Assessing production constraints, management and use of pearl millet in the Guinea Savanna Agro-ecology of Ghana
November 2021
The adoption of new and high yielding pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) varieties can be boosted if they correspond to farmers’ preferences and answer the constraints prevailing in the production environments. Therefore, the focus of this study was to assess production constraints, farmers’ preferences and choices of varieties among pearl millet cultivating farmers using participatory rural...
Distribution and farmers’ knowledge on Fusarium wilt (Race 1) in cropping systems of Uganda
November 2021
The study aimed at understanding the spatial distribution of Fusarium wilt (FW) in different banana growing regions, ascertain the effect of management practices and plantation age on FW incidence, as well as investigate farmers’ knowledge regarding the symptoms and spread of FW in Uganda. Individual interviews were conducted in 119 farms using a pre-tested questionnaire and field observations during a survey in...
Genotypic variability, heritability and path analysis of yield components of determinate lablab (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet) inbred lines in Kenya
October 2021
Lablab is a leguminous crop that offers great potential as food and cash crop in Kenya. However, high yielding early maturing determinate varieties suitable for short season environments and for intercropping systems are lacking. This study was conducted to estimate heritability, genetic advance and correlation between grain yields and yield attributing traits of advanced inbred determinate lines. Thirty nine lablab F5...
Effect of integrated potassium nutrition on Fusarium wilt tolerance in apple bananas
September 2021
Potassium nutrition has been used in controlling fungal and bacterial diseases of plants. However, this has not yet been tested on control of Fusarium (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense -Foc), a major fungal disease constraining apple banana production. This study was set up with a general objective to investigate the effects of potassium on tolerance to Fusarium wilt in apple bananas using chlorophyll content, stomatal...
Correlation and path coefficient analysis studies in Ethiopian Mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun)
August 2021
Ethiopia is the center of origin for Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata). The crop is one of the oldest oil crops and farmers in the highlands of the country grow as a leafy vegetable in their gardens. However, no attempt has been made to assess the association of characters and path analysis in Ethiopian mustard leaf. This study was conducted to assess association of traits among leafy vegetable yield and yield...
Meta-analysis of the effects of Rhizobia inoculants and phosphorus fertilizer on soybean nodulation in Africa
August 2021
Soybean has the potential to bring significant benefits in diversified cropping systems, which could help restructuring soil fertility and allow smallholders to increase grain yield. Rhizobium inoculation improves the biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in legume crops and assists resource-poor farmers to increase grain yield at lower financial costs. The efficacy of symbiotic bacteria on legumes can also be...
Combining ability of quality protein maize inbred lines under low and optimum soil nitrogen environments in Ethiopia
August 2021
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal crop on which many smallholder farmers in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) depend on as a sole source of calories, proteins, and vitamins. However, conventional maize is deficient in two essential amino acids, lysine, and tryptophan. Thereafter, Quality Protein Maize (QPM) developed to combat protein malnutrition. In SSA low soil nitrogen is also the most limiting factor in maize...
Classifying highland quality protein maize in bred lines into heterotic groups
August 2021
Efforts to boost maize productivity can be undertaken through systematic management of heterosis. Combining ability test is a critical step towards identifying a heterotic group of new parental lines. Different heterotic grouping methods has been used by different researchers. Among these, SCA and hybrid mean, hybrid index, combined use of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), SSR markers and heterotic...
Standard heterosis and heterotic grouping of highland adapted maize (Zea Mays L.) inbred lines in Ethiopia
July 2021
The current study was initiated to estimate the magnitude of standard heterosis for grain yield and yield related traits in a line x tester hybrids and to classify the inbred lines into different heterotic groups. Fifty entries consisting of 48 testcrosses developed from 12 inbred lines and 4 testers using line x tester design and two commercial check hybrids used in the study. The experiment was conducted using alpha...
Genetic variability and correlation of agronomic and malt quality traits in Ethiopian sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] landraces at Sheraro, Northern Ethiopia
July 2021
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a major cereal crop, grown in a wide range of agro-ecology. However, in Ethiopia there are very few high yielding improved sorghum varieties for malting purpose. A field experiment was conducted at Sheraro, sub-site of Mytseberi Agricultural Research Center during the 2017 cropping season. The objectives of the study were to identify sorghum landraces with high grain yield, study...
