What factors influence performance of farmer groups? A review of literature on parameters that measure group performance
June 2018
Farmers form and participate in groups in order to benefit socially and economically through collective activities. However, membership in groups alone is not enough to facilitate improvement of livelihoods, owing to the fact that only successful groups would be able to fully exploit their potential and meet the interests of their members. Understanding group performance is therefore a pertinent issue among social...
Effect of splitting nitrogen fertilization on Tifton 85: Yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and nitrogen nutritional status of plants and soil
May 2018
This two year study aims to verify the necessity of splitting nitrogen (N) fertilization by assessing the effect of different N fertilization strategies (split and not split), on cultivated Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) accumulation rate and total dry matter (DM) production, as well as quantifying the levels of nitrate (NO3) in Red Dystrophic Oxisol. Research was carried out at the experimental unit of the Agronomic...
Plant cover management and nitrogen fertilization in maize crop in a dystrophic red Latosol Brazilian Cerrado (Savannah)
May 2018
An experiment was conducted in the agricultural year 2014/2015, aiming to evaluate the management of anticipated nitrogen fertilization, applied with a slow-release source in maize crop with two plant covers, in a Dystrophic Red Latosol. Matching the Oxisols in Soil Taxonomy and Ferralsols FAO/United States WRB (Unesco soil classification and the World Reference Base for Soil Resources. Pennisetum glaucus (Pennisetum...
Nutritive potential of amaranth weed grains
May 2018
Amaranthus is a species with immense potential; however, information on its nutritional properties is limited, though widely cultivated in some countries. The objective of this work is to characterise the grains of three species of Amaranthus sp. aiming at their food potential, comparing two species considered as weed with a commercially grown species. The selected materials were cultivated and submitted to the same...
Can early peroxidase quantification detect graft-compatible in anonaceous rootstocks?
May 2018
This study aimed to quantify the class III peroxidase activity in young plants of different species belonging to Annonaceae botany family, with high potential as a rootstock, for early detection of graft-compatible atemoya (Annona x atemoya Mabb.). The experimental design was randomized block, that evaluated the species araticum-de-terra-fria (Annona emarginata (Schltdl.) H. Rainer ‘variety terra-fria’),...
Characterization and evaluation of volatile compounds of three grape varieties (Vitis labrusca) from the region of Bento Gonçalves – RS
May 2018
In grape must, the aroma is an indication of adequate conservation status. It is able to indicate losses due to thermal degradation, besides representing a great contribution in the properties of the sensorial quality of the grape juices most appreciated by consumers. This study identified the volatile compounds in different must cultivars of Vitis labrusca grapes. The volatile composition was evaluated by the solid...
Harnessing cultivar performance and stability for deploying superior groundnut plant types in the Lake Albert Crescent Zone of Uganda
May 2018
Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are the second most important legume crops after beans, an important source of protein (23 to 25%), fats/oils (40 to 52%) and carbohydrates (10 to 20 %) and widely grown and consumed in Uganda including the Lake Albert Crescent Zone (LACZ). Due to susceptibility of local varieties to groundnut rosette, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) through the National Semi Arid...
In vitro regeneration of Treculia africana Decne. from embryo explants on different nutrients and sucrose conditions
May 2018
The study is essential in reducing germination time of Treculia africana var. inversa. The effect of three different concentrations of sucrose namely 2, 3 and 4% were investigated on the in vitro regeneration of embryo explants of T. africana Decne. on the media of Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Gamborg et al. (B5) respectively without any growth regulator. The experimental design was a 2 × 5 factorial in a...
Maize response to doubled-up legumes, compost manure and inorganic fertiliser on smallholder farms in Ntcheu district of Malawi
May 2018
A study was carried out in 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 growing seasons in Kandeu and Manjawira Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) in Ntcheu district, Central Malawi, to determine maize response to crop residue incorporation from legume cropping systems and compost manure. In 2011/2012 growing season, maize with or without compost manure, sole and intercropped legumes (pigeon pea, groundnut, soyabean and cowpea) were...
Comparative microscopic observations of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi after colonization of five Tunisian olive cultivars
May 2018
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMFs) are known as a symbiotic microorganism which ameliorates growth and tolerance against stressful conditions of their host plants. It is characterized by morphological, physiological and biochemical events that are controlled by the interaction of both plants and fungus. The aim of this research was to evaluate the intensity (M%) and the Arbuscules abundance (A%) of mycorrhizal...
