Journal and Journal Articles: Recent submissions

Now showing items 721-740 of 5157

    • Micropropagation and effect of phloroglucinol on rooting of Diospyros crassiflora Hiern 

      Tchouga, A.O.; Deblauwe, V.; Djabou, S.A.M.; Forgione, G.; Hanna, R.; Niemenak, N. (2020-04)
      The jet-black to streaked ebony wood produced by the African ebony (Diospyros crassiflora Hiern, Ebenaceae) is exploited in Central and West Africa. A conservation effort is currently underway in Cameroon to propagate the tree through seedlings and cuttings. However, the intermittent availability of its seeds and the long time required for rooting formation of cuttings are limiting its propagation. This study aims to develop a successful protocol for ebony micropropagation. In vitro culture of ...

    • Status of the regulatory environment for utilization of insects as food and feed in Sub-Saharan Africa-a review 

      Nakimbugwe, D.; Ssepuuya, G.; Male, D.; Lutwama, V.; Mukisa, I.M.; Fiaboe, K.K.M. (2020)
      A conducive regulatory environment is crucial for ensuring the safety and effective promotion of insects for direct and indirect human consumption. In this review, national and regional policies, regulations, and relevant publications in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) were examined for their take on the use of insects as food and feed. Majority of the SSA countries (91.7%) lacked food safety policies, and of the four countries (8.3%) that had, only one considered the ‘risk-based approach’ for assessing ...

    • Harnessing genotype-by-environment interaction to determine adaptability of advanced cowpea lines to multiple environments in Uganda 

      Abiriga, F.; Ongom, P.O.; Rubaihayo, P.R.; Edema, R.; Gibson, P.T.; Dramadri, I.; Orawu, M. (2020-04)
      This study was conducted to determine the yield stability of advanced cowpea lines in diverse agro-ecological zones of Uganda in order to facilitate documentation requirements for national performance trials (NPT). Thirty cowpea genotypes were evaluated against six checks in three localities, over three growing seasons, making a total of 9 unique environments. The trials were laid in a 6x6 alpha lattice design with three replications and grain yield was the principal trait measured. Single-site ...

    • A preliminary analysis on the effect of copper on Anopheles coluzzii insecticide resistance in vegetable farms in Benin 

      Talom, A.D.; Essoung, M.A.; Gbankoto, A.; Tchigossou, G.; Akoton, R.; Sahabi, B.B.A.; Atoyebi, S.M.; Fotso Kaute, A.; Verspoor, R.C.; Tamo, M.; Tchuinkam, T.; Lehman, G.L.; Lines, J.; Wondji, C.S.; Djouaka, R. (2020)
      The use of agrochemicals in vegetable production could influence the selection for insecticide resistance in malaria vectors. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of information on the potential contribution of agrochemicals to insecticide resistance in Anopheles mosquitoes breeding on vegetable farms in southern Benin. A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices study was conducted with 75 vegetable farmers from Houeyiho and Seme to determine the main agrochemicals used in vegetable production, and the ...

    • Quality and carotenoid compositions of extrudates produced from composite biofortified maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) flours 

      Adegunwa, M.O.; Ayanlowo, J.E.; Olatunde, G.O.; Adebanjo, L.A.; Alamu, E.O. (2020)
      Recently, the extrusion process has been applied to the production of snacks, cereals, and pasta due to the advantages it offers but processing temperature is a critical factor that affects the retention of nutrients in biofortified crops. This study examined the effect of extrusion cooking on the proximate, antinutritional, and carotenoid properties of biofortified maize and soybean flour blends. Samples were prepared by blending maize and soybeans flours in varied proportions (100:0, 90:10, ...

    • Towards closing cassava yield gap in west Africa: agronomic efficiency and storage root yield responses to NPK fertilizers 

      Adiele, J.G.; Schut, A.G.T.; van den Beuken, R.P.M.; Ezui, K.S.; Pypers, P.; Ano, A.O.; Egesi, C.N.; Giller, K.E. (2020-08-15)
      Nutrient management of cassava has received little attention compared with cereal crops. We evaluated cassava yield potential and nutrient use efficiency when supplied with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at high rates and when supplied with increasing rates of K. On-farm experiments were conducted at six locations in Nigeria across the major cassava growing agro-ecologies of Western Africa (Tropical Rainforest – Cross River, Forest Transition Savanna – Edo, and Guinea Savanna – Benue) during ...

    • CERES-Maize model for simulating genotype-by-environment interaction of maize and its stability in the dry and wet savannas of Nigeria 

      Adnan, A.A.; Diels, J.; Jibrin, J.M.; Kamara, A.Y.; Shaibu, A.S.; Craufurd, P.; Menkir, A. (2020-08-15)
      When properly calibrated and evaluated, dynamic crop simulation models can provide insights into the different components of genotype by environment interactions (GEIs). Modelled outputs could be used to complement data from multi-environment trials. Field experiments were conducted in the rainy and dry seasons of 2015 and 2016 across four locations in maize growing regions of Northern Nigeria using 16 maize varieties planted under near-optimal conditions of moisture and soil nitrogen. The CERES-Maize ...

