Effects of Faidherbia albida on some important soil fertility indicators on agroforestry parklands in the semi-arid zone of Ghana
February 2020
A study was conducted in the Guinea and Sudan Savannah zones in the Upper East Region of Ghana to investigate the effects of Faidherbia albida on some important soil fertility indicators. Soil sampling and analysis, litter trap, and litter bag techniques were employed to determine the soil’s content of major nutrients, the rate of litterfall production and litter decomposition, respectively. Analysis of variance...
Extent of rumen contents use in livestock diets among farmers in Uganda
February 2020
This study was conducted with the aim of finding how rumen contents are used in livestock diets, problems encountered and areas that needs improvement to enhance livestock production. One hundred livestock farmers from Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The results showed that majority of the work force involved in livestock farming were middle aged adults between 30...
Relation of macrofauna diversity and chemical soil properties in rice field ecosystem, Dukuhseti district, Pati regency, Indonesia
February 2020
Indonesia is a country with the third largest biodiversity after Brazil and Madagascar. Of the about 325.530 species of flora and fauna globally, an estimated 25% of the world's species are found in Indonesia. Macrofauna, a land animal that plays a role in influencing the soil ecosystem has specific environmental requirements that enables it to be used as biological indicators of ecosystem conditions, mainly rice...
Successive off take of elements by maize grown in pure basalt powder
February 2020
Basalt powder wastes from mining activities have potential to be used as a natural fertilizer. Basalt minerals in agricultural soils may release plant nutrients and increase soil negative charge. In this work, the weathering of basalt promoted by maize rhizosphere was investigated. We studied the chemical and mineralogical composition of basalt, including cation exchange capacity, as well as the rate of elements offtake...
Modeling the sensitivity of strategic plans to risks and uncertainties in forest management
February 2020
Forest operations are associated with products of a biological source and long-term plans. This makes forest management plans affected by market and environmental uncertainties, which can cause differences between the strategic and operational plans. Risks related to disease spread, adverse weather, timber demand, and available capital can cause a reduction in planted areas. It is necessary that forest management plans...
Evaluation of the performance of coffee varieties under low moisture stressed areas of Southern Ethiopia
February 2020
The experiment was conducted by using seven released coffee varieties at three locations in southern Ethiopia, Halaba, Loka Abaya and Dilla, to select coffee varieties with higher yield and tolerant to low soil moisture stress. It was arranged in RCBD having three replications. The result indicated that the varieties showed significant difference on main stem diameter, plant height at harvesting, plant height up to the...
Spatial distribution and sampling size for monitoring of African maize stem borer, Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on maize (Zea mays L.) in Southern Ethiopia
February 2020
The African maize stem borer (Busseola fusca) is one of the important biotic constraints for maize production in sub-Saharan African. This study determined the spatial distribution and sampling sizes for African maize stem borer in Southern Ethiopia. Twenty four maize farms were visited in 12 localities at three growth stage of maize. Data were collected on the number of infested and not-infested plants, and the number...
Heterosis and combining ability for storage root, flesh color, virus disease resistance and vine weight in Sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.]
February 2020
This study was done to determine the mid-parent heterosis, the general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities of storage root yield, sweet potato virus resistance (SPVD), flesh color and vine weight of candidate sweet potato clones. Sixteen selected genotypes from two gene pools were crossed in an 8B×8A cross having 64 families. Trials were conducted with 1,896 offsprings and 16 parents during two seasons at...
Sensory evaluation of coffee cultivars in the Campo das Vertentes Mesoregion, Minas Gerais
February 2020
The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensory characteristics of coffees from Coffea arabica L. groups, in municipalities located in the Campo das Vertentes mesoregion, in the State of Minas Gerais. Natural and parchment coffees, after drying, consisted of 100% mature fruits. The experiment was carried out on 14 coffee farms located in the municipalities of Carmo da Mata, Oliveira, Santo Antônio do...
Identification and mapping QTLs of bolting time in purple cai-tai (Brassica rapa L. var. purpurea)
February 2020
Bolting time is a crucial agronomic trait for yield and quality in purple cai-tai (Brassica. rapa L. var. purpurea), but the genetic mechanism controlling the procedure remains unknown. In the present study, a double haploid (DH) population derived from two inbred lines of purple cai-tai 4-1 and 040-3 was constructed to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of bolting time. Genetic linkage map was performed by...