Use of organic alternatives in the production system of habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) under greenhouse conditions
May 2018
Cultivation of pepper has become the fastest growing practice in recent years, and specifically, habanero pepper which has surpassed its traditional area of ​​cultivation, and has expanded to other areas, conquering the markets of the rest of the country and the world. In the present study, 3 doses of solarized manure (40, 60 and 80 t ha-¹) and an absolute control were evaluated for the production of habanero...
Effects of biochar and gypsum soil amendments on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) dry matter yield and selected soil properties under water stress
May 2018
The effects of amending soil with gypsum and biochar on groundnut chlorophyll concentration, water use efficiency (WUE), biomass yield and selected soil properties were investigated under water stress. Gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) was applied at 0 and 200 kg/ha, groundnut shell biochar at 1, 2 and 4% w/w of soil, and water at 100, 70 and 40% of daily plant water requirement (PWR) as main, sub and sub-sub plots, respectively, in...
Determinants of mobile phones usage in sweet potato vine business in Gulu district northern Uganda
May 2018
Seed systems that provide farmers with planting materials may be divided into formal and informal systems. For the sweet potato sector, the informal seed system is the main provider of planting materials to small and medium sized farmers in developing countries. This informal system provides planting materials to smallholder farmers at the right time, place and quantity. However, for it to be effective there must be an...
Use of biochar for increased crop yields and reduced climate change impacts from agricultural ecosystems: “Chinese farmers’ perception and adoption strategyâ€
May 2018
Biochar is a carbon-rich product from pyrolysis of biomass at relatively low temperatures in a closed system with limited oxygen. The product has been shown to have economic and environmental benefits, ranging from improved soil moisture retention for carbon sequestration, reduced pollution and dependence on inorganic fertilizers. Additionally, biochar can be produced on-farm by small scale farmers using locally made...
Defense response by inter-active bio-protector and chitosan to Sclerotium rolfsii Wilt disease on cowpea, Brazilian Oxisol
May 2018
Pathogenic microorganisms increase enzyme production and plant response, causing injuries and even plant death. Chitosan has shown potential to induce reactions in plant pathogens. An “in vitro” assay determines the action of chitosan and evaluates the optimal concentration to act against (Sclerotium rolfsii). The anti-microbial activity of chitosan and the bio-protector produced by the inter-active bacteria...
Major biotic maize production stresses in Ethiopia and their management through host resistance
May 2018
Biotic stresses are recently evolving very rapidly and posing significant yield losses of maize production in Ethiopia. A number of high yielding maize hybrids, initially developed as tolerant/resistant, have been taken out of production due to their susceptibility to major maize diseases. Furthermore, recent disease and insect pest epidemics have clearly shown the importance of breeding maize for biotic stresses and...
Rainfed rice response to fertilizer in the Sudan Savanna of West Africa
May 2018
In West Africa, rice (Oryza sativa L. and Oryza glaberrimaI Steud) production is not meeting current demand. Low yields are attributed to diverse biotic and abiotic constraints including nutrient deficiencies, inadequate agronomic practices, and socio-economic constraints. This study quantified yield and profit responses of rainfed rice produced in the Sudan Savanna of Burkina Faso and Mali to fertilizer N, P, K, and...
Cowpea nutrient responses for Malawi and Tanzania
May 2018
Research was conducted in Malawi and Tanzania to determine cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) grain yield responses to applied P and K, the agronomic and economic efficiency of nutrient application, and the importance of other nutrient deficiencies. Nine site-years of research were conducted. Cowpea did not respond to fertilizer P and K in Malawi. In Tanzania, the yield response to applied P was linear with 21 kg of...
Correlation of climatic factors between the development of tomato cultivars (Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanaceae) with adults of two key pests
May 2018
The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanaceae) is a crop has suffered from insect attacks and environmental factors. The objective of this work was to evaluate the correlations of climatic factors and two key pests at the development of cultivars. The study was conducted in Alagoas, Northeastern Brazil, monitored from September 2016 to August 2017. The experimental randomized with five treatments and twelve...
