African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6900

Table of Content: October, 2019; 14(33)

October 2019

Impact of storage on sugar loss in sorghum stalks

Sweet sorghum sugars are feedstock for bio-products. Extending production beyond harvest will maximize profitability, but is limited by loss of fermentable sugars during storage. Cutting stalks into billets increases surface area for processing, but can increase sugar degradation. The effect of storing whole sorghum stalks was investigated. Whole stalks of cultivar M 81-E had the highest losses at 44.2% of fermentable...

Author(s): Wright Maureen  

October 2019

Application of magnetically treated water to eggplant seedlings

Application of magnetically treated water to seedlings production has shown beneficial results in several crops. The objective of study was to evaluate the effect of magnetically treated water on germination, growth and development of eggplant seedlings. Three experiments were conducted and the water was treated with 1000 G magnetic field during 24 h. In the first experiment, the treatments tested were applications of...

Author(s): Álvaro Henrique Cândido de Souza, Roberto Rezende, Cássio de Castro Seron, Jean Marcelo Rodrigues do Nascimento, Marcelo Zolin Lorenzoni, Antônio Carlos Andrade Gonçalves, Reni Saath and Paulo Sérgio Lourenço de Freitas  

October 2019

Smallholders’ technical efficiency of teff production in Ethiopia

The main objective of this study is to examine the level and determinants of technical efficiency of smallholder Teff producers in Ethiopia using Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), with appropriate production function, trans-log by LR test. Secondary data from Ethiopian socio-economic survey were used for the analysis. The result of Maximum likelihood Estimate (MLE) shows that area, fertilizer and fragmentation of land...

Author(s): Mastewal Demil Kassa, Wondaferahu Mulugeta Demissie and Muhdin Muhammedhussen Batu  

October 2019

Assessment of seed quality parameters in different seed sources of chickpea (Cicer arietinum (L.)

In Ethiopia, chickpea is an important grain legume next to faba bean and common bean. Quality seed production and associated technologies could be mentioned among the major challenges that limit chickpea production and productivity in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to assess the quality of seeds at different generation classes as obtained from various sources that would contribute an estimate of more than half the...

Author(s): Nigussu Bekele, Bulti Tesso and Asnake Fikre  

October 2019

The functional characterisation of soybean (Glycine max L.) rhizospheric bacteria indigenous to Ethiopian soils

Ethiopia remains a net importer of soybean partly due to low average yields which may be improved by inoculation with rhizobia and/or plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). The functional characterisation of 231 rhizobacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of soybean grown in 102 soils collected from different pedo-climatic regions of Ethiopia was carried out. Isolates were initially characterised by Gram staining...

Author(s): Diriba Temesgen, , Marta Maluk, Euan K. James, Pietro P. M. Iannetta and Fassil Assefa  

October 2019

Genetic diversity studies for morphological traits of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes in Central Zone of Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

Hot pepper is the dominant vegetable crop grown in different parts of Ethiopia with long history of cultivation and considerable genetic diversity for most important morphological traits. However, shortage of varieties, the prevalence of fungal and bacterial as well as viral diseases, information is lacking on genetic diversity and genetic information to design genetic resource conservation to improve yield and yield...

Author(s): Fasikaw Belay, Berhanu Abate, and Yemane Tsehaye  

October 2019

Effects of dry bioslurry and chemical fertilizers on tomato growth performance, fruit yield and soil properties under irrigated condition in Southern Ethiopian

Poor soil fertility and low level of fertilizer application results in low productivity of irrigated tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) in Arba Minch Zuria District, Southern Ethiopia. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of integrated application of dry bioslurry and chemical fertilizers on growth performance and fruit yield of tomato, and on soil properties. A factorial combination of...

Author(s): Geremew Biramo, Girma Abera and Birhanu Biazin  

October 2019

Inventory on banana (Musa spp.) as trading commodities in Maluku islands, Indonesia

This study was conducted with the aim of providing the latest situation on banana genotypic diversity present in the market places, their cultivations, their market chain and trading facilities in Maluku Province, Indonesia. A survey method was used, in which different markets, farmers and government institutions were visited and interviewed. Seventeen genotypes of three different species and different genome and ploidy...

Author(s): Leunufna Semuel, Woltering Ernst, Hogeveen- van Echtelt Esther and Van der Waal Johannes  

October 2019

Influence of plant population density on growth and yield of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) at Wondo Genet South Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center in the production season of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 with the objective of identifying the best combination of intra and inter-row spacing for optimum plant population density of rosemary. The treatments consisted of five intra-row spacing (50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 cm) and three inter-row spacing (60, 80 and 100 cm) with a total treatment...

Author(s): Nebret Tadesse  

October 2019

Effect of flowering slips on the yield of sweet potato (Ipomoea batata (L.) Lam.) tubers

Creating a nursery for sweet potato cultivation in tropical and subtropical areas including Okinawa is not necessary because planting is possible throughout the year. In general, sweet potato blooms under natural conditions in tropical and subtropical areas. Sweet potatoes are grown from non-flowering slips, which farmers generally select from a field of a previous cropping. Although the selection and collection of...

Author(s): Yoshihiro Okada, Masateru Madanbashi, Nittaya Nokham, Achara Pawasut and Pedcharada Yusuk  

October 2019

Agromorphological evaluation within a collection of local tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) populations collected in Burkina Faso and Mali

Tomato is a vegetable of great economic importance in Burkina Faso. This study evaluated agromorphological diversity within 40 tomato accessions from Burkina Faso and Mali. Trials were conducted during 2015 growing season and IPGRI descriptors were considered in collecting data on field as well as in laboratory. Results revealed the collection to be interestingly diversified. All studied characters presented several...