    • Demonstrating the efficacy of existing yam technologies in the forest-savannah transition zone of Ghana 

      Frimpong, F.; Owusu, D.E.,; Aidoo, A.K.; Ennin, S.A.; Asumadu, H.; Maroya, N. (2020-04)
      Improved technologies (row planting, ridging, seed treatment, weed management, fertilizer application) with a proven record of sustained productivity for yam production are imperative for food security. This study promotes the efficacy of these existing improved agronomic practices using a farmer-based participatory approach in some selected major yam-growing areas in the forest–savannah transition zone of Ghana. The improved agronomic practice treatment included use of ridging as seedbed, seed ...

    • Control of bacterial diseases of banana using CRISPR/cas-based gene editing 

      Tripathi, L.; Ntui, V.O.; Tripathi, J. (2022)
      Banana is an important staple food crop and a source of income for smallholder farmers in about 150 tropical and sub-tropical countries. Several bacterial diseases, such as banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW), blood, and moko disease, cause substantial impacts on banana production. There is a vast yield gap in the production of bananas in regions where bacterial pathogens and several other pathogens and pests are present together in the same field. BXW disease caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. ...

    • Are farmers using cropping system intensification technologies experiencing poverty reduction in the Great Lakes Region of Africa? 

      Dontsop Nguezet, P. M.; Ainembabazi, J.H.; Alene, A.; Abdulaye, T.; Feleke, S.; Nziguheba, G.; Khonje, M.; Mignouna, D.; Okafor, C.; Njukwe, E.; van Asten, P.; Mapatano, S.; Vanlauwe, B.; Manyong, V. (2020-08)
      This study evaluated the poverty reduction impact of the adoption of cropping system intensification (CSI) technologies using the endogenous switching regression (ESR) model in the Great Lakes region of Africa that comprises Burundi, eastern DR Congo, and Rwanda. The study data came from a household survey of 1,495 sample households interviewed between October and December 2014. Results indicated that the adoption of the CSI technologies had increased crop yield, crop income, and per capita ...

    • Selective breeding trait preferences for farmed tilapia among low-income women and men consumers in Egypt: implications for pro-poor and gender responsive fish breeding programmes 

      Murphy, S.; Charo-Karisa, H.; Rajaratnam, S.; Cole, S.M.; McDougall, C.; Nasr-Allah, A.M.; Kenawy, D.; Zead, M.Y.A.; van Brakel, M.; Banks, L.K. (2020-08-30)
      A number of studies have highlighted the promising growth of Egyptian tilapia aquaculture and the role of genetically improved strains in this development, such as the Abbassa Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linneaus, 1758). However, few studies have explored the link between aquaculture development and changes in fish demand among low-income consumers. This study combines household budgeting questionnaires and morphometric tilapia trait rankings conducted in the peak market season of 2017 ...

    • A transdisciplinary approach for the development of sustainable yam (Dioscorea sp.) production in west Africa 

      Kiba, D.I.; Hgaza, V.K.; Aighewi, B.; Aké, S.; Barjolle, D.; Bernet, T.; Diby, L.N.; Ilbondo, L.J.; Nicolay, G.; Oka, E.; Ouattara, Y.F.; Pouya, N.; Six, J.; Frossard, E. (2020)
      Yam (Dioscorea sp.) is an understudied tuber crop despite its importance for food security, income generation, culture, and health in West Africa. Traditional yam cropping practices in West Africa deliver low yields and lead to environmental degradation. In the context of a ‘research for development’ project, we developed and implemented a participatory and transdisciplinary research approach as a means to derive more sustainable yam production practices. We identified and studied different soil ...

    • Potential returns to yam research investment in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond 

      Mignouna, D.B.; Akinola, A.A.; Abdoulaye, T.; Alene, A.D.; Manyong, V.; Maroya, N.G.; Aighewi, B.A.; Kumar, P.L.; Balogun, M.; Lopez-Montes, A.; Rees, D.; Asiedu, R. (2020)
      Lack of good-quality planting materials has been identified as the most severe problem militating against increased agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and beyond. However, investment of research efforts and resources in addressing this menace will only be feasible and worthwhile if attendant economic gains are considerable. As a way of investigating the economic viability of yam investment, this research has been initiated to address problems confronting yam productivity in eight ...

