Dr. Dennis M.W. Ochieno
Lecturer
Department of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Science
Coordinator, Busia Campus
About Me
My research
Picture and teaching interests are in Multitrophic Interactions between plants, insects, nematodes,
microorganisms and various biotic and abiotic factors, focusing on the phyllosphere, rhizosphere and the
(optional)
endophytic
niches, and how these are influenced by various technologies. As a Crop Protection
researcher, my work explores the use of Biological Control Agents (plant growth promoting microbes,
entomopathogens and parasitoids), Host Plant Resistance, Cultural Practices and Safe Use of Pesticides in
Integrated
Pest Management (IPM). My breakthroughs in research were the discoveries that some
(PLEASE SUBMIT
endophytic
considered to be non-pathogenic to crops (Fusarium oxysporum V5w2 & F.
PICTUREmicrobes
FILE
oxysporum
f. sp. strigae Foxy2), could actually become pathogenic in some conditions. This has
ELECTRONICALL
influencedY) a shift towards acceptance of ‘negative results’ while considering their importance in
regulating scientific knowledge. I have also been a member of the GMO ERA Project, interested in risk
assessment of genetically modified crops on non-target organisms.
Qualifications
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Doctor of Philosophy (2010), Production Ecology & Resource Conservation, Wageningen University
& Research Centre, The Netherlands
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Master of Science (2005), Agricultural Entomology, University of Nairobi, Kenya
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Bachelor of Education Science (2000), Botany & Zoology, Egerton University, Kenya
Expertise
Biological Control, Integrated Pest Management, Crop Pests and Diseases, Crop Protection, Plant
Nutrition, Tissue Culture, Tropical Agriculture
Research Interests
Insect Pests and Beneficial Arthropods, Plant-Parasitic Nematodes, Plant Pathogens and Microbial
Endophytes, Parasitic Weeds, Soil Biology and Fertility, Pesticides, Plant Resistance to Pests and
Diseases, Biological Control, Chemical Control, Cultural Practices
Selected Publications
1. Avedi, E. K., Ochieno, D.M.W., Ajanga, S., Wanyama, C., Wainwright, H., Elzein, A., Beed, F. 2014.
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. strigae strain Foxy 2 did not achieve biological control of Striga
hermonthica parasitizing maize in Western Kenya. Biological Control 77, 7-14
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1049964414001212
2. Naluyange, V., Ochieno, D.M.W., Maingi, J.M., Ombori, O., Mukaminega, D., Amoding, A., Odendo,
M., Okoth, S.A., Shivoga, W.A., Muoma, J.V.O. 2014. Compatibility of Rhizobium inoculant and water
hyacinth compostformulations in Rosecoco bean and consequences on Aphis fabae and Colletotrichum
lindemuthianum infestations. Applied Soil Ecology (Elsevier) 76: 68-77.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929139313003132
3. Muoma, J.O., Ochieno, D.M.W., Alakonya, A.E. 2012. Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa cry for tightly
closed ear drooping maize phenotypes. Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter vol. 86.
http://www.agron.missouri.edu/mnl/86/pdf/16muoma.pdf
4. Niere, B., Gold, C., Coyne, D., Dubois, T., Ochieno, D. 2006. Banana tissue culture: benefits for East
African farmers. Paper presented at Tropentag 2006. Prosperity and Poverty in a Globalized World:
Challenges for Agricultural Research, Bonn, Germany.
http://www.tropentag.de/2006/abstracts/links/Niere_yrEOaDaV.php
5. Birch, A.N.E., Wheatley, R., Anyango, B., Arpaia, S., Capalbo, D., Getu, E., Fontes, D.E., Kalana, P.,
Lelmen, E., Lovei, G., Melo, I.S., Muyekho, F., Ngi-Song, A., Ochieno, D.M.W., Ogwang, J., Pitelli,
R., Schuler, T., Sétamou, M., Sithanantham, S., Smith, J., Van Son, N., Songa, J., Sujii, E., Tan, T.Q.,
Wan, F-H., Hilbeck, A. 2004. Biodiversity and non-target impacts: a case study of Bt maize in Kenya.