Analysis of farmers’ perceived and observed climate variability and change in Didessa sub-basin, Blue Nile River, Ethiopia
February 2020
Farmers’ local knowledge of how the climate is changing is crucial in anticipating the effects of climate change, as only farmers who know/perceive the impacts will develop coping and adaption measures. The study is designed to assess farmers’ perception and understanding in climate variability and change and to establish the observed climate change parameters with farmer’s perception and climate...
Factors affecting adoption of dairy cattle milk production technologies in Mosop Sub County, Nandi County, Kenya
January 2020
The study was carried out with the specific objective of analyzing the socio-economic factors affecting adoption of dairy cattle milk production technologies by smallholder dairy farmers in Mosop Sub County, Nandi County, Kenya. The study was guided by Innovation Diffusion Theory and descriptive research design was used. Cluster sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used to collect data from a sample of...
Inclusion of Sargassum muticum and Parkia biglobosa in diets for African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) elevates feed utilization, growth and immune parameters
January 2020
The use of antimicrobial agents and antibiotics as remedial measures against fish diseases has been questioned. The huge amounts of antibiotics used in animal husbandry has exerted a very strong selection pressure on the resistance among bacteria, which have adapted to this situation, mainly by a horizontal and philandering flow of resistance genes. Prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotics have been proposed as strategic...
Relationship between fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) infestation and the physicochemical changes in fresh fruits
January 2020
Infestation of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) causes physical and chemical changes in fresh fruit. Moreover, each species of fruit may react differently to the injuries caused by oviposition and larva feeding. In this study, we associated fruit fly infestation with physicochemical changes in five fruit species during six storage times. Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) infestation caused change in peel firmness (PEF),...
Management of the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) with field applications of the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana and a mixed formulation of the baculovirus MaviMNPV with emulsifiable neem oil
January 2020
The present study assessed the effectiveness of the entomopathogen fungus Beauveria bassiana in comparison with neem oil combined with the baculovirus MaviMNPV and a synthetic insecticide deltamethrin for the control of Maruca vitrata Fabricius under field conditions. The trial was conducted in six villages at Glazoue and Djakotomey, two districts in Benin. Four treatments consisting of (1) untreated control, (2) neem +...
Screening of sesame genotypes for resistance against Fusarium wilt pathogen
January 2020
Fusarium wilt is one of the most devastating diseases in sesame production in Uganda, caused by a fungus called Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. sesami. Its incidence ranges from 17.1 to 73.3%. Some sesame genotypes have been reported to resist Fusarium wilt; however, have not been precisely determined. In this study, 30 sesame genotypes that included released varieties, improved elite breeding lines and introductions were...
Productivity impact of growth enhancement support scheme on maize farm households in Kano State, Nigeria
January 2020
In Nigeria, farmers depend on government support for farm inputs in form of subsidies to improve farmers productivity and food security. In this article, the productivity impact of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) farm input subsidy support program that was implemented in 2011. The study employs a two-stage probability design with stratification was used to collect household survey data from 390...
Screening of chickpea genotypes for resistance to Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris) under field conditions in Ethiopia
January 2020
Fusarium wilt is one of the economical important vascular root diseases affecting chickpea. A total of 427 chickpea germplasms were grouped into two types, desi type (385) and kabuli. 42 genotypes were evaluated to identify fusarium wilt resistant sources in Debre Zeit sick plot under natural infected field. The genotypes were grown in 2017/18 main cropping season and augmented design was used without replications;...
Molecular profiling of growth hormone in the juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀× Epinephelus polyphekadion ♂)
January 2020
Many factors contribute to the underdevelopment of oceanic aquaculture. The most significant factor of the development of hybrid grouper culture is the supply of satisfactory quantities of fast growing juveniles to stock grow-out systems at a minimized cost. In order to evaluate the growth hormone status of hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus â™€× Epinephelus polyphekadion ♂), cDNA encoding growth hormone...
Evaluation of yield and yield components of low n maize (zea mays l.) varieties under low and high nitrogen conditions
January 2020
Field studies were conducted at the teaching and research farm of the Osun State University Ejigbo Campus, Osun State, Nigeria, during the 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons to determine the agronomic performance of low N maize varieties under two nitrogen conditions (low and high). The aim of this experiment was to determine the response of low N maize to two levels of nitrogen fertilizer. Ten low N maize varieties were...