Nutritional and fermentative quality of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) top ensiled with or without urea and molasses
May 2018
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of urea and molasses addition on physical properties, pH, temperature, dry matter loss and chemical composition of sugarcane top (SCT) silage. Treatments were arranged as 2*4 factorial, with two SCT types (green and burnt) and four silage treatment types (without additive, 4% molasses, 1% urea and 1% urea + 4% molasses) in a completely randomized design. Forages were...
Doses of cattle manure and levels of irrigation with wastewater in the cultivation of peppers
May 2018
In areas with water scarcity, recycled water and cow manure in organic substrate makes the cultivation of peppers possible, supplying water and nutrition to pepper. The present research was conducted to evaluate the effect of cattle manure doses and levels of irrigation using wastewater on pepper cultivation (Capsicum frutescens L.). The treatments include: three replacement levels of wastewater treated, based on the...
On-farm irrigated maize production in the Somali Gu season
May 2018
Domestic production satisfies less than half of Somalia’s cereal requirements. In this study, the Somali Agriculture Technical Group (SATG) evaluated different methods of nitrogen application (Broadcast, Hill, or Row) within an improved irrigated maize production system in Somalia’s Lower Shebelle riverine region. This improved system consisted of the best management practices (BMPs) recommended by SATG...
Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based genetic diversity in a set of Burkina Faso cowpea germplasm
May 2018
The potential of cowpea to address food security in Burkina Faso in particular is well established as it is a nutritious, cash and cover crop. However, there is limited information on existing germplasm diversity in Burkina Faso. This study was designed to gather some information on the genetic diversity in a set of cowpea lines introduced from different breeding programs. The diversity was therefore assessed using 181...
Nutritional quality of tomatoes as a function of nitrogen sources and doses
May 2018
Vegetable consumers are increasingly demanding high quality products. Among factors that can influence the nutritional quality of tomato fruits, mineral nutrition stands out. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen sources and doses on the nutritional quality of tomato fruits. The experiment was carried out in pots in an experimental area at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa -...
Productivity of Irish potato varieties under increasing nitrogen fertilizer application rates in Eastern Rwanda
May 2018
Irish potatoes are an important crop only promoted in cool and high moist conditions of Rwanda. This study explored the productivity of Irish potatoes varieties under increasing nitrogen fertilizer applications in drier agro-climatic conditions of the eastern Rwanda. Potato seeds mass-selected from locally-grown varieties in the region surrounding Kibungo town (-2.160897°, 30.543591°) were planted under rain-fed...
Productivity of radish fertilized with different doses of bovine manure
May 2018
The application of organic matter to the soil has considerable benefits for agricultural land, including an improvement in the physical structure and fertility of the soil, which can often be extended from one crop to another. Animal manure is one of the most widely-used types of organic fertilizer, due in part to its availability. The present study investigated the productivity of radish exposed to different doses of...
Evaluation of cassava hybrids performance obtained by controlled pollination of elite accessions from Niari landscape in the Republic of Congo
May 2018
Cassava is the main crop in the Congo but its low yield doesn’t meet the needs of Congolese populations. The low yield is due to the use of less effective sensitive varieties to diseases, non-mastering of techniques and biotic constraint of which the African cassava mosaic. This study aims at selecting resistant genotypes to the African cassava mosaic and assessing their agronomic and production performances. Six...
Evaluation of some Musa accessions in field collection at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
May 2018
The study was conducted to characterize and evaluate the agronomic potentials of eight Musa accessions in Ebonyi State University Musa field genebank. Qualitative descriptors were used to characterize the genotypes, while eight growth and yield traits were evaluated. Results indicated that the accessions were similar in thirteen characteristics, but differed in nine traits including pseudostem/foliage pigmentation,...
Agro morphological characterization of taro (Colocasia esculenta) and yautia (Xanthosoma mafaffa) in Togo, West Africa
May 2018
Taro and yautia are two edible aroids grown in the humid tropics of Asia, Africa and Latin America and used as staple food crops by millions of people in developing countries. They are mainly propagated vegetatively. Selection and improvement of these crops require characterization using desirable morphological traits for various end-uses. An agro morphological characterization study was conducted at the experimental...
