Barriers of smallholder farmers to climate change adaptation decisions: Evidence from semi-arid region of Ghana
August 2024
Climate change poses significant threats to global agricultural output, affecting the livelihoods of millions of farmers, particularly in Ghana’s semi-arid Upper East region. Here, millet and sorghum producers face increasing challenges due to changing climatic patterns. Smallholder farmers frequently employ adaptation strategies in response to these conditions. However, despite their efforts, these adaptations...
Assessing soil carbon sequestration potential by measuring clay, sand, and silt content in agroforestry parkland systems along a rainfall gradient in Burkina Faso, West Africa
July 2024
Soil texture and precipitation influence soil organic carbon sequestration. This research measured soil texture to assess the potential for organic carbon sequestration in soils within agroforestry parklands, considering a gradient of rainfall levels. The study aims to provide site-specific recommendations to promote agroforestry as a strategy for mitigating climate change in Burkina Faso. Soil samples were collected...
Effects of soil pH levels on iron and zinc concentrations of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes
July 2024
Plants grown in acid soils experience a variety of stresses which include aluminium, hydrogen and/or manganese toxicity, as well as nutrient deficiencies of calcium and magnesium. A study was carried out to determine the influence of soil pH levels on iron and zinc concentrations in leaves and seeds of twenty-five common bean genotypes. Plastic cups trial was carried out in the screen house to determine the actual...
Phenotypical variability of four types of sorghum cultivated in intercropping conditions in two agroclimatic areas of Burkina Faso based on qualitative traits
July 2024
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an indigenous crop in Africa, primarily cultivated to meet the food and commercial needs of rural communities. In Burkina Faso, various types of sorghum are cultivated together, potentially increasing gene flow and influencing the evolution of key morphological traits of interest. This study compared the morphological variability of four types of sorghum cultivated under...
Genetic parameters estimate of iron and zinc nutrients in common bean genotypes
July 2024
There is need to know the heritability of different traits for the effective selection of parents for future breeding activities. A study was carried out to determine heritability of iron and zinc in common bean. Crosses were made with each donor and recipient parents to obtain four different types of crosses. Part of the F1 seed from each cross was sown in the screen house to produce F2 seeds and also backcrossed to...
Characterization of chicken production system in two selected districts in Central Tigray, Ethiopia
July 2024
The study was conducted in Tahtay Michew and Mereb Leke districts with the objective of characterizing the chicken production system in the two study districts. Data collection was carried out through a structured questionnaire and data gathered from different sources. A total of 80 households (40 from each district) were randomly selected for interviews in the baseline survey. Finally, all the collected data were...
Standard of living, gender dimensions and women empowerment among Fulani pastoralist in Kaduna State, Nigeria
July 2024
The participation of women in dairy farming varies according to region, culture, and socioeconomic status. These dynamics restrict women’s abilities to exercise equal access and control over resources. Utilizing descriptive statistics and data from 316 clustered Advancing Local Dairy Development in Nigeria (ALDDN) Project beneficiary communities, this study assesses gender roles and empowerment among pastoralists...
Troubled agronomy: Exploring challenges affecting oil palm production among indigenous rural farmers in Karonga district, Malawi
July 2024
Agriculture remains fundamental in addressing socio-economic challenges in developing countries including Malawi. Through agriculture, oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) production has been essential as source of food, creation of job opportunities, income generation, hence offering potential pathways for reducing rural poverty. In Malawi, oil palm production is an old tradition practiced by the Nyakyusa people, residing in...
Farming nomenclature, distribution and diversity of squash (Cucurbita sp) in Burkina Faso
July 2024
Agriculture plays a crucial role in managing sustainable food security, necessitating a better understanding and conservation of plant genetic resource diversity. This study aims to establish the nomenclature of squash species (Cucurbita species) diversity cultivated by farmers in Burkina Faso. A survey was conducted across 19 provinces, divided into nine regions and two climatic zones. Semi-structured individual...
Postharvest handling practices and the use of Cedrela Odorata leaves against insect pests of maize grain in storage
July 2024
A survey conducted in the Ejura-Sekyedumasi municipality of Ghana's Ashanti Region assessed the use of Cedrela odorata leaves for storing maize. The study sampled fifty farmers from five maize-producing communities. Maize storage methods included shelling and bagging or storing unshelled maize in rooms or barns. Common field pests encountered included weevils, termites and fall armyworms. The majority of farmers...