Growth, yield and phosphorus use efficiency of potato varieties propagated from apical rooted cuttings under variable phosphorus rates
July 2021
This study determined effect of phosphorus (P) rates on growth, yield and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) of potato varieties propagated from apical rooted cuttings. Experiments were conducted at Egerton University, Njoro and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research organization, Molo, in a split plot arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Main plot factors were four potato varieties...
Efficacy of soil solarization on the control of root-knot nematodes infecting eggplant (Solanum melongena) in Plateau State
June 2021
The efficacy of soil solarization was tested for the control of root-knot nematodes in Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State using three commercially available cultivars of eggplant (Solanum melongena) namely: Yallo Bello, Chida Masoyi and Farin Yallo. Two levels of soil solarization based on time of exposure namely: Four weeks, five weeks and a control were employed. Soil temperature for...
Genotypic screening of tomato’s AREB 1 gene for drought tolerance and computational protein structure prediction
June 2021
In this investigation, the coding sequence of the drought-stress inducible gene AREB1 in tomato derived from cDNA indicated 100% identity with the reference gene in the NCBI PlantEnsembl database. The protein structure of the AREB1 sequence derived from polymerase chain reaction from tomato DNA template was done using ExPASy and its protein parameter tools ProtParam. The structures of AREB1 protein showed a MolProbity...
Conservation agriculture-based Zea mays (maize)-Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) cropping systems in South Central Ethiopia
June 2021
Conservation agriculture (CA) is defined as sustainable agriculture production system comprising a set of farming practices. The experiment was conducted at three districts from 2011 to 2016 at five farmers’ field they considered as replicate. The experiment consisted of five treatments (continuous sole maize, maize bean rotation, maize-bean inter-cropping, bean rotation under CA and farmer practice). Maize yield...
Viral synergism and its role in management of maize lethal necrosis disease
June 2021
Maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND) in Kenya has been reported to be caused by a coinfection between a non-potyvirus Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and a potyvirus Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). The control of the disease in Kenya has been a challenge owing to the synergistic interactions that exist between the two viruses. This study, sought to determine the stage of synergism between the two viruses and its role...
Improvement of the kola tree cuttings root (Cola nitida) in nursery by removing the terminal bud of the semi-lignified plagiotropic cuttings
May 2021
The influence of the terminal bud treatment and genotype on the cutting of plagiotropic semi-lignified kola tree cuttings was studied with the aim of vegetative propagation. Two dressing modes cuttings (B1: Presence of terminal bud and B2: Absence of terminal bud) were tested on three genotypes (D9L20A3, 315 and 323) in a split-plot design with the genotype in the large plot and the cutting dressing mode in the small...
Effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on sweet potato production in Iwo, Nigeria
May 2021
Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) is one of the most important horticultural crops for human consumption and livestock feed. All parts of the plant are found useful to human consumption, animal feed, and industrial uses. Fertilizer applications have been shown to improve vegetative and storage parameters could be enhanced, but inorganic fertilizers are not always readily available, or are too expensive for prevalently...
Comparative effect of weed control methods on Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) in maize
April 2021
Mexican sunflower management in arable crops is becoming increasingly important due to its prevalent growth habit. The field experiments were conducted to compare weed suppressive abilities of two cover crops and two maize herbicides on Mexican sunflower. The treatments consist of the pre-emergence application of Primextra Gold (atrazine + metolachlor) at 4 l/ha, a post-emergence application of Aminoforce (2, 4-D)...
Litterfall production, nutrient input and soil fertility in yerba-mate agroforestry systems
April 2021
Adoption of agroforestry systems (AFS) for yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) production contributes to improvement of soil quality due to intense litterfall input. This study aimed (i) to quantify the litterfall input and its nutrients, as well as soil fertility attributes in yerba mate AFS (ii) to discriminate which soil fertility attributes and litterfall nutrients enabled differentiation of yerba mate AFS and...
Pharmacognostic and phytochemical characterization of Maerua angolensis DC.
April 2021
Maerua angolensis DC is a medicinal plant widely used in ethnomedicine in northern Nigeria. It is used to treat disease conditions like skin infections, sexually transmitted diseases, peptic ulcers and wounds amongst others. The plant is well known in Fulani Fulfude as leggal baali (or leggal mbaali). The plant was subjected to pharmacognostic and physicochemical characterization to establish standard profiles for...