Author(s): TRAORE Cheick Omar#, TARPAGA W. Vianney#, BOURGOU Larbouga# and ROUAMBA Albert  

October 2019

Effects of blended fertilizer types and rates on fruit yield and nutrient use efficiencies of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) at Asossa, Western Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different blended fertilizer types (NPSB and NPSBZn) and their rates on fruit yield, nutrient concentration, nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency of hot pepper at Assosa, Western Ethiopia. The experiment was set with eight treatments (recommended NP, three different blended rates for each NPSB and NPSBZn and unfertilized plot) laid out in randomized...

Author(s): Nimona Fufa and Girma Abera  

October 2019

Some maize agronomic practices in Ethiopia: A review of research experiences and lessons from agronomic panel survey in Oromia and Amhara regions

There is a huge maize yield gap in Ethiopia. The use of improper maize agronomic practices could contribute to maize yield gaps. Agronomic panel survey (APS) and a baseline survey were carried out by EIAR and CSA, respectively in collaboration with CIMMYT for three years (2015-17) to assess the rates and types of inorganic fertilizers applied; maize varieties used and plant densities maintained by farmers in major maize...

Author(s): Tesfaye Balemi, Mesfin Kebede, Tolera Abera, Gebresilasie Hailu, Gebreyes Gurmu and Fite Getaneh  

October 2019

Growth performance and carcass characteristics of cross-bred rabbits fed diets containing palm kernel oil residue

This study was conducted to explore the potential of palm kernel oil residue (PKOR), as substitute for wheat bran (WB) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of cross-bred rabbits in Ghana. Forty-eight seven-week old rabbits (1113± 318.20 g) were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. The rabbits were given diets in which WB was replaced with PKOR at 0, 25, 50 and...

Author(s): Nuamah E., Teye M., Odoi F. N. A. and Teye P. K.  

October 2019

Trichoderma asperellum (UFT201) functions as a growth promoter for soybean plant

This work is aimed at evaluating the efficiency of Trichoderma asperellum, UFT 201 as a growth promoter of soybean plant in the Cerrado biome in Tocantins, Brazil. Two field experiments were performed in two different cities using different concentrations (1, 2, 3 and 4 kg ha-1) (Porto Nacional and Formoso do Araguaia). For inoculation treatments with Trichoderma asperellum UFT 201 (comprising the granulated product),...

Author(s): Aloisio Freitas Chagas Junior, Lillian França Borges Chagas, Brigitte Sthepani Orozco Colonia, Luciane de Oliveira Miller and José Claudio de Oliveira  

October 2019

Yield gaps, adoption and seed commercial behaviour: Implications for chickpea seed system in Ethiopia

The paper presents the yield gaps, adoption of improved varieties and the commercial behaviour in seed of smallholder chickpea producers based on the primary data collected from 612 randomly selected farmers covering 36 kebeles from 18 chickpea-producing districts, in 2017. The results indicate that the estimated average yield gaps were lower by 37.97 and 49.17% for desi chickpea and by 29.62 and 40.97% for kabuli...

Author(s): Dawit Alemu and Zewdie Bishaw  

October 2019

Effect of level and time of nitrogen fertilizer application on growth, yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays L.) at Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia

Maize is most important cereal crop used for human diet, livestock fed, and for many industrial applications in many parts of the world. However, the national average productivity is quite below the world average which might be attributed to nutrient deficiency among many problems. A field experiment was conducted during 2016/2017 croppping season to determine the effect of level and time of nitrogen fertilizer...

Author(s): Keyro Assefa and  Zenebe Mekonnen  

October 2019

Influence of Nitrogen and Phosphorus fertilizer Rates on Seed Yield, Yield Components and Quality of Onion (Allium cepa L.) at Kulumsa in Arsi Zone, South East Ethiopia

Onion is an important vegetable crop commercially grown both by large and small scale farmers in Ethiopia. Its production is highly dependent on availability of high and good quality seed, which is constrained by a number of problems including declining soil fertility and inappropriate fertilizer application. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer rates on onion...

Author(s): Demis Fikre Limeneh, Hussien Mohammed Beshir and Fekadu Gebretensay Mengistu  

October 2019

Labour cost implication of malaria and perception of cocoa farmers on its preventive measures in Ondo State, Nigeria

The study was executed to examine the cost implication of labour used by cocoa farmers during periods of incapacitation caused by malaria and to determine the perception of the farmers on malaria preventive methods. Descriptive statistics were used to classify farmers by days of incapacitation and the cost of labour for cocoa plantation management when farmers were absent from the cocoa plantation because of malaria. A...

Author(s): Eniafe David Olakunle and Oseni Joseph Olumide  

October 2019

Effect of planting time and fungicide application frequency on severity of late blight (Phytophthora infestans), yield and yield components of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) at Kulumsa, Southeast Ethiopia

Phytophthora infestans is the major bottleneck in potato production in Ethiopia. Selection of appropriate planting time is highly location specific and the most important subject in rain-fed potato production. However, research recommendation on optimum planting time and fungicide application frequency for high lands area of Arsi (Kulumsa) is lacking. Thus, field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of...

Author(s): Getachew Kebede Tufa, Fekadu Gebretensay Mengistu  and Gezahegn Berecha Yadessa