A survey on the state of moringa cultivation and utilization in Kwazulu-Natal
July 2024
The African population is predicted to be 1,397,607,646, with the South African population estimated to be 60,635,919. With a continually expanding population across the continent, satisfying the demands of present and future generations will be a major global challenge. As a result, this study investigated Moringa oleifera lam as a superfood with the potential to reduce poverty and unemployment, promote rural...
Determinants of adoption of improved agronomic practices of (Sesamum indicum L.) production, challenges and opportunities in Lango sub region of Northern Uganda
June 2024
Sesame is a key oilseed crop predominantly cultivated in Northern and Eastern regions of Uganda. Despite efforts to promote sesame production, adoption of improved agronomic practices remains low. This study assesses adoption intensity, determinants of improved agronomic practices, and opportunities for enhancing sesame production in Northern Uganda. The study employed multi-stage and purposive sampling to survey 123...
Evaluation of rhizobium and nitrogen fertilizer for the control of bacterial blight in green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties
June 2024
Bacterial blight is a serious disease affecting green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), impacting all growth and yield parameters and potentially causing a yield loss of about 40%. Inadequate information exists on the evaluation of nitrogen fertilizer potential on bacterial blight diseases in green bean cultivars. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of nitrogen fertilizer in managing bacterial blight disease...
Assessment of vertical hydroponic structures compared to planting in soil under different light conditions
June 2024
The aim of this research was to evaluate the performance of small-scale vertical hydroponic structures compared to indoor planting in soil under different light conditions. Fordhook Giant Swiss chard (Spinacea oleracea) was grown for 2 cropping seasons. It was hypothesized that there would be no significant difference in the biometric attributes of the plants grown hydroponically and those grown in soil under different...
Morphometrics and carcass production of Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) under intensive production system
June 2024
The aim of this study was to determine the carcass production and obtain linear models for the estimation of live weight of Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), reared under intensive system. Three-year-old crocodiles destined for slaughter were restrained, stunned and thereafter, the spinal cord severed instantly. The live weight of each crocodile was measured and the corresponding morphometric measurements were...
Inventory of fungi associated with fonio (Digitaria exilis, Stapf) diseases and evaluation of the phenotype of 15 fonio mutant lineages against two isolates of Curvularia lunata in Burkina Faso
June 2024
Curvulariosis is one of the main fungal diseases of fonio, appearing at the vegetative growth stage and causing yield losses of up to 45%. The aim of this study was to invent the fungal species that infest fonio and to evaluate the phenotype of 18 lines developed or generated by mutagenesis against curvulariosis. A collection survey was carried out in the main fonio production zones. The lines were screened under...
Pollination by Xylocopa olivacea Fabricius 1871 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and potential benefits on Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. 1843 (Fabaceae) production in Djoumassi (North Region, Cameroon)
June 2024
The investigation aimed to assess the impact of Xylocopa olivacea on Vigna unguiculata yields, and its foraging and pollinating activities were studied at Djoumassi from October 30th to November 04th in 2018 and from 04 to 10th October in 2019. A total of 540 flowers were observed, divided into four treatments. Two treatments were differentiated based on the presence or absence of flower protection against insect...
Evaluation of the morphological variability and pathogenicity of Fusarium verticillioides isolates collected from maize seeds produced in Burkina Faso
June 2024
Fusarium head blight is one of the most important diseases on maize production in Burkina Faso. It affects both yields and production quality, due to toxins that are dangerous to human and animal health. The effectiveness of control measures for this disease depends on a better understanding of the intra-population variability of the pathogens responsible, as well as control of their pathogenicity. The aim of this study...
Effects of the length of rectangular zaï pits on straw and grain yields of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) in the Sahelian and Sudano-Sahelian zones of Burkina Faso
June 2024
In this arid zone, water is crucial for increasing yields, which justifies why zaï, characterized by spherical pits, has become the main soil recovery technique. However, water table level affects the effectiveness of zaï in collecting sufficient water. The present study aimed to give a rectangular shape to the typically spherical zaï pits to measure the straw and grain yield of sorghum in a factorial...
Estimating and forecasting red meat consumption and production in Saudi Arabia during 2022-2030
June 2024
The study aims to predict domestic consumption and the production of three meat species (cattle, goats, and sheep) between 2022 and 2030. All series data in addition income per capita as exogenous variable are stationary at the first difference. So vector autoregressive model with exogenous variables was applied, according to information criterion ( ) the model of order without an intercept term and a...
