African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6894

Table of Content: December, 2020; 16(12)

December 2020

Effects of two growth hormones and three manure formulas on a variety of papaya (Carica papaya L.) in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Mali

This study was conducted in the orchard of the Rural Polytechnic Institute for Training and Applied Research (IPR / IFRA) in Katibougou to assess the growth and production of solo papaya (Carica papaya L., 2n = 18) in Sudano-Sahelian zone of Mali as well as the effects of the hormone and manuring formulas. A split plot device, comprising 2 factors with 3 levels of variation each, was used. The main factor was  the...

Author(s): SIDIBE Abdoulaye, TRAORE Bakary Mamourou and YAHAYA Tassiou  

December 2020

Estimation of magnitudes of heterosis for grain yield and yield contributing traits of conventional maize (Zea mays L.) single cross hybrids

This study was initiated with the objective of estimating magnitude of heterosis of selected conventional maize inbred lines. Ten elite inbred lines were selected based on over per se performances. The crosses were done in a 10 x 10 half-diallel mating design to produce 45 F1 single crosses hybrids during 2016. The experiment was conducted at Bako National Maize Research Center in 2017 main cropping. The experimental...

Author(s): Zelalem Tafa, Gudeta Nepir and Girum Azmach  

December 2020

Limestone application effects on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) yield and grain iron and zinc concentration on a Ferralsol soil in Uganda

Soil acidification has major ramifications on crop production because low pH soils are less productive. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of limestone application on yield and grain iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentration in newly released high iron and zinc, drought resilient varieties of common bean (NAROBEAN 1 and 3). Using a split-plot in time design, an experiment was set up using three common...

Author(s): Rosemary Bulyaba, Andrew W. Lenssen, Kenneth J. Moore and Onesmus Semalulu  

December 2020

Use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) as an innovation in agriculture

Facing up with the effects of climate change, increasing human population, reduction of natural resources, and degradation of soils the agricultural sector has the challenge of meeting the world's demand for food. In this scenario, the interest of scientific communities for the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in the agricultural sector has increased in recent years. The aim of this article is to provide a...

Author(s): Eduardo Cornejo-Velazquez, Hugo Romero-Trejo, Otilio-Arturo Acevedo-Sandoval, Alfredo Toriz-Palacios, and Mireya Clavel-Maqueda  

December 2020

Managed bees as pollinators and vectors of bio control agent against grey mold disease in strawberry plantations

Pollination by bees and other animals significantly increase both crop yields and quality. Bees also support the transfer of bio-control agents for suppression of crop pests and diseases through bio-vectoring technology that has not been applied in Africa. Two farms were set up to test the ability of managed bees to disseminate Trichoderma harzianum to control Botrytis cinerea, on strawberries. At on-station farm, three...

Author(s): Jane Muthoni Macharia, Mary Wanjiku Gikungu, Rebecca Karanja and Sheila Okoth  

December 2020

Farmers’ preferences towards breeding objective for indigenous chickens in different agro-ecologies of Ethiopia

A study was conducted in different agro-ecologies of Ethiopia with the objective of understanding the farmers’ preferences towards breeding objectives in indigenous chickens. For the interview, 245 households (60 from lowland, 100 from midland and 85 from highland) were randomly selected. Farmers in lowland had significantly (p<0.05) lower chicken populations while comparing with the remaining agro-ecologies....

Author(s): Berhanu Bekele, Aberra Melesse, Sandip Banerjee, Wondmeneh Esatu and Tadelle Dessie  

December 2020

Effect of ploughing and weeding frequencies on growth, yield and yield components of Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] in Mirab Abaya Area, Southern Ethiopia

Inappropriate ploughing and weed control practices are among the major limiting factors for teff productivity in Ethiopia. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of ploughing and weeding frequencies on growth and yield of teff varieties in Mirab Abaya district of southern Ethiopia during short cropping season of 2019. The treatments as combinations of three levels of ploughing (ploughing six times, four...

Author(s): Zewditu Dawit, Berhanu Lemma Robe and Amare Girma  

December 2020

Effects of impurity on the efficiency of a legume threshing machine

A motorized legume thresher was redesigned to utilize coefficient of friction to separate grains from impurities, the thresher performance was evaluated and best combination of parameters for highest separation efficiency determined. The study was carried out using a randomized design of three batch weights (BW): 100, 150 and 200 g, four surfaces (S) mild steel, plywood, rubber carpet and rug at an angle of inclination...

