Journal and Journal Articles: Recent submissions

Now showing items 1161-1180 of 5157

    • Potential of inoculant and phosphorus application on soybean production in Mozambique 

      Engoke, C.; Boahen, S. (2018-02)
      Inoculation with effective Bradyrhizobium spp., and phosphorus application enhance atmospheric nitrogen fixation in soybean production. Soybean form symbiotic associations with the right rhizobium strain to incorporate atmospheric nitrogen into the plant tissues. The objective of this study was to evaluate responses of two soybean varieties to inoculation, phosphorus and starter-nitrogen, and their interactions on nodulation, growth, yield components and grain yield in different agroecologies of ...

    • Genetic diversity of South African sweetpotato germplasm using molecular markers 

      Selaocoe, M.E.; Adebola, P.; Pillay, M.; Laurie, S.M. (2019)
      Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.(LAM)) is one of the most important food crops in developing countries, including South Africa. Most sweetpotato varieties in South Africa are cream or white fleshed and lack the essential beta-carotene of the orange-fleshed varieties. To develop new varieties with high beta-carotene, knowledge of the genetic variation of the crop is needed. The objectives of this study were to assess the genetic relationships among 30 orange- and cream-fleshed sweetpotato accessions ...

    • Nutrient and antinutrient composition of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) seeds and tubers 

      Adegboyega, T.T.; Abberton, M.T.; AbdelGadir, A.A.H.; Dianda, M.; Maziya-Dixon, B.; Oyatomi, O.A.; Ofodile, S.; Babalola, O.O. (2019)
      Many people in sub-Saharan Africa suffer from protein malnutrition; this results in negative health and economic impacts. Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) is a tropical underutilized legume with beneficial nutritional characteristics such as high protein content, which may help to alleviate these problems. The proximate composition (fat, moisture content, crude protein, ash, and carbohydrate) and antinutrient (tannin and phytate) level of winged bean seeds and tubers were determined ...

    • Phenotypic characterization of maize landraces from Sahel and Coastal West Africa reveals marked diversity and potential for genetic improvement. 

      Nelimor, C.; Badu-Apraku, B.; Nguetta, S.P.; Tetteh, A.Y.; Garcia-Oliveira, A.L. (2019)
      Landraces of maize (Zea mays L.) are invaluable sources of genetic variability for improving agronomic traits, and they hold great promise in developing new maize varieties with enhanced resilience to stresses. Even though phenotypic characterization is an inexpensive approach for elucidating variation hidden in genetic resources, information on the genetic diversity patterns in large collections of landraces remains limited and this constitutes a major impediment for their optimal utilization in ...

    • The role of women in production and management of RTB crops in Rwanda and Burundi: Do men decide, and women work?. 

      Okonya, J.S.; Mudege, N.N.; Rietveld, A.M.; Nduwayezu, A.; Kantungeko, D.; Hakizimana, B.M.; Nyaga, J.N.; Blomme, G.; Legg, J.P.; Kroschel, J. (2019)
      This paper evaluates the determinants of decision-making in relation to the production of four crops (banana, cassava, potato, and sweet potato). Understanding the division of labor and decision-making in crop management may lead to designing better interventions targeted at improving efficiency in smallholder agriculture. In 2014, the research team conducted a quantitative household survey with heads of households involving 261 women and 144 men in Burundi and 184 women and 222 men in Rwanda. ...

    • Assessment of metabolic variability and diversity present in leaf, peel and pulp tissue of diploid and triploid Musa spp. 

      Drapal, M.; Amah, D.; Schöny, H.; Brown, A.; Swennen, R.; Fraser, P.D. (2020-08)
      Banana (Musa spp.) plants produce many health promoting compounds in leaf, peel and pulp. For a robust metabolic analysis of these tissues, leaf at five developmental stages were compared to assess suitable sampling practices. Results confirmed that the common sampling practise of leaf 3 is applicable for metabolic comparisons. The developed work flow was applied to analyse the metabolite diversity present in 18 different Musa varieties, providing baseline levels of metabolites in leaf, peel and ...

    • Willingness to pay for weather index-based insurance in semi-subsistence agriculture: evidence from northern Togo 

      Ali, E.; Egbendewe, A.Y.; Abdoulaye, T.; Sarpong, D.B. (2020-04-07)
      The effects of climate change on agricultural production are pushing countries to reconsider risk management policies in their development plans. Opportunities exist to increase agricultural production and improve the policy environment. However, policymakers lack local empirical evidence to provide local solutions to agricultural development in many developing countries, including Togo. This paper assesses farmers’ willingness to pay for weather index-based insurance (WII) as a market option for ...