The multi-level table and circular diagnostic chart as alternative taxonomic key formats for plant identification
March 2021
Correct identification of plants is a prerequisite to achieving desirable results in health care delivery, sustainable food production and housing, forest resources management and environmental protection. However, many of the paper-based/printable taxonomic key formats available to the taxonomist for this important responsibility are fraught with inadequacies some of which include fixed sequence of plant identification...
Grain yield and stability of selected early and medium duration cowpea in Ghana
March 2021
Changes in climate are a major driver for climate-smart crops with short duration on-field and adaptation to diverse growing conditions. This study evaluated the performance of nine early duration and 10 medium duration cowpea genotypes at six locations within the Guinea and Sudan savanna zones of Ghana. Genotypes for each maturity group were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications for...
Solving the mystery of the construction and elucidating the structural and functionality attributes of dichotomous key, a widely used tool for plant identification
February 2021
The significance of correct identification of plants is acknowledged in many human endeavours such as health care, food production, sustainable housing, forest resources management and environmental protection. Plant identification is usually carried out by means of descriptions and keys, which are available in floras, manuals or other taxonomic publications, the most widely used tool being the dichotomous key. However,...
Molecular characterization of garlic (Allium sativum L.) using SSR markers in Ethiopia
February 2021
Garlic is one of the most cultivated and medicinal horticultural crops in the world. Its production and productivity is decreased due to different constraints. Knowing the genetic distance will give information to tackle the constraints. This study characterized genetic diversity of garlic germplasm by analysis of eleven Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) loci in 115 garlic accession. Genomic DNA was extracted from fresh...
Incidence and characterization of cassava mosaic viruses in improved and local cultivars in Sierra Leone
February 2021
In Sub-Sahara Africa, Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) is the major important viral disease of cassava which threatens production, livelihoods and food security. Frequently CMD is due to the Africa Cassava Mosaic Virus (ACMV), East African Cassava Mosaic Virus (EACMV) and the Ugandan strain of the East African virus (EACMV-UG). The present study investigated the prevalence of these three viruses in 27 cultivars (three...
Genetic relationship and the occurrence of multiple gene resistance to coffee berry disease (Colletotrichum kahawae, Waller & Bridge) within selected Coffea arabica varieties in Kenya
January 2021
The Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) epidemics destroy up to 100% of the crop on a susceptible variety. Resistance to CBD is conferred by the T-gene in Hibrido De Timor (HDT), R-gene in Rume Sudan (RS), and k-gene in K7, which were assembled in resistance varieties Ruiru 11(R11) and Batian. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic relationship between R11 and Batian with their parents' HDT, RS, SL8 and confirm...
Natural rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Müell.-Arg.) production, processing, and rubber wastes utilization: Challenges and prospects for economic diversification and sustainable development of Nigeria
January 2021
Over 80% of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings come from the sales of crude petroleum. Nigeria has a landmass of 910,768 km2 with 38.97% arable, while 3.46% is suitable for the cultivation of permanent cash crops such as rubber, cocoa and palm trees. High-latex yields (3,000-3,500 kg dry natural rubber (NR)/ha/year) of Nigeria’s hybrid rubber seedlings is a preferred choice to most foreign species...
Association between agro-morphological traits in common bean under organic fertilization management in Brazil
January 2021
The objective of this work was to analyze the association between agro-morphological traits of the common bean cultivar “BRS Esplendor” under organic fertilization management. The experiment was implemented in the field, in a randomized block design, with three replications, in a split plot scheme, with two types of organic compounds (grass enriched with cattle manure and bean straw enriched with cattle...
Genetic characterization of Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) accessions in selected counties in Kenya using SSR markers
January 2021
Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) is a neglected high potential crop, knowledge of the genetic diversity of the genotypes domesticated in Kenya is limited. To understand the genetic diversity and structure within and between Cape gooseberry germplasm, 70 accessions from six selected counties were analyzed using 15 pairs of highly polymorphic SSR primers. In this study, a total of 61 polymorphic SSR alleles were...
Variation of Parkia biglobosa morphological traits according to land use and agro-climatic zones in Southern Mali
January 2021
A study was conducted in southern Mali to contribute to the domestication of Parkia biglobosa. Three agro climatic zones (North Sudanian “NS”, South Sudanian “SS” and North Guinean “NG”) and two stands (field and fallow) were concerned. Three plots of 0.25 ha each, were installed in each stand. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH), Total Height (TH) and Crown Diameter (CD) of adult trees...