    • Biocontrol potential of indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes from Cameroon against scale insect pest Stictococcus vayssierei and tending ant Anoplolepis tenella 

      Kanga, F.N.; Hauser, S.; Moens, M. (2020-10)
      In a 3-step approach, three series of experiments were carried out to assess the virulence and environmentally-dependent biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic nematodes from Cameroon against two cassava insect pests, Stictococcus vayssierei and its trophobiotic ant, Anoplolepis tenella, under laboratory and screenhouse conditions. In the first series, 20 isolates (18 Heterorhabditis baujardi, 1 Steinernema cameroonense, and 1 S. nyetense) were separately checked for their ability to infect the ...

    • Can Innovation Platforms (IPs) improve rural women participation in maize value chain? evidence from the eastern DR 

      Njingulula, P.; Matungulu, P.K.; Masuki, K.F.; Schut, M.; Okafor, C.; Wimba, B.M. (2020-05)
      This study explored the potential of the Innovation Platform approach, in improving the participation of rural female farmers in Maize value chain. It intends to identify the peculiarities, in terms of challenges and opportunities related to its application to the rural women realities. The study collected data from 120 small scale maize producers in South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 2015 to 2017, using individual interview and focus group discussion (FGD) for data ...

    • Cassava root yield losses caused by root shape, rot and peeling and cut-off for processing of four cassava varieties on different soils in DR Congo 

      Hauser, S.; Bakelana, T.Z.; Bungu, D.; Mwangu, M. (2020)
      Cassava root yields are commonly reported as fresh or dry mass yet usually as raw roots, comprising the peel and root tips, which are not used in processing. No information could be found on the mass losses caused by unsuitable root sizes and shapes, cut-off and peeling. This study determined such losses and evaluated if they are related to the root shape, variety and soil texture. Trials where conducted in DR Congo on coarse textured sand (CTS) and on sandy clay loam (SCL), using 3 improved and ...

    • Phytochemical analysis and establishment of embryogenic cell suspension and agrobacteriummediated transformation for farmer preferred cultivars of west African plantain (Musa spp.) 

      Jekayinoluwa, T.; Tripathi, J.N.; Obiero, G.; Muge, E.; Tripathi, L. (2020)
      Banana and plantain are among the foremost staple food crops providing food and livelihood to over 500 million people in tropical countries. Despite the importance, their production is hampered due to several biotic and abiotic stresses. Plant tissue culture techniques such as somatic embryogenesis and genetic transformation offer a valuable tool for genetic improvement. Identification and quantification of phytochemicals found in banana and plantain are essential in optimizing in vitro activities ...

    • Market participation, household food security, and income: the case of cowpea producers in northern Nigeria 

      Manda, J.; Alene, A.D.; Tufa, A.H.; Feleke, S.; Abdoulaye, T.; Omoigui, L.O.; Manyong, V. (2020)
      This article evaluates the impact of cowpea market participation on household food security and income in northern Nigeria. Using household survey data from a representative sample of over 1,500 farm households and applying a combination of instrumental variable techniques and dose–response functions, we found that cowpea market participation had a statistically significant positive impact on household food security and income. Cowpea market participation increased food expenditure by 1.6% and ...

    • First report of potato cyst nematode, Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber, 1923), infecting potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Uganda 

      Cortada-Gonzalez, L.; Omagwa, J.; Kisitu, J.; Adhiambo, M.; Haukeland, S.; Mburu, H.; Orr, J.; Jones, J.T.; Wasukira, A.; Kisingiri, J.B.; Tugume, J.; Birenge, J.B.; Okonya, J.S.; Coyne, D. (2020)
      Potato cyst nematodes (PCNs; Globodera rostochiensis [Wollenweber, 1923] and G. pallida) are quarantine pests (EPPO 2013) and have recently been reported from Kenya (Mburu et al. 2018) and Rwanda (Niragire et al. 2020). In East Africa, potato is an important staple food crop for millions of people, although current yields (10 t/ha) are far below potential (40 t/ha). A survey was conducted in Uganda to assess the incidence of PCNs in farmers’ potato fields. Soil samples were collected from 124 ...

    • Assessment of Yam mild mosaic virus coat protein gene sequence diversity reveals the prevalence of cosmopolitan and African group of isolates in Ghana and Nigeria 

      Nkere, C.K.; Otto, E.; Atiri, G.I.; Onyeka, J.; Silva, G.; Bömer, M.; Seal, S.E.; Kumar, P.L. (2020-09)
      This study analyzed the genetic diversity of 18 Yam mild mosaic virus (YMMV, genus Potyvirus) isolates collected from field surveys in Ghana (N = 8) and Nigeria (N = 10) in 2012−13. The full coat protein (CP) encoding region of the virus genome was sequenced and used for comparison and phylogenetic analysis of the YMMV isolates available in the NCBI nucleotide database. The mean nucleotide (nt) diversity was 13.4% among the 18 isolates (17 from D. alata and one from D. rotundata), 11.4% within the ...