Download or read book Assessing successive leaf yield performance of dual purpose cowpea Vigna unguiculata to decrease seasonal shortage of nutrients in resource poor small scale households of Tanzania and Uganda written by Severin Polreich and published by Cuvillier Verlag. This book was released on 2011-03-23 with total page 170 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study presents a method to assess yield performance of dual-purpose cowpea types for human consumption and to reveal potentials for further improvement of its use as leafy vegetable. Eleven cowpea accessions with different genetic background and sample status were chosen from AVRDC’s working collection in Arusha, Tanzania. Among them, dual-purpose cowpeas like Dakawa, Ex Iseke and Ngoji were present that the center has been distributing to local farmers. Multi-location trials in typical cowpea production environments were established both on farm and on station in the regions Arusha, Dodoma, and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and in Eastern Region, Uganda during the short and long rainy season 2007 and 2008, respectively. Young, tender leaves were picked in successive leaf harvests about every and two weeks until the plants did not produce further leaves. Cowpea seeds were harvested when pods reached 80% maturity. Data of yield parameters were analyzed with analysis of variance (ANOVA), stability analyses were carried out according to the dynamic and static concepts. Reliability of leaf and seed yield performances were calculated based on the probability of outperformance of local check cowpeas that were previously recommended by farmers and extension workers in informal group sessions. Through NIRS, crude protein and iron contents were assessed in leaves obtained from the second leaf harvests at the different locations and from up to subsequent leaf harvests. Dual-purpose utility for smallholders was assessed through (i) an index of superiority (Si), in which reliabilities of leaf yield across repeated leaf harvests and seed yield were weighed and combined to overall yield benefit of the ith accession, (ii) effective plot length for nutritional component XY, to calculate the length of a plot (in m) that needs to be planted to sustain a five-head household for ten days with a recommended amount of nutrients, and (iii) responsiveness (Resp), reflecting changes of leaf yield (compensation) relative to changes in seed yield (sensitiveness) if harvesting frequency was intensified. Performance of single leaf yields was strongly influenced by environmental factors and, only in Arusha, accession-specific. Interactions between yield reliability and stability were site-specific. Overall, test-accessions achieved higher reliabilities in seed yield than in leaf yield. Only in the on-station trial in Eastern Region, accession IT82D-889, and in the on-farm trial in Kilimanjaro, ILRI11114 and Ex Iseke showed leaf yield reliabilities above 0.50. Iron content in cowpea leaves was highly dependent on environmental influences and varied from 157.4 mg kg-1 to 286.1 mg kg-1. Leaf CP had a broad-sense heritability of 0.87. Across accessions and environments the mean leaf CP content ranged from 37.4% of DM (IT93K-2045-29) to 33.9% of DM (Sudan). CP and leaf dry matter (DM) yield had significantly negative correlation coefficients between. Means of effective plot length for crude protein and iron varied by more than 50% across environments. Although CP, in contrast to iron, was genetically determined, its impact on differences in effective plot length was negligible as well, as differences in production of leaf DM per m2 were by far larger among accessions than those of CP contents. It was recommended to favor accessions with short effective plot lengths and higher CP contents in leaf yields over those with short effective plot lengths and low CP contents. In contrast to determinate cowpeas, indeterminate types increased their DM gain in aerial plant parts of leaf-harvested plants relatively to unharvested plants. Indeterminate cowpeas responded with high leaf yield increases if leaves were picked twice a week. Consequently yields of total edible DM of these plant types, comprising added seed and leaf yields, increased with intensification of leaf-harvesting frequency from once to twice a week. Determinate plant types yielded highest in total edible DM when only seed was harvested or in less intensive leaf-harvesting scenarios. Accessions with favorable responsiveness, reflecting leaf yield changes relative to seed yield changes under intensified leaf-harvesting frequency, were Sudan, ILRI11114, and IT93K2045-29. In contrast, Resps of SAM45 and ILRI15742 were poorest. Traits have to be identified that could explicitly improve Resp of cowpea types. Improving quantitative yield parameters should not result in quality decrease. The dual-purpose characteristics of local checks were mainly superior to the eleven test-accessions pointing to a demand on improved leaf yield performance that is not merely total leaf yield amount but also the continuance during repeated leaf harvesting. By the proposed method the status quo of a defined location, i.e. site-specific demands on germplasm, can be included in the analysis, serving as benchmark for improvement if the local check is chosen carefully. Since single leaf yields are the results of fairly complex and dynamic interactions between plant physiological processes and environmental conditions it is essential to conduct participatory variety selection and plant breeding trials for dual-purpose assessments in target environments and not ex situ.
Download or read book Advances in Cowpea Research written by B. B. Singh and published by IITA. This book was released on 1997 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Cowpea: taxonomy, genetics, and breeding, physiology and agronomy, diseases and parasitic weeds, insect pests, postharvest technology and utilization. Biotechnological applications.