    • Genetic diversity and population structure of enset (Ensete ventricosum Welw Cheesman) landraces of Gurage zone, Ethiopia 

      Gerura, F.N.; Meressa, B.H.; Martina, K.; Tesfaye, A.; Olango, T.M.; Nasser, Y. (2019)
      Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman), which feeds around 20 million Ethiopian people, is a unique crop; with all parts of the plant are utilizable. It is, arguably, less researched crop and the mode of production remained conventional. Understanding the extent of genetic diversity in the crop, especially making use of genotyping data, is a very important first step in the genetic improvement of the crop. Twelve polymorphic enset SSR markers were used to assess the genetic diversity and ...

    • CRISPR/Cas9 editing of endogenous banana streak virus in the B genome of Musa spp. overcomes a major challenge in banana breeding 

      Tripathi, J.N.; Ntui, V.O.; Ron, M.; Muiruri, S.K.; Britt, A.; Tripathi, L. (2019)
      Presence of the integrated endogenous banana streak virus (eBSV) in the B genome of plantain (AAB) is a major challenge for breeding and dissemination of hybrids. As the eBSV activates into infectious viral particles under stress, the progenitor Musa balbisiana and its derivants, having at least one B genome, cannot be used as parents for crop improvement. Here, we report a strategy to inactivate the eBSV by editing the virus sequences. The regenerated genome-edited events of Gonja Manjaya showed ...

    • First report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causing stem rot on soybean (Glycine max) in Ethiopia 

      Pawlowski, M.L.; Murithi, H.; Hailemariam, M.; Abebe, A.T.; Hartman, G.L. (2019)
      Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causes a devastating disease on soybean (Sclerotinia stem rot) and attacks over 500 other hosts (Grau and Hartman 2015). In October 2018, research plots at Jimma Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia, were evaluated for soybean diseases. A sample of 100 randomly selected plants of soybean line T44-15-T110-16SH1 were evaluated for Sclerotinia stem rot in a research plot that was 4 × 2.4 m with 60 cm between the four rows and 5 cm between plants within a row. All but 16 ...

    • Farmer reported pest and disease impacts on root, tuber, and banana crops and livelihoods in Rwanda and Burundi 

      Okonya, J.; Ocimati, W.; Nduwayezu, A.; Kantungeko, D.; Niko, N.; Blomme, G.; Legg, J.P.; Kroschel, J. (2019)
      Biotic constraints cause major crop losses and, hence, food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. This study documented the popularity, production constraints, pests and diseases, farmers’ perceptions on the severity of biotic constraints and the impact of related crop losses on household food security for the key root, tuber and banana (RTB) crops (cassava, potato, sweetpotato and banana). Farmer interviews were conducted in 2014 covering 811 households in Rwanda and Burundi. Farmers were asked to ...

    • Does fertilizing corn with poultry litter enrich the grain with mineral nutrients? 

      Tewolde, H.; Sistani, K.R.; Feng, G.; Menkir, A. (2019)
      Whether poultry litter (PL) increases concentration of selected mineral elements in corn (Zea mays L.) grain has not been well investigated. The objective of this study was to determine whether fertilizing corn with PL enriches the grain and other plant parts with selected mineral elements. Corn was grown in the field in northern Mississippi with no fertilization (UTC) or fertilization with 9 or 18 Mg ha–1 PL, or 202 kg ha–1 NH4NO3–N applied in the fall vs. spring. Poultry litter, regardless of ...

    • Biological versus chemical control of fall armyworm and Lepidoptera stem borers of maize (Zea mays) 

      Kammo, E.Q.; Suh, C.; Mbong, G.A.; Djomo, S.H.; Chimi, N.L.L.; Mbeungang, D.L.; Mafouasson, H.; Meseka, S.; Menkir, A. (2019)
      Insect pests are serious constraints to production of maize. There is little information on the control measures against those insects in Cameroon. This study was carried out to identify the different species of fall armyworm and stem borers of maize and test the efficacy of different control methods. The maize variety ATP (Acid Tolerant Population) was used in a randomized complete block design. Synthetic insecticides, lambda cyalothrine and cypermethrin, were applied at one and two weeks intervals ...

    • Adoption of roguing to contain banana bunchy top disease in south-east Benin: role of farmers’ knowledge and perception 

      Abiola, A.; Zandjanakou-Tachin, M.; Aoudji, K.N.A.; Avocevou-Ayisso, C.; Kumar, P.L. (2019)
      Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) caused by Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) has emerged as a major constraint of banana and plantain production in south-East Bénin. Roguing method is used in this area to destroy the BBTV-infected plants and to contain its spread. This study was conducted to assess the level of adoption of the method in relation to farmers’ perception. The research was conducted in eight communities and data collected from 186 randomly selected banana growers. Farmers’ perception on ...