Morphological studies on legume and hilum in seven species of Vigna Savi (Fabaceae)
December 2020
In this study of different taxa of genus Vigna the macro and micromorphological characters were investigated. These taxa collected from different countries (3 cultivated and 8 annual or perennial herbs) representing 7 species of this genus, namely: Vigna radiate, Vigna trilobata, Vigna vexillata, Vigna caracalla, Vigna pubescens, Vigna unguiculata, and Vigna luteola. Legume features such as shape, colour, size, surface...
Evaluation of wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) for yield and yield characteristics under low land area at Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia
December 2020
The objective of this research was to evaluate wheat genotypes for yield and yield characteristics under the low land area of Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted with 27 bread wheat genotypes in a randomized complete block design with two replications at Amibara Farm, Arba Minch from March to June 2020. Varieties differed significantly (p<0.01) for the yield related characters and yield....
Study of root traits of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under drought stress
November 2020
Roots are among the first defence towards drought with other morpho-physiological and biochemical mechanisms employed by plants. To understand precisely the root traits contribution towards yield, parental chickpea genotypes with well known drought response were field evaluated under drought and optimal irrigation in rain-out shelter. A total of ten genotypes planted in 1.2 m PVC lysimeters were subjected to three water...
Indoor characterization of three durum wheat genotypes exposed to drought and heat stress during early vegetative growth stages
November 2020
Selection of wheat varieties that have improved adaptation to abiotic stress is important for increasing and stabilizing yields under fluctuating environmental conditions, especially as global climate changes. A trial to estimate adaptation of wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum) genotypes to abiotic stress has been performed, in a growth chamber. By counting the number of dead (yellow) plants, together with yellow...
Evaluation of plant extracts for the management of Cercospora leaf spot of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
November 2020
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a leguminous crop with high economic and nutritional value. However, increased production is hampered by Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) caused by Cercospora arachidicola and Cercosporidium personatum. Studies were conducted in vitro and in vivo to evaluate the efficacy of aqueous extracts of desert date seed (DDSE), neem seed (NSE), jatropha seed (JSE) and tobacco leaf (TLE) for the...
Ecology and morphological characterization of the genus Phellinus sensu-lato (Basidiomycetes, Hymenochaetaceae) in Burkina Faso
November 2020
Phellinus sensu lato is a genus of polypores that are morphologically, biologically and phylogenetically highly diverse. This genus is composed of sessile and lignicolous species. Species belonging to this genus are found in all regions of the world where they decompose wood or live as tree parasites. In Burkina Faso, few studies have been conducted on this taxonomic group. Thus, these collections were carried out...
Botryosphaeriaceae associated with baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) and marula (Sclerocarya birrea A. Rich.) in agroforestry systems in Kenya
October 2020
Indigenous fruit trees such as baobab and marula provide key nutrients and income for smallholders and enhance diversification of agroforestry systems in the drylands of Sub Saharan Africa. Cankers and diebacks are increasingly observed impacting baobab and marula in domestication trials and farms in Kenya, but little is known on disease occurrence and associated pathogens. Field disease incidence and severity was...
Abundance and impact of Parthenium hysterophorus L., an alien invasive herb on plant species diversity in invaded areas of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
October 2020
Parthenium hysterophorus is an alien annual herb that aggressively threatens biodiversity of Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) in Uganda. Occurrence, abundance and impact of P. hysterophorus on plant species diversity were examined. An observational inspection survey assessed the occurrence of P. hysterophorus while Quadrats sampled vegetation in P. hysterophorus invaded and uninvaded sites of Mweya Peninsula and...
Protocol optimization for in vitro propagation of Kulfo, orange flesh sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) variety using shoot tip culture
October 2020
Conventional propagation methods of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. var Kulfo) through stem cutting require large amount of propagules and large space for preparation. It has high risk of disease transmission to the next generation. In vitro propagation is the best alternative to overcome such limitations. This study was conducted to optimize protocol for in vitro propagation of Kulfo sweet potato variety using...
