African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6926

AJAR Articles

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...

Author(s): Kamil Abdulkadir, Nuraddis Ibrahim and Yosef Deneke

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...

Author(s): Tesfaye Balemi

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...

Author(s): de OLIVEIRA Gabriel Nunes,  ARBAGE Alessandro Porporatti, and COSTA Nilson Luiz

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...

Author(s): Beatrice Mwaipopo, Susan Nchimbi-Msolla, Paul Njau, Fred Tairo, Magdalena William, Papias Binagwa, Elisiana Kweka, Michael Kilango and Deusdedith Mbanzibwa

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...

Author(s): Crislaine Sartori Suzana, Lilian Cris Dallagnol, Leticia Slongo Fortuna, Raquel Damiani, Renan Teston and José Roberto Salvadori

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...

Author(s): M. Q. Obaidi, Elias Mohmand, M. H. Azmatyar and Rajiv Sharma

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...

Author(s): Jeleel Abiola Balyaminu

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....

Author(s): Girma Defar, Mengistu Urgie and Solomon Melaku

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...

Author(s): Rosecélia Moreira da Silva CASTRO, Maria de Lourdes Pinheiro RUIVO, Possidônio Guimarães RODRIGUES and Seidel Ferreira dos SANTOS

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...

Author(s): M. Billah, M. M. Rohman, N. Hossain and M. Shalim Uddin

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,...

Author(s): Teshale Bekelle, Mebrahtu Gebreyohannes and Abebe Tesfaye

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...

Author(s): Francisco Hélio Alves de Andrade, Anailson de Sousa Alves, Carla Sabrina Pereira de Araújo, Valéria Fernandes de Oliveira Sousa, Daivyd Silva de Oliveira, Miguel Avelino Barbosa Neto, Anselmo Ferreira da Silva and Rafael Ramos de Morais

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...

Author(s): Gabriel Paes Herrera, Reginaldo Brito da Costa, Paula Martin de Moraes, Dany Rafael Fonseca Mendes and Michel Constantino

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...

Author(s): Amanga Okello Baw, Fikreyohannes Gedamu and Nigussie Dechassa

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...

Author(s): Aurivan Soares de Freitas, Edson Ampélio Pozza, Adélia Aziz A. Pozza, Maria Gilmara de O. Soares, Humberson Rocha Silva, Cristian D. Plaza Pérez

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...

Author(s): Bizimana Syldie,

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...

Author(s): Samara Paula Verza, Erika Codensey Toledo Mello Peixoto, Claudia Yurika Tamehiro, Marcio Massashiko Hasegawa, Petrônio Pinheiro Porto and Marcos Augusto Alves da Silva

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. ...

Author(s): Wezi G. Mhango, Sieglinde Snapp and George Y. Kanyama-Phiri

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....

Author(s): Gregory C. Bernard, Marceline Egnin, Conrad Bonsi, Desmond Mortley, William H. Witola, Wendell McElhenney Steven Samuels Caroline Land and Kathy Lawrence

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...

Author(s): Vitor Marques Vidal, Carlos Ribeiro Rodrigues, Suzete Fernandes Lima, Andréia Mendes da Costa, Tatiana Michlovská Rodrigues, Fernando Nobre Cunha, Marconi Batista Teixeira, Cicero Teixeira Silva Costa, Wilker Alves Morais, Eduardo Sousa Cunha, Giovani Santos Moraes, Gustavo da Silva Vieira and Igor Olacir Fernandes Silva

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...

Author(s): Abbès Tanji, Oussama El Gharras, Allan Mayfield and Mohamed El Mourid

Biological nitrogen fixation by pigeon pea and cowpea in the “doubled-up” and other cropping systems on the Luvisols of Central Malawi

April 2017

Legumes form a very important component in Malawi’s cropping systems because of their roles in food security, income generation and soil fertility improvement through biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). They are commonly grown in various cropping systems including sole cropping, cereal-legume intercrops and legume-legume intercrops (also commonly referred to as “doubled-up”). However, information on...