Phenology and growth response of maize and groundnut to different spatial arrangement and intercropping systems
May 2024
Field trials were carried out at the research field of AAMUSTED in two cropping seasons (2021 and 2022) to determine the effect of intercropping groundnut varieties with maize using different spatial arrangements on phenology and growth. A 3 x 3 factorial experiment arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), plus four sole crops replicated four times, was used. The treatments were: (i) groundnut varieties...
Adaptability evaluation of US-developed soybean recombinant inbred lines in Rwandan conditions
May 2024
About 70% of the Rwandan population live on agriculture-related activities. Soybean is among the selected priority crops that are supported by the government through the agriculture sector subsidy program. However, the national production and yields per hectare remain very low compared to other countries such as the USA. Yet demand for soybean products and byproducts is increasing. On the list factors limiting soybean...
The impact of organic fertilizer on maize, field beans, and cabbages within the agricultural landscape of Kenya: An assessment of efficacy on sustainable development goals
May 2024
The study aimed to address the reduced production in agriculture and offer better opportunities to farmers for a sustainable future through organic farming aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Data were collected on the growth performance and yield of three crops (cabbage, field beans, and maize) from six sites: Mau Narok, Mwea, Limuru, Molo, and Njabini, between April and October, 2017. The results of the...
Effects of manure and variety on growth and yield of maize under managed water stress at Salima in Malawi
May 2024
Drought and low soil fertility are the primary constraints to maize productivity in Malawi. An experiment was conducted at Lifuwu Agricultural Research Station in Malawi during the 2016 dry season under furrow irrigation to evaluate the impact of goat manure application and drought on the growth and grain yield of the hybrid DKC8053 variety and the synthetic ZM523 variety. These varieties share a maturity period ranging...
Honeybee pests, predators and diseases in the selected districts of Bench-Maji and Sheka zones, Southwest Ethiopia
May 2024
This study evaluates the honeybee pests, predators and diseases in the selected districts of Sheka and Bench Maji zones. A cross sectional study design was used in the study. Four hundred and twenty households were involved in the study and 35 were randomly selected using stratified random sampling techniques from each purposively selected twelve kebeles. Specimens were collected from a hive of 72 households for...
Effect of partial substitution of Noug (Guizotia abyssinica) seed cake with graded levels of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) hay on growth performance and carcass characteristics of yearling rams
May 2024
A feeding trial was conducted using sainfoin hay at 0, 10, 20 and 30% on a dry matter basis of inclusion to yearling rams placed on, T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively, to substitute Noug seed cake in concentrate (wheat bran + Noug seed cake + common salt + wheat straw as a basal diet). Yearling 24 rums were selected on the basis of age and weight similarity and randomly assigned to the four treatments in...
Study on the trapping effects of Brassica allelochemicals on Plutella xylostella adults
April 2024
The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a major pest of Brassica crops worldwide. This study explores the application of Brassica spp. allelochemicals in trapping diamondback moth adults. The effectiveness of eight commercially obtained Brassica spp. volatiles has been investigated, including - (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, cis-3-hexene-1-ol, β-pinene, sabinene, n-heptanal, allyl...
Challenges faced by small scale sugarcane growers: An exploration of the impact of social unrest on sugarcane farming in Kwazulu-Natal
April 2024
The South African sugar industry is considered by the South African Sugar Association (SASA) as one of the world’s leading cost competitive producers of high-quality sugar and contributes significantly to the national economy, sustainable development and creates mass employment in rural areas. However, numerous challenges are faced by small scale sugarcane growers which drastically affect their profit...
Evaluation of soybean (Glycine max L.) varieties for yield performance and adaptability over different growing seasons at Tselemti District, Northern Ethiopia
April 2024
A field experiment was carried out in 2015 and 2016 cropping season on ten soybean varieties using randomized complete block design. The aim is to evaluate soybean varieties for yield performance and adaptability considering number of days to 50% flowering, days to 95% maturity, plant height, pods per plant, plant height biomass and grain yield. Those varieties were superior overall the testing varieties such as Afgat...
Physico-chemical properties of irradiated fresh tomatoes
April 2024
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of various levels of gamma irradiation on the physico-chemical composition of fresh tomatoes. Tomato samples were irradiated in a Co-60 gamma irradiator and maintained at 25 ± 2°C storage conditions. The experiment was designed with five treatments of radiation dose (0, 0.5, 0.75 1.0, 1.5, and 2 kGy). Before irradiation, the initial composition of physico-chemical...
