African Journal of Soil Science

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 5 (3), pp. 403-409, March, 2017. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

A study of profit efficiency among cassava producers in South western Nigeria

Abayomi Oyenuga, Temilade Olumide and Oladotun Adebimpe

Department of Agricultural Education and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Swaziland, Kwaluseni, Swaziland.

Accepted 22 December, 2016

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

Abstract

This study examined the profit efficiency in cassava production with a view to isolating significant factors leading to variation in farm-specific profit inefficiencies among cassava producers, using Southwestern Nigeria as a case study. Cross sectional data obtained from 109 representative samples of cassava producers with the aid of structured questionnaire supplemented with oral interview were analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics to explain the socio-economic characteristics of the cassava producers and stochastic frontier profit function to estimate profit efficiency of cassava producers in the study area. Results showed that about 51% of cassava producers had formal education; about 50% had more than ten years of farming experience while the average age, household size and farm size of the respondents stood at 46 years, 8 people and 3 hectares respectively. Result of the analysis further showed that the profit efficiencies of the farmers ranged between 20% and 91%, while the mean level of profit efficiency was 79% which suggested that an estimated 21% loss in profit was due to a combination of both technical and allocative inefficiencies. The study further showed that household size and farm size were the major significant factors which influenced profit efficiency positively. The study concluded that there is scope for increasing profit efficiency in cassava production by directing policy focus on these profit efficiency factors.

Key words: Profit efficiency; cassava producers; South Western Nigeria.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 4 (5), pp. 339-346, September, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Physical attributes of an ultisol under systems planting and crop successions after ten years

Valdinei Araújo Gonçalves¹, Igor Rodrigues de Assis², Lino Roberto Ferreira³, Matheus Ferreira França Teixeira⁴, Gustavo Antônio Mendes Pereira⁵, Matheus de Freitas Souza⁶ and Douglas Teixeira Saraiva⁷

¹Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Plant Science Department, Graduate Program in Plant Science, Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, ZIP 36570-900.

²Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Soil Department, Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, ZIP 36570-900.

³Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Plant Science Department, Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, ZIP 36570-900.

⁴Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Plant Science Department, Graduate Program in Plant Science, Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, ZIP 36570-900.

⁵Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Plant Science Department, Graduate Program in Plant Science, Viçosa,Minas Gerais State, Brazil, ZIP 36570-900.

⁶Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Plant Science Department, Graduate Program in Plant Science, Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, ZIP 36570-900.

⁷Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Plant Science Department, Graduate Program in Plant Science, Viçosa Minas Gerais State, Brazil, ZIP 36570-900.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 06 July, 2016; Revised 05 August, 2016; Accepted 09 August, 2016; Published 29 August, 2016

Abstract

The physical quality of the soil is of great importance for a sustainable agricultural system. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the physical attributes of an Ultisol, after ten years under two different tillage systems - tillage and no-tillage, and two crops successions - corn-beans and soybean-wheat. It will determined the bulk density, macroporosity, microporosity, total porosity and the content of organic matter in depths 0-5; 10-15 and 20-25 cm and soil mechanical resistance to penetration to a depth of 60 cm. In the depth of 0-5 cm greater volume of micropores in soil with corn-beans succession at the no-tillage. The succession soybean-wheat under tillage resulted in the highest levels of organic matter. Higher density values were observed in the no-tillage system with corn-beans succession. Values critical for soil resistance to penetration were observed between 5 and 25 cm deep at the no-tillage/succession soybean-wheat. The bulk density is the physical attribute of Ultisol less influenced by the assessed management systems. The total porosity of Ultisol did not differ between no-tillage and tillage system, after ten years of crop succession. After ten years, no-tillage system and corn-beans succession were the least negatively affected of the evaluated physical attributes of Ultisol.

Keywords: Tillage, no-tillage, corn-bean, soybean-wheat, management, soil of degradation.

African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 4 (4), pp. 328-338, August, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Statistical approach to the analysis of the variability and fertility of vegetable soils of Daloa (Côte d’Ivoire)
 
Ferdinand Gohi Bi ZRO¹*, Arnauth Martinez GUEI1, Yves Krogba NANGAH2, Dogniméton SORO¹, Sidiki BAKAYOKO^1
 
1Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, UFR Agroforesterie, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
²Université Péléforo Gon Coulibaly, UFR Sciences Biologiques, BP 1328 Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire.

Corresponding author. E-maill: [email protected]. Tel: +22549904590

Received 04 June, 2016; Accepted 29 July and Published 21 August, 2016

Abstract
 
This study was conducted to determine the morphological and physicochemical properties of vegetable soils of Daloa (Center West region of Côte d'Ivoire). Thus, we could know the reasons for the variability in crop yields experienced by operators of these soils. The study consisted firstly to localize the principal sites of vegetable soils. During this investigation phase, five gardening sites were identified. Soils of these sites have been described and samples were taken for laboratory analyzes. Finally, statistical analyzes were performed on soil properties determined. The results showed that the soils of these different sites correspond to three subsets of soils fertility which differed essentially by their textures and cationic exchange capacity, their rate of organic matter, iron and zinc, their humidity and acidity. Soils of Labia site characterized by a balanced texture, slightly acidic pH, high cationic exchange capacity and high level of organic matter are most fertile. The organic matter in these soils are derived in general from the decomposition of household waste which had been dumped there. However, these soils have presented real risks of iron toxicity because of their high iron content. Also, their high content of zinc that comes from household waste suggests that they could be well supplied with other heavy metals contained in household waste too.  
 
Keywords: Statistical approach, vegetable soils, variability, fertility, Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.