Plant Science Research Papers/Topics

RESPONSE OF MUNGBEAN [Vigna radiata (L.)Wilczek] VARIETIES TO PLANT SPACING UNDER IRRIGATION AT GEWANE, AFAR REGION, NORTHEASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract: Production of mungbean has been increasing in Ethiopia because of its high importance as a source of protein and foreign exchange earnings. Determination of appropriate plant density for the varieties of mungbean can increase its productivity. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to determine the effect of inter and intra row spacing on growth, yield components and yield of mungbean varieties under irrigation during 2016 cropping season at Gewane, Northeastern Ethiopia. The treat...

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SOURCES OF ANIMALS’ MANURE AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON GROWTH, YIELD, AND YIELD RELATED PARAMETERS OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) AT ALAGE, CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY OF ETHIOPIA

Abstract: Field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of sources of animals’ manure and rates of inorganic NP on yield and yield related parameters of maize on the saline soil at Alage, southern Ethiopia. Factorial combinations of three sources of animals’ manure (beef, goat, and poultry), and five rates (0, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of the recommended dose of inorganic NP fertilizers (92 kg N ha-1 and 69 kg P2O5 ha-1) were laid out in randomized complete block design with three r...

IMPROVING SORGHUM [Sorghum bicolor L. Moench] PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH SEED PRIMING, SOIL MOISTURE CONSERVATION, AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN SEMI-ARID AREAS OF EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract: Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is an important food crop cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions of Ethiopia in general and East Hararghe Zone in particular. However, the productivity of the crop is low due to limited and erratic rainfall, low soil fertility, and traditional farming practice. Therefore, effects of seed priming, and combined application of in-situ moisture conservation and nutrient management on sorghum productivity were investigated during 2014 cropping sea...

EFFECT OF SPATIAL ARRANGEMENTS OF FABA BEAN VARIETIES INTERCROPPED WITH BREAD WHEAT ON PRODUCTIVITY OF COMPONENT CROPS AT KULUMSA, SOUTHEASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted in 2019 main cropping season at Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center research station, Southeastern Ethiopia with the objectives of assessing the compatibility of faba bean and wheat intercropping, to select suitable varieties of faba bean under different spatial pattern in intercropping and to assess the economic profitability of intercropping faba bean with bread wheat(variety Hulluka) in the area. The treatments were three faba bean varieties (As...

High Fertilizer Rates Increase Susceptibility of Tea to Water Stress

Abstract: A study to determine the association of fertilizer with soil water deficit in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] was conducted in a rain-out shelter using potted plants, in which five rates of fertilizer (0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 kg Nitrogen ha−1) and six levels of soil water content (38, 34, 30, 26, 22 and 18% v/v) were applied in a complete randomized design and replicated three times.The soil water treatment was maintained for a period of 12 weeks during which shoot growth,...

Diversité génétique des variétés traditionnelles de niébé [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] au Sénégal : étude préliminaire

Abstract: Diversité génétique des variétés traditionnelles de niébé [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] au Sénégal : étude préliminaire Des missions de collectes ont été organisées dans les principales régions de production du niébé au Sénégal dans le but d’obtenir des informations sur la diversité morphologique et moléculaire au sein des variétés traditionnelles de niébé. Ces missions ont permis de réunir 58 accessions. Deux classifications des accessions collectées ...

Transaction costs magnitudes, market participation, and smallholder profitability in rural–urban vegetable supply chain

Abstract: Transaction costs are pervasive barriers in agricultural supply chains as they exclude farmers from profitable markets. Identification of these costs without reliance on proxy variables and their effects on smallholder profitability has not been empirically analyzed. The Heckman 2-step model was used to assess the effects of magnitudes of these costs on farmer profitability. Indirect monitoring and negotiation-related transaction costs had significant, positive, association with se...