Cocoa-agroforestry in Ghana: Practices, determinants and constraints faced by farmers
April 2024
To address the growing global demand for cocoa, sustainable intensification of its production in Ghana, the second largest producer, is considered crucial. This paper analyzes practices, determinants and constraints of agroforestry among cocoa farmers in Ghana to provide insights into challenges and drivers for agroforestry adoption, which will guide the formulation and prioritization of tailored policies to address...
Smallholder palm oil production sector in African countries: State of the art, practices, constraints, and opportunities in Littoral and Centre regions of Cameroon
March 2024
During palm oil extraction by smallholders in Cameroon, palm oil mill effluent (POME) is generated. A detailed description of the processes involved, aids in reducing loss and minimising the environmental effect of the wastes produced. We characterized herein, the production chain of smallholders’ palm oil production in Cameroon. Mixed methods research approach was used, and semi-structured questionnaires...
Growth performance and carcass characteristics of Kuroiler chicks fed on Silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori) diet
March 2024
Utilization of silkworm pupae meal for feed will partially meet the protein feed deficiency, and fish meal competing uses. Silkworm pupa was used as a fishmeal substitute at different levels in poultry feeds to determine the growth performance and carcass characteristics after feeding day old Kuroiler chicks for 8 weeks. Fishmeal was substituted with Silkworm pupae at percentages of 25 (T3), 50 (T2) and 100 (T1) with a...
Leaf and fruit description of 18 varieties of mango tree (Mangifera indica L.) in Burkina Faso
March 2024
Fruit cultivation, particularly mango production, is flourishing in Burkina Faso. Despite the abundance of mango varieties, the methods for identifying them based on morphological traits remain unknown. This study aims to identify the distinctive characteristics of 18 mango tree varieties at INERA/Farako-Bâ, where experimentation is ongoing. To achieve this, 18 qualitative and four quantitative parameters were...
Management of pigeon pea pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) using biopesticides and yield performance in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya
March 2024
Pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) is one of the major causes of low productivity in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) in Kenya. This study determined the effect of Nimbedicine, Pyagro and Bacillus thuringiensis on pod borer and grain yield performance of two pigeon pea varieties. The experiments were set up in Kapkayo and Koibatek during April-September, 2020 and May-October, 2021 cropping seasons. The experiment was laid in...
Antifungal effect of wood vinegar from selected feedstocks on Ascochyta rabiei in vitro
March 2024
A study to evaluate the antifungal activity of wood vinegar (pyrogenous acid) from maize cobs, acacia twigs, bean straw and an invasive tree species Prosopis juliflora against Ascochyta rabiei was conducted in vitro and at Egerton University Njoro, Kenya. The physicochemical characteristics of the different wood vinegar were also determined. Antifungal effects of wood vinegar were evaluated at different concentrations...
Ancient and novel Ethiopian durum wheat cultivars: What is the future for their cultivation?
March 2024
Durum wheat ancient cultivars have been grown in Ethiopia for centuries. Until the 1960s, durum wheat covered all wheat areas in the country; nearly all surfaces were represented by landraces. Now, the area dedicated to durum wheat has declined to approximately 15% of the wheat surface. Still, Ethiopia remains an immense genetic diversity resource for durum wheat. In 2019-21, a group of researchers conducted a field...
Assessment of the concentration of heavy metals in two vegetables in selected urban metropolises (Ilorin and Osogbo), Nigeria
March 2024
This study analyzed heavy metal contamination in commonly consumed leafy vegetables grown on peri-urban farms in Osogbo and Ilorin, Nigeria. Across five neighborhoods in each city, fresh vegetable samples were collected and assessed for lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Alarming Pb levels were discovered, with mean concentrations ranging from 0.01...
Use of cultured indigenous micro-organism (IMO) decomposed liquid chicken manure on the growth and yield of onions (Allium cepa)
March 2024
This study was conducted to determine the effect of indigenous micro-organism (IMO) decomposed liquid chicken manure on the growth and yield of onions set up at Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe. There were five treatments arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Treatments were: 1 (Onions grown with IMO decomposed liquid chicken manure only), 2 (IMO decomposed liquid chicken manure only),...
