Guidelines for sustainable irrigation system design and management in sub-Saharan Africa
May 2017
Despite the fact that the economies of most countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are dominated by the agriculture sector, the productivity of the sector is still very low. One of the factors responsible for this is the fact that agriculture in SSA is mainly rain fed despite the abundant water resources in the region. Many attempts have been made in SSA to expand irrigation but most of these efforts have not been...
Performance of cassava (Manihot esculanta. Cratz) clones in potential and low moisture stressed areas of Ethiopia
May 2017
Cassava (Manihot esculanta. Cratz) is one of the most important food crops that constitute a considerable portion of the daily diet of the people and also serves as one of the major source of carbohydrate. Despite its importance, production of cassava in Ethiopia has different constraints and opportunities. Among which, shortage of improved varieties is the first and the most important one. It is mainly cultivated...
Combining ability analysis of quality protein maize (QPM) inbred lines for grain yield, agronomic traits and reaction to grey leaf spot in mid-altitude areas of Ethiopia
May 2017
A study was carried out to study the combining ability effects of diallel cross hybrids for grain yield, agronomic traits and reaction to grey leaf spot (GLS). Forty five experimental diallel cross hybrids made from ten quality protein maize (QPM) inbred lines with varying level of resistance to GLS were evaluated along with three checks at Bako and Jima Research Centers during 2014/2015 cropping season. Analysis of...
Intercropping of sweet flag (Acorus calamus L.) with early and late maturing cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa L.)
May 2017
Field experiments were conducted to explore possibility of introducing Acorus calamus (Sweet flag) under rice ecosystem either as an Intercrop or main crop for optimizing maximum return. In the first experiment, Sweet flag was intercropped with two rice cultivars early IR-64 and late MTU-7029 “Swarna” in additive series where sweet flag was introduced between two normal rows of rice and in replacement...
Leaf detector box: Artificial vision system for leaf area identification
May 2017
The detection of leaf area in plants is a very important parameter to evaluate growth rates. Nowadays, this analysis is performed manually through a process of counting, cutting and weighing leaf that involves long periods of time, providing subjective results and with low repeatability. The purpose of this research was to develop a computational tool (leaf detector box) to detect leaf area through image processing...
Traditional sheep production systems and breeding practice in Wolayita Zone of Southern Ethiopia
May 2017
The study was conducted in Wolayita zone of Southern, Nations, Nationalities and People Regional State with the objectives to explain its production systems, breeding practice with major constraints of sheep productivity. Purposive sampling techniques were employed to select target farmers. Structured questionnaire, focused group discussions, secondary data sources and field observations were used to generate the...
Evaluation of cowpea root system and yield traits in humid tropical agro-ecology
May 2017
Roots are essential to plants and can be the focus for yield improvement in the environment the plant grows. The objectives of this study were to evaluate some yield components and root traits in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) and establish the linear association between the yield and root traits to explore improvement potentials of the crop in humid ecosystem. Ten cowpea accessions were tested in Calabar, Nigeria...
Neonicotinoid insecticide treatment improves physiological performance of melon and watermelon seeds
May 2017
Thiamethoxam is a neonicotinoid insecticide, which is believed to induce the expression of enzymes and proteins that activate plant defense mechanisms, thus improving the plant resistance to stress factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological performance of melon and watermelon seeds treated with thiamethoxam. The seed treatment consisted of five doses of thiamethoxam, 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mL per...
Classification of selected white tropical maize inbred lines into heterotic groups using yield combining ability effects
May 2017
A line x tester mating design involving sixteen white maize inbred lines as females and two testers as males generated thirty-two single crosses. These hybrids plus three checks were evaluated using a 5 x 7 alpha lattice design replicated twice at the University of Ghana, WACCI research farm during 2015/16 offseason using drip irrigation. The objective of the study was to: assign the tropical inbred lines into heterotic...
Assessment of yield loss in Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) plants caused by Fusarium oxysporum
May 2017
Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum could lead to yield losses, under various conditions. This study was therefore focused on determination of yield loss caused by F. oxysporum on R. officinalis and S. officinalis plants. A greenhouse experiment was conducted at Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources (WGCFNR), Ethiopia, from 2015 to 2016. Mixed soil of animal...
