African Journal of Agriculture

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 3 (9), pp. 221-233, October, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of pests, pollinators and pest-control on crop yield within sub-Saharan Africa

Aaron O. Benjamin^1*, David Taylor Gibb² and Hugh Tom Johnson^2,3

¹Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Lunyangwa Research Station, P. O. Box 59, Mzuzu, Malawi.

²School of Biosciences, Division of Plant and Crop Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.

³Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 10 October, 2016

Abstract

It is essential that the net effect of biodiversity on crop yields is determined; particularly in developing nations, where both increasing food security and reducing biodiversity losses are of high importance. This study modelled the abundance of pests, pollinators and pest-control animals and determined their impact on crop yield within agroecosystems in four rural villages in Malawi. Data on the habitat area, survivorship, fecundity, birthing month and effect on crop yield for 14 animal functional groups were collated through a focused meta-analysis. Using this data, models were created to determine the abundance of each functional group using land cover as the sole input variable; with Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA) utilised to validate the model prediction. Bees, birds and insects always improved crop yield, whereas monkeys, rodents and large herbivores always result in losses. Three out of four villages experienced a net benefit to crop yield from the animal biodiversity present. We conclude that models derived from meta-analyses appear useful for broadly predicting the local-scale abundance of functional groups and their qualitative impact on crop yield. However, long-term field observations should be conducted to ensure that the PRA values in this study correlate with direct observation.

Key words: Africa, Malawi, Zomba, agriculture, pest, pest control, pollination, pollinator.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 3 (8), pp. 214-220, September, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of foliar application of Selenium on its concentration in grains and Stover of maize, soybean and groundnut grown in Malawi

Aaron O. Benjamin^1*, David Taylor Gibb² and Hugh Tom Johnson^2,3

¹Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Lunyangwa Research Station, P. O. Box 59, Mzuzu, Malawi.

²School of Biosciences, Division of Plant and Crop Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.

³Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 11 August, 2016

Abstract

Agronomic biofortification of staple food crops with micronutrients important for human nutrition, such as selenium (Se), is currently being advocated to address widespread deficiencies in the diets of populations in sub-Saharan Africa. Previous research has shown that there is likely to be widespread dietary Se deficiency in Malawi due to low concentration of Se in edible parts of the staple crops, such as maize (Zea mays L), on low-pH soils, but that this could be addressed through agronomic biofortification using Se-enriched fertilisers. Farmers often intercrop maize with legumes such as groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and soybean (Glycine max). Therefore, a field study during the 2012/2013 cropping season examined the effect of foliar application of Se on its concentration in grains and stover of maize, soybean and groundnut grown as intercrops or sole crops at three sites in Malawi. Mean Se concentrations were highest in soybean seed, followed by groundnut seed and maize grain, both in plots with added Se and without. Application of 10 g ha-1 of Se increased Se concentration in maize grain by 8-fold, in groundnut seed by 9-fold and in soybean seed by 18-fold; thus universal adoption could increase estimated average dietary Se supply in Malawi from between 21 and 31 µg cap-1 d-1 to between 68 and 78 µg cap^-1 d^-1.

Key words: Selenium, intercropping, food security, hidden hunger, biofortification, fertilizers, mineral micronutrient deficiencies.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 3 (7), pp. 207-213, August, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of infestation by insect pest on some morphological characteristics of fresh fruits of Citrus sinensis L.

Onovughakpor Clement*, Arijaje David, Olukoya Destiny and Ogobiri Anderson

Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry,

University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 10 June, 2016

Abstract

The sweet orange, Citrus sinensis L. is an important fruit crop in Nigeria and its production is seriously constrained at maturity by attack of the fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata which results in severe yield loss. Effects of attack by C. capitata on fruit morphology and nutritional characteristics of C. sinensis from selected sites in southwest Nigeria were investigated. Twenty five mother citrus trees with >45 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were randomly selected at two plantation sites: Ede (Osun state) and Olodo (Ogun state) in southwestern Nigeria. Ten mature fruits, plucked randomly from four cardinal sections of each tree were classified based on levels of infestation. Effects of attack on fruit morphometrics were assessed by standard measurements while the effects on fruit quality were determined by proximate and mineral analyses. Results indicated that attack by C. capitata was characterized by oviposition punctures which predisposed the fruit to secondary infection by Penicillium notatum. Fruits were attacked at any point on the surface but significantly more at about 2 cm from the fruit stalk scar. Multiple attacks did not follow a regular pattern. Fruit attack by C. capitata significantly decreased moisture content of fruit by 79% and mineral content; calcium, phosphorous, copper, zinc and iron while percentage dry matter, crude protein and crude fiber decreased significantly (P<0.50) with increased infestation. Fruit infestation also caused significant decrease in the vitamin C content by about 50% but increased saccharose, maltose and glucose content of attacked fruits by about 10%.