Download or read book Challenges and Opportunities for Agricultural Intensification of the Humid Highland Systems of Sub Saharan Africa written by Bernard Vanlauwe and published by Springer. This book was released on 2014-10-07 with total page 399 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The humid highlands in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are characterized by high population densities and require intensification. The Consortium for Improving Agriculture-based Livelihoods in Central Africa (CIALCA) has set up a research for development platform in various mandate areas in DR Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda, aiming to identify improved production, market, and nutrition options and facilitating the access for development partners to these options. This platform is supported by capacity building, multi-stakeholder dialogue, and monitoring and evaluation efforts. The conference, facilitated by CIALCA, aimed to (i) take stock of the state-of the art in agricultural intensification in the highlands of SSA and (ii) chart the way forward for agricultural research for development in the humid highlands of SSA, and more specifically in the recently launched Humidtropics Consortium Research Programme, through keynote, oral and poster presentations, and strategic panel discussions.
Download or read book Crop Residues in Sustainable Mixed Crop livestock Farming Systems written by C. Renard and published by Cabi. This book was released on 1997 with total page 344 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Technological constraints and opportunities in relation to class of livestock and production objectives; Trhe influence of socioeconomic factors on the availability and utilization of crop residues as animal feeds; Crop residues in Tropical Africa: trends in supply, demand and use; Cowpea and its improvement: key to sustainable mixed crop/livestock farming systems in West Africa; Dynamics of feed resources in mixed farming systems in Southeast, South Asia; West/Central Asia-North Africaand Latin America; Crop residues as a strategic resource in mixed farming systems; Alternatives to crop residues as feed resource in mixed farming systems; Alternatives to crop residues for soil amendment; Crop residues for feeding animals in Asia: technology development and adoption in crop/livestock systems; The national perspective: a synthesis of country reports presented at the Workshop.
Download or read book Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Africa written by Nteranya Sanginga and published by CIAT. This book was released on 2009 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Forward. A call for integrated soil fertility management in Africa. Introduction. ISFM and the African farmer. Part I. The principles of ISFM: ISFM as a strategic goal, Fertilizer management within ISFM, Agro-minerals in ISFM, Organic resource management, ISFM, soil biota and soil health. Part II. ISFM practices: ISFM products and fields practices, ISFM practice in drylands, ISFM practice in savannas and woodlands, ISFM practice in the humid forest zone, Conservation Agriculture. Part III. The process of implementing ISFM: soil fertility diagnosis, soil fertility management advice, Dissemination of ISFM technologies, Designing an ISFM adoption project, ISFM at farm and landscape scales. Part IV. The social dimensions of ISFM: The role of ISFM in gender empowerment, ISFM and household nutrition, Capacity building in ISFM, ISFM in the policy arena, Marketing support for ISFM, Advancing ISFM in Africa. Appendices: Mineral nutrient contents of some common organic resources.
Download or read book Near Infrared Spectroscopy written by Heinz W. Siesler and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2008-07-11 with total page 361 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over the last few years, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has rapidly developed into an important and extremely useful method of analysis. In fact, for certain research areas and applications, ranging from material science via chemistry to life sciences, it has become an indispensable tool because this fast and cost-effective type of spectroscopy provides qualitative and quantitative information not available from any other technique. This book offers a balanced overview of the fundamental theory and instrumentation of NIR spectroscopy, introducing the material in a readily comprehensible manner. A considerable part of the text is dedicated to practical applications, including sample preparation and investigations of polymers, textiles, drugs, food and animal feed. However, special topics, such as two-dimensional correlation analysis, are also covered in separate chapters. Written by eight experts in different fields, this book presents an introduction to the current state of developments and is valuable to spectroscopists and to practitioners applying NIR spectroscopy as a daily analytical tool.
Download or read book Pulse crops for sustainable farms in sub Saharan Africa written by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2018-05-22 with total page 60 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Pulses have a long history in sub-Saharan Africa due to their multiple benefits. Pulses, and legumes in general, can play an important role in agriculture because of their ability to biologically fix atmospheric nitrogen and to enhance the biological turnover of phosphorus; thus they could become the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture in Africa. In this sense, there is a body of literature that points to diversification of existing production systems – particularly legumes species, which provide critical environmental services, including soil erosion control and soil nutrient recapitalization. This publication is a review of some of the promising strategies to support the cultivation and utilization of pulses on smallholder farms in sub-Saharan Africa. The review is part of the legacy of the International Year of Pulses (IYP), which sought to recognize the contribution that pulses make to human well-being and the environment.
Download or read book Near Infrared Technology written by Phil Williams and published by AFRICAN SUN MeDIA. This book was released on 2019-09-01 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Imagine an analytical technique that uses no chemicals, gives accurate and precise results in minutes or even continuously, and is simple to install and safe to use. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) supplies this dream. This book covers all of the essential features for successful NIRS application in a practical and easily understandable format. The driving force behind compiling this book is to provide knowledge on all aspects of NIRS to potential users, and to users who would like to delve a little deeper into the technology. We have assembled the book, mainly to help in the application of near-infrared (NIR) instruments and technology in industry.