Characterization of soybean population with sulfonylurea herbicides tolerant alleles
May 2017
With the introduction of commercial soybean genotypes with Als1 and Als2 alleles that confer tolerance to different active ingredients of sulfonylurea group, this work aims to test soybean populations for the presence/absence of Als1 and Als2 alleles and evaluate the agronomic impact of these alleles addition. These trials were conducted in experimental stations of DuPont Pioneer at Sorriso, Mato Grosso state and...
Response of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties to N and P fertilizer rates in Ofla district, Southern Tigray, Ethiopia
May 2017
A field experiment was conducted during the 2006 cropping season in Ofla district in southern Tigray to assess the response of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer rates. Factorial combinations of two wheat varieties (HAR1685 and Shehan), four N rates (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg N/ha), and four P rates (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg P/ha) were laid out in split plot design (varieties in the...
Influence of ascorbic acid on physiological deterioration of pieces of cassava raw pulp
May 2017
Cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) is originally from South America and possibly Brazil, grown to more than 500 years. Its roots can be exploited in various ways for human consumption. With the focus on post-harvest cassava, this experiment was developed with the objective of evaluating the use of ascorbic acid (AA), on physiological deterioration in cassava roots minimally processed during the storage period of six...
Conservation agriculture, conservation farming and conventional tillage adoption, efficiency and economic benefits in semi-arid Zimbabwe
May 2017
Conservation practices can be of great importance in semi-arid regions for obtaining high crop yields and income, but adoption of the conservation practices, economic efficiencies and benefits remain unknown by most smallholders. The paper presents an overview of the adoption of conservation agriculture (CA), conservation farming (CF) and conventional tillage (ConvT), their technical efficiency and economic benefits....
Superiority of Malawian orange local maize variety in nutrients, cookability and storability
May 2017
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the potential of an orange Malawian local maize variety MW5021 by comparing with a hybrid variety DKC-9089 for nutritional quality and processing properties such as proximate and mineral composition as well as pasting and thermal properties of the flour, and resistance against Prostephanus truncatus infestation during storage of the grain. Maize plants sampled for the...
Role of phytohormones (indol acetic acid, jasmonic acid, salcylic acid, and ethylene) in nematode-plant interactions
May 2017
Plant parasitic nematodes are among the most destructive major pest of crop plants. Root knot nematode species and cyst nematodes are well studied species of nematode with various ranges of host. The common means of control for these pests mostly rely usually on use of chemicals like nematicides, which are environmentally unfriend and costly especially in large scale agricultural production systems. However, recent...
Impacts of climate change on global coffee production industry: Review
May 2017
Next to petroleum oil, coffee is the most internationally transacted commodity in the world; consumers from all around purchase and enjoy coffee in their daily activities. Climate change has emerged in recent years as one of the most critical topics at almost all actors. The impact of climate variation in all producing countries is predicted to be negative, even though within each country, it would vary a lot....
Berries: Cultivation and environmental factors effects on the phenolic compounds content
May 2017
Berries are rich in bioactive compounds, such as vitamins, fiber, macro and microelements and have high content of polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites. The consumption of a diet rich in polyphenols has in epidemiological studies been associated with a lower incidence of degenerative diseases including cancer, cardiovascular and other diseases. The preventive effects are often attributed, in part, to phenolic...
Mathematical modeling of the pulp drying curves murici (Byrsonima crassifolia): The foam layer drying
May 2017
The murici is a fruit of the Brazilian cerrado, with striking aroma and nutritional value. It is known that the fruit drying process for obtaining the murici dry contributes to the preservation of the product, the content of nutrients and enables your addition in formulations, emphasizing the sensory and nutritional quality of food. A drying method that has been expanding in Brazil is the method of drying foam layer,...
Viruses infecting common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Tanzania: A review on molecular characterization, detection and disease management options
May 2017
Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a major legume crop, serving as a main source of dietary protein and calories and generating income for many Tanzanians. It is produced in nearly all agro-ecological zones of Tanzania. However, the average yields are low (<1000 kg/ha), which is attributed to many factors including virus diseases. The most important viruses of common bean in Tanzania are Bean common mosaic virus...
The decision making process on the adoption of innovations in the Brazilian Serra Gaúcha hills vitiviniculture: The case of Wine Producers Association of Altos Montes, at Serra Gaúcha/Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil (APROMONTES)
May 2017
This article discusses the decision-making process of Wine Producers Association of Altos Montes, at Serra Gaúcha/Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil (APROMONTES) winegrowers and winemakers, in their process of adopting innovations to increase their competitiveness. To do that, we used the Prospect Theory. Data collection was conducted through interviews with 12 wineries, 25 winegrowers of APROMONTES wineries, and, as...
