Inoculation of soybean (Glycine max) is an efficient and convenient way of introducing rhizobia to soil and subsequently the rhizosphere of the crop. However, its full potential in sub-Saharan Africa is yet to be realized due to effects of varying soil limiting conditions. Critical levels of nitrogen (N) below and above which response is not guaranteed are unknown. The objective of the study was to determine the critical range of N outside which response to inoculation is hindered. Below the lower ...

Cowpea is one of the most widely grown legumes in Togo for its grains and leaves, which are used both as food and feed. Despite its importance in the nutrition and economic life of the people, bulk of the varieties grown in Togo are landraces. Genetic improvement of crops requires the presence of heritable genetic variation. However, there is hardly any information on the extent of variability among cultivated cowpea in Togo. This study was carried out to assess the phenotypic and molecular diversity ...

Striga hermonthica (SH) is a parasitic weed that attacks and significantly reduces the yield of maize in Africa. The genetic interactions responsible for resistance or susceptibility of hosts to the parasite and the genetic differentiation that exists between and within SH populations are not fully known. This study investigated the genetic diversity of SH populations in the largest maize producers in Sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya and Nigeria) and; the genetic responses of a susceptible (5057) and a ...

Several techniques, such as chemical and bio-insecticides have been applied by farmers to control thrips (Megalurothrips sjostedti) damage on cowpea. Many factors, such as improper amount of insecticides to dilute in water, cost and unavailability of insecticides and equipment limit the effective control of these thrips. Incorporating thrips resistant genes into local adapted landraces could increase farmers‘ income. These new lines could be grown with minimal insecticide application. Participatory ...

Stictococcus vayssierei Richard, 1971 commonly known as the African root and tuber scale (ARTS), was first identified as an agricultural pest in the early 1980s. Following population outbreaks in Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo in late 1980s – early 1990s, the insect is currently reported as one of the major pests threatening root and tuber crop production in Central Africa. Outbreaks can merely be viewed as symptomatic of some breakdown of internal organization and extrinsic factors ...

Low maize yields and the impacts of climate change on maize production shows the need to improve yields in Sub-Saharan Africa. Thus the objective of this study is to evaluate DT maize hybrids under heat and combined heat and drought stresses and to determine the relationship between grain yield and other agronomical trait. In this study two groups of hybrids were used. Eighteen top cross maize hybrids, one local check and a standard check laid-out in alpha lattice of 5x4 with two replicates, the ...

Classical extension focuses on linear transfer of technology. Globally, and in Ghana particularly, we have seen attempts to address the linearity of classical extension with the shift to broader extension service delivery approaches. From an innovation systems perspective innovation intermediation is suggested for extension organisations to function more effectively and respond to wider agricultural system constraints. This involves three broad facilitation roles which are demand articulation, ...

The genetic progress in tuber yield and quality attributes of yam is constrained by prolonged breeding cycle, complex ploidy (2n=40, 60, 80), high heterozygousity, complex flowering pattern (dioecois and monoecious flowering and shy to flower), multi-species, low propagation ratio, biotic and abiotic factors. Genetic improvement of yam with high tuber yield, high dry matter content, starch and other food quality attributes using traditional and modern breeding techniques will contribute to the ...

Cassava starch has been prospected in many food products manufacture. However, its suitability for making starch noodle has not been reported. Hence, this study was conducted to determine cassava starch‘s suitability in starch noodles production. The study was based on a completely randomized design with cassava variety as the main source of variation. The physicochemical properties [paste clarity (PCL), gel strength (GS), retrogradation], amylose content (AC), thermal properties [onset temperature, ...