Understanding the effects of COVID-19 on food security in Ghana
April 2021
The relationship between hunger and poverty has become clear with the outbreak of the coronavirus. Restricted people movement and border closures used to control the spread of the virus have implications for food security. Governments are challenged with allocating their scarce resources to cover additional healthcare costs and social protection expenditures which did not exist before. The Food and Agriculture...
Effect of powder and extract of Ritchiea reflexa (Thonn.) Gilg et Benedict and Ctenium elegans Kunth on Amitermes evuncifer Blattodea, Termitinae
April 2021
Termites play key roles in the ecosystems functioning, especially in the recycling of organic matter. However, few are considered pests because they cause damages to crops and wooden structures. Long based on the use of synthetic pesticides, the control of pestiferous termites is now focused on environmental friendly means including the use of plant extracts. Here, powder, acetonic and ethanolic extracts of Ctenium...
Nitrogen fertilization on soybean crop over straw of forage sorghum intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis
April 2021
The experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of N on the agronomic characteristics of soybean crop under no-tillage system over forage sorghum intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis and on straw degradation. Four treatments (nitrogen doses) were used: 0; 20; 40 and 60 kg of N ha-1. N were applied at V3-V4 stage, using ammonium nitrate as the N source, containing 30% N. The experimental design was a...
Physiological, developmental and growth responses to desiccation induced stress in four seed coat colour varieties of Vigna unguiculata (L. Walp).
April 2021
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is a widely grown leguminous crop in Ghana. This study was conducted using four varieties of cowpea based on the colour of the seed coat namely; red, brown, black and cream cowpea varieties, and were subjected to three different watering regimes, namely: Normal, moderate and severe water stress regimes. These different watering regimes were used as potential screening criteria to...
Nutrients balance approach with emphasis on base cations and ratios concepts as a decisions-support tool in optimizing fertilizers use
April 2021
Thirty-six soil samples collected from 24 sites were used to investigate the relationships between cation-ratio concepts and sufficiency level approaches in plant nutrition. Based on threshold values, about 25.0% of the soils had calcium:magnesium (Ca:Mg)-ratio fallen outside developed favorable range, despite the sufficient levels of individual elements in soils, violating the base cation ratio concept. Similarly,...
Wage labor in rice cultivation areas near Lake Victoria in Western Kenya
April 2021
Rice is now the most rapidly growing food commodity in sub-Saharan Africa. This growth is mainly driven by urbanization. There is substantial research on the wage labor dynamics in rice production in Asia, but in Africa, there is limited analysis of the labor used in rice cultivation-the attributes, numbers, and costs which make it difficult to understand the actual market, such as how products are procured. This study...
Diversity and distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in maize (Zea mays) cropping fields in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
April 2021
Arbuscular Mycorhizal Fungi (AMF) occur naturally in agroecosystems and interact symbiotically with crops, facilitating nutrition. This study aimed at assessing the occurrence, abundance and diversity of AMF communities in the maize cropping system and their relation to soils properties in two agroecological zones in South Kivu, eastern DR Congo. Soil samples were collected from eight sites, with 4 sites in highland at...
Seed germination and morphological characterization of traditional leafy vegetables
April 2021
Traditional leafy vegetables provide affordable sources of micronutrients to many people in Zimbabwe. They are produced by smallholder farmers with limited knowledge on the agronomic value of high-quality seed and the seed is rarely tested to determine its quality. This study was therefore conducted to evaluate the germination of seeds of three traditional leafy vegetables sourced from five different farmers and the...
Evaluation of phenotypic and biochemical responses of Pteris vittata during growth in arsenic contaminated soil and its effect on selected soil enzymes activity
April 2021
Experiments were conducted with arsenic-hyperaccumulator, Pteris vittata, and non-hyperaccumulator, Pteris ensiformis, subjected to various arsenic toxicity levels (0 to 1500 mg As kg-1) in peat-moss or soil for up to 14 weeks, to evaluate phenotypic responses and total lipid with fatty acid profiles, and P. vittata influence on rhizosphere enzyme activities. P. ensiformis exhibited significant phenotypic toxicity...
Demographic profiling and characterization of cattle and cattle farmers in Botswana
April 2021
Most published data on Botswana’s cattle population neither represent demographics of cattle and cattle ownership nor capture political and gender factors that affect cattle farming. Decline in cattle population has largely been attributed to unthrifty climatic conditions of the predominantly semi-arid desert terrain of the nation. This demographic and characterization study estimated cattle population, its spread...