Composition of different composts and vermicompost and effects of their application rates on growth parameters of pot grown tomato
May 2017
Two sets of pot experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of different compost types (market compost, home compost and vermicompost) and their rates on growth of pot grown tomato. During the first experiment, two compost types (market and home composts) each applied at four rates (0, 200, 400 and 800 g/pot) were evaluated while during the second experiment all the three compost types including vermicompost...
Prevalence of equine lungworm and associated risk factors in Sudie district, Oromia region, south eastern Ethiopia
May 2017
A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2014 to March 2015 to determine the prevalence of Dictyocaulus arnfieldi and to identify associated risk factors in equines in Sudie district, south eastern Ethiopia. A total of 384 faecal samples were collected randomly from horses (n = 128), donkeys (n = 217) and mules (n = 39) for coprological examination. Isolation of D. arnfieldi was performed using a modified...
Fuzzy simulation of bioclimatic indexes environments with and without cover for Santa Inês sheep farms
May 2017
This study aimed to analyze bioclimatic indexes: black globe temperature and humidity index (BGHI) and radiant thermal load (RTL) in Santa Inês sheep farms, with and without coverage to develop a fuzzy logical computational model to forecast variables analyzed experimentally. Ten Santa Inês sheep were placed in two cover paddocks, and one without cover. Data recorded were: air temperature schedules and black...
Soil fertility status of seasonally closed wetland ecosystem (ondombe) in north-central Namibia
May 2017
In the Cuvelai Seasonal Wetland System (CSWS) of North-central Namibia, there are widespread manifestations of seasonally flooded river and seasonally closed wetland ecosystems (ponds). These wetlands are called oshana (seasonally flooded river wetland) and ondombe (seasonally closed wetland) according to the local language. This study was initiated to find out the soil fertility status of ondombes and whether they...
Dynamics and adaptation of agricultural farming systems in the boost of cotton cropping in southern Mali
May 2017
Integration of crop and livestock production systems constitutes an important engine for agricultural development and enhancement of smallholder farmers' livelihoods in the least developed countries. For the last forty years, the Malian cotton sub-sector has recorded mixed growth trends, having been initially successful before declining and then catching up. The growth dynamics in the cotton sub-sector has permitted...
Effect of replacing inorganic with organic trace minerals on growth performance, carcass characteristics and chemical composition of broiler thigh meat
May 2017
Micro minerals (Trace minerals) are required for normal growth and development in broilers. The present study was undertaken to compare the effect of replacing inorganic with organic trace minerals on growth performance, carcass characteristics and chemical composition of broiler thigh meat. A corn soybean based diet supplemented with organic trace minerals (OTM) (x) and an inorganic trace mineral (ITM) (y) was...
Evapotranspiration and control mechanisms in managed Amazonian forest in, Pará, Brazil
May 2017
This work examines whether management causes changes in evapotranspiration (ET) surface conductance (gs), aerodynamic conductance (ga) and the decoupling factor (Ω) in managed and natural forest sites in a tropical rain forest in the Amazon. The study was conducted in the Tapajós National Forest (FNT) in managed (logged) and natural (unlogged) forests, which have micrometeorological towers for...
Opportunities and constraints of beekeeping in Wolaita and Dawro zones, Southern Ethiopia
May 2017
This study was conducted in districts of Wolaita and Dawro zones, Southern Ethiopia with objectives of assessing constraints and opportunities for beekeeping production. Multistage purposive sampling procedure was employed for 180 respondents. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The results showed that majority of the respondents kept honey bees for consumption and income generation, while very few reported they...
Occurrence and distribution of cucumber mosaic virus in cucurbits in Karanganyar, Central Java, Indonesia
May 2017
Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is an important pathogen in agricultural crops which is spread throughout the world with a wide host range. In Indonesia, CMV is also an important pathogen that infect various high economic value crops. Karanganyar regency is a horticultural production centers in Central Java. Its foremost products are cucurbits incuding cucumber (Cucumis sativus), melon (Cucumis melo), watermelon (Citrullus...
