Journal and Journal Articles: Recent submissions

Now showing items 21-40 of 5277

    • Assessment of climate change impact and adaptation strategy for millet in the Sudano‑Sahelian region of Niger 

      Tofa, A.I.; Kamara, A.Y.; Mohamed, A.M.L.; Garba, M.; Souley, A.M.; Salissou, H.; Kapran, B.I.; Abdoulaye, T. (2024-10-03)
      Pearl millet is an important food and fodder crop in West African semi-arid regions. Climate change is projected to have a significant impact on the productivity of the crops in these regions. Adaptation strategies to sustain agricultural production are therefore urgently required to sustain millet productivity. The Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) CERES-Millet model was used to assess the impact of climate change and adaptation strategies on millet in Niger. Three millet ...

    • Adoption of agronomic practices and their impact on crop yield and income: an analysis for black gram and green gram in India 

      Varma, P.; Manda, J. (2024)
      Black gram and green gram are important pulse crops in India, but their production has faced fluctuations and stagnancy in yields over the last few decades. The Government of India has implemented several measures to enhance crop yield, including recommending and promoting the adoption of crop-specific agronomic practices. However, there is limited empirical evidence on the determinants of the adoption of these practices and their impact on yield and income. In this context, this study analyses ...

    • Weeding force saving to improve profitability of cassava-legumes cropping systems in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo 

      Muke, A.; Nabahungu, N.L.; Kokou, K.; Vanlauwe, B.; Boeckx, P. (2025-01)
      Weeding is a common farming practice for optimal emergence, growth and maturity of crops. Smallholders in Central Africa use a traditional hoe for weed control. This is a hard and time-consuming activity. To address this bottleneck, a study was conducted at three sites, namely Walungu, Uvira, and Mulungu in South-Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), over two growing seasons (September 2020 and February 2021). The purpose was to minimize the workload involved in weed control and ...

    • Willingness of West African consumers to buy food produced using black soldier fly larvae and frass 

      Traore, O.; Zaato, P.A.; Baidoo, J.K.; Feleke, S.; Manyong, V.; Abdoulaye, T.; Schreinemachers, P.; Ba, M.N. (2024-09-05)
      The use of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae and frass in agriculture can make an important contribution to food and nutrition security. However, it is important to understand whether consumers are willing to consume food products resulting from the use of BSF larvae as animal feed or BSF frass as fertilizer. This study employed the stated preference approach as food products produced using BSF larvae and frass are not currently available on the market. Questionnaires were administered to a total of ...

    • A crop-specific and time-variant spatial framework to characterize production environments: a case study for rainfed wheat in Ethiopia 

      Gelagay, H.S.; Leroux, L.; Tamene, L.; Chernet, M.; Blasch, G.; Tibebe, D.; Abera, W.; Sida, T.; Tesfaye, K.; Corbeels, M.; Silva, J.V. (2024-08-03)
      Abstract1. CONTEXTAddressing the limitations of scaling agronomic recommendations, which are usually confined to small areas, requires a spatial framework for characterizing production environments in a timely and cost-effective manner.2.OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to introduce a data-driven framework to characterize rainfed wheat crop production environments in Ethiopia. The framework entails mapping of the annual rainfed wheat area and the delineation of crop-specific and dynamic agro-ecological ...

    • Assessment of climate change impact and adaptation strategy for millet in the Sudano‑Sahelian region of Niger 

      Tofa, A.; Kamara, A.; Mohamed, A.M.L.; Garba, M.; Souley, A.M.; Salissou, H.; Kapran, B.I.; Abdoulaye, T. (2024-12)
      Pearl millet is an important food and fodder crop in West African semi-arid regions. Climate change is projected to have a significant impact on the productivity of the crops in these regions. Adaptation strategies to sustain agricultural production are therefore urgently required to sustain millet productivity. The Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) CERES-Millet model was used to assess the impact of climate change and adaptation strategies on millet in Niger. Three millet ...

    • Combined use of improved maize hybrids and nitrogen application increases grain yield of maize, under natural Striga hermonthica infestation 

      Solomon, R.; Kamara, A.; Aliyu, K.T.; Ademulegun, T.D.; Mohammed, I.B.; Tofa, A.I.; Omoigui, L.O.; Adeleke, M.A. (2024)
      Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth infestation is one of the major constraints to maize production in the Nigeria savannas. The application of nitrogen fertilizer to Striga-resistant hybrids may reduce Striga infection and increase grain yields. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of six maize hybrids at low (30 kg ha−1) and high (120 kg ha−1) nitrogen application under natural infestation with Striga in northern Nigeria in 2014 and 2015. The two nitrogen rates and the six hybrids ...