In: Hilbeck. A and Andow D.A. (eds). Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified
Organisms, Volume 1: A Case Study of Bt Maize in Kenya. CABI, Wallingford, UK, pp. 117–185.
http://www.cabi.org/cabebooks/ebook/20073041980
6. Ochieno, D.M.W. 2010. Endophytic control of Cosmopolites sordidus and Radopholus similis using
Fusarium oxysporum V5w2 in tissue culture banana. Ph.D. Thesis, Wageningen University.
http://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/clc/1948566
7. Ochieno, D.M.W. 2005. Studies of the potential non-target effects of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab
toxin on two stemborer parasitoids Cotesia flavipes Cameron, Xanthopimpla stemmator Thunberg, and
the butterfly Acraea eponina Cramer. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Nairobi.
http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/26106
Contributions
1. Akello, J., Dubois, T., Coyne, D., Gold, C.S., Kyamanywa, S. 2007. Colonization and persistence of the
entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana in tissue culture banana. In: Z.A. Kasem, M.M. AddelHakim, S.I. Shalabi, A. El-Morsi and A.M.I. Hamady, Editors, Proceedings of the eighth African Crop
Science Society Conference, October 27–31, 2007, El-Minia, Egypt, Quick Color Print, El-Minia,
Egypt (2007), pp. 857–861 http://www.acss.ws/Upload/XML/Research/430.pdf
2. Ayuke, F.O., Brussaard, L., Vanlauwe, B., Sixd, J., Lelei, D.K., Kibunja, C.N., Pulleman, M.M. 2011.
Soil fertility management: Impacts on soil macrofauna, soil aggregation and soil organic matter
allocation. Applied Soil Ecology (Elsevier) 48: 53–62
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929139311000370
3. Dubois, T., Gold, C.S., Paparu, P., Athman, S., Kapindu S. 2006. Tissue culture and the in vitro
environment. Enhancing plants with endophytes: potential for ornamentals? In: Teixeira Da Silva, J.
(Ed.). Floriculture, ornamental and plant biotechnology: advances and topical issues, 1st edition.
London, UK, Global Science Books, pp. 397-409
http://www.globalsciencebooks.info/Books/images/FOPBVolume2Outline.pdf
4. Gitau, C.W., Gurr, G.M., Dewhurst, C.F., Nicol, H., Fletcher, M. 2011. Potential for biological control
of Zophiuma butawengi (Heller) (Hemiptera: Lophopidae) in coconut and oil palms using the
hymenopterans Ooencyrtus sp. (Encyrtidae) and Parastethynium maxwelli (Girault) (Mymaridae).
Biological Control (Elsevier) 59: 187-191
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1049964411002179
5. Liu, S., Rao, A., Vinson, S.B. 2014. Biological Control in China: Past, present and future – An
introduction to this special issue. Biological Control (Elsevier) 68: 1-5
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1049964413001060
6. van Leur, H., Raaijmakers, C.E., van Dam, N.M. 2008. Reciprocal interactions between the cabbage
root fly (Delia radicum) and two glucosinolate phenotypes of Barbarea vulgaris. Entomologia
Experimentalis et Applicata (John Wiley & Sons) 128: 312–322
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1570-7458.2008.00722.x/abstract
Features
1. Gatonye, G. 2011a. Study faults new banana technology. The Daily Nation, 28th March 2011, Kenya
(http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Study+faults+new+banana+technology+/-/1056/1134732/-/e9yj3l/-/;
accesed on 17th May 2014).
2. Gatonye, G. 2011b. Banana technology safety queried. The Daily Nation, 2nd June 2011, Kenya
(http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/1174026/-/10wjvvxz/-/;accesed on 17th May 2014).
3. Masiga, C.W. 2011a. Tissue culture can improve agriculture production. The New Vision, 23rd May
2011, Uganda (http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/459/755477;accessed on 17th May 2014).
4. Masiga, C.W. 2011b. Disease-resistant bananas are ideal. The New Vision, 21st June 2011, Uganda
(http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/9/756/758162; accessed on 17th May 2014).
5. Opiyo, O. 2011a. Is it wise to inoculate bananas? The New Vision, 10th May 2011, Uganda
(http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/754422; accesed on 17th May 2014).
6. Opiyo, O. 2011b. Is ‘Foxy’ safe for banana plants? The New Vision, 14th June 2011, Uganda
(http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/757535; accesed on 17th May 2014).
Current Teaching
Postgraduate Courses
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Crop Ecology and Productivity
Biological Control and IPM
Host Plant Resistance and IPM
Insects and Mites of Crops
Plant Parasitic Nematodes
Plant Microbial Pathogens
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Weed Science and Management
Technical and Scientific Communication Skills
Undergraduate Courses
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Entomology
Principles of Plant Pathology
Plant Ecology
Food, Agriculture and Pests
Contact Details
Dr. Dennis M.W. Ochieno
Department of Biological Sciences
Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology
P.O. Box 190-50100, Kakamega, Kenya
Telephone: +254721683010
Email: [email protected]