    • Science-based decision support for formulating crop fertilizer recommendations in sub-Saharan Africa 

      Rurinda, J.; Zingore, S.; Jibrin, J.M.; Balemi, T.; Masuki, K.; Andersson, J.A.; Pampolino, M.F.; Mohammed, I.; Mutegi, J.; Kamara, A.Y.; Vanlauwe, B.; Craufurd, P.Q. (2020-04)
      In sub-Saharan Africa, there is considerable spatial and temporal variability in relations between nutrient application and crop yield, due to varying inherent soil nutrients supply, soil moisture, crop management and germplasm. This variability affects fertilizer use efficiency and crop productivity. Therefore, development of decision systems that support formulation and delivery of site-specific fertilizer recommendations is important for increased crop yield and environmental protection. Nutrient ...

    • Extruded flakes from pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) - carrot (Daucus carota) blended flours- production, nutritional and sensory attributes 

      Adebanjo, L.A.; Olatunde, G.O.; Adegunwa, M.; Dada, O.C.; Alamu, E.O. (2020-02-26)
      Millet flour (M) and carrot flour(C) were produced and blended in the ratios 100M:0C, 95M:5C, 90M:10C, 85M:15C and 80M:20C respectively to produce extruded flakes. The composite flours were subjected to analysis of the proximate and mineral composition, as well as functional and pasting properties. Extruded flakes were analyzed for proximate composition, total carotenoids, colour and sensory evaluation. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the proximate, functional and pasting properties ...

    • The rural household multiple indicator survey, data from 13,310 farm households in 21 countries 

      van Wijk, M.T.; Hammond, J.; Gorman, L.; Adams, S.; Ayantunde, A.A.; Baines, D.; Bolliger, A.; Bosire, C.; Carpena, P.; Chesterman, S.; Chinyophiro, A.; Daudi, H.; Dontsop-Nguezet, P.; Douxchamps, S.; Emera, W.; Fraval, S.; Fonte, S.; Hok, L.; Kiara, H.; Kihoro, E.; Korir, H.; Lamanna, C.; Long, C.T.M.; Manyawu, G.; Mehrabi, Z.; Mengistu, D.K.; Mercado, L.; Mesa, K.; Mora, V.; Mutemi, J.; Ngendo, M.; Njigulula, P.; Okafor, C.; Pagella, T.; Phengsavanh, P.; Rao, J.; Ritzema, R.; Rosenstock, T.S.; Skirrow, T.; Steinke, J.; Stirling, C.; Suchini, J.G.; Tuefel, N.; Thorne, P.; Vanek, S.; van Etten, J.; Vanlauwe, B.; Wichern, J.; Yameogo, V. (2020)
      The Rural Household Multiple Indicator Survey (RHoMIS) is a standardized farm household survey approach which collects information on 758 variables covering household demographics, farm area, crops grown and their production, livestock holdings and their production, agricultural product use and variables underlying standard socio-economic and food security indicators such as the Probability of Poverty Index, the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, and household dietary diversity. These variables ...

    • Metabolic profiles of six African cultivars of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) highlight bottlenecks of root yield 

      Obata, T.; Klemens, P.A.W.; Rosado-Souza, L.; Schlereth, A.; Gisel, A.; Stavolone, L.; Zierer, W.; Morales, N.; Muller, L.A.; Zeeman, S.C.; Ludewig, F.; Stitt, M.; Sonnewald, U.; Neuhaus, H.E.; Fernie, A.R. (2020)
      Cassava is an important staple crop in sub‐Saharan Africa, due to its high productivity even on nutrient poor soils. The metabolic characteristics underlying this high productivity are poorly understood including the mode of photosynthesis, reasons for the high rate of photosynthesis, the extent of source/sink limitation, the impact of environment, and the extent of variation between cultivars. Six commercial African cassava cultivars were grown in a greenhouse in Erlangen, Germany, and in the ...

    • Genomic prediction and QTL discovery in a cassava training population constructed from multiple breeding stages 

      Somo, M.; Kulembeka, H.; Mtunda, K.; Mrema, E.; Salum, K.; Wolfe, M.; Rabbi, I.Y.; Egesi, C.; Kawuki, R.; Ozimati, A.; Lozano, R.; Jannink, J. (2020)
      Assembly of a training population (TP) is an important component of effective genomic selection‐based breeding programs. In this study, we examined the power of diverse germplasm assembled from two cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) breeding programs in Tanzania at different breeding stages to predict traits and discover quantitative trait loci (QTL). This is the first genomic selection and genome‐wide association study (GWAS) on Tanzanian cassava data. We detected QTL associated with cassava ...

    • Upscaling cassava processing machines and products in Liberia 

      Awoyale, W.; Asiedu, R.; Kawalawu, W.K.; Kolawole, P.; Diallo, T.A.; Edet, M.; Adetunji, M. (2020-02-19)
      Cassava is produced by more than 80% of farming households and is an important contributor to gross domestic product (GDP) in Liberia. It is therefore important to assess the status of cassava processing into food and other products. A total of one hundred and sixty (160) well-structured questionnaires were used for the collection of information from eight counties, with twenty respondents from each county. It was found out that all the counties lack adequate modern cassava processing machines, ...