Expression profile of sex steroid hormone estrogen receptors (ERs) in the development of juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus polyphekadion ♂)
January 2020
Recognized for its traditional roles, estrogen is ever-present in all vertebrates, regulates reproduction by binding and activating estrogen receptors (ERs), and also controls several functions of vertebrates, including reproductive immune, and central nervous systems. In order to access any other possible functions of the estrogen receptors in the development of the juvenile Hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus...
Yield responses of bush bean varieties to different planting densities and rates of phosphorous fertilizer
January 2020
Common bean is commonly grown by smallholder farmers under quite diverse farming systems and it is for both food security and income generation. The impact of plant density is important to bean growers for yield optimization and the inadequate source of phosphorus leads to low productivity due to its significant in growth and development. This study focused on determining optimal spacing of different bush bean varieties...
Economic assessment of biological weed control using cover crop mixtures in maize production
January 2020
The economics of using mixtures of a vegetable cowpea, Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis L., known locally as ‘Akidi’ (A) in Eastern Nigeria, melon (M) and sweet potato (S) Ipomea batatas for weed management in maize were evaluated between 2007 and 2009 in Taraba State, College of Agriculture Teaching and Research Farm, Jalingo, Treatments include 20,000(1), 30,000(2) and...
Sources of productivity growth in Ethiopian agriculture
January 2020
In Ethiopia, agricultural production and productivity are very low, and hence increase in production and productivity are vital to meet increasing food demand. This study identifies and quantifies the main sources of productivity growth in Ethiopian agriculture using the translog (TL) stochastic input distance function and the Ethiopian Rural Household Survey (ERHS) panel dataset. The true fixed effects (TFE)...
Evaluation of the pH of solid residues generated in the cellulose industry adequate to the sludge hygienization for use in agriculture
January 2020
This paper looks into the possibility of using solid residues generated in the cellulose production process to hygienize sewage sludge for fertilization. During the cellulose fabrication process, dregs, grits and vegetable biomass ashes are generated. Seven experiments were conducted in the Hydraulic Research Institute´s laboratory at UFRGS, in order to determine the pH values of the three residues in...
Management strategies for the noxious invasive parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) in Uganda
January 2020
Parthenium weed is a noxious invasive species that has negative effects on agriculture and also causes allergic reactions in humans. The goal of this study was to evaluate several management strategies for parthenium weed and assess the suitability of each control measure for farmers, and other stakeholders in Uganda. Field experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design, and the quadrat sampling method...
Indigenous rhizobia strains: The silver bullet for enhanced biological nitrogen fixation and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) yield under different soil conditions in South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo
December 2019
Soybean is an important crop in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country faced with high levels of war induced malnutrition but its productivity is limited by poor soil fertility coupled with low access to nitrogen mineral fertilizers. Commercial rhizobia strains introduced in 2010 failed to adapt and increase soybeans yields at desired level. We studied the performance of six indigenous rhizobia strains in enhancing...
Molecular characterization of some brinjal genotypes (Solanum melongena L) using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers
December 2019
To analyze genetic variability of 48 brinjal genotypes by Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers, four primers named smSSR01, smSSR03, smSSR11 and smSSR14 were selected for analyze the data. Four primers generated clear bands and a total of 44 alleles were detected among the 48 brinjal genotypes (9.0 to 14.0 alleles per locus with a mean of 11.0 alleles per locus). According to Nei’s (1973), the highest level of...
Milk production, marketing practices and qualities along milk supply chains of Haramaya District, Ethiopia
December 2019
A study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the physicochemical properties and microbial qualities of raw cow’s milk along the milk supply chain in Haramaya district. A total of 123 smallholder dairy producers, one dairy cooperative, 3 milk collectors, 6 milk retailers, 8 selling points and 18 consumers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Sixty raw milk samples were used for...
Evaluation of cocoa mirid (Distantiella theobroma Dist. and Sahlbergella singularis Hagl.) control practices in Côte d’Ivoire
December 2019
Rapid pod damage evaluations were performed in four cocoa producing regions in Côte d’Ivoire to assess the severity and regional variability of the mirid pest problem. We further tested the impact of three insecticide products at two different dosages, applied at two different periods on cocoa pod production and mirid infestation on sixty cocoa farms. It was found that in Côte d’Ivoire, cocoa...
