April 2014
Information technology applied to the process of traceability in the wheat supply chain
The adoption of traceability systems in the food chain is a market differentiator for manufacturing firms. It is appreciated by consumers and is more and more common after the occurrence of certain problems related to food consumption. Legislation, quality standards and best practices now govern the traceability process. The aim of this paper is to address the main regulations that establish procedures for ensuring the...
April 2014
Participatory evaluation methods of cassava varieties preferred in the mid-altitude tropical climate conditions of western Kenya
The advantage of farmers' participation in breeding programmes depends on the effectiveness of the evaluation methods used. There is scarce information on the farmers' evaluation methods and their effectiveness as compared to the breeder’s methods. Three districts representing the different agro-ecologies, inhabiting ethnic communities, cassava production and utilization niches were selected. Focused group...
April 2014
Determinants of smallholder farmers’ hybrid maize adoption in the drought prone Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia
This paper examines the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ adoption decision of hybrid maize in drought prone Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia. The analysis is based on data collected through a questionnaire survey of 277 randomly selected maize grower farm household heads. Binary response Logit model was employed in the data analysis. Hybrid maize adoption in the CRV was found to be influenced by age,...
April 2014
Evaluation of neem leaves-based preparations as insecticidal agents against the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae)
Myzus persicae Sulzer, 1776 (Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae) is an insect pest of several crops. Chemical control against pests causing harmful effects, so it is necessary to find alternative methods. In this context, insecticidal activity of water and hydroethanol extracts of neem leaves was investigated against the aphid M. persicae through biological performance and feeding behavior assessment. Water and hydroethanol...
April 2014
Antibacterial potential of white crystalline solid from red algae Porteiria hornemanii against the plant pathogenic bacteria
This study was investigated by analyzing the potent bioactive compounds in the chloroform extract of Porteiria hornemanii using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The crude 50 µg/ml of white crystalline solid were tested in vitro for their antibacterial effect against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. malvacearum using paper disc diffusion technique showing...
April 2014
Phenotypical correlations between agronomical characters in Prata type bananas (Musa) and its implications on yield estimate
This research aims to estimate correlations between agronomic traits and yield in Pome bananas, contributing to the elaboration of models for estimation of harvest. Agronomic traits were evaluated in 98 plants of ‘Dwarf Prata’ and 96 ‘BRS Platina’, considered replicates and sampled at random. Correlations...
April 2014
Limestone and phosphogypsum effects on soil fertility, soybean leaf nutrition and yield
Quantifying soil and plant response to surface applied limestone and phosphogypsum (PG) will help promote no-tillage soybean production. Our objective was to determine effects of annual surface application of phosphogypsum and limestone on soil profile chemistry, fertilizer use efficiency, soybean leaf nutrient concentrations, seed yield, and yield components under a no-tillage system (NTS). The study was conducted in...
April 2014
Self-build silos for storage of cereals in African rural villages
Prototypes of silos for the storage of cereals were designed and built at the Department of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Systems of University of Firenze. The silos were planned specifically to be used in Tanzania, by individual farmers operating in the inland areas of the country. Nevertheless, with a capacity of 1 m3 and 2 m3, they can be considered suitable for several African areas. Except for some details that...
April 2014
Effect of stem density on growth, yield and quality of potato variety amethyst
The study was carried out to determine the effect of stem density on growth, yield and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) variety amethyst in Zimbabwe. Three stem density treatments were used and these were initially derived from the number of sprouts or eyes per tuber: 2 stems/hill, 4 stems/hill and +6 stems/hill. Emergence, haulm growth, yield and quality characteristics of tubers were the main parameters...
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