Pulses are important sources of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals for human nutrition and are widely cultivated in many countries around the world. Crops belonging to pulse include mainly chickpeas, mung bean, lentils, pigeon peas, and cowpeas. Pulse production and storage are negatively affected by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors, such as insect pests, diseases, parasites, low soil fertility, heat, and drought. Among these, insect pests have the most significant impact on ...

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is an important cash crop in many tropical countries, particularly in West Africa. Heat and drought are both known to affect the physiology of cocoa plants through reduced rates of photosynthesis and transpiration, as well as changed physiological processes such as the functions of photosystems, chlorophyll synthesis, stomatal conductance and expression of heat-shock proteins. This in turn leads to decreased yields and increased risks of mortality under severe heat and ...

Maize is a critical staple cereal across Sub-Saharan Africa but attempts to improve its productivity in small-scale farming systems often prove disappointing. The 12 key technologies required to overcome poor yields are mostly known, but the manner that they are mobilized, packaged, and delivered requires re-evaluation. Combinations of better varieties and their necessary accompanying inputs must become more available and affordable for an African maize revolution to succeed, and land must be ...

Banana (Musa spp.) is an herbaceous, everlasting green monocotyledonous plant belonging to the family Musaceae. It is a major staple crop after rice, maize, wheat, potato and cassava, and it has a high potential to contribute to food and nutrition security. It is an excellent fruit full of micronutrients, especially vitamin A, iron, potassium, and magnesium, and is a source of energy for millions of inhabitants of tropical and subtropical regions. Despite these qualities, banana is still lacking ...

This paper provides an inventory of novel approaches to and mechanisms for quality assurance of the seeds of vegetatively produced crops (VPCs). It explores to what extent seven African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia) are decentralising and integrating VPC seed systems, in terms of regulations governing the sector, methods of seed production, and methods of seed inspection and certification. It consolidates existing data and presents new data on decentralised ...

Information technology is a crucial tool required for the growth of all sectors in any nation. Undoubtedly, its application in libraries contributes significantly to meeting people’s information needs since libraries are essential in providing information services to information seekers. Thus, a well-organized library should have sustained information technology to assist in providing correct and timely services to its patrons. This chapter used current and relevant research findings and papers ...

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is an important crop providing food, income and medicine in tropics and subtropics. Major yam species in West Africa such as D. alata and D. rotundata are subject to several biotic and abiotic stresses throughout the cropping cycle and post-harvest periods, resulting in substantial tuber yield and quality trait losses. Abiotic stresses (heat, drought, low soil fertility, salinity, waterlogging, etc.) are currently exacerbated by the climate change effects. Yet, limited efforts ...