Journal and Journal Articles: Recent submissions

Now showing items 1121-1140 of 5271

    • Enhancing drought tolerance and Striga hermonthica resistance in maize using newly derived inbred lines from the wild maize relative, Zea diploperennis 

      Shaibu, A.S.; Badu-Apraku, B.; Ayo-Vaughan, M.A. (2021)
      Recurrent drought and Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth parasitism constrains maize production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Transfer of resistance genes from wild relatives can improve resistance to drought and Striga in tropical maize. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine the combining ability of 12 extra-early yellow maize inbreds derived from Zea diploperennis and tropical maize germplasm; (ii) classify the inbreds into heterotic groups using heterotic grouping based on the general ...

    • Validation of diagnostic markers for streak virus disease resistance in maize 

      Sime, S.S.; Menkir, A.; Adetimirin, V.O.; Gedil, M.; Kumar, P.L. (2021)
      Maize streak virus (MSV) is responsible for streak disease of maize and poses a serious threat to maize production in sub-Saharan Africa. Polygenic resistance to MSV has become an essential requirement in modern maize cultivars to mitigate yield losses. Many single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers linked to putative MSV resistance loci have been identified for use in forward breeding. This study aimed to validate, using the high-throughput kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) assay, the ...

    • Genetic diversity and population structure of early and extra-early maturing maize germplasm adapted to sub-Saharan Africa 

      Badu-Apraku, B.; Garcia-Oliveira, A.L.; Petroli, C.D.; Hearne, S.; Adewale, S.A.; Gedil, M. (2021)
      Background Assessment and effective utilization of genetic diversity in breeding programs is crucial for sustainable genetic improvement and rapid adaptation to changing breeding objectives. During the past two decades, the commercialization of the early and extra-early maturing cultivars has contributed to rapid expansion of maize into different agro-ecologies of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where maize has become an important component of the agricultural economy and played a vital role in food and ...

    • Agro-ecology, resource endowment and indigenous knowledge interactions modulate soil fertility in mixed farming systems in central and western Ethiopia 

      Agumas, B.; Balume, I.; Musyoki, M.K.; Benz, M.; Nziguheba, G.; Marohn, C.; Vanlauwe, B.; Cardisch, G.; Rasche, F. (2021)
      Site‐specific soil fertility management requires a fundamental understanding of factors that modulate soil fertility variability in the local context. To verify this assumption, this study hypothesized that soil fertility variability across two regions in Central and Western Ethiopia is determined by inter‐related effects of agro‐ecological zones and farmers’ resource endowment (‘wealthy’ versus ‘poor’ farmers). Mid‐infrared spectroscopy coupled to partial least squares regression (midDRIFTS‐PLSR) ...

    • Prevalence of aflatoxin- and fumonisin-producing fungi associated with cereal crops grown in Zimbabwe and their associated risks in a climate change scenario 

      Akello, J.; Ortega-Beltran, A.; Katati, B.; Atehnkeng, J.; Augusto, J.; Mwila, C.M.; Mahuku, G.; Chikoye, D.; Bandyopadhyay, R. (2021)
      In most sub-Saharan African countries, staple cereal grains harbor many fungi and some produce mycotoxins that negatively impact health and trade. Maize and three small grain cereals (sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet) produced by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe during 2016 and 2017 were examined for fungal community structure, and total aflatoxin (AF) and fumonisin (FM) content. A total of 800 maize and 180 small grain samples were collected at harvest and during storage from four ...

    • Plant density and nitrogen responses of maize hybrids in diverse agroecologies of west and central Africa 

      Ajayo, B.; Badu-Apraku, B.; Fakorede, M.; Akinwale, R. (2021)
      Maize (Zea mays L.) production in West and Central Africa is constrained by drought, low soil-N and Striga infestation. Breeders in the region have developed and commercialized extra-early and early-maturing hybrids (E-EH and EH), which combine high yield potentials with tolerance/resistance to the three stresses. Hybrids of both maturity groups are new to the farmers; thus, the urgent need to recommend appropriate agronomic practices for these hybrids. We investigated the responses of four hybrids ...

