Linus Maina Mwangi

Resume photo

Linus Maina Mwangi

Principal Research Scientist
E-mail : lmwangi@kefri.org
Researcher ID :
Designation :Principal Reseacrh scientist
Expertise : Agroforestry

Journal Papers

  1. Mwangi, L.M. Lin, D. and Hubbes, M. 1989. Identification of Kenya Armillaria isolates by cultural morphology, intersterility tests and analysis of isozyme profiles. Eur. Jour. For. Path. P:19:399-406.
  2. Mwangi, L.M. Lin, D. and Hubbes, M. 1990. Chemical factors in Pinus strobus inhibitory to Armillaria ostoyae. Eur.Jour.For. Path. P:20:8-14.
  3. Jefwa, J.M, L.M. Mwangi, D. Odee and G. Mugambi 2004. Preliminary studies on mycorrhizal symbiosis in plant conservation, forestry and farming systems in Kenya. Journal of Tropical. Microbiology Volume 3:pp 48-62
  4. J. Roux, G. Meke, B. Kanyi, L. Mwangi: A. Mbaga, G.C Hunter, G. Nakabonge, R.M. Heath and M.J. Wing field 2005. Diseases of plantation forestry trees in Eastern and Southern Africa. South African Journal of Science 101:pp409 – 413.
  5. Otieno B, Mutitu K. E, Mwangi L, and Minjire M., 2009. Insect pests and diseases associated with Eucalyptus hybrid clones in Kenya: A short communication. Journal of East African Natural Resources Management. Vol.3: 252-256.

Technical Notes /Protocols/Guidelines

  1. Mwangi L.M., P.B. Milimo and Njuguna, J.W. 1992. The effect of inoculation of Melia volkensii seedlings with endomycorrhiza. Kefri Research Note No. 6.
  2. Mutitu, K, Mwangi L. Otieno, B and Minjire M. 2008. Pests and diseases associated with Eucalyptus in Kenya. KEFRI Research Note No. 7
  3. Paterson, R.T. and Mwangi, L.M. 1996. Honey fungus in Agroforestry. Agroforestry Today. Vol.8 No.1.p. 19-20
  4. Development of propagation technologies for East African Sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata). Daily Nation October 2008
  5. Machua,J Kamondo, B, Mwangi L., Giathi, G., and Chahilu, O 2009. A useful parasite: The East African Sandalwood has potential as a crop. Miti; The tree business magazine for Africa. Issue No. 3 pp 30-31
  6. Otieno B. and Mwangi L. 2009. Jatropha under attack.A host of insect pests and diseases have been reported in Kenya. Miti; The tree business magazine for Africa. Issue No.4 p28-31
  7. Pests and diseases of Eucalyptus in Kenya. 2014. (Leaflet)

