ABSTRACT There is yawning variation in yield of storage roots and vines of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) among farmers due to the use of different cutting positions and pruning of vines at different levels. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the cutting position and the vine pruning level that give the highest yield of both the storage roots and vines. Determination of storage root length, central storage root diameter, storage root weight and vine weight among different cutti...
ABSTRACT Potato is one of the most widely grown tuber crop that contribute significantly to human nutrition and food security. Potato is a cool season crop and high temperatures are inhibitory to tuberization resulting in low yields. This is mainly due to production of high levels of gibberellins at high temperatures that promote vegetative growth at the expense of tuberization. The balance of hormones that control tuberization can be managed by using anti-gibberellin synthesis such as paclob...
Abstract Exorbitant prices and the unavailability of cotton seed cake on the Zimbabwean market are a major constraint to pen fattening of beef cattle on the farms. This study was conducted at New Donnington Farm to evaluate the effects of dried poultry litter (26% Crude Protein) as a substitute of cotton seed cake (31% Crude Protein) on average daily gain, total weight gain, feed conversion ratio and costs of formulating rations of Brangus steers. Thirty steers aged 18 months weighing 300±5 ...
ABSTRACT This study was designed to analyze profit and risk management strategies in selected agribusinesses in Imo, Nigeria. The methods of proportionate sampling, followed by random sampling techniques were adopted in selecting the Local Government Areas and the sample size. Data were collected with the use of questionnaire administered on 168 agribusiness entrepreneurs (87 food crops and 81 livestock entrepreneurs). The data collected were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentag...
Abstract : Despite the increase in forest areas and villages under the participatory program over the last two decades in Tanzania, there is little insight into the communities’ views regarding their participation. This study aimed to explore communities’ participation in the participatory forest program in Tanzania. The survey involved 159 households, randomly sampled from four villages bordering state and community-managed forests, in West Usambara Mountains. The factor analysis summari...
ABSTRACT This study was carried out at four stations along the Central Namibian marine coastline towns (Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties Bay and Cape Cross) to assess trace metals pollution using Choromytilus meridionalis as indicator organism. Samples were collected using randomized sampling techniques during winter and summer months of 2012. EPA 3050B and ICP-OES protocols were used to digest and assimilate the samples. Data were analysed using a 4x2x3 factorial model of a completely random...
Abstract The fishing industry is an important sector in Namibia with hake contributing about one third of the total commercial catch. Merluccius capensis, the shallow water hake, forms the bulk of this resource. Studies on the distribution of spawners and juveniles, spawning areas and genetics have proposed three stock structure hypotheses of M. capensis in the Benguela: (1) one stock throughout, (2) one in the northern and one in the southern Benguela or (3) three stocks: one in the norther...
Abstract The study was carried out along the Namibian coastline, this includes Henties Bay, Swakopmund, Bird Island, Walvis Bay and Lüderitz to assess presence of shellfish marine biotoxins in mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis which are filter feeders and feed on some of the algal species that produces phycotoxins, that can negatively affect the mariculture industry and human health. Samples were analysed for Paralytic and lipophilic shellfish toxins; including environmental parameters and ...
Abstract The Hombolo dam (HD), in central Tanzania, is a shallow reservoir characterized by high salinity that limits its use for human activities. The origin of the salinity, mechanisms of reaching and concentrating in the dam remain unclear. These were assessed using hydrogeochemical facies, water type evolutions and mapping. The source of HD salinity was identified to be shallow groundwater (SG) and runoff from a seasonal floodplain with NaCl-rich lithological materails, along Little Kiny...
Abstract Climate change is currently a serious threat for agriculture development and food security in sub-Saharan Africa. With the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) climate outlook for the 21st century, the future of maize production in Tanzania remains under threat due to more intense and frequent droughts, and more erratic rainfall patterns. Effective adaptation to these ongoing changes in climatic condition is key to securing food production and livelihoods for millions of ...
ABSTRACT Studies were conducted on nine (9) bambara groundnut (Voandzeia subterranea) accessions representative of cultivars cultivated in Ghana, Swaziland and Zimbabwe at the University Farms, Legon, on two planting dates.
ABSTRACT Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium species and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. The disease is currently ranked high among the most problematic infectious diseases around the world. Despite the significant progress that has been made toward reducing the global burden of malaria, it remains one of the most significant public health threats in sub-Saharan Africa and many other parts of the developing world. Current malaria control measures have adverse environmenta...
ABSTRACT The performance of 16 cultivers of common wheat was studied at Kpong in 8 monthly plantings to
Increasing inorganic fertilizer costs for food production and energy requirement for inorganic fertilizer production suggests the need to supplement the nutrient requirement of crops through organic amendments such as crop residues, manures and composts. Combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers can improve rice productivity and sustain soil health and fertility. A pot experiment was conducted to compare the effects of N source as compost (organic), inorganic fertilizer (inorganic) or...
ABSTRACT Cocoa research has been largely funded by the government of Ghana since 1960,