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Infiltration is the process by which surface water enters soil, is part of the regulatory ecosystem services, and is of the greatest importance for environmental and agricultural management. Its spatial and temporal variability is particular for each soil type and intended usage. The objective was to determine which of the land types and land uses provide the most ecosystem services based on their water infiltration and its spatial prediction. This study evaluated the Sahuayo River basin in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, on agricultural and agricultural land uses (Luvisols, Vertisols, and Leptosols). Sixty soil samples were collected at stratified random points, and their organic matter content, texture, and bulk density were assessed via laboratory methods. An analysis of variance with multiple means comparisons was performed on the infiltration variable results. The SCORPAN model was used to predict the infiltration spatial distribution using three machine learning algorithms (with default and hyperparameter tuning) and 11 variables. These variables correspond to topographic attributes, climate, soil properties, and remote sensing data. The model’s predictive power was evaluated using its mean square root error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) values. The nonagricultural Leptosols had the highest infiltration capacity (fp=2210.6 mm⋅h−1), whereas the agricultural Vertisols had the lowest infiltration capacity (fp=275.8 mm⋅h−1). Both combinations significantly differed from each other. The highest precision model was recorded with the artificial neural network algorithm, which reported the lowest MAE and RMSE values for both variable selection methods in their default configurations and with hyperparameter adjustment.

The adoption of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) practices can improve soil quality and sustainably increase crop yield while slowing down the rate of ongoing degradation. This research assessed the effects of selected ISFM practices on soil properties at the Dire and Legedadi watersheds, central highlands of Ethiopia, in the 2021 and 2022 cropping seasons. Eight treatments were selected (sole wheat, sole faba bean, 100% recommended NPS + urea fertilizers, 100% recommended vermicompost (VC), wheat with half dose both NPS + urea and VC, wheat and faba bean intercropping with half dose both NPS + urea and VC, wheat and faba bean intercropping with half-dose NPS + urea fertilizers, and wheat and faba bean intercropping with 50% VC). The treatments were studied on farmers’ fields using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance showed that soil samples collected from each plot indicated significant differences in soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (Pav), exchangeable bases (Ca2+, Na+, and Kexc), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Soil pH and moisture showed improvement in combined fertilizers application compared to the preplanting soil sample. A combined application of VC and NPS + urea fertilizers significantly (p

It is a fact that the performance of most crop genotypes varies across environments due to genotype-environment interactions. Sharing knowledge about maize genotypes that are well-adapted and high-yielding in specific environments is essential for smallholder farmers to boost their productivity. A field trial was established in three locations during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons to identify and select better-adapted high-yielding maize genotypes for production. A total of 10 improved varieties were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The AMMI analysis of variance showed grain yield significantly (p≤0.001) influenced by genotype-environment interaction. This suggests that different genotypes showed varying grain yield performance across environments, implying the opportunity to choose effective genotypes suitable for both specific and broad adaptability. Moreover, the combined analysis of variance showed that genotype-environment interaction significantly influenced plant height, ear height, dry biomass yield, and hundred-kernel weight. The sum of squares factor explained that grain yield variation was contributed by the genotype (71.22%), followed by the environment (16.54%) and the genotype-environment interaction effect (12.24%) of the total variation. Genotypes BH-661, BH-549, and BH-546 demonstrated superior performance and stability, surpassing the national maize mean productivity and indicating broad adaptability. The AMMI analysis, GSI, and GGE biplot confirmed their robustness and high yield potential, especially for BH-661 and BH-549, making them optimal for variable conditions. Therefore, BH-661 and BH-549 are selected as stable genotypes for production in all agroecologies suitable for maize in the Dawuro zone.

Pathogenic fungi can cause significant annual losses in the quality and quantity of fruits belonging to Rosaceae family during pre- and postharvest. Synthetic fungicides are considered the main method for controlling diseases in food crops; however, they pose a great risk to human health and to the environment. As a result, biological control methods, which are based on living microorganisms to reduce the population or to inhibit the growth of pathogens, have arisen as a safe alternative. In this review, we highlight the principal mechanisms (e.g., nutrition and space competition, mycoparasitism, induced resistance and growth enhancement, production of volatile organic compounds, and antibiosis) utilized by the most frequently reported non-Saccharomyces biocontrol agents (BCAs) yeasts: Meyerozyma guilliermondii, Pichia membranifaciens, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Hanseniaspora uvarum, and Aureobasidium pullulans, against the common pathogenic fungi found within Rosaceae family: Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea, and Monilinia spp. Understanding BCAs’ importance and mode of action is a necessary step in order to reduce the detrimental effect of spoilage fungi in the agriculture and food industry, by achieving a more sustainable and safer control of them.