Author(s): Keston O. W. Njira, Ernest Semu, Jerome P. Mrema and Patson. C. Nalivata

Amelioration of cacao seedlings with bio – degraded coffee husk for enhanced nursery performance

April 2017

Cacao is a major economic crop in West Africa and some other parts of the world and is grown through nursery prior to field establishment. The husk of Coffea species forms over 40% of the matured seeds and is regarded as a waste despite its nutrient composition status. Husks of Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora were degraded using  Trichoderma harzianum, Streptomyces spp. and the combination of these microbes for...

Author(s): Nduka, B. A. and Adeniyi, D. O.

Using morphometric traits for live body weight estimation and multivariate analysis in Central Highland and Woyto-Guji Goat Breeds, Ethiopia

April 2017

The study was conducted to differentiate the Woyto-Guji and Central Highland goat breeds of Ethiopia and derive the most accurate linear regression equation for live body weight prediction. Morphological measurements were taken on randomly selected 531 adult female goats (263 from Woyto-Guji and 268 from Central Highland). Positive and highly significant (P<0.001) correlations were observed between body weight and...

Author(s): Netsanet Zergaw, Tadelle Dessie and Kefelegn Kebede

Irrigation technology and crop choices in Ethiopia: Spate vis-a-vis rainwater-harvesting irrigation technologies

April 2017

Moisture-stress weakens the use of modern inputs such as fertilizer, which could undermine yields. In a growing population, low yields cause food shortage. Investing in irrigation mitigates moisture-stress but expensive for smallholder farmers. Spate irrigation, a sudden flood run-off diverting, is cheaper to invest in than other irrigation technologies such as ponds and shallow-wells. This study investigated factors...

Author(s): Mekonnen B. Wakeyo and Naoya Fujimoto

Impact of land use and management practice on soil physical and chemical quality indicators of Vertisols at Pawe, Northwestern Ethiopia

April 2017

Soil quality is a function of inherent and dynamic properties of soil which determines the sustainability of crop and animal production. Based on this fact, the study was aimed to investigate the effects of land use systems and management practices on soil physical and chemical quality indicators of Vertisol at Pawe district, Northwestern Ethiopia. The result revealed that most of the soil physical and chemical...

Author(s): Mohammed Yimam Mohammed

Impacts of deforestation on the livelihood of smallholder farmers in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

April 2017

The ever increasing demand of farmland, fuel wood and charcoal production coupled with population growth has accelerated the rate of forest reduction in Ethiopia. This has resulted in soil erosion and land degradation. This study was conducted at Arba Minch Zuria Woreda Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples’ Region (SNNPR), with the aim of assessing impacts of deforestation on the livelihood...

Author(s): Habtamu Worku Enbakom, Debela Hunde Feyssa and Serekebirhan Takele

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...

Author(s): Gebreslassie Gebru and Yayneshet Tesfay

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...

Author(s): Luiz Antônio Santana Souza, Soraia Vanessa Matarazzo, Roberta Aparecida Carnevalli, and Luciandra Macedo de Toledo

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,...

Author(s): Ngozi E. Abu and Chidera V. Odo

Socioeconomic profile and farm management practices of smallholder cocoa farmers in three cocoa producing districts in Southwestern Ghana

April 2017

There is paucity of knowledge about the current socioeconomic status and farm management practices of cocoa farmers in Ghana. And not up-to-date an accurate knowledge of socioeconomic profile and farm management practices of cocoa farmers is necessary to ensure sustainable cocoa production. In this study, we assessed socioeconomic profile and farm management practices of smallholder cocoa farmers in three cocoa...

