African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6901

Table of Content: 13 April, 2017; 12(15)

April 2017

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

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

April 2017

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

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

April 2017

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

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

April 2017

The effect of plant density on growth and yield of ‘NsukkaYellow’ aromatic pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

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

April 2017

Physiological and behavioral responses of dairy heifers in an integrated-crop-livestock-forestry system

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

April 2017

Utilization of wheat bran and dried Acacia saligna (Labill) H.L.Wendl leaves by highland rams

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

April 2017

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

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

April 2017

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

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

April 2017

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

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

April 2017

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

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

April 2017

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

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.

April 2017

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

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