African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6832

Table of Content: 24 May, 2018; 13(21)

May 2018

Major biotic maize production stresses in Ethiopia and their management through host resistance

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...

Author(s): T. Keno, G. Azmach, D. Wegary, M. Worku, B. Tadesse, L. Wolde, T. Deressa, B. Abebe, T. Chibsa and L. M. Suresh  

May 2018

Defense response by inter-active bio-protector and chitosan to Sclerotium rolfsii Wilt disease on cowpea, Brazilian Oxisol

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...

Author(s): Mayane B. de Souza, Newton P. Stamford, Silva E. V Nova, Lucia R. R. Berger, Santos Carolina E. Rosalia e Silva , Antonio F. Costa and André P. F. Ferraz

May 2018

Use of biochar for increased crop yields and reduced climate change impacts from agricultural ecosystems: “Chinese farmers’ perception and adoption strategy”

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...

Author(s): Grace Wanjiru Kibue

May 2018

Determinants of mobile phones usage in sweet potato vine business in Gulu district northern Uganda

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...

Author(s): Ronald Obong, Basil Mugonola and David Paul Phillips  

May 2018

Effects of biochar and gypsum soil amendments on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) dry matter yield and selected soil properties under water stress

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...

Author(s): Munsanda Ngulube, Alice Mutiti Mweetwa, Elijah Phiri, Samuel Christopher Muriu Njoroge, Hendrix Chalwe, Victor Shitumbanuma and Rick Lynn Brandenburg

May 2018

Use of organic alternatives in the production system of habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) under greenhouse conditions

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...

Author(s): Pedro Vázquez Vázquez and Merle C. Navarro Cortez

May 2018

Comparative microscopic observations of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi after colonization of five Tunisian olive cultivars

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...

Author(s): Naouraz M’barki, Meriem Tekaya, Hechmi Chehab, Feten Aissaoui, Hanen Sfina, Zoubaier Mahjoub, Faouzi Attia, Dalenda Boujnah and Beligh Mechri,

May 2018

Maize response to doubled-up legumes, compost manure and inorganic fertiliser on smallholder farms in Ntcheu district of Malawi

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...

Author(s): Joseph Blackwell Kalasa, Wezi Grace Mhango, George Yobe Kanyama-Phiri and Max Williams Lowole