Smallholder farming in Brazil: An overview for 2014
April 2017
The goal of this paper is to provide an update on smallholder farming in Brazil. Instead of using data from the last available Agricultural Census (2006), a database from the Ministry of Agrarian Development for 2014 was used. These data are extracted from a tax form called “Declaração de Aptidão ao Pronaf-DAP” (Declaration of Aptitude to Pronaf) that is mandatory for all farmers in...
Cattle manure and liquid biofertilizer for biomass production of yellow passion fruit seedlings
April 2017
This study aims to evaluate the production of biomass of different cattle manure, and biofertilizer concentrations. The experiment was conducted between April and June 2014 in a greenhouse at the seedling production nursery of the State University of Paraíba (UEPB), Catolé do Rocha, Paraíba (PB) state. The experiment was completely randomized in a 5 x 2 factorial design corresponding to five levels...
Identification of pulmonary lesions in slaughtered cattle and associated risk factors, North West Ethiopia
April 2017
A gross pathological examination of pulmonary lesions on 399 cattle slaughtered at Gondar ELFORA abattoir was conducted on in the period November, 2011 to March, 2012 with the objectives of estimating the frequency of various pulmonary lesions and the associated risk factors and gross lesions were screened and the most encountered lesions were emphysema, pale and dark red to dark gray color of the lung, hepatization,...
Exogenous ascorbic acid improved tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.) by increasing antioxidant activity under salinity stress
April 2017
Salinity causes additional manufacture of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plants, and ascorbate plays important role in maintaining of ROS scavenging antioxidant enzymes. In this study, the role of exogenous ascorbic acid (AsA) was examined on growth, chlorophyll and oxidative stress related enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in three maize hybrids under NaCl mediated salt stress. In hydroponic culture, AsA was...
Seasonality influence the nutrient content of litter fall in secondary forest in the Amazonian
April 2017
Secondary forest vegetation in the Bragantina area, Northeast of Pará State, is characterized by the abandonment of anthropized forests, locally known as capoeiras, in different successional stages. The current study aims to evaluate the nutrient concentrations in order to identify the treatment that have caused greater nutrient deficiency due to full and partial litter spacing well as to assess the capoeira with...
Towards attaining equity and satisfaction in water allocation mechanism for irrigated agriculture in Northern Nigeria
April 2017
Mechanism for water allocation in the irrigated agriculture has been subject of conflict and challenges in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) due to higher input in rice farming and increasing water shortage. How satisfactory is the allocation mechanism by the stakeholders (the providers, policy-makers and the farmers) and how do farmers perceive equity objective on the existing water allocation mechanism in Nigeria? This paper...
Two new wheat varieties for irrigated conditions of Afghanistan
April 2017
New high yielding and disease resistant wheat genotypes were introduced in 2008-09 crop season through 4th Elite Bread Wheat yield Trial (EBYT) as well as 2nd Stem Rust Resistance Screening Nursery (STEMRRSN). One genotype from EBYT performed 15% higher than commercial variety, Mazar 99 during five years of testing at over eight locations in Afghanistan and was therefore recommended for release for commercial...
Potential of antranilic diamides applied in seeds of soybeans with and without cry1ac protein for Helicoverpa armigera caterpillar control
April 2017
In Brazil, the caterpillar Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is a key economic pest of soybean, from seedling emergence to the reproductive stage. Control of this pest has relied on foliar insecticide sprays, and the use of insect-resistant cultivars. Characterization of the efficacy of insecticides that can be used for seed treatment, as a complement or alternative control for this pest, is needed for the production...
Effect of urea treatment and concentrate mix supplementations on feed intake and digestibility of Horro sheep fed cured maize husk (Zea Mays) at Bako, Western Ethiopia
April 2017
Feed intake and digestibility experiment were conducted using twenty yearling male Horro sheep weighing 20.42 ± 0.35 kg (mean ± SD). The objectives of the study were to evaluate the response of Horro sheep to feed intake and apparent digestibility when supplemented with different level of noug seed meal and wheat bran mix (1:1) on DM basis. For this study, randomized complete block design was employed....
Biological nitrogen fixation and yield of pigeonpea and groundnut: Quantifying response on smallholder farms in northern Malawi
April 2017
The global nitrogen (N) cycle is markedly, and increasingly, influenced by anthropogenic inputs. A large unknown remains the quantity of biological N fixation (BNF) inputs derived from agriculture. This leads to major uncertainties in modeling reactive N interactions with climate change, and understanding N biogeochemical processes. Understanding N dynamics is central to enhancing productivity in cropping systems. ...