    • Combined use of improved maize hybrids and nitrogen application increases grain yield of maize, under natural Striga hermonthica infestation 

      Solomon, R.; Kamara, A.; Aliyu, K.T.; Ademulegun, T.D.; Mohammed, I.B.; Tofa, A.I.; Omoigui, L.O.; Adeleke, M.A. (2024-10-04)
      Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth infestation is one of the major constraints to maize production in the Nigeria savannas. The application of nitrogen fertilizer to Striga-resistant hybrids may reduce Striga infection and increase grain yields. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of six maize hybrids at low (30 kg ha−1) and high (120 kg ha−1) nitrogen application under natural infestation with Striga in northern Nigeria in 2014 and 2015. The two nitrogen rates and the six hybrids ...

    • Genetic progress in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] stemming from breeding modernization efforts at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture 

      Ongom, P.O.; Fatokun, C.; Togola, A.; Dieng, I.; Salvo, S.; Gardunia, B.; Mohammed, S.B.; Boukar, O. (2024-05-22)
      Genetic gain has been proposed as a quantifiable key performance indicator that can be used to monitor breeding programs’ effectiveness. The cowpea breeding program at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has developed and released improved varieties in 70 countries globally. To quantify the genetic changes to grain yield and related traits, we exploited IITA cowpea historical multi environment trials (METs) advanced yield trial (AYT) data from 2010 to 2022. The genetic gain ...

    • Shifting focus from external to in situ organic resources – The redesign of four tropical long-term experiments 

      Laub, M.; Corbeels, M.; Ndungu, S.M.; Mucheru-Muna, M.W.; Mugendi, D.; Yegon, R.; Waswa, W.; Vanlauwe, B.; Six, J. (2024-04-30)
      Long-term experiments (LTEs) are critical for evaluating strategies that can maintain or increase crop yields, soil fertility and soil organic carbon (SOC), and help adapt to climate change. Yet, scientific knowledge is advancing and research questions are evolving. Therefore, it is important to review the objectives of LTEs over time. A change in their design may be necessary to keep the experimental treatments scientifically interesting, innovative, and relevant in the context of evolving ...

    • Impact of conservation farming practices on Aspergillus population density, peanut aflatoxin level, and exposure risk in Zambia 

      Akello, J.; Alamu, E.O.; Mwila, C.M.; Kachapulula, P.W.; Mukanga, M.; Njapau, H.; Chikoye, D.; Ortega-Beltran, A.; Bandyopadhyay, R. (2024-01-30)
      Aflatoxin contamination in peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) by aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus spp. is a serious problem worldwide affecting human health and restricting trade. Recently, conservation agriculture practices such as minimum tillage, crop rotation, soil surface cover, intercropping, and planting in basins alongside trees that enhance soil fertility, have been introduced in Zambia as tools to conserve soil moisture, increase peanut yield, and reduce the risk of aflatoxin contamination. ...

    • Diospyros barteri Hiern (Ebenaceae): new records for the vascular flora of Benin 

      Dassou, G.H.; Adomou, A.C.; Kpétikou, C.G.; Neuenschwander, P. (2024-05-22)
      Diospyros barteri was recorded for the first time from Dodja, a sacred forest in the Commune of Abomey-Calavi, Benin. We provide a detailed description, illustration, habitat, ecology, flowering period, and population size of this species. These occurrences fill a gap in the distribution of the species in the Dahomey-Gap territory. Our new records show the importance of botanical surveys in sacred forests which are hotspots of biodiversity in the country. However, sacred forests are unfortunately ...

    • Shade tree functional traits drive critical ecosystem services in cocoa agroforestry systems 

      Addo-Danso, S.D.; Asare, R.; Tettey, A.; Schmidt, J.E.; Sauvadet, M.; Coulis, M.; Belliard, N.; Isaac, M.E. (2024-09-15)
      The inclusion of shade trees into cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) systems can generate livelihood opportunities for smallholder farmers. Yet, there is the need to examine the ecological context within which shade trees, and their functional traits, have a positive impact on ecosystem services in cocoa systems. Here, we used a network of farms of similar aged hybrid cocoa, in a nested design consisting of agroforestry or monoculture management, on three initial soil quality levels (poor, moderate ...

    • Assessing the effects of plant density and nitrogen on millet yield in Southern Niger using the CERES‑millet model 

      Garba, M.; Kamara, A.; Mohamed, F.S.; Tofa, A.; Mahamane, S.; Salissou, H.; Kapran, B.I.; Abdoulaye, T.; Garba, I.I. (2024-06-06)
      Background The dryland production environments in Niger Republic (Niger) generate variable crop production risks that reduce crop yields and increase regional food insecurity. Optimal combinations of crop varieties and management are needed to maximize crop water-limited yields in these environments. Methods In this study, we calibrated and validated the CERES-Millet model using data from field experiments. Seasonal analysis (1984–2020) was carried out in 18 selected sites across the three ...

