J.O. Owuoche and S.O. Gudu. 2010. Tolerance to Alumimium Toxicity in  Tanzanian Sorghum genotypes. African Crop Science Journal, Vol. 18: 155 – 164.

21.)  T. Okiyo, S. Gudu, O. Kiplagat and J. Owuoche. 2010. Combining Drought And Aluminium Toxicity Tolerance To Improve Sorghum Productivity. African Crop Science Journal, Vol. 18, No. 4, pp. 147 – 154.

22.)  Rael Karimi, James Otieno Owuoche, Said Nandy Silim. 2012. Importance and management of fusarium wilt (Fusarium udum Butler) of pigeonpea. International Journal of Agronomy  and Agricultural research  Vol. 2, (1) 1-14.

23.)  Ogutu, M.O., Owuoche ,J.O, Muasya R. and Ouma,G. 2012. Effects of inter-specific interaction of nitrogen fertilizer and bean-  maize     cropping systems on quality of bean seed in Western Kenya.  Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 3(4): 154-168.

24.)  E. E. Arunga, J. O. Ochuodho, M. G. Kinyua and J. O. Owuoche.   2012. Characterization of Uromyces appendiculatus isolates collected from snap bean growing areas in Kenya. African Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7(42), pp. 5685-5691.

25.) Ringo J.H., Mneney E. E.,  Onkware A.O., Owuoche J. O., Were B.A., Too E.J. and  Gudu S.O. 2014. Diversity of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Germplasm from Tanzania.. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare.  4:(24) 36-44.

26.) Kiprotich, F. K., Cheruiyot, E.K., Mwendia, C.M., Wachira, F.N. and  Owuoche, J.O. Biochemical quality indicies of Sorghum genotypes from   East Africa for Malting and Brewing. African Journal of Biotechnology  13(2): 313-321.

27.) P.K.  Kimani, F. Wachira, Erick Kimutai Cheruiyot, J. Owuoche, E. Kimani.  2014.  Genetic diversity of African sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) accessions based on microsatellite markers. Australian Journal of Crop Science.  8(2):171-177.

28.) Japheth Embeywa Jamoza, James Owuoche, Oliver Kiplagat and  Wilson Opile. 2014. Broad-sense heritability estimation and correlation among sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) yield and some agronomic traits in western Kenya IJAPR. Vol.2 (1), 016-025.

29) Muigai Paul Kimani, Erick Kimutai Cheruiyot, James Otieno Owuoche, Francis Nyamu Wachira, Esther Kimani. 2014. Genetic Diversity of Farmers ’Preferred Sorghum Accessions and Improved  Lines from ICRISAT Reveal a Disconnect Between Innovation and Technology Transfer. J. Crop Sci. Biotech. 2014 (June) 17 (2) : 97~102.

30) J.N. Njoroge, J.O.Owuoche and M.E. Oyoo. 2015. Evaluation of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) genotypes for Agronomic and Quality traits in Kenya. African Journal of Agricultural Research. 10(12) 1474-1479.

31) E.E. Arunga, M. Kinyua, J.O. Ochuodho, J.O. Owuoche and E. Chepkoech. 2015. Genetic diversity of Determinate French Beans grown in Kenya based on Morpho-Agronomic and Simple sequence repeat variation. Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science. 7(8) 240-250.

32)  A. Oluwafemi, J.V Bredson, C.N. Egesi. J.O. Owuoche et al.,  2015. International Cassava Genetic Map Consortium. High  Resolution Linkage Map and Chromosome Scale Genome Assembly for  Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) from 10 populations. Genes/Genomes/Genetics.  5: 133-144.

33)  Odongo, F.O., Oyoo, M.E., Wasike, V. , Owuoche, J.O., Karanja,  L., and Korir, P. 2015. Genetic Diversity of Bambara Groundnut  (Vigna subterranean L. Verdc) Landraces in Kenya Using Microsatellite markers. African Journal of Biotechnology 14(4): 283-291.