Irrigation farming is one approach to reduce climate-related risks, and make production possible throughout the year. Nevertheless, farmers were limited to using small-scale irrigation (SSI) in the study area. This study mainly analyzed the perception of farmers’ and their constraints to use irrigation. The study used a multistage sampling technique to collect the primary data from 102 nonuser and 82 irrigation user respondents. Likert rating scale, relative importance index (RII), and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The result of the RII indicates that, irrigation ensures high-net income (0.87), high-market demand for products (0.84), and insurance against drought (0.82) were highly perceived as advantageous attributes of the irrigation. Whereas, production cost (0.85), skill requirements (0.74), and declining soil fertility (0.65) were strongly perceived as relative disadvantage attributes of irrigation. Plant disease, input shortages, ineffective water distribution, and poor transportation are identified as major constraints for farmers to practice irrigation. Overall, farmers commonly noted the importance of irrigation. However, irrigation users highly perceived the positive attributes; whereas nonusers extremely perceived the negative attributes of irrigation. This implies the existence of perception differences between the two groups of farmers. Therefore, concerned stakeholders should strive to close the perception gap toward irrigation through interventions.

Globally, the human population is growing at an alarming rate, reducing land coverage over time. In the modern world, lifestyle changes, the nature of work, and food habits increase the incidence of serious diseases in animals, and human activity influences the environment, such as the use of chemical fertilizers for agriculture, large terrestrial ecosystems all over the biosphere, such as deforestation of plants, which could not sink from atmospheric CO2, and the production of fuels for energy, which would increase the need for fossil fuels but would also deliver low energy fuels at a high energy cost. To overcome the above problems, Azolla plants perform well since they can be grown at low labor costs, on small plots of land, and for a variety of purposes including animal feed/livestock, poultry and fish production, environmental remediation, biofertilizer and biocontrol for mosquito repellents, carbon sequestration of CO2, and bioenergy effectiveness all year. As a result of their low impact on the environment and human health, Azolla plants are becoming increasingly important. The purpose of this review is to provide evidence of Azolla plant production and its potential role in various applications for a greener, more sustainable approach. This review was progressive in that it assessed and produced peer-reviewed papers related to Azolla plant production and its potential role in different applications for a sustainable greener approach. Based on the findings of reputable educational journals, articles were divided into three categories: methods used to produce the nutritional composition of Azolla, environmental factors that affect the efficiency of Azolla plants, and strain improvement of Azolla for enhanced multipurposes and techniques that are currently being used to meet Azolla plants production and its prospective applications for different sustainable greener approaches. The present findings indicate that Azolla is a rich source of protein, which has a clear benefit in offsetting a portion of the nutritional needs of animal/livestock, poultry, and fish production with what is effectively a low-cost dietary supplement, biocontrol of mosquito repellent, environmental bioremediation, biofertilizer, carbon sequester of CO2, and bioenergy for the potential need of Azolla plant applications. Azolla plants have long been recognized for their benefits in greener and more sustainable lifestyles, as well as quality enhancement and bio-based economy over traditional approaches. Because it relied on natural resources and utility green production, this review’s recovery was chosen as an appropriate and environmentally sound solution for a long and healthy lifestyle.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a highly destructive pest recently reported in various Asian countries and originated in the subtropical regions of America. It was first recorded in Nepal on May 9, 2019. This invasive species poses a significant threat to maize production because it can undergo multiple generations, migrate, and feed on a wide range of host plants. A laboratory study was conducted with 3 categories of pesticides: conventional, newer, and bio-rational. The study focused on evaluating the efficacy of these pesticides on the third-instar larvae of S. frugiperda. The treatments included (1) newer chemical pesticides: spinosad 45% suspension concentrate (SC) (Tracer 1 ml/3 L of water), spinetoram 11.7% SC (Delegate 0.5 ml/L of water), chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC (Allcora 1 ml/2.5 L of water), emamectin benzoate 5.7% water dispersible granules (WDG) (top killer 1 g/2.5 L), (2) conventional pesticide: chlorpyrifos 50% EC (Predator 2 ml/L), and (3) bio-rational pesticides: Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki 0.5% wettable powder (WP) (Maharashtra 2gm/L), Metarhizium anisopliae 1.0% WP (Kalichakra 5 ml/L), Beauveria bassiana 2% AS (DamanL 5 ml/L), Azadirachta indica 4.5% (Neemix 5 ml/L), Syzygium aromaticum 100% v/v (Kanti herbal Clove oil 3 ml/L), and spinosad 45% SC (Tracer 0.3 ml/L). Fresh maize leaves were treated using the leaf dip method and then fed to 3rd instar larvae of FAW. The results revealed that spinetoram and spinosad caused 100% larval mortality within the first 24 hours after treatment. Similarly, spinosad (99.99%) and clove oil (76.64%) were the most effective bio-rational pesticides followed by B. bassiana and B. thuringiensis. The newer and bio-rational pesticides that showed high efficacy could be suggested for further study in farmers’ fields. They could be recommended for testing as a component of integrated pest management for effective management of FAW in Nepal.