Author(s): Aluko O. B., Sanni L. A., Akingbade T. O. and Ogundahunsi Oluwafemi  

December 2020

Effects of genotypes and sowing time on phenology and yield performance traits of tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] in low moisture stress environments

Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is among the most important cereals in Ethiopia in terms of both acreage and production. However, its productivity is relatively low as compared to other cereals mainly due to drought and climate variability coupled with lack of drought tolerant varieties. A field experiment was conducted with the objectives of assessing the effects of genotypes and sowing dates on the growth and...

Author(s): Mengistu Demissie, Kebebew Assefa and Dechassa Hirpa  

December 2020

Foliar and time of application of silicon and the effect on rice yield components, productivity and seed quality

The application of silicon (Si) has been beneficial to several cultures, mainly those considered Si accumulators, such as rice. Thus, in most cases Si is supplied via soil. However, it has been found that foliar application and small amounts of the element can be a viable alternative for its supply to plants. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the foliar application times of different silicon sources on...

Author(s): Jucilayne Fernandes Vieira, Michele Nadal, Lilian V. M. Tunes, Gabriel Duarte, Ewerton Gewehr, Otávio Oliveira Corrêa, Acácio Figueiredo Neto and Marylia de Sousa Costa  

December 2020

Release of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Variety “Bishoftu”

Even if there are released Fenugreek varieties in Ethiopia, there is no variety specifically for color quality purpose. This study was conducted based on the objective of evaluation of different colored Fenugreek germplasm for yield and market preference in Ethiopia. Evaluation and preliminary variety trial were conducted at Debrezeit, Chefe donsa and Akaki locations. While national variety trial was conducted at...

Author(s): Dejene Bekele, Tewodros Lulseged, Dese Yadeta, Habtewold Kifelew, Abukiya Getu, Demis F. and Asmamaw B.  

December 2020

Phenological and grain yield response of hybrid maize varieties, released for differing agro-ecologies, to growing temperatures and planting dates in Ethiopia

Growing temperatures and planting dates affect phenology and grain yields of maize varieties and farmers have to choose suitable varieties that fit into different planting dates and growing temperatures. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the response of different hybrid maize varieties to different growing temperatures through growing the varieties at different locations varying in altitudes (low land, mid...

Author(s): Tesfaye Balemi, Mesfin Kebede, Begizew Golla, Tocha Tufa, Girma Chala and Tolera Abera  

December 2020

Effect of methyl jasmonate on Acacia senegal (Hashab trees) production and characteristics of gum

The study aimed to investigate the effect of the application of different concentrations of Methyl Jasmonate (JA-Me) on yield and quality of gum in Hashab (Acacia senegal) trees. Moreover, also studied the anatomy of the treated trees, and characteristics of gums produced. The study was carried out in two locations, Gedarif State (high rainfall area-clay soil) and North Kordofan State (low rainfall area- sand soil) in...

Author(s): Sayeda A. A. Khalil and Sayadat M. Eltigani  

December 2020

Correlation between Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) fungi and plant growth of two cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) clones under Bentex ‘T’(Benomyl+Thiram) soil treatments

Growth response of two clones of Manihot esculenta Crantz (Cassava), TMS 30555 and TMS 30572 to Bentex T soil treatment was studied. Mycorrhizal root colonization in relation to growth parameters such as stomata size, plant water content, plant foliation, as well as height and stem circumference was examined. Bentex T, a fungicide which could be used to limit the growth of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi was added to...

Author(s): Ifeanyi Mirian Oyem and Philippine Chigozie Okubor  

December 2020

Effects of DEM resolution on the RUSLE-LS factor and its implications on soil and water management policies through the land cover seasonality

This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of spatial resolution in modeling water erosion by the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). In this study, three specific objectives were defined: Evaluation of the effect of the geographic information source on water erosion, seasonal effects on the potential production of sediments, as well as public policies concerning the different scenarios. The topographic...

Author(s): Matheus Fonseca Durães, Angelo Evaristo Sirtoli and Jean Sartori dos Santos  

December 2020

Genetic diversity of elite wheat mutant lines using morphological characters and molecular markers

Genetic diversity is the material basis for crop improvement. The genetic diversity of 17 wheat genotypes was evaluated using 25 agro-morphological characters and 10 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic diversity of elite stem rust resistant mutant lines in comparison with their adaptable but susceptible parent varieties using morphological traits and molecular...

Author(s): Philip K. Chemwok, Mirriam G. Kinyua, Oliver K. Kiplagat and Amos K. Ego