February 2016
Plant protection: Paramount to food security in India
India carries the heavy burden of feeding a billion plus population. While it is a challenge in itself, the task is compounded further by limited resources and crop losses due to pest and diseases. Though beating the odds of diminishing land and water resources remain bleak, pest and disease inflicted crop losses can be managed with suitable crop protection techniques. Pesticide, integrated pest management (IPM),...
February 2016
Variation in nectar volume and sugar content in male flowers of Musa cultivars grown in Rwanda and their non-effect on the numbers of visiting key diurnal insect vectors of banana Xanthomonas wilt
Insects are a major mode of banana Xanthomonas wilt (XW) spread. High insect activity has been blamed for the high XW incidence in ‘Kayinja’ (ABB-genome) dominated banana landscapes across east and central Africa. ‘Kayinja’ male bud nectar composition reportedly contributes to high insect activity. The variation in nectar composition with agro-ecological zones and banana cultivars and its...
February 2016
Salinization and pollution of water table with wastewater and its impact on oasis crops
The ancestral canal of Oued Righ at 150 km evacuates leachate water into the Chott Melghir, which has 50 oases. Excess water from discharges of sewage and drainage causes upwelling of groundwater that leads to an imbalance in the valley. The physico-chemical analysis of canal waters and water table has shown that the quality of these waters has very high salinity (class C5), with electrical conductivity of 26.30 ms/cm,...
February 2016
Effect of water replacement and nitrogen fertilization on productivity variables of sugar cane
Although sugarcane crop has moderate tolerance to water stress, it shows high response to irrigation. Thus, the improvement of irrigation techniques becomes necessary to achieve maximum water use efficiency. Several studies in Brazil and worldwide on different sugarcane varieties have shown the effect of irrigation on productivity. Moreover, nitrogen fertilization stands out as one of the cultural practices of higher...
February 2016
Financial analysis of poultry production in Kwara State, Nigeria
This study examined the economics of poultry production in Kwara State, Nigeria using budgetary and profit index analysis. Primary data were collected through a set of structured questionnaire from 80 registered poultry farmers using a systematic random sampling technique. The results of the study showed that 72.5% of the respondents were youth with the mean age of 38.7 years and 63.8% choose poultry farming as main...
February 2016
Macronutrients requirement of a snap bean genotype with determinate growth habit in Brazil
Obtaining nutrient accumulation curves is very important in knowing the plant nutritional requirement dynamics and to direct the strategies for its supply. The aim of this work was to study the uptake, compartmentalization and exportation of macronutrients of a snap bean genotype with determinate growth habit. An experiment at field conditions at Londrina State University – UEL, Londrina-PR, Br azil, was performed...
February 2016
The relationship between organic acids, sucrose and the quality of specialty coffees
There is an increasing demand for specialty coffees in the worldwide coffee market, which justifies the need for research focused on understanding the effect of genetic factors and environmental conditions on coffee quality. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of arabica coffee genotypes with a high potential for specialty coffee production under three different environmental conditions. Green coffee...
February 2016
Status of maize lethal necrosis in eastern Uganda
Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) is the latest emerging disease of maize in Sub-saharan Africa. It was first reported in Uganda in 2013. Consequently, information regarding its prevalence, yield loss, applicable mitigation measures and socio-economic effects is still scanty, hence this study. A survey involving 300 respondents on the status of the disease was conducted in seven districts of eastern Uganda. Results revealed...
February 2016
Agro-physiologic effects of compost and biochar produced at different temperatures on growth, photosynthetic pigment and micronutrients uptake of maize crop
The production and use of biochart and compost present many opportunities for soil improvement and agricultural productivity. However, the yield and performance of biochar depend on the feedstocks, pyrolysing temperatures and rate of application. Experiments were conducted to find out the effect of compost and biochar produced from two different feed stocks (Rice husk and Mexican sunflower) and pyrolysed at different...
February 2016
Soil moisture and water use efficiency in cotton plants grown in different spacings in the Brazilian Cerrado Region
The aim of this study was to assess soil moisture and water use efficiency in cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum L.) grown in different row spacing in the Cerrado, Brazil. The crop was irrigated by drip irrigation, and the amount of supplied water was equal to 90% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Spacing of 0.4, 0.7 and 1.0 m between rows were assessed. Soil moisture was assessed up to 1.0 m deep, and water use...
February 2016
Ergonomic characterization of three sugar cane harvester machinery models
Due to the latest expansion on Brazilian agricultural area, there has been growing demand for field machinery usage aiming at increasing operational efficiency along with cost reduction on production as well as searching for improvement of working conditions. This paper aimed at ergonomic characterization comparing three models of agricultural harvesters on sugar cane plantations in order to provide information to help...
February 2016
Risk factors associated with the post-harvest loss of milk along camel milk value chain in Isiolo County, Kenya
Camel milk is an important commodity in the arid and semi-arid lands where it forms their basic diet, a major source of income and serves significant cultural function to the pastoralists. However, camel milk production is faced with challenges that contributes to the camel milk post-harvest losses due to poor quality and safety. This study aimed at determining the risk factors that may contribute to camel milk quality...
February 2016
A mathematical model for the selection of an economical pipe size in pressurized irrigation systems
The selection of an economical pipe size for pumping plant and pipelines (mains and submains) in pressurized irrigation system should be based on careful economic analysis. A small diameter pipe may require a lower initial investment, but the head loss due to friction is greater and this increases the power cost. Similarly, a larger pipe involves a higher initial investment with less power cost. In this study, various...
February 2016
Evaluating the logistics performance of Brazil’s corn exports: A proposal of indicators
Despite significant advances in the Brazilian agriculture, the logistics costs, particularly transportation and storage costs continue to act as the main barriers that limit the potential of the Brazilian agribusiness. This study analyzes the logistics efficiency of the main flow routes for Brazil’s agricultural production and exports - in particular, corn production and exports, among the major producing states...
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