African Journal of Crop Science

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 5 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Cowpea storage practices and factors that influence choice in Ghana

Abudulai M.¹*, Etwire P. M.¹, Wiredu A. N.¹, Baributsa D.² and Lowenberg-DeBoer J.²

¹CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, P. O. Box TL 52, Tamale, Ghana.

²Purdue University, 615 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1168 USA.

Accepted 20 November 2016

Abstract

Cowpea grain is attacked by the storage weevil Callasobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Cuculionidae) and can cause 100% grain loss in poor storage. A survey of cowpea storage practices was conducted in 2011 in the major cowpea growing areas of Ghana, viz. Northern, Upper East, Upper West and the northern fringes of the Brong Ahafo Regions. The objective was to identify practices and technologies used by farmers to store cowpea as well as document the factors that influence such choices. A total of 320 cowpea producing households from 32 communities were surveyed using semi-structured questionnaires. Data also were collected through desk studies. Results showed that storing with ash and storing in single bags (traditional technologies), and storing in double bags, triple bags, drums and with insecticides (improved technologies) were the cowpea storage technologies used by farmers. Cowpea storage with insecticides was reported by 47% of the respondents and was the most popularly known technology among farmers, followed by the ash technology (24%), single bag technology (20%), double and triple bagging (7%) and the drum technology (2%). The double and triple bag technologies were more popular among farmers in the Northern and Upper West Regions. The ash technology was popular in the Upper East while farmers in the Brong Ahafo Region stored cowpea mainly with insecticides. Sole cowpea cropping was significantly dominant among farmers who have adopted improved cowpea storage technologies (88%) compared with those using traditional storage technologies (77%). Also, membership of a farmer based organization positively influenced farmers adoption of improved storage technologies. These findings have implications for the dissemination of improved cowpea technologies in Ghana.

Key words: Cowpea, weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus, practices, PICS.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 5 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Estimate of genetic variability and correlation coefficients for some quantitative characters in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Yakubu Yahaya

Lake Chad Research Institute, P. M. B. 1293 Maiduguri, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 24 November 2016

Abstract

To improve wheat in terms of yield and other agronomic characters, twenty-five (25) varieties of bread wheat were selected to test the amount phenotypic and genotypic variability present and phenotypic correlation coefficients in relation to yield. High genetic coefficient of variation was obtained for weight of main spike and awn length. Heritability was found to be high for awn length, spike length, weight of the main spike and plant height. Total tillers per plant, spike length and number of grains per spike had moderate heritability with high genetic advance. Grain yield per plant was high and positively correlated with effective tiller per plant. A positive significant correlation of yield was observed with length of spike, spike lets per spike, weight of main spike and plant height. Effective number of tiller and weight of the main spike had high heritability with high genetic advance and significant positive correlation with yield.

Key Word: Estimate, genetic variability, correlation coefficients, quantitative characters, bread wheat, (Triticum aestivum L.).

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Increasing production of soybean using biotechnology approach in Nigeria

M. N. Ishaq and B. O. Ehirim*

National Cereals Research Institute Badeggi, PMB 8, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.

Accepted 12 September, 2016

Abstract

Soybean production in Nigeria has increased tremendously through the performance of improved varieties. This is as a result of increased demand for the crop. Production cannot however meet the demand due to various challenges faced by the crop. This range from biotic factors like rust to abiotic factor like pod shattering. Using biotechnological approach has provided some solutions to trait improvement in diseases, pest, grain yield and nutrient enhancement of the crop. Biotechnological tools have helped in solving some production constrains like weed (development of Round-up ready soybean varieties) which has enhanced and increased soybean production worldwide. New varieties have also been incorporated with improved nutrient content and disease tolerance. Despite these efforts however, biotechnology faces some challenges due to cost, consumer test and environment acceptability.

Key words: Soybean, productivity, biotechnology, Nigeria.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 292-294, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of the effects of various media on growth and physical characteristics of Calendula

*Syed Hafiz, Ahmad Zikarya and Saeed Kazmi Kagha

College of Agriculture, Bahadur sub-campus Layyah, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 09 October 2015

Abstract

In this study, effects of various media on growth and physical characteristics of Calendula were evaluated. 20 days old seedlings were transplanted on different crop residues as media, including, Siltas control FYM+Silt (1:3), FYM+Silt (1:3) Maize crop residues and FYM+Silt (1:3) cockscomb as treatment, Completely Randomized Designs (RCBD) was applied to test the significance of treatments and means were compared. Highly significant results were found in all the parameters studied.Result showed that using maize residues significantly affected plant height (31cm) with maximum number of leaves (32) and more number of branches (15.33). The greatest numbers of flowers (15) were found in maize residues as compared to cockscombs residues. Cockscomb residues remain second in growth parameters while control has little effect on growth performance of calendula. These results lead toward better growth of production with maximum number of flowers.

Key words: Calendula officinalis L. residues, maize residues, cockscomb residues, vegetative growth.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 286-291, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of farmer’s cost and returns as well as economic performance of yam production in Osun State of Nigeria

Nnamdi Okeke

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, P.M.B.02 Uli. Ihiala L.G.A. Anambra State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 17 December, 2015

Abstract

This study examined the gross margin and constraint to yam production in Osun State, Nigeria. Multistage, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 160 respondents for the study. Well structured questionnaires were administered to the respondents to obtain data. Descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that majority (62.5%) were males, 90.3% were within the age range of 49 years and below, 58.3% were married, 70.9% had 6 - 20 years of farming experience and all the respondents had one form of formal education or the other. The enterprise was profitable based on the positive values of gross margin (N152,685,340), net farm income (N147,384,681) and net return on investment (0.92). Production was most seriously constrained by lack of capital, scarcity/ high cost of quality seed yams, high cost of labour, pests and diseases infestation and lack of modern technology. Yam farmer’s problems would be meliorated by the injection of more funds into agricultural production activities and the production of seed yams using yam minisett techniques. This would improve efficiency, enterprise profitability and sustainability.

Key words: Gross margin, constraints, yam production, Osun State, Nigeria.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 268-274, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Determinants of the growth and yield parameters of sorghum genotypes screened for loose smut in the Sudan savanna region of Nigeria

¹Rabiu Ibrahim*, ²Sayyu Kaita Danja and ²Moussa Murtala Umar

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa state, Nigeria.

²Department of Plant Science, Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 22 January, 2015

Abstract

One hundred and four sorghum genotypes were screened under field conditions for loose smut using the hypodermic stem injection artificial inoculation method and laid on a randomized complete block design with two replications. Results showed that, of the 104 sorghum genotypes screened for loose smuts, there was marked reduction in growth parameters in 26 (diseased) plants compared to healthy or non- infected (78) plants. Similarly, number of day to 50% heading as well as grain yield/hectare were significantly (P<0.05) affected in loose smut infected plants than in healthy plants, with the former usually having less number of days to heading, as well as less yield than the latter. However, day to 50% flowering was not significantly (P>0.05) affected even among the diseased plants. The present study have confirmed the fact that in loose smut, plants showing symptoms usually matured earlier and produced less grain yield but did not confirm the hypothesis that the affected plant flowers earlier than the healthy ones.

Key words: Growth and yield parameters, loose smut, sorghum genotypes, Sudan Savanna.