    • Household welfare impacts of an agricultural innovation platform in Uganda 

      Ahimbisibwe, B.P.; Morton, J.F.; Feleke, S.; Alene, A.; Abdoulaye, T.; Wellard, K.; Mungatana, E.; Bua, A.; Asfaw, S.; Manyong, V. (2020)
      Technical approaches to food production are important to the food security of growing populations in developing countries. However, strategic investments in research and farm‐level adoption require greater coherence in agricultural, societal, and local policies. The Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) and formation of the Cassava Innovation Platform (CIP) in Uganda were designed to stimulate interactions between researchers and farmers, leading to the development of improved cassava varieties ...

    • Correlation of the sensory attributes of thick yam paste (amala) and the functional and pasting properties of the flour as affected by storage periods and packaging materials 

      Awoyale, W.; Oyedele, H.A.; Maziya‐Dixon, B. (2020-10)
      This study aims to evaluate the relationship between the sensory attributes of amala and the functional and pasting properties of the yam flour (YF) as affected by storage periods and packaging materials. Results showed that all the functional (except swelling power) and pasting properties of the YF were significantly affected (p < .05) by the storage periods. The peak and trough viscosities of polypropylene woven sack (PPS) packaged YF have significant negative correlation with the texture (r = ...

    • Delineation of soil fertility management zones for site-specific nutrient management in the maize belt region of Nigeria 

      Aliyu, K.T.; Kamara, A.Y.; Jibrin, J.M.; Huising, J.E.; Shehu, B.M.; Adewopo, J.B.; Mohammed, I.B.; Solomon, R.; Adam, A.M.; Samndi, A.M. (2020)
      Site-specific nutrient management can reduce soil degradation and crop production risks related to undesirable timing, amount, and type of fertilizer application. This study was conducted to understand the spatial variability of soil properties and delineate spatially homogenous nutrient management zones (MZs) in the maize belt region of Nigeria. Soil samples (n = 3387) were collected across the area using multistage and random sampling techniques, and samples were analyzed for pH, soil organic ...

    • Present status and perspective on the future use of aflatoxin biocontrol products 

      Moral, J.; Garcia-Lopez, M.T.; Camiletti, B.X.; Jaime, R.; Michailides, T.J.; Bandyopadhyay, R.; Ortega-Beltran, A. (2020)
      Aflatoxin contamination of important food and feed crops occurs frequently in warm tropical and subtropical regions. The contamination is caused mainly by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Aflatoxin contamination negatively affects health and trade sectors and causes economic losses to agricultural industries. Many pre- and post-harvest technologies can limit aflatoxin contamination but may not always reduce aflatoxin concentrations below tolerance thresholds. However, the use of atoxigenic ...

    • Assessment of willingness-to-pay for Aflasafe KE01, a native biological control product for aflatoxin management in Kenya 

      Migwi, B.; Mutegi, C.; Mburu, J.; Wagacha, J.; Cotty, P.; Bandyopadhyay, R.; Manyong, V.M. (2020)
      Contamination of key staples with aflatoxins compromises the quality of food and feed, impedes trade, and negatively affects the health of consumers whereas acute exposure can be fatal. This study used the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) on a sample of 480 farmers in counties prone to aflatoxin contamination to assess the willingness to pay (WTP) by farmers for Aflasafe KE01, a promising biological control product for the management of aflatoxin contamination of key staples in Kenya, compare its ...

    • Aflasafe SN01 is the first biocontrol product approved for aflatoxin mitigation in two nations, Senegal and The Gambia 

      Senghor, L.A.; Ortega-Beltran, A.; Atehnkeng, J.; Jarju, P.; Cotty, P.; Bandyopadhyay, R. (2020)
      Aflatoxin contamination is caused by Aspergillus flavus and closely related fungi. In The Gambia, aflatoxin contamination of groundnut and maize, two staple and economically important crops, is common. Groundnut and maize consumers are chronically exposed to aflatoxins, sometimes at alarming levels, and this has severe consequences on their health and productivity. Aflatoxin contamination also impedes commercialization in local and international premium markets. In neighboring Senegal, an aflatoxin ...

