Journal and Journal Articles: Recent submissions

Now showing items 1281-1300 of 5271

    • 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, ...

    • Production of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV)-free plantain plants by in vitro culture 

      Tchatchambe, N.B.J.; Ibanda, N.; Adheka, G.; Onautshu, O.; Swennen, R.; Dhed’a, D. (2020-03-31)
      Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD) caused by the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) is one of the most important banana diseases in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study focused on the production of BBTV-free plantain seedlings from infected banana plants. A total of 10 suckers from the French plantain Litete (Musa AAB) and the False Horn plantain Libanga Likale (Musa AAB) with advanced BBTD symptoms were collected. Meristematic apices excised from those suckers were cultured in vitro and subcultured ...

    • Stacking tolerance to drought and resistance to a parasitic weed in tropical hybrid maize for enhancing resilience to stress combinations 

      Menkir, A.; Crossa, J.; Meseka, S.; Bossey, B.; Muhyideen, O.; Riberio, P.F.; Coulibaly, M.; Yacoubou, A.B.; Olaoye, G.; Haruna, A. (2020-02-28)
      Maize is a food security crop cultivated in the African savannas that are vulnerable to the occurrence of drought stress and Striga hermonthica infestation. The co-occurrence of these stresses can severely damage crop growth and productivity of maize. Until recently, maize breeding in International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has focused on the development of either drought tolerant or S. hermonthica resistant germplasm using independent screening protocols. The present study was ...

    • Quantitative trait loci mapping for resistance to maize streak virus in F2:3 population of tropical maize 

      Garcia-Oliveira, A.L.; Menkir, A.; Kumar, P.L.; Azuh, V.; Jacob, O.O.; Gedil, M. (2020)
      Maize streak virus (MSV) continues to be a major biotic constraint for maize production throughout Africa. Concerning the quantitative nature of inheritance of resistance to MSV disease (MSVD), we sought to identify new loci for MSV resistance in maize using F2:3 population. The mapping population was artificially inoculated with viruliferous leafhoppers under screenhouse and evaluated for MSVD resistance. Using 948 DArT markers, we identified 18 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with ...

    • Improving the efficiency of Beauveria bassiana applications for sustainable management of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in west Africa 

      Agboyi, L.K.; Ketoh, G.K.; Douro Kpindou, O.; Martin, T.; Glitho, I.A.; Tamὸ, M. (2020-02-15)
      The effectiveness of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin isolates Bb11, Bb115, Bb116 and Bb362 against the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) population from Cotonou, Benin, was investigated in the laboratory and on station. In the laboratory, six concentrations, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 and 109 conidia/ml of each isolate were used to assess B. bassiana virulence. Third instar DBM larvae were inoculated with 2 µl of each isolate’s concentrations by topical ...

    • Temperature-dependent development, survival and reproduction of Apanteles hemara (Nixon) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on Spoladea recurvalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) 

      Agbodzavu, M.K.; Osiemo-Lagat, Z.; Gikungu, M.; Ekesi, S.; Fiaboe, K. (2020-02-18)
      The temperature-dependent development of Apanteles hemara (Nixon), a larval endoparasitoid of the devastating amaranth pest Spoladea recurvalis (F.) was studied in the laboratory at six constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C), a photoperiod of 12L:12D and a relative humidity of 60–70%. Developmental time decreased significantly with increasing temperature within the range of 15–30 °C. The parasitoid's pupal mortality, successful parasitism rate, adult emergence rate and longevity, sex ...

    • Contour bunding technology-evidence and experience in the semiarid region of southern Mali 

      Birhanu, B.Z.; Traoré, K.; Sanogo, K.; Tabo, R.; Fischer, G.; Whitbread, A.M. (2019-02-20)
      Land and water management practices have been widely implemented in rural Mali since the 1980s to improve agricultural productivity and erosion control. Under conditions of recurring droughts, these practices are expected to increase farmers' ability to cope with shocks. One of the most common practices applied in the central and southern parts of Mali is contour bunding (CB). In this study the impact of the CB technology is evaluated with a focus on biophysical and socio-economic benefits. Data ...