Performance of bread wheat genotypes under different environment in lowland irrigated areas of Afar Region, Ethiopia
April 2018
Wheat is an important staple food for Ethiopian people, and its straw has been used as sources of feed for animals. Nine wheat genotypes introduced from International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) were evaluated at Werer Agricultural Research Center from 2010/2011 to 2013/2014, at Gewane from 2011/2012 to 2012/2013 and at Waidulale in 2013/2014 cropping seasons using randomized complete...
Single-line automated sorter using mechatronics and machine vision system for Philippine table eggs
April 2018
An automated single-line table egg sorting machine that integrates machine vision and mechatronics principles was developed in this study. The machine was fabricated using low cost and locally available materials. The developed machine was composed of the feeding unit, computing unit and the sorting unit. The conveyor was powered by a 12V DC geared motor, and the sorting arm was actuated by a DC servo motor which...
The permanence in the plantation after harvest damages physical characteristics of Conilon coffee grains
April 2018
The permanence of harvested fruits in the plantation can cause irreversible damage to Conilon coffee quality, possibly increasing the overall number of defects, causing losses to crop yield and changing the organoleptic properties of the product. The objective of this study was to quantify the changes caused by permanence time of the Conilon coffee in the plantation after harvest over the mass and classification of the...
Response of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria in degraded soils
April 2018
The effects of plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) on the growth, plant nutrient content and crop yield of groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) cv. Golden were investigated under rainfed conditions in degraded lands within 2011 and 2014. The experiment was planned with a randomized complete block design having three replication. The two PGPR treatments alone or in combination with FYM were tested and compared with...
Uncertainty, risk aversion, and management strategies – A case of cocoa farmers in Osun State Nigeria
April 2018
Risk is a major issue that affects so many aspects of people’s livelihoods in the developing world. It is imminent in all management decisions of agricultural systems, as a result of fluctuations in price, yield and resource uncertainty. Hence, uncertainty, risk aversion and management strategies were investigated among the cocoa farmers in Osun State, Nigeria. Primary data employed in the study were obtained from...
Genotype by environment interaction (GxE) as a measure of yield stability of Dutch potato varieties in Uganda
April 2018
Twenty one (21) Dutch potato varieties were introduced in Uganda during 2015-2016 seasons for national yield performance and adaptability studies so that most stable varieties could be identified for production. The effect of genotype (G), environment (E) and their interaction (G x E) on tuber yield was assessed to establish variety adaptation in different agro ecologies. Five sites were used in the study that...
Integrated crop management (ICM) for increasing rice production in Barind area
April 2018
An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, University of Rajshahi during the period from June, 2015 to December 2015 to study the effect of Integrated Crop Management (ICM) practice for increasing rice production in Barind area, Bangladesh. The experiment consisted of two factors that is, two variety which is BRRI dhan56 and BRRI dhan57, and five management practices like control, only weed...
Saflufenacil and indaziflam herbicide effects on agricultural crops and microorganisms
April 2018
The herbicides saflufenacil and indaziflam have recently been registered in Brazil for weed control in sugarcane crops; however, little information exists regarding their residual effects or influences on soil microorganisms. Therefore, the present study aimed: (a) to determine the effects of saflufenacil and indaziflam on soil microorganisms and (b) to evaluate the residual and dose effects of these herbicides on...
Effect of calcium chloride dipping treatment on quality of Ziziphus spina-christi L. fruits during cold storage
April 2018
Zizyphus spina-christi L. is one of the wide varieties of plant grown in Al-Ahsa Oasis in Saudi Arabia and known locally as Alnabaq (buckthorn). The objective of this investigation was to study the effects of postharvest calcium chloride applications on fruit quality of buckthorn under cold storage condition at 2°C and 90% RH for 5 weeks.¬¬ Fruits were dipped in calcium chloride at different concentrations...
Effects of market price, cultivating area and price regulation on cotton production in China
April 2018
This study examines the quantitative effects of market price in cotton producing areas of China. It also analyzes the qualitative effects of price regulation on cotton production. Secondary time series data were collected from National Bureau of Statistics in China, between 1990 and 2013. Calculation of the growth rate of cotton in production was done using linear trend model and multi-regression model to analyze the...
Prospection and production of Solanaceae species resistant to the root knot nematode
April 2018
Plant species of Solanaceae family are affected by numerous pathogens worldwide. Among them is the root-knot nematode which hinders the establishment of crops in the field, reducing their production capacity. This work aims to select Solanaceae species tolerant or resistant to root-knot nematode under the climatic conditions of Fortaleza, Ceará. Two experiments were performed. For both, the followings were...