Different Plant Viruses Induce Changes in Feeding Behavior of Specialist and Generalist Aphids on Common Bean That Are Likely to Enhance Virus Transmission

Abstract: Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) cause serious epidemics in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), a vital food security crop in many low-to-medium income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Aphids transmit these viruses “non-persistently,” i.e., virions attach loosely to the insects' stylets. Viruses may manipulate aphid-host interactions to enhance transmission. We used direct observation and ele...

Three aphid-transmitted viruses encourage vector migration from infected common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) plants through a combination of volatile and surface cues.

Abstract: Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) are important pathogens of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), a crop vital for food security in sub-Saharan Africa. These viruses are vectored by aphids non-persistently, with virions bound loosely to stylet receptors. These viruses also manipulate aphid-mediated transmission by altering host properties. Virus-induced effects on host-aphid interactions were investigated using ...

Susceptibility of five cabbage varieties to attack by aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the Accra plains of Ghana

Abstract: We investigated the susceptibility of five cabbage varieties (‘Oxylus’, ‘Super Cross’, ‘Vantar F1 Hybrid’, ‘Santa’F1 and ‘Fortune’) to aphids. Trials were set up in the Accra plains for two rainy seasons in 2017. The first trial examined aphid infestation and the second included weekly blanket spray of neem oil at 0.48 L/ha (60 ml/15 L water) during the second rainy season. Five systematically sampled cabbage leaves per plot were examined for the numbers of aphi...

Editorial: Root Adaptations to Multiple Stress Factors

Abstract: The unfavorable soil (low supply of nutrients, high levels of toxic elements, salinity, compaction) and climatic (drought, waterlogging, high temperature, low temperature) conditions reduce plant and crop productivity (Pereira, 2016). Low fertility soils, and extreme weather events resulting from climate change, are a major threat to global food security (Evans, 2009). Plants have evolved sophisticated adaptive mechanisms to withstand the multiple abiotic stresses to which they are...

The Endophyte Trichoderma asperellum M2RT4 Induces the Systemic Release of Methyl Salicylate and (Z)-jasmone in Tomato Plant Affecting Host Location and Herbivory of Tuta absoluta

Abstract: The use of endophytic fungi has dramatically increased plant performance through the enhancement of plant protection against abiotic and biotic stressors. We previously demonstrated that the endophytic fungus Trichoderma asperellum M2RT4 improves tomato defenses against the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta through the reduction of oviposition, leafmining, pupation, and adult emergence. However, the underlying mechanism by which the presence of this endophytic fungus within tomato hos...

Integrating plant-to-plant communication and rhizosphere microbial dynamics: ecological and evolutionary implications and a call for experimental rigor

Abstract: The perception of airborne chemical signals by plants can trigger reconfigurations of their metabolism that alter their biotic interactions. While plant-to-plant chemical communication has primarily been studied in the context of eliciting defenses to herbivores and pathogens, recent work suggests that it can also affect plants’ interactions with their rhizosphere microbiomes. In this perspective, we discuss the potential for integrating the fields of plant-to-plant communication...

Enhancement of potato (Solanum tuberosum L) postharvest quality by use of magnetic fields – A case of shangi potato variety

Abstract: Production of potatoes in the developing countries has been on the rise. This reinforces the growing importance of potatoes throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America as a source of food and livelihood. However, this crop continues to experience major postharvest losses that are associated with a lack of effective storage facilities in these regions. This study used magnetic fields (MF) as an innovative technology to reduce potato losses while under storage. The effects of test var...

Evaluation of Different Management options of Fall Armyworm, (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Assessment of its Parasitoids in Some Parts of Ethiopia

Abstract: The fall armyworm (FAW) is a major pest of maize in America and its outbreaks in 2017 in Africa threatened maize, a staple food crop in the region. The effect of parasitoids, nine synthetic insecticides, eleven botanicals, five entomopathogens and pheromone lures have been studied against FAW in 2017 and 2018. Survey conducted in Jimma, Awash Melkasa, Hawasa, East and West Gojam identified three different species of parasitoids from FAW larvae belonging to Hymenoptera and Diptera. ...


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