A comparative analysis of agrochemical use among agroforestry and non-agroforestry practicing farmers in South west Cameroon: The examples of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides
April 2021
The abusive use of toxic agricultural chemicals (insecticides, fungicides and herbicides in particular) by farmers has attracted a lot of attention from environmentalists, scientists and policy makers. The use of these toxic agricultural chemicals not only contributes to environmental deterioration but equally poses major health risks to farmers and the general public. It is therefore incumbent on policy makers to...
Effect of planting density on yield and yield components of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) at two agro-ecologies of Ethiopia
April 2021
Use of optimum plant spacing (planting density) is one of the important agronomic practices to maximize the productivity of lettuce. A field experiment was conducted to assess the responses of two lettuce varieties to different plant spacing at Debrezeit and Holeta Agricultural Research Centers representing two different agro-ecologies in Ethiopia. Nine treatment combinations of three levels of inter-row and three...
Mixtures design of Agave angustifolia Haw (Asparagales: Agavaceae) residue as a growth medium for tomato seedlings
April 2021
Tomato production under greenhouse conditions needs vigorous seedlings to reduce the loss of plants after the transplant. Different local substrates such as agave bagasse, pine bark and coconut fiber complemented with peat, expanded clay, vermiculite and pure peat for tomato seedlings production were tested. The seed germination, root ball compaction, height of the seedling, stem diameter, and total dry weight were...
Comparative study of the effects of Herbal and chemical Coagulants in the clarification of raw water
April 2021
The use of aluminum sulphate in clarifying raw waters raises many concerns about its impact on human health. Thus, the present study was initiated to compare the effects of Moringa oleifera and aluminum sulphate besides evaluating the association between M. oleifera or aluminum sulphate with Opuntia ficus-indica or syntofloc for water treatment. The essays were carried in Jar Test using waters of 352.80 Nephelometric...
Contribution of soil macro-fauna to soil fertility improvement in cocoa-based (Theobroma cacao) agroforestry systems in the Littoral Region of Cameroon: Examining cocoa farmers’ indigenous knowledge
April 2021
Soil macro-fauna play an important role in soil fertility improvement in different agricultural systems. However, limited research has been done to assess the role played by soil macro-fauna to soil fertility enhancement in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. This study was therefore initiated to fill this knowledge void. A mixed research approach was used during data collection, and data analysis was done using...
Soybean quality preferences by the Beninese small-scale soy food processors using conjoint analysis
April 2021
Soybean is a food crop with a growing interest in Benin. This study aims to provide insight about the main quality characteristics of the grain preferred by small-scale soy processors and the main socio-economic factors which drive their preferences. 116 small-scale processors related to three main soy food products - “Soy Amon” (soy cheese), “Soy Afitin” (soya fermented condiment) and...
Fish, Tilapia, and Shigellosis: A review
April 2021
Foodborne diseases are considered a relevant issue in health around the world due to their incidence, mortality and negative effects on the economic and productive sector. Fish is considered a food of high nutritional quality, being of global production, distribution and commercialization mainly for human consumption. Among the fish worldwide obtained from capture fisheries and mainly aquaculture for human consumption...
Effects of soil amendments and weeding regimes on growth and yield potential of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under different water sources in the Guinea Savanna
March 2021
Enhancing soil fertility and reducing the devastative effect of weed competition in rice is increasingly important and critical for ensuring a sustainable increase in rice production and secure food supply. Field experiment was conducted at Bontanga in the Northern Region of Ghana to investigate the effect of soil amendments and weeding regimes on growth and yield of rice under different moisture sources. The experiment...
Effect of seed priming on seedling emergence and growth of bitter kola (Garcinia kola) in Owerri, Nigeria
March 2021
The potted experiment was conducted in the early planting season of 2018, at the Teaching and Research Farm of Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria to ascertain the effects of seed priming using water, coconut water and moringa leaf extract on the seedling emergence and growth of bitter kola. Completely Randomized Design was used with four treatments and three replicates. The treatments were thus; soaking of bitter...
Assessment of Organic Fertilizer usage by vegetable farmers in Ondo State South West, Nigeria
March 2021
The study analysed the assessment of organic fertilizer usage by vegetable farmers in Ondo State South West, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from one hundred randomly selected vegetable farmers through a multistage sampling procedure in the study area. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis and probit regression analysis. Findings of the study revealed that larger percentage (77.0%) of...