    • Functional diversity of soil nematodes in relation to the impact of agriculture - a review 

      Lazarova, S.; Coyne, D.; Rodriguez, G.; Peteira, B.; Ciancio, A. (2021-02-04)
      The analysis of the functional diversity of soil nematodes requires detailed knowledge on theoretical aspects of the biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationship in natural and managed terrestrial ecosystems. Basic approaches applied are reviewed, focusing on the impact and value of soil nematode diversity in crop production and on the most consistent external drivers affecting their stability. The role of nematode trophic guilds in two intensively cultivated crops are examined in more detail, ...

    • The functional and pasting properties of unripe plantain flour, and the sensory attributes of the cooked paste (amala) as affected by packaging materials and storage periods 

      Awoyale, W.; Oyedele, H.; Maziya-Dixon, B. (2020)
      Unripe plantain flour (UPF) is hygroscopic and gets spoilt if not correctly processed, packaged and stored. Thus, the need to study the functional and pasting properties of the UPF, and the sensory attributes of the cooked paste (amala) as affected by packaging materials and storage periods. The UPF was produced using the standard method, packaged in a polypropylene woven sack (PPS) and polyvinyl chloride container (PVC), stored for 20-weeks at room temperature and analyzed at 4-weeks intervals. ...

    • Cyst nematode bio-communication with plants: implications for novel management approaches 

      Ochola, J.; Coyne, D.; Cortada-Gonzalez, L.; Haukeland, S.; Ng'ang'a, M.; Hassanali, A.; Opperman, C.; Torto, B. (2020-09-28)
      Bio‐communication occurs when living organisms interact with each other, facilitated by the exchange of signals including visual, auditory, tactile and chemical. The most common form of bio‐communication between organisms is mediated by chemical signals, commonly referred to as ‘semiochemicals’, and it involves an emitter releasing the chemical signal that is detected by a receiver leading to a phenotypic response in the latter organism. The quality and quantity of the chemical signal released may ...

    • Varietal selection in marginal agroecological niches and cultural landscapes: the case of rice in the Togo Hills 

      Teeken, B.; Temudo, M.P. (2021-02-19)
      The Togo Hills borderland between Ghana and Togo is known for its cultural and ecological diversity and dynamic socio-political history. In this setting, African rice (Oryza glaberrima) is cultivated together with other local cultivars of Asian rice (O. sativa), and smallholders are keen innovators. This article presents the results of participatory variety selection (PVS) trials, in four different cultural and ecological settings within the Togo Hills, designed to understand farmers’ innovation ...

    • Allometric equations, wood density and partitioning of aboveground biomass in the arboretum of Ruhande, Rwanda 

      Mukuralinda, A.; Kuyah, S.; Ruzibiza, M.; Ndoli, A.; Nabahungu, N.L.; Muthuri, C. (2021)
      There is growing interest in plantation forests throughout Africa because of their role in environment, economy and people's livelihoods. However, the contribution of planted forests to climate mitigation is poorly understood, partly due to lack of allometric equations for biomass estimation. This study aimed to determine wood density and biomass fractions in aboveground components, and to develop biomass estimation equations for multispecies plantation forests in the arboretum of Ruhande in Rwanda. ...

    • Short communication: finetuning molecular markers for efficient selection of vitamin A-rich tropical maize lines in a molecular breeding scheme 

      Babalola, D.; Menkir, A.; Ilesanmi, O.; Obi, Q.; Gedil, M. (2021-01)

    • A CRISPR/Cas9-based genome-editing system for yam (Dioscorea spp.) 

      Syombua, E.D.; Zhang, Z.; Tripathi, J.N.; Ntui, V.O.; Kang, M.; George, O.O.; Edward, N.K.; Wang, B.; Yang, B.; Tripathi, L. (2020)

    • Record of new host plants associated to the invasive mealybug species Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the Center and Littoral regions of Cameroon 

      Simo, H.S.K.; Goergen, G.; Tindo, M. (2021)
      The papaya mealybug (PM) is a known notorious polyphagous insect pest of many plant species and has always been found associated with a new host/s in newly invaded areas. This pest recently invaded West and Central Africa. Surveys were conducted randomly from July 2014 to May 2018 to determine the host range of this pest in the Center and Littoral regions in Cameroon. Plants infested by PM were recognized by the presence of black sooty mould, leaf deformation and/or chlorosis. A standard infestation ...