Appropriate fertilizer (NPK) rates for cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) production in the humid forest agro-ecological zone of Cameroon
December 2019
The objective of this study was to test for appropriate quantity of fertilizer (NPK 12-11-18) required to boost the production of cassava (variety TME 419) in the forest zone of Cameroon. The trial was conducted at the experimental farm of the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) in Mbalmayo. The experimental design was completely randomized block design in three replicates. The treatments were as...
Effects of fungicide treatments against Anthracnose in Calabrian (southern Italy) Olive Orchards during 2014-2015
December 2019
In recent years, severe natural olive anthracnose infections have been observed in orchards of Southern and Central Italy, favoured by mild and rainy seasonal trends, making disease control with the sole use of copper fungicides difficult. Besides, European restrictions in the use of copper compounds for eco-toxicological aspects have forced researchers towards the use of available plant protection products. Thus, 2...
Effects of probiotic-treated rice straw on blood parameters and gut microbes of heifers
December 2019
The study investigated the effects of probiotic treatment on nutrient content of rice straw and its impact on blood parameters and gut microbes of heifers. Eight Holstein crossbred heifers with initial average body weight (BW) of 180.25±21 kg were used in this study. The experimental period lasted for 33 days of feeding, of which 5 days were adjustment period. The treatments included feeding of untreated rice...
An analysis of socioeconomic factors affecting avocado production in saline and flooded areas around Lake Victoria Basin of Western Kenya
December 2019
Avocado (Persia americana) a very important crop worldwide nutritionally and economically. In Kenya avocado does not thrive well in soils with high salinity, flooded or waterlogged areas. Survey was conducted around Lake Victoria Basin in Kenya to establish socioeconomic factors and flooding that affects its production. A sample of 400 households was interviewed using structured questionnaire, focus group discussions...
Suitability of biosolids from university sewage ponds as a substrate for crop production
December 2019
Currently, sewage waste management is a serious environmental problem and one of the major growing concerns for urban areas all over the world. Utilization of biosolids (BS) for crop production may be a sustainable waste management strategy. The present study evaluated the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of biosolids from sewage ponds at Egerton University, Kenya. This was to determine its suitability...
The performance of selected commercial organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of bush beans in Central Uganda
December 2019
To assess the quality of commercial organic fertilizers in Uganda market, a quick survey was conducted to establish the organic fertilizers being sold in Container village market in Kampala Capital City. Different products were found being sold as organic fertilizers. Four of these fertilizers are two solid (Biochar and Fertiplus) and two liquid (Biogrow and Digrow) selected for a field study. Field...
Effect of vermicompost on growth, quality and economic return of garlic (Allium sativum L.) at Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia
December 2019
Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an important vegetable crop in Ethiopia. The yield of the crop is often constrained by low and unbalanced nutrient supply in the soil. This study was undertaken to assess effect of vermicompost (VC) on growth, quality and economic return of garlic variety Chelenko I during 2016 main rainy season in Haramaya University main campus, Ethiopia. The treatment consisted of four levels of...
Consumers’ awareness of the presence of pathogenic bacteria and pesticide residues on tomatoes sold in Nairobi
December 2019
Tomato consumed worldwide for its vitamins and bioactive elements can harbor postharvest bacteria and pesticide residues. A cross-sectional survey using a semi-structured questionnaire was done in 101 households in Kangemi assessing consumers’ awareness on pesticide residues and bacterial presence on tomatoes sold in Nairobi. Questionnaire was administered in Kangemi during weekends, systematic random sampling was...
Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and genotype main effect and genotype by environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis of large white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes across environments in Ethiopia
December 2019
Undertaking a multi-environment trial prior to releasing a high yielding and stable varieties for a specific environment is a major step in plant breeding. Therefore, the objective of this work was to study the effect of Genotype × Environment Interaction (GEI) and evaluate the adaptability and stability of sixteen large white common bean genotypes. Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and...
Community based participatory forest resources management practices in Chilimo forest, Dendi District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
December 2019
This research has made an endeavor to analyze the practices of community based participatory forest management and its impacts on the incomes of the forest user groups and the forest cover of Chilimo forest, Dendi District, Ethiopia. 380 households were selected from seven peasant association proportionally and simple random sampling was adopted to choose the sample households from each peasant association. Both...