Download or read book Harmonisation of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology Safety Assessment of Transgenic Organisms in the Environment Volume 6 OECD Consensus Documents written by OECD and published by OECD Publishing. This book was released on 2016-04-05 with total page 330 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This series represents a compilation of the biosafety consensus documents developed by the OECD Working Group on Harmonisation of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology over the periods 2011-12 (Volume 5) and 2013-15 (Volume 6).
Download or read book Agrobiodiversity a training manual for farmer groups in East Africa written by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2018-06-26 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Farmers play a crucial role in the preservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity. In fact, the diversity of species that support our current agricultural production systems has been carefully managed and shaped by farming communities, over the course of the history of humankind. Farmers act as custodian of the Earth’s agrobiodiversity resources, and play a big part in preserving traditional plant and animal varieties, and the knowledge associated with these. FAO has long been working on promoting approaches to agriculture that enable both the sustainable use of biodiversity resources for food and agriculture, and their conservation, and on supporting farmers to make informed decisions on their farm management and production practices. This training manual fits in this broader commitment, to support a shift towards a paradigm of agricultural production that can sustain food and nutrition security while at the same time cause the least harm to natural ecosystems. The manual is intended as an introduction to agricultural biodiversity, and to its relevance to different aspects of agricultural production and management for smallholder farmers in Kenya. It includes eight different training modules, each covering a specific aspect related to agrobiodiversity. The modules are standalone and can be used independently one from the other, depending on the user’s or project’s aim. The materials were originally prepared within the FAO- Netherlands Partnership Programme (FNPP) and have been updated, revised and published under the second phase of the European Union-funded project “Capacity-building related to multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries”.
Download or read book Innovations as Key to the Green Revolution in Africa written by Andre Bationo and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2011-08-30 with total page 1339 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Africa can achieve self sufficiency in food production through adoption of innovations in the agriculture sector. Numerous soil fertility and crop production technologies have been generated through research, however, wide adoption has been low. African farmers need better technologies, more sustainable practices, and fertilizers to improve and sustain their crop productivity and to prevent further degradation of agricultural lands. The agricultural sector also needs to be supported by functional institutions and policies that will be able to respond to emerging challenges of globalization and climate change.
Download or read book African Indigenous Vegetables in Urban Agriculture written by Charles Michael Shackleton and published by Earthscan. This book was released on 2009 with total page 345 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: First Published in 2009. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
Download or read book The global economy of pulses written by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2019-10-18 with total page 190 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The production, trade and consumption of pulses have seen substantial growth over the last fifteen years. This report examines the trends and patterns of this growth, and the factors that explain these for different kinds of pulses. The report presents an analysis of trends of consumption of pulses in different regions of the world and discusses the role that pulses can play in human nutrition. The report presents an analysis of the dynamics of growth of major pulses in different pulse-producing countries of the world. It describes the increasingly important role of trade in the global economy of pulses and presents an analysis of changing patterns of trade. The report argues that there is a pressing need to close the large gap between potential and actual yields, particularly on smallholder farms in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, by increased adoption of improved varieties and modern agronomic practices in all developing countries. This in turn requires a major thrust in agricultural research and extension, improving credit availability, and public investment directed at pulse production. The report discusses future prospects and policy imperatives for sustaining the growth of pulse production.
Download or read book Small Scale Poultry Production Technical Guide written by E B Sonaiya and published by Daya Books. This book was released on 2007 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This technical guide promotes sustainable small-scale, family based poultry production. It gives a comprehensive review of all aspects of small-scale poultry production in developing countries and includes sections on feeding and nutrition, housing, general husbandry and flock health. Regional differences in production practices are also described. The guide provides the technical and scientific building blocks needed to develop sustainable programmes for small-scale poultry production. It will be of practical value to those keeping or planning to keep poultry and as a valuable technical reference for poultry specialists, researchers, students and those interested in broader rural development issues. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Species and Breeds; Chapter 3: Feed Resources; Chapter 4: General Management; Chapter 5: Incubation and Hatching; Chapter 6: Health; Chapter 7: Breed Improvement; Chapter 8: Production Economics; Chapter 9: Marketing; Chapter 10: Research and Development for Family Poultry.
Download or read book Management of Agroforestry Systems for Enhancing Resource Use Efficiency and Crop Productivity written by Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Soil and water management is the key to sustainable crop production and food security. This book contains contributions from participants of an IAEA coordinated research program on the use of nuclear techniques for developing integrated nutrient and water management practices for agroforestry systems.
Download or read book Modelling Nutrient Management in Tropical Cropping Systems written by R. J. Delve and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book African Indigenous Vegetables written by R. R. Schippers and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