Conferences/Seminars/Workshops

  1. Mwangi, L. M. 1983. Forest pathology in Kenya. Proceedings of the National Workshop on Strengthening Forestry Research in Kenya 1-4th November, 1983 Eldoret, Kenya.
  2. Mwangi, L. M. and M. Hubbes. 1987. Host manipulation in the control of Armillaria root rot.4th Annual Forestry Graduate Conference, Dushesnay, Quebec Canada.
  3. Mwangi, L.M., M. Hubbes and D. Lin. 1987. Characterization of Kenyan Armillaria isolates by mating tests and isozyme patterns. 7th Annual Ontario/Quebec mycology workshop, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
  4. Mwangi, L.M. 1989. Ectomycorrhiza and the growth of Pinus caribaea in the semi-arid and coastal areas of Kenya. IFS Proc.of a regional seminar on trees for development in Sub-Saharan Africa. ICRAF Nairobi, Kenya. P. 338-341.
  5. Mwangi, L.M. 1990. Growth, management and utilization of Casuarina in Kenya. Paper presented at the Second International Casuarina workshop. Desert Development Centre, Cairo, Egypt. p 9
  6. Mwangi, L. Mwenje, E. Makambila, C. Chanakila-Nyahwa, F. Guillaumin, J.J. and Mohmmed, C. 1994. Ecology and Pathogenicity of Armillaria in Kenya, Zimbabwe and the Congo. Proceedings of the 8th. Inter. Conf. on Root and Butt Rots. August 9-16 Sweden and Finland. P. 34-44.
  7. Ivory, M.H., Honrubia, M., Mburu, B.K. and Mwangi, L.M. 1996. Putative ectomycorrhizal fungi from native and exotic forests in Kenya. In. Mycorrhizas in integrated systems, from genes to plant development. C. Azcon-Aguilar and J.M. Barea (eds). Proc. of 4th. European Symposium on Mycorrhizas, Granada, Spain. P125-127.
  8. Martin, F., Di Battista, C. Delaruelle, C., Ivory, M. and Mwangi, L.M. 1996. Typing of Kenyan ectomycorrhizal fungi using PCR-based techniques. In. Mycorrhizas in integrated systems, from genes to plant development. C. Azcon-Aguilar and J.M. Barea (eds). Proc. of 4th. European Symposium on Mycorrhizas, Granada, Spain. P 23
  9. Mburu, B.K., Honrubia, M., Ivory, M.H. and Mwangi, L.M. 1996. Ectomycorrhiza synthesis on indigenous and exotic forest trees in Kenya. In. Mycorrhizas in integrated systems, from genes to plant development. C. Azcon-Aguilar and J.m. Barea (eds). Proc. of 4th. European Symposium on Mycorrhizas, Granada, Spain. P557-560.
  10. Ivory, M.H., Mburu, B.K., Honrubia, M. and Mwangi, L.M. 1996. Ectomycorrhiza associations between Scleroderma spp. and forest trees in Kenya. Proc. of 1st Inter. Conf. on Mycorrhiza (ICOMI), Berkeley, USA.
  11. Mburu, B.K. Honrubia, Ivory, M.H., Anta, B., Mwangi, L.M. and Rubio, V. 1996. A new Pisolithus taxon from Kenya. Proc. of 1st. Inter. Conf. On Mycorrhiza (ICOMI), Berkeley, USA.
  12. Ivory, M.H., Mwangi, L.M. Mburu B.I &. Honrubia M. (1998) Synthesis of ectomycorrhiza on indigenous and exotic trees species using basidiospores and mycelial cultures. Paper presented during ICOM II, July 5-10, Uppsala, Sweden.
  13. Tuwei, P. E. Mutitu, L. Mwangi and L. Kanga 2004. Survey of pests and diseases in agroforestry systems. Paper presented at the end of project conference, National Agroforestry Research Project, Embu.
  14. Njuguna, J.,Mwangi, L .and Gibera, L. 2004. Fusarium wilt and Colletotricum leaf blight on Melia volkesii Gurke in Kitui: Preliminary results. Paper prepared for workshop on the research status of Melia volkesii, 16th-19th November 2004
  15. J, Kamondo, B, Mwangi, L., Gitehi, G., and Chahilu, O. 2009. Propagation of East African Sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata. Proceedings of the 4th Kefri scientific conference, Muguga Kenya 6-9 October 2008 pp 207-218
  16. Mwangi, L.M. and Mutitu, E. Status of forest invasive species in Kenya. Prepared for FISNA workshop, Kampala, Uganda
  17. Mwangi, L.M. Mbuvi, M.T.E, Maweu, J.and Mwendwa K.A. 2014. Ecology and traditional knowledge of edible mushrooms in arabuko sokoke forest reserve, kenya. Paper presented at the 4th African conference on edible and medicinal mushrooms (ACEMM) 26th-29th May 2014. Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology 7p
  18. Tuwei, P. E. Mutitu, L. Mwangi and L. Kanga 2004. Survey of pests and diseases in agroforestry systems. Paper presented at the end of project conference, National Agroforestry Research Project, Embu.
  19. Njuguna J., L. Mwangi and L. Gibera 2006. Appraisal of Melia volkensii diseases and their control in Makueni and Kitui districts. Proceedings of the first National workshop: Recent Mukau (Melia volkensii Gurke) Research and Development November 16-19 Kitui pp 40-41.
  20. Machua, J, Kamondo, B, Mwangi, L., Gitehi, G., and Chahilu, O. 2009. Propagation of East African Sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata. Proceedings of the 4th Kefri scientific conference, Muguga Kenya 6-9 October 2008 pp 207-218

Extension Materials, Leaflets and Bulletins

  1. KEFRI. 2009. Diseases of Aloes to look out for in Kenya-2016.
  2. Mwangi, L., 2014. Pests and diseases of Eucalyptus and their management. KEFRI Brochure.
  3. KEFRI. 2009. Diseases of Aloes to look out for in Kenya (Leaflet).
  4. Monitoring and management of tree diseases-2017
  5. Tree diseases advisory services-2017
  6. Blister bark disease of Casuarina equisetifolia-2020
  7. Botryosphaeria canker disease of eucalypts in Kenya-2020

Employment History

  • In August 1983 I joined the Forestry Research Department of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) as Research Officer III in Forest Pathology at KARI Muguga after my first degree in 1983. From 1985 – 1988 I undertook my Msc. Forestry degree programme at the University of Toronto, Canada. After completing my Msc. Forestry degree in 1988, I joined the Kenya Forestry Research Institute which was formed in 1986 where I have been working since. I first worked as a Research Officer and now as a Principal Research Scientist in Forest Pathology since 1997. During this time, I have been involved in various research areas and projects.

Administrative Responsibility

  1. Section Head: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Academic Qualification

  1. 1985-88 Msc Forestry University of Toronto, Canada
  2. 1979-83 Bsc degree (Upper Division) University of Nairobi

Key competences

  • Microsoft office word, Power Point, GENSTAT

Other Courses

  1. 1990 Statistical computer training Course (GENSTAT) KEFRI/ACIAR
  2. 1990 Group Training Course in Okinawa International Centre Forest soils. and University of Ryukyus,Japan
  3. 1990 Nursery techniques for Desert Development Centre Australian tree species Cairo, Egypt
  4. 1998 Systematics of the University of Nairobi, Chiromo Ascomycota and their Campus Anamorphs
  5. 2003 Performance Management and Kenya Institute of Business Appraisal Training at KEFRI
  6. 2010 Recognition, Identification and IUFRO 7.02.07 WORKSHOP Management of Pests and Kampala, Uganda Diseases of Tropical Plantation and Forest Trees