Feed intake, digestibility and growth performance of Begait sheep kept under different feeding options
March 2021
Thirty intact growing lambs were used to evaluate feed intake, digestibility and growth performance of Begait sheep breed kept under different feeding options. Animals were used in randomized completely block design with three dietary treatments in ten replicates. Treatments were grass hay fed ad libitum to all treatments plus a mixed diet of 48% wheat bran, 15% molasses, 35% cotton seed cake, 1% salt and 1% limestone...
Effects of agrochemical application on the diversity and abundance of soil macro-fauna in cocoa-based (Theobroma cacao) agroforestry systems in Cameroon
March 2021
Cocoa farmers’ excessive use of agrochemicals in cocoa agroforests has major repercussions on soil organisms, which play a great role in soil fertility enhancement. This study was carried out to examine the relationship between agrochemical use and soil macro-fauna diversity and abundance in cocoa agroforests in Cameroon. A mixed research approach was used, and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential...
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) pod and haulm production in the tropical legume project States, Nigeria
March 2021
The production of groundnut pod and haulm is one way of addressing the challenge of scarcity of livestock feed as well as improving the incomes of small-scale farmers. This study examines the revenue associated with groundnut pod and haulm production, using data obtained from 253 participating farmers. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that average haulm yield ranged from...
Small scale farmers’ perception of institutions and information channels on climate change and adaptation, Embu County, Kenya
March 2021
This study assessed the small scale farmers’ perception of institutions and information channels on climate change and adaptation in Embu County, Kenya. A survey was conducted on 411 households and 25 key informants on their perception of institutions and information channels towards climate change and adaptation where stratified random and purposive sampling was done respectively. The data were subjected to...
Water resources and food security in Algeria: Diagnosis and new strategy proposition
March 2021
Algeria as an important North African and Mediterranean country with remarkable bioclimatic, edaphic, and political characteristics is under many sorts of negative stress affecting considerably alimentary dependence. Today, Algerian agriculture presents a worrying record. Several warning signs show that the sector is only surviving thanks to massive imports of milk, grains, seeds and chemical fertilizers. The current...
Studies on Cleistopholis patens (benth.) [Magnoliales: Annonaceae] powders as fumigant and contact insecticides to Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) [Lepidoptera: Pyralidae]
March 2021
Post-harvest losses of agricultural produce caused by store grain pest most especially cereals and grains to store pest require developing cheap, ecofriendly and readily available insecticide to combat this threat and achieve the goal of food security in developing countries. This study investigated the effects of Cleistopholis patens (leaf and stem bark) on Plodia interpunctella infestation in stored maize grains....
Metribuzin and 2,4-D as potential herbicides for weed management in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench]
March 2021
Grain sorghum demand for industrial and domestic uses has triggered increased production of sorghum. Field experiment was conducted at Egerton University Njoro, Kenya to determine the most effective herbicide(s) for weed management in sorghum. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with nine treatments replicated three times. The treatments consisted of four pre-emergence herbicides...
Growth performance, carcass characteristics and cost benefit of feeding broilers with diets containing high quality cassava peel (HQCP)
March 2021
A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing varying levels of high-quality cassava peel (HQCP) fine mash on broilers’ performance, carcass characteristics, and cost benefit. A feeding trial was carried out using four hundred (400) 21-day old Arbor Acres broiler chicks weighing 570 – 630 g (live weight). The chicks were randomly allocated to five...
Effect of climate variation on the yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
March 2021
This research was conducted to study the effects of climate variables such as rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity on cowpea yield, and evaluated in Gombe State, Nigeria, during the period of 2009 to 2018 (one decade). The ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study, utilizing secondary data obtained from meteorological and agronomic data collected from the Metrological Office and agronomic data from...
Exploring on-farm additive common bean yield potential to organic and mineral fertilizers on contrasting soils of Buganda Catena, Central Uganda
March 2021
Mineral and organic fertilizers have great potential to enhance crop yields in low fertility soils of the Buganda catena. However, the need for site-specific knowledge on use and yield of the two fertilizer types in a complex soil scape is acute among smallholder farmers exploiting any soil differences. This study evaluated on-farm grain yield response of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to organic and mineral N and...