34)  M. E. Oyoo, M. Najya, S.M. Githiri, P.O. Okwiri, F.K. Minu, E. Masha and J. O. Owuoche. 2015. In-situ morphological Characterization of Coconut in the Coastal Lowlands of Kenya. African Journal of Plant Science 9(2) 65-74.

35) Zennah Kosgey, James O. Owuoche, Michael A. Okiror and Peter N. Njau. 2015. Inheritance of stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers F. sp. Tritici Erick and E. Hen). International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research. 7(4) :1-13.

36) Mercy N. Wamalwa, Ruth Wanyera, Peter N. Njau, Michael Okiror  and James O. Owuoche. 2016. Inheritance of resistance to Ug99 stem  rust pathogen in Selected Barley lines. South African Journal of Plant and Soil. 1-6.

37)  Ruth Wanyera, Mercy Wamalwa, Mercy Odemba, Hannington Wanga   Philister Kinyanjui1, Victoria Onyango, James Owuoche. 2016.  Management of wheat rusts at different growth stages using Nativo 300  SC (trifloxystrobin 100g/L+tebuconazole 200g/L) fungicide. Australian  Journal of Crop Science. 10(9):1273-1280.

38) Justice Kipkorir Rono,  Erick Kimutai Cheruiyot, Jacktone Odongo Othira,    Virginia Wanjiku Njuguna, Joseph Kinyoro Macharia.  James Owuoche,   Moses Oyier, and AlexMachio Kange . 2016. Adaptability and Stability Study of Selected Sweet Sorghum Genotypes  for Ethanol Production under Different Environments  Using AMMI Analysis and GGE Biplots . The  Scientific World Journal http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/4060857  2016: 1-14.

39) Jayne J. Binott, James O. Owuoche and Dorothea Bartels. 2017. Physiological and Molecular Characterization of Kenyan barley  (Hordeum vulgare L.) Seedlings for Salinity and Drought Tolerance. Euphytica (2017)213:139. DOI 10.1007/s10681-017-1924-2.

40) Mariera Lucy, Owuoche James O., Cheserek Maureen. 2017 Development of Sorghum Wheat Composite Bread and Evaluation of Nutritional Physical and Sensory Acceptability. African Journal of Food Science and Technology  (ISSN:2141-5455) Vol 8(7)pp 113-119 September 2017 DOI:http:/dx.doi.org/10.14303/ajfst.2017.118. http://www.interesjournals.org/AFST/.

41)  Anncetta Gakii Nyamu, James O. Owuoche, Pascal O. Okwiri and  Ruth Wanyera. 2017. Evaluation of Kenyan wheat (Triticum aestimum L.) genotypes for leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Eriks.) at adult plant stage.  International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research  ISSN: 2223-7054 (Print) 2225-3610 (Online) http://www.innspub.net  Vol. 11, (6,) 66-78.

42) Aleri O. I. 2019.  Evaluation of triticale (X. Triticosecale Wittmack) genotypes for adult plant resistance to stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici). African Journal of Plant Science. DOI:10.5897/AJPS2018.1733.

43) Embeywa Jamoza, James Owuoche  and Oliver Kiplagat. 2019.  Estimates of genetic parameters and genotype by environment interactions for sugar yield and its components in sugarcane genotypes in Western Kenya.  Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science.  11(9), 206-212, DOI: 10.5897/JPBCS2019.0813.

 