Author(s): Daniel A.Tetteh and Alex Asase

Relevance of endo-β-mannanase enzyme in coffee seed deterioration process

April 2017

The endo-β-mannanase acts on the hemicellulose fraction of the endosperm cell walls, mainly mannans and galactomannans. This process weakens cell walls and allows radicle protrusion during seed germination, but may also occur during the deterioration process. Thus, the aim of this research was to determine the activity of endo-β-mannanase enzyme in dry coffee seeds and in soaked seeds, evaluating its...

Author(s): Marcella Nunes de Freitas, Sttela Dellyzete Veiga Franco da Rosa, Aline da Consolação Sampaio Clemente and Cristiane Carvalho Pereira

Effect of different doses of NPK fertilizer on the growth and yield of rice in Ndop, North West of Cameroon

April 2017

This study was conducted in 2015 in Ndop, Ngoketujia Division in the North-West region of Cameroon. Four varieties of rice were used: NERICA3, NERICA7 (upland rice), NERICA36 and NERICA42 (lowland rice). Two types of fertilizers N-P-K (23-10-05 and N-P-K (20-10-10) were tested at different doses (0 kg-contol; 180 kg, 200 kg, 220 kg-treatments). The trial was set up in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a...

Author(s): DJOMO SIME Hervé, MBONG Grace Annih, MALLA Dorothy Kenyi and SUH Christopher

Elucidation of the betalainic chromoalkaloid profile of Pilosocereus catingicola (Gürke) Byles & Rowley subsp. salvadorensis (Werderm.) Zappi (Cactaceae) from Paraíba, Brazil

April 2017

The cacti are important plant genetic resources of the Brazilian semiarid region, with potential for the extraction of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and alkaloids. The objective of this research was to characterize and quantify the chemical constituents of Pilosocereus catingicola (Gürke) Byles & Rowley subsp. salvadorensis (Werderm.) Zappi occurring in caatinga in the Westland of Paraíba,...

Author(s): Alex da Silva Barbosa, Jason Q. D. Goodger, Ian E. Woodrow, Alberício Pereira de Andrade, Riselane de Lucena Alcântara Bruno and Italo de Souza Aquino

Fertilizer micro-dosing in West African low-input cereals cropping: Benefits, challenges and improvement strategies

April 2017

Soil amendments are often unavailable in adequate quantities for increased crop production in smallholder cereal-based cropping systems in Africa. In order to increase crop yields and encourage farmers to apply inorganic fertilizers, fertilizer micro-dosing technology was developed. Fertilizer micro-dosing or “micro-fertilization” consists of the application of a small quantity of mineral fertilizer together...

Author(s): Okebalama C. Blessing, Ali Ibrahim, Ebenezer Y. Safo, Edward Yeboah, Robert C. Abaidoo, , Vincent Logah and Uzoh Ifeyinwa Monica

Response of Wheat (Tritium aestivum L.) to Variable Seed Rates: the Case of Hawassa Area, Southern Ethiopia

April 2017

Wheat serves as a staple food and feed for all over the world. In Ethiopia, wheat is one of the most important cultivated cereals ranking 4th in area coverage, 3nd in total production and 2nd in yield. A wheat seed rate of 125 kg ha-1 is usually used across most wheat growing areas of Ethiopia in any production conditions. In order to optimize seed rate and plant density of wheat, an experiment was conducted at the...

Author(s): Tewodros Ayalew, Bereket Abebe and Tarekegn Yoseph

The performance of Soybean using Moringa as alley to improve soil productivity in North-Central Nigeria

April 2017

This study assesses the performance of intercropping Glycine max (Soybean) and Moringa oleifera under alley cropping in Abuja, Nigeria during the 2014 and 2015 cropping season. The field experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The replicates contained five plots each, separated between blocks by 1 m pathway and 0.5 m within the blocks. The plot measured 5.0 m × 4.0 m...