Evaluation of soils fertility, growth, nutrient uptake and yield traits of peanut under indigenous and effective microorganism fertilizers in sandy ferralitic soils in Douala, Cameroon
March 2021
Soil fertility, growth, nutrient uptake and yield traits of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. var. JL24) were investigated under two organic fertilizers (indigenous microorganisms (IMO) or effective microorganisms (EM) with three replications. Application of IMO or EM fertilizers had significant effects on soils fertility compared to untreated soils. Total nitrogen, organic carbon, total phosphorus, calcium and magnesium led...
Variation in beta carotene and yield in sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) associated with ambient temperature and genotype
March 2021
This study was conducted to determine the relationship between ambient temperature during growing season on tuber β-carotene content and yield of four orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties; Orange Chingovwa, Olympia, Kokota and Zambezi. A split plot experiment design with the environment (main plot) and variety (subplots). The environments were: High-temperature site (HTS) (average temperature of 38.5°C) and...
Agronomic feasibility of using basalt powder as soil nutrient remineralizer
March 2021
Tropical agriculture is highly dependent of soluble fertilizers, what raises the cost of production. An alternative to reduce the costs inputs is the use of low-cost alternative nutrient sources, such as the basic rocks. The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of basalt powder on the soil chemical properties and plant growth. The experiment was arranged in a 2×2×2×3+4 factorial scheme: two soils...
Effect of sodium hydroxide treatment in ginger lily forage (Hedychium gardnerianum, Sheppard ex Ker-Gawl) as forage for animal feeding
February 2021
This study evaluated the effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) on the chemical composition (fibrous structure) and nutritive value of Hedychium gardnerianum (ginger lily), a fibre source traditionally used in ruminant feeding in the Azores. Ginger lily samples were manually harvested and dried in a forced-air oven at 65ºC until constant weight. Treatments were applied by spraying the ginger lily with a NaOH solution at...
Detection and quantification of cow milk adulteration using portable near-infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometrics
February 2021
Milk adulteration is a common phenomenon in many countries, which draws extensive attention from humans due to health hazards that might result in some fatal diseases. In this study, a portable near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer combined with multivariate analysis was used to detect and quantify milk adulteration. Fresh cow milk samples were collected from eight dairy farms in Beijing and Hebei province of China. Water,...
Evaluation of different methods of multiplying sweet potato planting material in coastal lowland Kenya
February 2021
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is a staple food that contributes to food security for communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The production of sweet potato in coastal Kenya is low and this has been associated with shortage of planting material during the rainy season. A study was therefore conducted at the Pwani University farm to assess the production of sweet potato planting material using cuttings planted under...
Maize intercropped between Eucalyptus urophylla in agroforestry systems in Brazil
February 2021
The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of maize intercropping with Eucalyptus urophylla at agroforestry system in two triple row distance (alleys) at different sampling distances and positions in relation to the eucalyptus external row (transect), and three positions in relation to the cardinal points: east side, west side and middle. Eucalyptus (E. urophylla) seedlings were planted...
Yield response and economic benefits of groundnut to phosphorus fertilization and inoculant rates in Northern Ghana
February 2021
Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) is a major source of dietary protein, cultivated for both human and animal consumption. However, in West Africa, the yields are low, renewing the interest to evaluate groundnut response to P fertilizer (P) and rhizobium inoculant (IR) application. A study was conducted on the experimental field of the University for Development Studies, Nyankpala in the Northern region of Ghana to evaluate...
Efficiency of rhizobia selection in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil using biological nitrogen fixation in Phaseolus lunatus
February 2021
The aim of this research was to evaluate the capacity of symbiotic efficiency of native rhizobia from soils of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil in Phaseolus lunatus L. plants. Soil and nodule samples from predominant legume plants such as Desmodium species were collected in seven locations of the state of RS. For the isolation of the rhizobia from the soil samples, lima bean “olho de cabra preto”...
Effect of linear view approach of weed management in agro-ecosystem: A review
February 2021
Weeds are considered a pest that is detrimental to human interest. Weeds compete with cultivated and desirable plants for space, soil nutrient, and sunlight and soil moisture thereby reducing crop productivity. Weeds also serve as a host for pests and pathogens that cause plant diseases. Weeds typically produce large numbers of seeds, assisting their spread, and rapidly invade disturbed sites. Seeds spread into natural...
