African Journal of Agriculture

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Morphological Characterization and Genetic Differentiation of Macadamia Cultivars in Kenya using Leaf and Fruit Traits

Lucy Gitonga^{1, 2,} Esther Kahangi^2, Anne Muigai^3, Kamau Ngamau^2, Simon Gichuki^4, Wilson Cheluget¹ and Simon Wepukhulu^1
1Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, National Horticultural Research Center, P.O box 01000-220, Thika, Kenya.
²Department of Horticulture, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O Box 00200-62000, Nairobi, Kenya.
³Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O Box 00200-62000, Nairobi, Kenya.
⁴Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Biotechnology Center, P.O. Box 00200-57811, Nairobi, Kenya.

Accepted 16 September, 2008

The ability to identify genetic variation is indispensable to effective management and use of genetic resources. Morphological traits are among the earliest markers used in germplasm characterization and management. Leaf and fruit morphological characteristics were recorded for 23 cultivars of Macadamia using a sample of 30 for each trait and replicated three times. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences in leaf length, width, petiole length and leaf marginal serrations. Significant differences were also revealed in fruit cluster length, number of fruits per cluster, fruit length but not fruit width. Cluster analysis using R statistics grouped the accessions into three major clusters referring to the two cultivated Macadamia species; Macadamia integrifolia and Macadamia tetraphylla displaying the highest dissimilarity, and the hybrids at the intermediate position. These markers are found to be reliable in distinguishing between the macadamia cultivars in Kenya. Among the markers, leaf petiole and marginal serrations are easily assessable and possible to use in distinguishing between the species.

Key words: Genetic diversity, macadamia germplasm, morphological markers, cluster analysis.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 12 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Variability in Pigment Profiles of Sweet Potato Leaves: Effects of Growth Stage and Cultivar

Seow-Mun Hue*, Amru Nasrulhaq Boyce and Chandran Somasundram

Institute of  Biological Sciences and Centre For Research in Biotechnology For Agriculture (CEBAR), Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Accepted 09 April, 2025

The study of pigments and nutritional composition in Ipomoea batatas has been intensive, yet little studies have been conducted on their leaves. I. batatas (sweet potato) leaves which are discarded after the harvesting period can be used as a potential source of natural dye extraction due to their high level of carotenoids (particularly lutein). Selection of leaves material is dependable on factors such as leaves varieties and stages of growth developments. Variations in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total carotenoids and lutein level were determined spectrophotometrically at different stages of leaves development in 6 different varieties of I. batatas leaves. Result showed that chlorophyll a, b, total carotenoids and lutein pigments increased rapidly when measured from day 1 to 7 and remained stagnant or decreased at older stages (day 15 to 18). Both the I. batatas var Oren and Biru Putih contained the highest amount of carotenoids and lutein from day 7 onwards compared to the other varieties and thus can be used as a suitable source of natural yellow dye.

Key words: Ipomoea batatas, pigments, developmental stage, spectrophotometric, lutein.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 12 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impacts of Pellet Fertilizer on Corn Productivity and Yield Characteristics

Reza-Bagheri1, Gholam Ali-Akbari2*, Mohammad Hossein-Kianmehr3, Zinol Abadin-Tahmasbi Sarvastani4 and Mehdi-Younessi Hamzekhanlu5

1College of Abouraihan, University of Tehran, P. O. Box 3391653775, Tehran, Iran.
2Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Abouraihan, University of Tehran, P. O. Box 3391653775,
Tehran, Iran.
3Mechanic of Agricultural Machinery, Aboureihan Campus, University of Tehran, P. O. Box 3391653775, Tehran, Iran.
4Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, University of Tarbiat Modares, P. O. Box 31485- 498, Karaj, Iran.
5Deparment of Agronomy and Plant Breeding science, College of Aburaihan,University of Tehran, P. O. Box

3391653775, Tehran, Iran.

Accepted 22 March, 2025

Increased use of chemical nitrogen fertilizers (N) in agricultural production continues to raise concerns, because of the risk of surplus N leaving the plant-soil system and thereby causing environmental contamination. Therefore, decreasing nitrate leaching from crop production fields, such as in corn fields, is of considerable importance. Against this backdrop, a field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of pelleted fertilizer, produced by mixing urea and dry cow dung manure, on corn yield and its components. The study was carried out, during the 2009 corn-growing season, at the experimental farm of College of Abouraihan, University of Tehran in Iran. The factorial design of the study comprised of randomized complete block with three replications. Factors this experiment involved: first factor was two levels of fertilizer application method which include pellet and mixed with soil, and second factor was four levels of nitrogen fertilizer pulse dry cow dung (46+600, 92+600, 138+600 and 184+600 kg/ha). The biological yield, grain yield, number of grains per ear, grain weight, harvest index, and grain protein content was calculated. Treatment T8 (184+600 kg/ha pelleted fertilizer) significantly produced better harvest index, highest 1000 grain weight, the maximum biological yield, the maximum grain yield and highest grain protein content per hectare. The use of pelleted fertilizer is therefore a better alternative to uncoated nitrogen fertilizer due to its slow and continuous nutrient release for plant uptake at different stages of its growth.