Livelihood diversification and it’s determinants on rice farming households in Ogun State, Nigeria.
December 2019
This study assesses the nexus between livelihood diversification, technology adoption and food security status among rice farm households in the Ogun State. A multistage sampling technique was used to select two Agricultural Development Programme zones (Ikenne and Abeokuta zones) in the state. Purposive selection of two blocks per zone based on the concentration of rice farmers was done. Six farming cells were randomly...
Behavior of nursing Apis mellifera after application of entomopathogenic fungi to control Varroa destructor
December 2019
To study the possible use of fungi to control Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman, a parasitic mite of Apis mellifera L., without effects on its pollinator’s behavior, the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) were applied at 30ºC in the dark, at 108 conidia/mL, a concentration known previously for its pathogenicity on V. destructor. Both...
The role of soil nutrient ratios in coffee quality: Their influence on bean size and cup quality in the natural coffee forest ecosystems of Ethiopia
December 2019
Nutrients are essential for plant growth and development, and soil nutrient ratios play key roles in coffee quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of soil nutrient ratios on the quality of wild Arabica coffee in Ethiopia. Results revealed that the balance between the soil nutrients was well correlated with coffee quality attributes. The balance between magnesium and calcium (Mg:Ca) and the...
Effects of bio-stimulants on the yield of cucumber fruits and on nutrient content
December 2019
The aim of the experiment was to assess the effect of bio-stimulants of different composition (Asahi SL - based on three nitrophenol compounds, naturally occurring in plants, as active ingredients; Optisil – mineral growth stimulant containing 24 g L-1 of Fe and 200 g L-1 of SiO2; Kelpak SL – manufactured from Ecklonia maxima and containing auxins and cytokinins) on the content of macronutrients and...
Dynamics of weed biomass on yield and yield component stability of maize under various weed management strategies
November 2019
Weed is a very significant enemy of crop production. Its density, diversity and the interaction complexes on the yield and yield component of maize cv “Quality protein” were investigated in the present study. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) containing five weed management strategies and a weedy check as treatments in 2015 and 2016. Data were collected on weed density,...
Transforming smallholder agriculture through cooperatives for improving households’ food security at OR Tambo District Municipality, South Africa
November 2019
Agriculture is a primary source of food, employment and income in rural households. Agricultural cooperatives have been regarded as possible vehicles in achieving these objectives. Small holder farming in the OR Tambo District Municipality has marginally been performed in contributing to households’ food security. Research indicates that there are many factors affecting agricultural cooperative development and...
Influence of mineral nutrition on plant development and chemical composition of volatile oils of Porophyllum ruderale (Jacq.) Cass subspecies
November 2019
The objective of this study was to find out the influence of soil nutrition on the composition of volatile oils of Porophyllum ruderale subsp. macrocephalum and Porophyllum ruderale subsp. ruderale. The seedlings were transplanted into pots containing sand as substrate. Every seven days, different Hoagland solutions were applied: Complete solution and solution lacking, respectively nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,...
Entomocidal activity of some plant extracts against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
November 2019
Entomocidal activity of ethanolic leaf extracts of four plant species namely Euphorbia balsamifera Aiton, Lawsonia inermis L., Mitracarpus hirtus (L.) DC. and Senna obtusifolia L. were evaluated in order to assess their protectant ability to stored sorghum against Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. The botanicals were applied to 20 g of sorghum grains at the rate of 25, 50 and 100 mgml-1, while no extracts was added to the...
Impact of DroughtTEGO® hybrid maize variety on agricultural productivity and poverty alleviation in Kenya
November 2019
Impact of DroughtTEGO® maize hybrids on agricultural productivity and poverty reduction among small-scale maize farmers were analyzed using 642 households in Kenya. The Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) project coordinated by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) developed the varieties. While on-farm production output and farmers’ testimonies indicate significantly high productivity over...
Yield of different varieties of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in different harvest intervals
November 2019
This experiment was installed in the experimental plot of the Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, National University of Asunción Department of Amambay, Paraguay, with the objective of evaluating the yield of four varieties of cassava in three harvest intervals. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four treatments (Seda, Pomberi, Sa’yju and Tacuara) and five repetitions. The spacing was 0.8 x 0.7...
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