Gene action, combining ability and heterotic performance of Ethiopian Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) lines under moisture stress areas in Ethiopia
September 2020
For sorghum hybrid development, assessment of parental lines is a pre-requisite. However, information on heterotic performance and combing ability of Ethiopian elite sorghum lines is inadequate. ANOVA revealed mean squares had signifying substantial amount of variability amongst genotypes for most traits. Males 72, 81 and 99 were the best performing parents for yield and related traits. Hybrids, 106 x 94, 106 x 90, 106...
Biplot analysis of test environments of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) in Burkina Faso
September 2020
The identification of stable and adaptable high yielding quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) and, highly discriminative environments are worthwhile for a successful introduction and adoption of this crop in Burkina Faso. The objectives of this study were to determine the relationship among test environments, to identify the most discriminative and representative test environment(s), and to identify high yielding and...
A review of plant characterization: First step towards sustainable forage production in challenging environments
September 2020
This review paper attempts to give account of how plant characterization assists the availability of information on desirable plant traits, to enhance selective breeding for environmental stresses and thus attain sustainable forage production. Plant characterization is referred to as an account for heritable characters varying from agronomical, morphological to molecular markers. It simplifies grouping of...
Allelopathic effect of extracts from selected weeds on germination and seedling growth of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) varieties
September 2020
Chromolaena odorata, Euphorbia heterophylla and Tridax procumbens are common weeds that are prevalent in cowpea fields. The physiological influence of three dilution concentrations of the aqueous root and shoot extracts of the weeds were examined on seed germination, plumule length, radicle length, fresh and dry weights of plumule and radicle of two varieties of cowpea in the laboratory. The experiment was laid out in a...
Distribution and ecological drivers of family celastraceae in Côte D’ivoire
August 2020
Most studies on drivers of plant diversity and distribution have focused on trees and combine several plant families. Climbers which are part of the particular characteristics of tropical rainforests due to their richness and abundance have been rarely related to ecological factors. This study evaluates the importance of vegetation type and total annual rainfall on the distribution of the Celastraceae plant family which...
Races of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. & Magnus) Briosi & Cavara in major bean growing regions in Tanzania
August 2020
Breeding for resistant varieties has been shown to be the most suitable method to control bean anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum though the method is challenged by the existence of many races of the pathogen. This work focused on characterizing races of C. lindemuthianum from potential bean agro ecological zones of Tanzania using a set of differential bean cultivars. From 144 anthracnose infected bean...
The in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experimental findings of Nephrolepis exaltata
August 2020
Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott decreases the heartbeats of cockroaches and it was postulated that the plant could be an anticholinesterase agent and could have effects. It was performed: (a) In vitro: hydroalcoholic extract of N. exaltata was pharmacognostically characterized, the cholinesterase activity determined with 1.0 and 3.0 mg/ml, comparing to positive control and negative control, and the preliminary toxicity...
Analysis of combined strategies for the management of Asian soybean rust
August 2020
Asian soybean rust, if not well managed, can reduce grain yield up to 90%. Due to the severe damage caused by the disease, especially in Brazil, it is important to evaluate management strategies combined with fungicides, to minimize the losses. The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of adopting different combined management strategies on the severity of soybean rust and its impact on the performance of the crop....
Evaluating the incidence and severity of rice yellow mottle virus and maize streak virus on rice (Oryza sativa L.) and associated insects in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
July 2020
Rice is an important staple food in Nigeria, affected by several diseases especially viruses. This study was carried out to evaluate the incidence and severity of two important viruses on rice plants and to identify associated insects in the Federal Capital Territory (F.C.T), Abuja in 2019. Field experiment was carried out from June to October, 2019 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture,...
Sensor based validation of nitrogen fertilizer for quality protein maize variety using a handheld normalized difference vegetative index sensor at Bako, Western Ethiopia
July 2020
Regardless of the huge yield potential and area under maize production, its current productivity in Ethiopia is by far below its potential. Declining of soil fertility and poor nutrient management is among the major factors limiting the productivity of the crop. As a result, an experiment was conducted at Bako, Ethiopia in 2016 to validate the N application and determine the best rate for side dressing using handheld...
Effects of sowing depth on seed germination and seedling growth of Aframomum citratum (Pereira) K. Schum
July 2020
Series of investigations have been carried out on the effect of sowing depths on seed germination and early seedlings growth of Aframomum citratum and has shown that sowing depth influences germination and early growth of most plant species. Thus, the importance of varying planting depths has received much attention from researchers for some time now. The depths studied in this research were 0, 3 and 6 cm, respectively....
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