July 2018

Thorn apple (Datura stramonium L.) allelopathy on cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Zimbabwe

Datura stramonium extracts have allelopathic properties. The study was conducted to investigate the allelopathic effects of D. stramonium weed on seed germination, early seedling growth and dry biomass of crop plants (Triticum aestivum and Vigna unguiculata). Laboratory and greenhouse trials were arranged as completely randomised design and the field pot experiment was arranged as a randomised complete block design....

Author(s): Nyasha Sakadzo, Pahla Innocent, Muzemu Simbarashe, Mandumbu Ronald and Makaza Kasirayi  

July 2018

Analysis of coffee quality along the coffee value chain in Jimma zone, Ethiopia

This study assesses the effect of cooperative, certification, private trader, farmers, sorting and processing methods on Arabica coffee quality. Coffee samples were collected from certified cooperatives, non-certified cooperatives, private traders and farmers (members of certified cooperatives, non-certified cooperatives and non-members of cooperatives). The study showed that coffee beans sampled from cooperatives had...

Author(s): Kassaye Tolessa, Luc Duchateau and Pascal Boeckx  

July 2018

Sensor-based algorithms to improve barley nitrogen efficiency in Queensland

The low efficiency of nitrogen (N) fertilizers impels the innovation of current N management strategies in cereal production. Site specific N management is an emerging field providing novel alternatives to current nutrient management practices through canopy sensing. Barley N use efficiency can be enhanced with GreenSeeker proximal sensors, whose optimal utilization requires algorithms. The design of such algorithms...

Author(s): Paul Theophile Epee Misse, and Madan Gupta  

July 2018

Screening of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) lines for resistance to three Aphids (Aphis craccivora Koch) strains in Burkina Faso

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) is an important cash, food and nutritional security grain legume crop in the semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. However, its productivity is hampered by several biotic stress factors including numerous insect pests that infest and damage the crop at all its development stages in the field as well as during storage. This study sought to identify new sources of resistance to...

Author(s): AdelaÑ—de P. Ouédraogo, Benoit J. Batieno, Fousseni Traore, Jean-Baptiste Tignegre, Bao-Lam Huynh, Philip A. Roberts, Timothy Close and Jeremy T. Ouédraogo