Vol. 120 No. 1 (2026)
Research Papers

The Microclimate Modulation by Banana Canopy: Seasonal Implications for Integrated Mushroom

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  • Gladwel Chepng'etich Ng'eno,
  • Mary Goretti Kariaga,
  • Asenath Jerotich Sigot,
  • Job Sirengo Lusweti,
  • Evelyne Mmbone Muleke
Gladwel Chepng'etich Ng'eno
School of Agriculture Veterinary Science and Technology, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega. Kenya
Mary Goretti Kariaga
Department of Agriculture and Land Use Management, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega. Kenya
Asenath Jerotich Sigot
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega. Kenya
Job Sirengo Lusweti
Department of Mathematics, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, 190-50100, Kakamega. Kenya
Evelyne Mmbone Muleke
Department of Agriculture and Land Use Management, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega. Kenya
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/jaeid-19238

Published 2026-06-29

Keywords

  • Banana canopy,
  • Microclimate,
  • Mushroom cultivation,
  • Pleurotus spp,
  • Seasonal variation,
  • Sustainable farming
    • ...More
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How to Cite

Ng’eno, G. C., Kariaga, M. G., Sigot, A. J., Lusweti, J. S., & Muleke, E. M. (2026). The Microclimate Modulation by Banana Canopy: Seasonal Implications for Integrated Mushroom. Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development (JAEID), 120(1), 87–98. https://doi.org/10.36253/jaeid-19238

Copyright (c) 2026 Gladwel Chepng'etich Ng'eno, Mary Goretti Kariaga, Asenath Jerotich Sigot, Job Sirengo Lusweti, Evelyne Mmbone Muleke

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

Mushroom cultivation is highly sensitive to microclimatic conditions, which determine colonization, fruiting, and quality. In tropical regions, seasonal variability in temperature, humidity, light, and carbon dioxide often constrains production, particularly for smallholder farmers who lack the resources to maintain controlled environments. Banana (Musa spp.) plantations provide natural shade and buffering effects that may serve as low-cost alternatives to indoor cultivation, yet empirical evaluations remain limited. This study investigated the influence of season (wet and dry), cultivation environment (indoor vs. outdoor under banana canopy), and species (Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus australis) on microclimate dynamics at Masinde Muliro University farm, Kakamega County, Kenya. A split–split plot design with three replicates was used, and air temperature, relative humidity, light intensity, and carbon dioxide concentration were monitored at mushroom canopy height. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, with treatment means separated by Tukey’s HSD at P ≤ 0.05. Results showed significant seasonal variation in all parameters. During the dry season, indoor conditions maintained higher humidity and lower temperatures than outdoors. However, in the wet season, humidity and temperature did not differ significantly between indoor and outdoor setups, demonstrating the buffering effect of the banana canopy. Outdoor environments consistently recorded higher light intensity and lower CO₂ levels compared to indoor systems. These findings highlight banana canopies as effective natural microclimate regulators, offering a sustainable and low-input alternative to controlled indoor cultivation in tropical smallholder systems.

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