Key words: Citrus sinensis, multiple infestations, Ceratitis capitata, fruit morphometrics, Penicillium notatum

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 3 (6), pp. 201-206, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of introduced TANPRIDE 70 WDG insecticide in tobacco production in Tanzania

Mohammed N. Abdulaziz*, Makongoro Abeid and Bahati Shivji Peploe

Agricultural Research Institute (ARI)-Tumbi, P.O BOX 306, Tabora, Tanzania.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 23 May, 2016

Abstract

In order to assess the performance of a new Imidacloprid 700 g/kg insecticide (TANPRIDE 70 WDG) in flue cured tobacco production and recommend appropriate dosages to farmers in tobacco production, on-farm experiments were conducted for three years at Udongo village in Sikonge district of Tabora region and on-station verification trial was done at TORITA site in Tabora region. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications was employed to evaluate the introduced TANPRIDE 70 WDG insecticide in tobacco production. The gross plot size was 24 m², the net plot was 12 m² and the spacing was 50 × 120 cm. There were 6 treatments as follows: Control (untreated); TANPRIDE 70 WDG, 150 gha^-1.; TANPRIDE 70 WDG, 200 gha^-1; TANPRIDE 70 WDG, 250 gha^-1; Confidor WDG, 750 gha^-1 (standard insecticide) and Selecron, 1500 mlha^-1 (standard insecticide). NPK (10: 18: 24) basal fertilizer was applied followed by top dressing of CAN (27% N) at the amount of 4 bags and 1 bag (50 kg) of NPK and CAN per acre respectively. Green and cured tobacco yields showed significant difference (P<0.05) among treatments. TANPRIDE products outyielded controls (untreated and commercial chemicals). Controls had the highest insects followed by Selecron. TANPRIDE chemicals had the lowest insects’ number. By adopting TANPRIDE product (200 gha^-1), a farmer can obtain 2380 kgha^-1 of cured tobacco leaves equivalent to 5,743,488 Tsh/ha to pay for production costs and other incentives. TANPRIDE products were highly recommended in tobacco growing areas so as to reduce production costs and increase farmers’ income.

Key words: Insecticide, insect control, Tabora, TANPRIDE, tobacco, TORITA.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 3 (6), pp. 193-200, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Utilization pattern and risk assessment of herbicides usage by farmers, marketers and agricultural extension workers (AEWs) in Plateau State, Nigeria

Umukoro Abraham¹*, Onoriose H. Friday² and Zubaru D. Ahmed³

¹Department of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Jos, Nigeria.

²Chemistry Programme, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State, Nigeria.

³Plateau Agricultural Development Programme (PADP), Jos-Plateau State, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 16 April, 2016

Abstract

This research involved carrying out a field survey using a semi structured questionnaire which assessed the practice and risk involved in the usage of herbicides by farmers, marketers and agricultural extension workers using field surveys for two seasons starting in June 2010. The parameters of interest in the survey are: assessments of the level of understanding of these groups of people on the toxicity of the herbicides, precautions taken and basic health symptoms experienced during or after handling the herbicides. The survey was done using the local languages to ensure that all target groups understand and make realistic contributions. The outcome of the survey indicates that 5 herbicides which include: atrazine, paraquat, glyphosate, 2,4-D-Amine and Pendimenthalin, are the most frequently used within the study area. Lack of awareness of the risk involved on exposure to these chemicals substances exposed a good percentage of the users to the chemicals, either when spraying or packaging the products; this informs why the low percentages (15%) of understanding of the basic precautions needed to handle the herbicides was observed among peasant farmers. The data collected were described using descriptive statistics. From the field survey, it was evident that more awareness and training need to be carried out on the usage of herbicides and other pesticides, most especially with the peasant farmers on the basic ethical practice and precautions needed in handling these classes of chemical farm inputs.

Key words: Herbicides, risk assessment, utilization, farmers, marketers, agricultural extension workers (AEWs).

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 3 (6), pp. 169-177, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of short-term tillage on soil properties, weeds dynamics and crop yield of wheat

Dhirubhai F. K Ambani* and Shah Dhyan Kapoor

Agro-Ecology and Pollution Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, 

Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar-249404 (Uttarakhand), India.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 26 May, 2016

Abstract

The influence of tillage on soil physical properties, weeds population and crop yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in agricultural fields was investigated in the Great Plains of Ganga River. The results revealed that summer tillage and spring tillage showed significant (P>0.05) change in moisture content, water holding capacity (WHC), hydraulic conductivity and microbial biomass of the agricultural soil in comparison to no-till soil. Soil bulk density (BD) was not significantly (P>0.05) affected by tillage. Both the summer and spring tillage decreased the moisture content, BD, WHC, hydraulic conductivity and microbial biomass. Both summer tillage and spring tillage significantly (P<0.05) decreased the number of weeds in the soil used for wheat cultivation. A total of 38 species of weeds from 22 families were recorded before the tillage, which was decreased to 5 and 12 species after summer and spring tillage respectively. Among the tillage, summer tillage more significantly (P<0.01) decreased the weeds in comparison to spring tillage. Both the summer and spring tillage significantly (P<0.05) increased crop yield of T. aestivum. Therefore, tillage improved the soil health and crop yield, and decreased the weed population.

Key words: Tillage, bulk density, water holding capacity, microbial biomass, weeds, wheat (Triticum aestivum).