Kennedy Josaya Zimba was born on 3 June 1982, in Katete District in the Eastern Province of Zambia. He did his primary education at Kamphambe Primary School, secondary education at Katete Boarding Secondary School, and tertiary at the University of Zambia, where he obtained a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Crop Science). In 2008, at Rhodes University (South Africa), he received a Master of Science Degree in Entomology. In 2019, he enrolled in a sandwich Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science (Entomology) programme, between the University of Zambia, and Harper Adams University (UK).
Host-Plant, Induced Mutagenesis and Silicon-derived Resistance to Aphids in Common Bean, (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Cowpea, (Vigna unguiculata L. WALP.) Genotypes
Zimba's Theses explored the mechanisms of aphid resistance in common bean breeding lines and mutation-derived cowpea genotypes, which also assess the potential of silicon to improve aphid resistance in mutation-derived cowpea genotypes. The major findings of the study included: the identification of two common bean lines and three mutation-derived cowpea genotypes with promising resistance against aphids. This study further showed that silicon application is an effective tool to manage cowpea aphids on mutant cowpea genotypes. However, there is still little benefit of combining these approaches. The study has important implications for developing, and integrated pest management framework for aphid pests on common bean and cowpea.