Author(s): Abdullahi, Ibrahim Ndaginna and Anyaegbu, Polycarp Ozobia

Embryo-like structures and root regeneration induced by 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in twenty African sweet potato cultivars

April 2017

Embryo-like structures were induced from ‘whole leaf’ explants of sixteen of the twenty investigated sweet potato cultivars on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with 2,4 Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (0.2 mg/L) at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Tissue culture laboratory. Shoot and root regeneration was possible in the non-African cultivar, Jonathan, whereas only root...

Author(s): Abel Sefasi, Marc Ghislain, Andrew Kiggundu, Gorrettie Ssemakula, Runyararo Rukarwa, Robert Mwanga, Jan Kreuze and Settumba Mukasa

Maturity indices for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), cv. Ghalia 281 in Central Uganda

April 2017

Application of maturity indices and optimal harvest time improves handling and marketing operations and minimizes pre and postharvest losses for tomato products. Growth patterns of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), cv. Ghalia 281, were therefore analyzed to determine nondestructive maturity indices for optimal harvest regimes. Propagation experiments were run in central Uganda in 2015. A total of 216 tomato fruits were...

Author(s): Paul Okiror, Julius Bunny Lejju, Joseph Bahati, Grace Kagoro Rugunda and Collins Inno Sebuuwufu

Evaluation of aggregate distribution and selected soil physical properties under maize–jack bean intercropping and gypsum rates

April 2017

Adequate soil management can create favourable conditions to increase aggregation and porosity of the soil, resulting in better aeration of the soil and water infiltration. Consortia of maize and other species have been used in no-till systems to increase dry matter production, and consequently, the soil cover. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of consortia of maize and jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) on...

Author(s): Edleusa Pereira Seidel, William dos Reis, Marcos Cesar Mottin, Emerson Fey, Ana Paula Reck Schneider and Monica Carolina Sustakowski

Allometric relationships and carbon content for biomass-carbon estimation of East African Highland Bananas (Musa spp. AAA-EAHB) cv. Kibuzi, Nakitembe, Enyeru and Nakinyika

April 2017

Globally, interests to increase carbon stocks have gained momentum in both woody and non-woody ecosystems. Despite efforts made to generate appropriate methods to estimate these stocks, most equations developed do not cater for intraspecific variabilities across e.g. species, regions or growth stages; especially in the case of bananas. Therefore, there is need to develop more robust equations to improve on the precision...

Author(s): Daphine Kamusingize, Jackson Mwanjalolo Majaliwa, Everline Komutunga, Susan Tumwebaze, Kephas Nowakunda, Priver Namanya and Jerome Kubiriba

Impact of crop rotation sequences on potato in fields inoculated with bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum

April 2017

The potato industry in Kenya is threatened by bacterial wilt because most production areas are infested with the wilt-causing Ralstonia solanacearum and over 50% yield losses have been reported. Continuous cultivation causes soil physical and biological constrains that greatly affect the crop performance and increase proliferation of the bacterium. Rotation with non-host or suppressant plant species could contribute to...

Author(s): Mwaniki P. K., Wagara I. N., Birech R., Kinyua Z. M., Schulte-Geldermann E. and Freyer B.

Toxicity of neonicotinoids used in melon culture towards Apis mellifera L.

April 2017

The cultivation of melon (Cucumis melo L.) is of great importance to the Brazilian economy, especially the semiarid regions of the Northeast region. Damage caused by pests have hindered the production, requiring that control measures be adopted, among them applications of chemical insecticides, including neonicotinoids. Studies have shown collateral damage to beneficial insects such as bees, important pollinators for...

Author(s): Whalamys Lourenço de Araújo, Maurício Sekiguchi de Godoy, Patrício Borges Maracajá, Wesley Adson Costa Coelho, Bárbara Karine de Albuquerque Silva, Adrian José Molina Rugama, Elton Lucio de Araújo and Jacinto de Luna Batista

Influence of different soil management practices on soil organisms and maize (Zea mays L.) yield in South Eastern Nigeria

March 2017

The experiment was conducted at Teaching and Research Farm of University of Port Harcourt between May and August, 2016 to determine the influence of different soil management practices on soil organisms and maize yield (Zea mays L.) in South Eastern Nigeria. The experiment consisted of six treatments, namely:  control (no application), cover crop (pumpkin cover), 10 t/ha dry guinea grass mulch (dead mulch), 10 t/ha...