Key words: Biological yield, dry cow dung, urea, grain protein content, corn, grain yield.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 12 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of Water Scarcity Impacts on Sunflower Hybrid Performance

Hussein Oraki*, Iraj Alahdadi and Fataneh Parhizkar khajani

Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Abouraihan, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Accepted 18 January, 2025

In order to study the effect of water deficit stress on seed yield, yield component and some quantitative characteristics of sunflower hybrids, under three irrigation regimes (irrigation after 50 [normal irrigation], 100 [mild stress] and 150 [intense stress] mm cumulative evaporation from evaporation pan class A) and four sunflower hybrids (Azargol, Alstar, Hysun 33 and Hysun 25), an experimental split plot design based on a RCB was conducted in 2009 in the research station of university of Tehran, college of Abouraihan in Pakdasht region, Iran. Water stress significantly decreased seed yield, yield components and seed oil content but increased seed protein content in all sunflower hybrids. The highest seed yield of 2591 kg/ha was obtained from normal irrigation. An increase of the seed protein content and a decrease of the seed oil content occurred when water input decreased, although at different level for each hybrid according to their genetic constitution. Allstar hybrid had highest amount of all characteristics, except of seed oil and protein content. Results indicated that under normal irrigation, mild and intense water deficit stress, maximum seed yield was obtained by Azargol (3448 kg/ha), Alstar (2121 kg/ha) and Alstar (829 kg/ha) respectively. Therefore, Alstar hybrid under both levels of water deficit stress conditions in aspect of seed yield and related traits such as seed number per head, 1000 seed weight and head diameter had the most tolerance to these conditions. However, with normal irrigation, Azargol hybrid had highest seed yield.

Key words: Seed oil content, seed yield, sunflower, water deficit stress, yield component.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 12 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring Farmer Attitudes and Disease Impacts on Helmeted Guinea Fowl Production in Borgou Department, Benin

C. K. Boko1*, M. T. Kpodekon1, S. Farougou1, M. Dahouda2, A. K. I. Youssao1, G. L. Aplogan3, J. Zanou3 and J. G. Mainil4

1Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey Calavi/ Département de Production et Santé
Animales, Republic of Benin.
2Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques/ Département de Production Animale,
Republic of Benin.
3Laboratoire de Diagnostic Vétérinaire et de séro-surveillance, Parakou, Republic of Bénin.
4Université de Liège, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Département des Maladies Infectieuses et
parasitaires/Bactériologie, Belgium.

Accepted 22 April, 2025

Though the raising of helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) is an important part of rural farming in West-Africa, the death rate of keets within the first two months of life reaches values higher than 50%. The aim of this study conducted in North East Benin (Borgou department) was (i) to correlate the farming systems to keet morbidity and mortality rates; and (ii) to identify non-biological and biological factors responsible for keet deaths. The scavenging farming system is the basis of guinea-fowl breeding with overnight housing in overcrowded coops and “natural” feeding/watering conditions. This farming system is therefore understandably predisposed to the onset and spread of microbial and parasitic diseases, but the mortality rate (ca. 70%) was also influenced by the monthly rainfall and the circadian rhythm of temperature. None of the clinical signs or organ lesions at necropsy was specific to any microbial or parasitic disease. Accordingly, with the exception of salmonellae, the isolated bacteria represented post-mortem invaders and/or secondary pathogens and the helminth species identified were of low pathogenicity. In conclusion, the practice of guinea fowl breeding within the scavenging system will only be successful after improvement of hygienic parameters, such as housing, crowding, feeding, and watering conditions.

Key words: Guinea fowl, scavenging system, morbidity, mortality, bacteria, parasites, Benin.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 12 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ecological Determinants of Tsetse Fly Distribution Limits and Their Impact on Livestock Production in Tanzania

Imna Malele*, Hamisi Nyingilili and Atway Msangi

Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Research Institute, Majani Mapana, Off Korogwe Road, P. O. Box 1026 Tanga, Tanzania.

Accepted 5 April, 2025

Tsetse survey to re-define its distribution limit in Tanzania was conducted from 2005 to 2009. Based on the old tsetse infestation map, tsetse sampling using odour baited biconical traps were deployed and emptied after 24 h during the onset of dry season. The survey covered the southern, western, northern and north eastern regions of the country. Obtained results indicated that Glossina morsitans sl and G. pallidipes were the dominant and widely distributed tsetse species, although their boundaries had shrank. Changes in land use, which include human settlement and associated activities, infrastructure development and land reform policies, were the major reason for the new tsetse distribution limit. Movement and settlement of huge stocks of insecticide baited livestock in once tsetse infested areas significantly altered the ecology of favored tsetse habitats and their hosts leading to the disappearance of tsetse breeding sites and tsetse species. Human population increase in formally tsetse infested areas also contributed to the disappearance of tsetse. The most affected regions were found to be Rukwa and Mtwara. Chi square test indicated a significant difference on number of collected tsetse in different location; highest density observed in game reserve and the lower in areas near wild animal migratory corridor and protected forest areas. Tsetse flies were confined to protected areas, which include national parks, game and forest reserves. The new tsetse distribution limit is set to influence the epidemiology of African Trypanosomiasis, tsetse control initiatives and the future of livestock sector in Tanzania.

Key words: Tsetse ecology, African trypanosomiasis, land use, conserved areas, livestock.