Impact of water deficit on correlations and changes of some physiological traits of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum
February 2021
Changes in nutrients elements uptake, physiological characteristics, as well as, correlations analysis for these traits to each other are good factors to study the effects of drought on sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv., commercial hybrid) and disclose physiological reaction to several specific levels of stress from water deficit. Water scarcity processing was carried out by irrigating the sweet pepper plants with...
Managing various Musa varieties cultivated in Pissa district in the Central African Republic
February 2021
The diversity of cultivated crops, kernel element of food security, seems today to be threatened by contemporary worldwide, regional and local agricultural mutations. This study shows that there are thirty seven (37) accessions among which one can find Musa paradisiaca (33), Musa sapientum (03) and Musa nana (01). This sharing does not depends on the ethnic diversity because many ethnic groups share among themselves a...
Characterization of sugarcane germplasm collection and its potential utilization for evaluation of quantitative traits
February 2021
This study was designed to determine the accession series with the most outstanding characteristics and the interrelationships among the variables. It also evaluated variability among the principal components and determined sugarcane accessions studied with similar characteristics from forty sugarcane accessions. Twelve quantitative traits were selected for data analysis. Series C accessions exhibited the most desirable...
Response of seven African eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L.) cultivars produced in Benin to salinity stress at seedling stage
February 2021
Salt stress is one of the abiotic factors that cause a depressive effect on plants. This work aims to evaluate the effect of salt stress on growth of young plants of 7 cultivars (Adja-ouere, Côte d’Ivoire, Dangbo, Kpinman, Kombara F1, Lanman and Togan) of African eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon) produced in Benin, locally called Gboma, in order to determine their relative salt-resistance levels. Five NaCl...
Variation in genetic variability and heritability of agronomic traits in Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) genotypes under soil acidity stress evaluated with and without lime in Ethiopia
February 2021
Fifty faba bean is a multipurpose crop used as human food, animal feed, soil fertility restoration and income source for farmers and the country at large. However, the productivity of this crop is low as constrained by biotic and abiotic factors in which soil acidity takes the lions share in the highlands of Ethiopia. In order to estimate genetic variability on grain yield and related traits under soil acidity stress,...
Organic amendments effects on soil dry aggregate stability in Chipata, Zambia
February 2021
Organic amendments have been known to improve soil physical and chemical properties in sub-Saharan Africa. However, research information on how organic amendments affect aggregate stability and the degree of their effects in comparison to others is inadequate in Zambia. The study was carried out to assess the effect of organic amendments on soil dry aggregate stability and organic matter on soils from Chipata, Zambia....
Contribution of soil macro-fauna diversity and abundance to soil fertility enhancement in cocoa-based (Theobroma cacao) agroforestry systems in the Littoral Region of Cameroon: An appraisal of cocoa farmers’ local knowledge
February 2021
Soil macro-fauna diversity and abundance greatly influence soil fertility. However, little has been done to confirm this hypothesis in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. It was in this light that this research work was undertaken in order to fill the knowledge gap. Through the use of a mixed research method for data collection and appropriate data analysis procedures, findings showed that diverse soil macro-fauna were...
Effect of phosphorus fortified compost on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and Lablab (Lablab purpureus L.) intercropped maize in acidic soils of Western Kenya
February 2021
Phosphorus deficiency majorly constrains maize (Zea mays L.) production in acidic soils of western Kenya. This requires high doses of expensive inorganic P fertilizers to correct. Recommended rock phosphates and manures are lowly adopted because of low solubility and P content respectively. A Randomized Complete Block Design experiment was conducted for two seasons to assess effect of a cheaper alternative P source,...
Estimation of general and specific combining ability effect for yield and quality characters in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill. L.)
February 2021
A study was conducted in a 8 × 8 half diallel cross set of tomato excluding reciprocals to estimate the general combining ability and speciï¬c combining ability for marketable fruit yield per plant (kg) and yield components, namely number of fruits per plant, individual fruit weight (g) fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm) and fruit thickness (cm) including some quality traits as TSS, pH and pericarp thickness....
Perception and adoption of new agricultural technologies in a Northern Inland Mozambique
February 2021
The debate on the factors constraining the adoption of agricultural technologies in Southern African countries is still open. This paper assesses the perception and the level of adoption of a set of agricultural technologies by the key actors in a Northern Inland Mozambique. These key actors formed two groups: (1) Technicians, who are the local government officials and are responsible for the adoption of agricultural...
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