Author(s): Benwari A. O., Uchunor S. I. and Omovbude S.

Rice mutants and their responses to suboptimal temperatures in the early stages of development

March 2017

The aim of this study was to verify differences in the tolerance to suboptimal temperatures of eight rice mutant genotypes in relation to their cultivars of origin in the initial stages of development. During the germination period, the germination percentage and the germination rate index were evaluated at temperatures of 25 and 13°C. For the vegetative stage enzymatic indicators, photosynthetic pigment...

Author(s): Andersom Milech Einhardt, Ariano Martins de Magalhães Júnior, Daiane de Pinho Benemann, Eugenia Jacira Bolacel Braga and José Antonio Peters

Live body weight and linear body measurements of indigenous sheep population in their production system for developing suitable selection criteria in Central Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

March 2017

The aim of this study was to characterize phenotype indigenous sheep population in central zone of Tigray. A total of 450 adult sheep were sampled randomly for this purpose. Based on dentition adult sheep were classified into four age categories. Average BW of the sampled sheep in Tanqua-Abergelle, Kola-Tembien and Adwa districts were (20.19±0.19, 22.18±0.22 and 23.68±0.33) kg, respectively....

Author(s): H.H. Tesfay, A.K. Banerjee and Y.Y. Mummed

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars performance grown during offseason in cerrado soils

March 2017

The cultivation of that legume is widespread throughout the country presenting high expression in the social and economic issues. The aim of this work was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and disease incidence in ten common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars grown in Cerrado soils. The research was developed under field conditions during two cropping years. The studied cultivars were: IAC - Galante, IAC -...

Author(s): Rodrigo Ribeiro Fidelis, Taynar Coelho de Oliveira, Sérgio Alves de Sousa, Roberto Antonio Savelli Martinez, Raphael Campestrini, Danilo Pereira Ramos, Danilo Alves Veloso, Manoel Mota dos Santos and Kleycianne Ribeiro Marques

Vegetable breeding as a strategy of biofortification in carotenoids and prevention of vitamin A deficiency

March 2017

Carotenoids are a class of yellow-orange-red pigments distributed in various fruits, spices, herbs and especially in vegetables. These pigments are bioactive components essential to human health. Among the numerous classes of carotenoids, a smaller number is known for having provitamin A activity. This vitamin is essential to the organism in the proper functioning of the vision and the immune system. On the other hand,...

Author(s): Ronaldo Machado Junior, Ronaldo Silva Gomes, Cleverson Freitas de Almeida, Flavia Maria Alves, Fabio Teixeira Delazari, Renata Dias Freitas Laurindo, Rafael Henrique Fernandes and Derly José Henriques da Silva

The determinants of small-scale irrigation practice and its contribution on household farm income: The case of Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

March 2017

This study was conducted at Arba Minch Zuria Woreda. The area lacks in-depth studies to identify the determinant factors that influence the use of irrigation water.  In the study area it is also not well known to what extent the households using irrigation water were better-off than those who depend on rain-fed agriculture. Therefore, the study was focused on assessing the determinants of small-scale irrigation...

Author(s): Agidew Abebe

Effect of a biocide treatment on microbes in sweet sorghum juice

March 2017

Microbial contamination of sweet sorghum juice can result in loss of fermentable sugars used as bioproducts. A carbamate-based biocide in doses of 200 and 400 ppm used in the sugarcane industry was applied to sorghum juice collected from 4 and 8 in billets, or whole stalks, and growth of microbes was evaluated. Dosing with 200 ppm biocide reduced the microbial count in juice samples by approximately 99%, but a residual...

Author(s): Maureen S. Wright

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