Preliminary study of growth pattern and condition factor of bobo croaker (Pseudotolithus elongatus) in obolo area Nigeria
March 2024
The preliminary study of the growth pattern and condition factor of Bobo Croaker (Pseudotolithus elongatus) in the Obolo Area, Nigeria, was conducted over a six-month period. Samples were collected from the catches of artisanal and local fishers, and the length and weight of the samples were measured in situ using appropriate tools. The parameters "a" and "b" of the Length-Weight relationship were...
Major soil fertility and management gaps in sorghum production in Lesotho
February 2024
Sorghum is an important staple crop in Lesotho, following maize and wheat. The objective of this study was to assess soil fertility and management gaps in the country and their impact on sorghum production. In July 2022, an interview involving 320 Basotho farmers was carried out in 8 districts across Lesotho. The survey indicated that sorghum yield across the nation is low (< 1 ton/ha), with the major limiting...
Effect of the fertilizer application rates on the performance of the winter triticale on podzolic soil
February 2024
The aim of this work was to assess the effect of different application rates of NPK fertilizer on the productivity of winter triticale varieties in podzolic soils. In this particular study, 3 varieties of winter triticale: Guera, Nemchinovskaya 56, and Nina were evaluated in 2020-2022 on the experimental fields of FIC "Nemchinovka". The best response to mineral nutrition was observed in the Guera variety,...
Impact of nutritional sovereignty of red meat on water consumption in the agricultural sector
February 2024
Given the dependency of red meat production on water-depleting fodder crops, this research aimed to measure the impact of the nutritional sovereignty of red meat on water consumption in the agricultural sector. The most important findings of this study reveal that the total water used in the production of red meat amounted to 46.68 billion cubic meters, representing 10.14% of the total water consumption in the...
Evaluation of Brazilian irrigated agriculture: what to expect?
February 2024
Ensuring food security is a significant challenge facing our society today. The goal of irrigation management is to enhance food production within the existing agricultural areas while considering environmental sustainability. In Brazil, the high demand for irrigation, coupled with various technologies employed in food production, necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the historical context and technical...
Production and profitability of maize and soybean grown in rotation in the North-Western Free State, South Africa
February 2024
The production and profitability of maize in the North-Western Free State is important for the livelihood of South Africa’s population. Most of the country’s maize is produced in the area despite its sandy soils and semi-arid climate. Crop rotation has been identified as a management practice which has potential to maintain and improve crop production and profitability. This study’s objective was to...
Morphological diversity of taro genus Xanthosoma collected in four geographical areas in Côte d’Ivoire based on qualitative traits
February 2024
This study is part of the context of the development and sustainable management of neglected plant genetic resources in Côte d'Ivoire, including taro. The objective is to characterize the morphological diversity within taro accessions of the genus Xanthosoma from four geographical areas of Côte d'Ivoire. The study took place in the central, eastern, western and southern geographical areas of...
Evaluation of field performance of compact coffee variety under selected propagation methods and soil fertility amendment practices in the Northern Zone, Tanzania
February 2024
This study compares the field performance of three types of seedlings propagules (cuttings, grafting and seed) when combined with 75 g NPK (20:10:10) tree-1, 37.5 g NPK + (10 and 20 Kg Farmyard manure) tree-1. Two split plot experiments laid out in a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with three replications were established at Lyamungu-Kilimanjaro region and Burka-Arusha region based on the existing climatic...
Resistance to aflatoxin contamination and genotypic colonization of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus in groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea)
February 2024
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) is an important income-generating crop in sub-Saharan Africa. Biotic factors affecting production include fungal infections caused by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus leading to aflatoxin contamination. Resistant cultivars can be a potential cost-effective strategy and a feasible option to small scale farmers. This study aimed to compare the colonizing effect of the A. flavus...
Effects of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. Ex G. litter on growth and production parameters of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) on station in Lower Casamance
January 2024
The judicious combination of crops and trees of interest remains one of the most convincing solutions to increase the yield of peanut production in rural areas while preserving the most important woody biodiversity. However, the impact of trees of interest on food crops needs to be determined. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Parkia biglobosa litter on the growth and yield parameters of...
Present feeding management practices and socio-economic conditions of dairy farmers in selected areas of Bangladesh
January 2024
A field survey was conducted with a total of 540 dairy farmers interviewed personally to collect data on their socio-economic condition and feeding management practices of dairy farmers from 6 Upazila under 3 divisions of Bangladesh. As result, a maximum of the respondents (43%) belonged to the secondary level of education whereas only (3%) of the illiterate farmer was involved with dairy farming. Farmers of patiya...
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