CONFERENCES & INVITED PRESENTATIONS
  • 3rd International Research Kiprotich, F.K., Cheruyot, E.K., Mwendia, C.M, Wachira, F.N and Owuoche, J. 2015. Kenya Agricultural Productivity and Agribusiness Project (KAPAP) – Biochemical Indices of Sorghum genotypes East Africa for Brewing 10th to 12th June 2015. KALRO Headquarters Kaptagat Road, Loresho Nairobi.
  • M. Weru., J.O. Owuoche, O. Kiplagat. 2016 Adapability of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) lines in Kenya Coastal Region Conference Chuka University 26-28th October 2016.
  • Arunga E.E., Ochuodho, J., Woyengo, V.W. and Owuoche, J. 2018. Incidence and Prevalence of Groundnut Diseases in Western Kenya. Paper presented at the 3rd Kibabii University International Conference, 12th – 14th June.
  • Ochieng J., Oyoo, M., R. Gesimba, Korir , P., Ojwang, P.l, Owuoche J. and Miheso M. 2018 In-situ morphological characterization of blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus) in Rift Valley region, Kenya. 12 TH EGERTON UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 27th-29th March 2018.
  • Mariera L., Cheserek M., & Owuoche O.2018. Development of chickpea enriched sorghum-wheat composite bread and evaluation of physical, nutritional, shelf- life and sensory acceptability. 12 TH EGERTON UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE. 27th-29th March 2018
TEACHING AREAS

Plant Breeding

Genetics

Molecular Breeding

Biotechnology

Research Methodology

Agricultural Procedures and Experimentation

POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION
MASTERS LEVEL :

 

(1)     2021 Elizabeth Akinyi Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Advanced

Wheat (triticum aestivum l.) Lines for Adult Plant Stem Rust (puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) Resistance in Kenya.

(2)  2019  Isaiah Okuku Aleri Evaluation of Triticale lines for Biotic stresses  in Kenya

(3)     2018 Mercy A. Odemba Genetic gain in APR in CIMMYT Wheat from different nurseries

(4)   2018  Anncetta Gakii Nyamu Characterization of Leaf rust races of Wheat in Kenya

(5)    2018  Lucy Mariera  Development and Evaluation of Nutritional and Sensory of Chickpea Enriched Sorghum Wheat Composite Bread

(6)   2015  Stephen Weru. Adaptability and stability of Cowpea in Kenya Coastal Region

(6)     2015 Zannah Chepkoech  Kosgei Identification of Novel Sources of Resistance to Ug99 Predominant variants of Stem Rust in Kenya and Introduced Wheat Germplasm and their inheritance.

(7)     2015 James Njoroge Evaluation of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) genotypes for Agronomic and Quality traits in Kenya

(8)      2013 P. Kimani. Genetic diversity of sorghum in Kenya

(9)    2013  Mercy Wamalwa.  Genetics of Stem Rust Resistance in Barley

(10)  2012 Bernedetha Kimata Developing linkage maps in Cassava in relation to CBV Disease

(11) 2011 T. Okiyo  Aluminium and Drought tolerant in Sorghum (MSc.)

(12) 2010  M . Ogutu.  Effetcs of Nitrogen and of Maize-Bean intercrop on bean   grain quality. (MSc.)

(13)  2009 E. Sawe. Effects of Kernel position, Maturity and storage of Kernel on NERICA rice (MSc.).

(14) 2009 R. Karimi Inheritance of Fusarium wilt in Pegeonpea

(15)  2008 E. Arunga. Genetic inheritance of some traits in Snap Bean (MSc.).    

(16) 2008  J. Ringo. Aluminium tolerant in Tanzanian Sorhum Germplasm.  (MSc.)

 

PhD. LEVEL :

 

1.) 2021 Mercy N Wamalwa Wheat  (Triticum aestivum L.) Stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici Eriks) Race  Analysis and   Mapping of Resistant Genes in Kenya

(2)   2018  Mosses Oyier Development of Sweet Hybrid Sorghum  and Determination of optimum Harvesting stage For industrial Use in Kenya

2.)     2015 Evans O. Ouma (PhD). The Genetic analysis and Selection for Phosphorus Efficiency in Kenyan Maize.

3.)    2011 J.O. Okora  (PhD) Use of Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Markers to Map Quantitative Trait Loci (Qtl) linked to Midge Resistance in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench).

4.)     2011 J. Jamoza  (PhD) Inheritance of important traits in sugarcane.

 

OTHER SOCIETIES

(1) American Society of Crop science

(2) Editorial Member of Eas African and Forestry Journal

Copyright © 2024 Egerton University
"Transforming Lives through Quality Education"