    • Exploring quantitative trait nucleotides associated with response to yam mosaic virus severity and tuber yield traits in Dioscorea praehensilis Benth. germplasm via genome-wide association scanning 

      Adewumi, A.S.; Adejumobi, I.I.; Opoku, V.A.; Asare, P.A.; Adu, M.O.; Taah, K.J.; Stanley, A.E.; Olatunde, T.E.; Afutu, E.; Akaba, S.; Mushoriwa, H.; Agre, A.P. (2024-10-04)
      Yam production in sub-Saharan African countries faces challenges due to susceptibility to yam mosaic virus (YMV) disease, leading to significant yield losses. Dioscorea praehensilis, a semicultivated yam species known for its high yield and resistance to YMV, can be utilized as a new variety and a gene source to enhance tuber yield and YMV resistance of White Guinea yam.Investigating the genetic basis of tuber yield-related traits and YMV resistance in D. praehensilis through association mapping ...

    • Agronomic performance and consumer acceptability of improved water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) varieties in the Republic of Benin 

      Dansi, M.; Loko, Y.L.E.; Fakorede, J.G.; Agre, A.P.; Laly, J.; Amegan, A.; Ogou, H.; Adebola, P.O.; Yedomonhan, H.; Dansi, A.A. (2024-12)
      White yam (Dioscorea rotundata L.) is widely cultivated, and is a staple food in the Republic of Benin. However, its production is highly sensitive to soil infertility, leading to low yields over the years. In order to address the challenges of land reduction and climate change, it is crucial to introduce more adapted yam varieties to traditional Beninese agriculture. Water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) varieties are viable options, as they need less soil fertility and yield more than D. rotundata, but ...

    • Genome-wide mapping uncovers significant quantitative trait loci associated with yam mosaic virus infection, yield and dry matter content in White Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) 

      Adjei, E.A.; Odong, T.L.; Esuma, W.; Bhattacharjee, R.; Agre, A.P.; Adebola, P.O.; Chamba, E.; Asfaw, A.; Dramadri, I.; Mbabazi, S.T.; Edema, R.; Ozimati, A.; Ochwo-Ssemakula, M.; Alicai, T. (2024-10-04)
      Introduction: Yam is an important crop for food security in East and West Africa due to its high market value and customer demand. High tuber quality with yield and disease resistance are the main traits for acceptability of yam cultivars across the tropical zone. There has been limited progress in enhancing the production and quality traits of yams, despite the significant socio-economic significance of this crop. Method: To expedite the development of high-quality yam cultivars in Uganda, traits ...

    • Genome-wide association study for yield and quality of granulated cassava processed product 

      Aghogho, C.I.; Kayondo, S.I.; Eleblu, J.S.Y.; Ige, A.; Asante, I.; Offei, S.K.; Parkes, E.; Egesi, C.N.; Mbanjo, E.; Shah, T.; Kulakow, P.; Rabbi, I.Y. (2024-06)
      The starchy storage roots of cassava are commonly processed into a variety of products, including cassava granulated processed products (gari). The commercial value of cassava roots depends on the yield and quality of processed products, directly influencing the acceptance of new varieties by farmers, processors, and consumers. This study aims to estimate genetic advance through phenotypic selection and identify genomic regions associated and candidate genes linked with gari yield and quality. ...

    • Use of modelling tools to assess climate change impacts on smallholder oil seed yields in South Africa 

      Kephe, P.N.; Mkuhlani, S.; Rusere, F.; Chemura, A. (2024)
      Oil seed crops are the second most important field crops after cereals in the agricultural economy globally. The use and demand for oilseed crops such as groundnut, soybean and sunflower have grown significantly, but climate change is expected to alter the agroecological conditions required for oilseed crop production. This study aims to present an approach that utilizes decision-making tools to assess the potential climate change impacts on groundnut, soybean and sunflower yields and the greenhouse ...

    • Spatial and temporal distribution of optimal maize sowing dates in Nigeria 

      Mkuhlani, S.; Bendito, E.G.; Tofa, A.I.; Aliyu, K.T.; Shehu, B.M.; Kreye, C.; Chemura, A. (2024-05-02)
      Climate change and inter-annual variability cause variation in rainfall commencement and cessation which has consequences for the maize growing season length and thus impact yields. This study therefore sought to determine the spatially explicit optimum maize sowing dates to enable site specific recommendations in Nigeria. Gridded weather and soil data, crop management and cultivar were used to simulate maize yield from 1981–2019 at a scale of 0.5°. A total of 37 potential sowing dates between 1 ...