Interaction between potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) on the severity of Yellow Sigatoka in banana plants
April 2017
The main control measure of Yellow Sigatoka (Pseudocercospora musae) in banana plants (Musa spp.) has been the planting of resistant varieties, and fungicide application. However, the use of adequately nourished plants is also emphasized as a complementary control method. This study evaluated the influence of interaction between potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) in nutrient solution on the severity of Yellow Sigatoka in...
Crop yield potential as telltale indice of soil weathering extent and fertility status: The case of East African Highland Bananas
April 2017
In the African Great Lakes Region, bananas are grown on a diversity of soils with different weathering stages. However studies using the crop yield potential as a mean of soil weathering degree assessment are still scanty. Bananas were grown on five soils types to test if such a relationship could be ascertained. Mineralogical composition, elemental total analysis, routine chemical analysis, oxalates and...
LED in production systems of laying hens: An alternative to increase sustainability
April 2017
The Brazilian poultry production currently has a substantial impact on the national and international economy. Brazil ranks sixth in the world rankings of the largest egg producers. However, the activity still has barriers related to management and facilities, such as high waste of electrical energy due to the low energy efficiency of the lighting systems. The artificial lighting programs represent an important...
On-farm evaluation of integrated weed management in no-till rainfed crops in semi-arid Morocco
April 2017
Field studies were conducted from 2012-13 to 2014-15 to investigate the dynamics of germinable soil seedbank, density and community composition of weeds in crop rotations of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) + pea (Pisum sativum L.) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Oued Zem, semi-arid Morocco. In September 2012, the initial seedbank in 6 fields was 2354 seeds m-². When herbicide-free barley + pea forage...
Effect of plant population and nitrogen rates on growth and yield of okra [Abelmoscus esculentus (L). Moench] in Gambella region, Western Ethiopia
April 2017
Okra is one of the most important crops next to maize and sorghum production in Gambella Regional States. Okra production and yield maximization has not been attained due to lack of appropriate production practices such as optimum plant spacing and fertilizer use. Therefore, the research was conducted to assess the effect of plant population, and nitrogen rate on growth and yield components of Okra (Abelmoscus...
Potential hydrogen ion of Quartzarenic Neosol with joint application of lime and gypsum
April 2017
The objective of the study is to investigate the interaction of lime and gypsum during incubation of soil samples in response to pH and also check the possibility of using more than one treatment for a single model by model identity method. The analysis of the potential hydrogen ion (pH) was performed in the Laboratory of Agricultural Chemistry, Federal Institute Goiano, Campus Rio Verde - GO, Brazil. The soil used is...
Evaluation of root-knot nematode resistance in sweetpotato
April 2017
Five healthy, vigorous cultivars of sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] were cultivated under root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita challenge to distinguish levels of resistance to infection. Roots and soil samples were collected 84 days’ post-infection and evaluated for specific host responses to nematode infection by visual screening analysis and quantitative assessments of symptoms of infection....
Physiological and behavioral responses of dairy heifers in an integrated-crop-livestock-forestry system
April 2017
The integrated crop-livestock-forestry system has been an option in tropics to mitigate the effects of heat stress on pasture-based system for dairy cows. We evaluate the effects of shade arrangements in integrated crop-livestock-forestry systems on physiological and behavioral responses of crossbred dairy heifers. Twenty-four crossbred European-Zebu heifers with 330.0±36.7 kg of body weight were assigned in...
The effect of plant density on growth and yield of ‘NsukkaYellow’ aromatic pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)
April 2017
Nsukka yellow pepper is an important aromatic pepper that is highly valued for heat, spice and flavour in Eastern Nigeria. The study was initiated to investigate the effects of different plant population densities on the morphological and fruiting characteristics of Nsukka yellow pepper cultivar. Eight treatment combinations giving rise to different population densities were used. The data on the number of leaves,...
Utilization of wheat bran and dried Acacia saligna (Labill) H.L.Wendl leaves by highland rams
April 2017
This study was conducted to evaluate body weight gain, feed intake and digestibility of highland sheep supplemented with wheat bran and dried Acacia saligna leaf five treatments, namely grass hay as a control (T1), 100 g per day A. saligna, (T2), 200 g per day A. saligna (T3), 300 g per day A. saligna (T4) and 400 g per day A. saligna (T5) with a fixed amount (200 g per day) of wheat bran was provided to the...
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