Horticulture Research Papers/Topics

Potential for Utilization of Entomopathogenic Fungus, Beauveria bassiana, for Control of Banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar)

Abstract: Banana production in Kenya has been on the decline due to among other factors, pests and disease of which banana weevil is major. Although, entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae have been used successfully to control various agricultural and pasture pests, lack of effective application system limits their wider application.This study therefore seeks to evaluate the potential of utilizing the fungus to control the banana weevil using infected w...

The Role of Insects as Potential Vectors of Cassava and Cowpea Bacterial Blight in West Africa

Abstract: Xanthomonas campestris pv.manihotis (Bondar, 1912) (Xcm) and Xanthomonas campestris pv. vignicola (Burkholder, 1944) (Dye, 1978) (Xcv) are both worldwide important pathogens, causing bacterial blight diseases of cassava and cowpea, respectively. The presence of the pathogens in/on the variegated grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (L.) (Orth.: Acrididae), an occassionally important pest of cassava and cowpea in West Africa, was demosntrated. X. campestris pv. manihotis and X. campestr...

The influence of different Host plants on the green Leafhopper Empoasca Decipiens Poali (Homoptera:Cicadellidae) and its Parasitoid Anagrus Atomus (L) Halliday (Hymenoptera:Mymaridae)

Abstract: The green leafhopper Empoasca decipiens Paoli (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) has recently become a serious pest of vegetables and ornamentals grown under field conditions and in greenhouses in many European countries. The egg parasitoid Anagrus atomus L. (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) is a promising biological control agent of E. decipens. The objectives of this research were to assess the influence of host plants on the leafhopper and its parasitoid. Therefore, host plant acceptability ans s...

Phosphorus Availability and Carrot Growth as Influenced by Phosphate Rock Management under Acid Soils in Murang’a and Tharaka Nithi Counties

Abstract: Soils from Central Highlands of Kenya are characterized by low phosphorus (P) availability with crops exhibiting P deficiency symptoms. The objective was therefore to determine the P sorption characteristics of the soils and to assess their standard P requirements in order to recommend the P fertilizer required for different crops in the area. Besides, the study aimed at assessing the efficiency of lemon and pineapple juices and the concentration and time needed to release more tha...

Standard Specifications of Fruits of Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) Foster and Duncan Cultivars in River Nile State- Sudan.

Abstract Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) is an important crop in Sudan. The quality of grapefruit is affected by many factors which are suspected to cause the low yield and poor quality of fruits. These factors may include infection by pests and diseases, damage, soil problems and poor management practices. The present study aimed to identify the specifications of two grapefruit cultivars (Foster and Duncan).This was achieved through determining quality indices such as, number of segments,...

Effect of Planting Date and Variety of Cowpea [Vigna UNGUICULATA (L.)Walp.] On Green Pod Production

ABSTRACT  A study was carried out in 2012 in a Sudan savanna ecology in Ghana aimed at identifying the optimal planting dates and suitable cowpea varieties for green pod production. Six planting dates were considered starting from the onset of the rainy season (20th June, 30th June, 12th July, 25th July, 2nd August and 12th August), and four improved cowpea varieties released by Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as Baa...

Pre- and Postharvest Factors Affecting Quality and Safety of Pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Abstract The quality and safety of pepper (Piper nigrum L.) are a function of crop management practices, harvest maturity, harvesting methods and subsequent handling after harvest, including storage conditions and processing methods. The review shows that volatile oil decreases with shade intensity (15–30%). Essential oil, oleoresin, piperine and monoterpenes (thujene, α-pinene, sabinene, limonene, α-phellandrene and linalool) increase with altitude, while β-caryophyllene and total ...

Potentials of Spices Diet-Derived Polyphenols in Modulating the Self- Renewal of Stem Cells

Abstract Over many centuries, spices have been and are globally utilized in foods and drinks, as well as in pharmaceuticals industries. Spices are rich in health-beneficial chemical constituents that include diet- derived polyphenols, terpenes, polysaccharides, lipids, organic acids, and raw fibres. Stem cells can self- renew and differentiate into major cell types. However, malignant stem cells can invade and kill nearby tissue as well as spread to other body parts through the blood and ...

Morphological Characterization and Yield of Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) Types Grown in Morogoro District, Tanzania

Abstract Background: Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is among key spice crops grown in Morogoro district of Tanzania. Most of the pepper types grown in the district are only known by their local names as Babu kubwa, Babu ndogo, Babu kati and Ismailia. This may limit information on germplasm collection or genetic resource for plant improvement and trade in markets with variety specifications. The aim of this study was to generate preliminary information of the pepper types based on their morpholo...

Establishment of the Causal Agent(s) of Spike Shedding and Stem Wilting of Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in Morogoro District, Tanzania

Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) serves as a source of income to smallholder spice farmers in Morogoro district of Tanzania. Recently, spike shedding and stem wilting of pepper plants were reported to cause about 30% yield loss of the crop. 'is study was undertaken to identify the causal agent(s) of the problems. 'ree pepper gardens in each of the four hamlets (Nyange, Doga, Tandai, and Lukenge) in Tandai village (Kinole ward) were surveyed, and plant tissue and soil samples were collected for la...

Extent of Spike Shedding and Stem Wilting of Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in Morogoro District, Tanzania

Abstract Background: Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is an important spice produced by small-scale farmers in Morogoro district of Tanzania for both local and export markets. Recently, farmers have reported a decline in crop productivity due to spike shedding and stem wilting of pepper plants. The study was conducted to obtain baseline information on the extent of the disorders. Methods: An altitudinal transect survey was conducted in Morogoro district from October to November 2018. Data were co...

Comparative Study of the Biochemical Properties of the Fruits of Wild (Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium Jusl. (Mill.)) and the Cultivated (L. esculentum Mill.) Tomato Cultivars in Nigeria

Abstract Thefruitsofthreecultivarsofthecultivatedtomato (Lycopersiconesculentum)andthewildspecies (L.pimpinellifolium)wereanalysed andcompared fortheirbiochemicalproperties. Ripefruitsat theorange-redstagewereusedforall theanalyses.Both thecultivated andthewildtomatospeciesshowedhighmoisturecontents. Thewildtomatocultivarhadahighercrudeproteincontentandquantitatively represents thebettersourceofproteinintakewhencomparedwith thecultivatedcultivars. Thecrude fibrecontent washighestin L. es...

Effect Of Saline Water On Germination And Vegetative Growth Of Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.)

Abstract This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) solution on the germination and the vegetative growth of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cv Agabat. The NaCl solution concentrations used were 0.00 ( distilled water as a control), 0.032, 0.063, 0.125, and 0.250 molar. The daily and final germination percentage was not significant affected by the 0.00, 0.032 and 0.063and 0.125 M. The final germination percentage for these NaCl ...

Effect of Some Fertilizer Types on Growth, Yield and Quality of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Unde r Cooled Plastic Tunnels Conditions

The study was carried out thru 7 July - 1 October of 2015 in a cooled plastic tunnel (29ºc Temperature and 85%, Relative humidity) at Al Bagair area, in the northern part of Al Gazera State, Sudan, to study the effect of organic (Elkhierat), bio-fertilizer (Elixir) and chemical (NPK) and some micronutrients ( Fe, Zn and B at 200, and 100 ppm, respectively) fertilizers and their combinations on growth, yield and quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) variety (Faten). The treatments we...


76 - 90 Of 129 Results