Genotypic variability in some sun flower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids evaluated in Khordunia under rainfed conditions
April 2018
Twenty locally generated hybrids of Sun flower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids were evaluated in two seasons (2012 and 2013) for yield and yield components at Khordunia area, Blue Nile State under rain fed conditions. A randomized complete block design with six replications was used for laying out the field experiments. The seeds were sown in the second and third week of July in the first and second seasons, respectively...
Towards being equal to them: Impact of organic certified production systems on women empowerment in agriculture
April 2018
The objective of the study was to determine the degree of women empowerment in agriculture as well as examine the effect of organic certification and other socio-economic and cultural factors on women empowerment in agriculture in Kenya. This objective was achieved using data from peri-urban vegetable and rural honey producing households. It followed the innovative multidimensional measurement of women empowerment in...
Thermal comfort analysis of agricultural machinery operators with thermography
April 2018
Heat stress appears as a strong candidate for physical wear and tear, leading to lower yields and high risks of accidents due to lack of attention. In this context, this work aims to study the possible influence of the internal temperature of metal roof tractor, skin temperature of face operator, relating it to possible physiological responses connected with environmental variables such as relative humidity air and wind...
Nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers in elephant-grass for energy use
April 2018
Nitrogen is the mineral element that plants most require. Its deficiency quickly inhibits plant growth. Excessive nitrogen fertilization raises the cost of biomass production. Therefore, there is a need to find the appropriate dose of nitrogen fertilizer that provides greater efficiency in dry matter production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers on the chemical...
Nutrient absorption march and accumulation of nutrients in developing Roxo de Valinhos fig (Ficus carica L.) tree, cultivated under different water regimes
April 2018
The nutrient absorption march in fig (Ficus carica L.) trees and other fruit trees has been studied only at the seedling stage, and little is known about nutrient accumulation in perennial plants when the entire life cycle of the plant is considered. To this end, the present study aimed to evaluate nutrient accumulation in the Roxo de Valinhos fig tree, cultivated with and without supplemental irrigation. The split-plot...
Seed health tests of traditional leafy vegetables and pathogenicity in plants
April 2018
Traditional leafy vegetables play a significant role in the daily diets of many people in Zimbabwe. They are produced by smallholder farmers with limited knowledge on the agronomic value of high-quality seed, on seed storage, and on plant- and seed-borne pathogens. The quality of the seed is rarely tested for seed-borne pathogens posing risks of pathogen build-up. This study was conducted in order to determine the...
Quality of Soil in the function of biological fertilization and plant covering
April 2018
The yield of soybean was influenced by the chemical and microbiological properties of the soil, which was favored by management techniques that promote improvement in soil quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate soybean yield, chemical and microbiological quality of the soil as a function of biological fertilization and soil cover conditions. The experiment was conducted in both crops seasons 2015/16 and...
A survey of the insect pests and farmers’ practices in the cropping of yellow pepper Capsicum annuum Linnaeus in Enugu State of Eastern Nigeria
April 2018
Yellow pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is the second market gardening crop after tomato, and subsequently, a major source of income to farmers in Nigeria. Pests and diseases reduce yields and quality of marketable fruits. A study was conducted in Ibagwa-Agu, Lejja, Edem, Alor-Uno and Eha-Alumona agro-based communities of Nsukka Local Government Area to assess the economic implications of insect infestation and control...
Soybean development under soil water deficit
April 2018
One of the main factors affecting soybean development is water deficiency, especially when it occurs during the flowering and pods filling stages. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the soybean development under soil water deficit in different phenological phases, under soil and climatic conditions of Bom Jesus, Piaui State, Brazil. The test was conducted at São Luiz Farm, located 3 km from Bom Jesus to...
Cropping systems and soil quality and fertility in south-central Uganda
April 2018
Little is known about how cropping systems influence soil quality and fertility in Uganda. Some cropping systems are more valued and as a result are given more nutrients and planted in certain soils, all of which leads to varying soil quality and fertility. This study compared soil quality (soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), electric conductivity (EC), total N, and depth to restrictive layer (DRL)) and fertility...
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