The characterization and introduction of agroecology is separated into several zones based on the physical conditions of the environment. This study aimed to obtain land suitability for paddy, corn, and soybean-based information and potential of the local resource, which is a digital map of agroecological zones (AEZs) and crop requirements in Jombang district. The strategy is that land suitability zones for rice, corn, and soybeans can be extrapolated to other areas that have the similar agroecology zones in the Jombang region or other regions in Indonesia. This research includes the following 3 series of activities: (1) data gathering and administration, (2) field activities, and (3) data processing. Information on climate characteristics, plant growth, and needs were obtained from field studies and literature studies and then the information was overlaid using a land use expert system with the ALES (automated land evaluation system) program to determine the ZAE class. The results of this study were that AEZ in Jombang district is dominated by Zone IV with a slope of

Large quantities of agrochemicals are regularly applied in coffee farms to control pests and diseases and provide adequate nutrients to boost yields. Agrochemicals have varied amounts of heavy metals and their prolonged use to attain maximum yields contributes to the contamination of soil, surface, and groundwater. The study determined the levels of lead, cadmium, and copper in soil and cassava tubers (Manihot esculenta) grown in single-cropped and intercropped farms in Kathiani Subcounty, Machakos County, Kenya. Soil and cassava tuber samples were obtained in a zigzag of five cores across the farms. Cadmium, copper, and lead levels in the collected samples were determined using the atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) Shimadzu AA-6200 model. Data were presented using tables and figures. One-way ANOVA was used to examine the mean differences of heavy metals between locations. Significant treatment difference was tested at α = 0.05 using the Tukey test. The results revealed that soils from single-cropped farms had a range of 0.09–0.59, 4.1–4.6, and 0.021–0.032 mg·kg−1 for cadmium, copper, and lead, respectively, while soils from intercropped farms had a range of 0.25–0.83, 4.9–10.1, and 0.022–0.037 mg·kg−1 for cadmium, copper, and lead, respectively. Considering cassava tubers in the single-cropped system, the mean values (mg·kg−1) of Cd, Cu, and Pb for the pith were 4.7, 6.8, and 0.028, for the bark were 4.4, 4.3, and 0.02, and for the epidermis were 3.1, 4.0, and 0.02, while flesh had 2.6, 1.4, and 0.05, respectively. Analysis of the tubers in the intercropped system indicated that the pith had a mean value of 7.8, 7.0, and 0.20 mg·kg−1 for Cd, Cu, and Pb, respectively. Similarly, the bark had 5.8, 4.6, and 0.16 mg·kg−1 for cadmium, copper, and lead. The epidermis indicated a concentration of 5.1, 4.6, and 0.12 mg·kg−1 for cadmium, copper, and lead, while the flesh had 2.8, 1.5, and 0.06 mg·kg−1, respectively. The results revealed the presence of heavy metals in both single-cropped and intercropped farms. The observed means for cadmium, copper, and lead in both sets of farms were within the WHO recommended levels for agricultural soils. However, the study observed higher cadmium, copper, and lead levels in soils and cassava tissues from intercropped farms compared to single-cropped farms.

This study presents investigation of the exposure levels and the resulting radiological effect of radiation of a natural radioactivity on a population of one village of Burkina Faso called Villy. For this purpose, soil, water, and sorghum samples were collected. The samples collected were processed and analyzed by gamma ray spectrometry at the laboratory of the national authority of radiation protection (ARSN) for natural radioactivity characterisation. The average specific activities of U-238, Th-232, and K-40 were found to be: 35.53, 32.38, and 162.85 Bq/kg for soil; 0.78, 1.16, and 310.53 Bq/kg for sorghum; and 0.16, 0.14, and

Soil quality is threatened when the forest cover is replaced by cultivated and grazing lands in Mante watershed found in South Ethiopia. The study aimed to ascertain how different land use patterns and slope gradients affected the physicochemical characteristics of the soil. The watershed was stratified according to the predominant land use types, namely, grazing land, cultivated land, and forest lands with slope gradient variations to choose sites for soil sampling. Three slope classes were used to categorize the catchments of the watershed: 0–15%, 15–30%, and >30%. In soil depths of 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm, fifty-four (54) composite soil samples were taken (3 land use types × 3 slope classes × 2 soil depths × 3 replications). The results showed that the highest mean values of total nitrogen, available phosphorus, CEC, Ca, K, Mg, and Na were high but pH was low under forest lands and slope gradients of >30% but cultivated lands with the lowest mean values found in the range of 0–15% slopes. Regarding soil depth, the upper layer (0–20 cm) had higher mean values for silt fraction, pH, CEC, and Mg, while the lower layer (20–40 cm) had lower mean values. The soil quality was higher under the forests because Na had a greater significance in the upper soil layer and a lower value in the lower soil layer. The decline in the soil quality under the cultivated land suggests that integrated soil and water management is necessary to maintain the favorable soil physicochemical properties and replenish the degraded soil.

Garlic is one of the most significant vegetable crops; however, western Ethiopian agricultural land soils are limited by acidic soil, and garlic yield and profit margins continue to be low. The objective of the current experiment was to determine whether the economic viability of garlic production in Gimbi, Western Ethiopia, could be supported by the simultaneous application of biochar, lime, and inorganic fertilizer. The experiment comprised 14 treatments laid out in a RCBD with 3 replicates. The use of combined coffee husk biochar (CHB), soil test-based value lime (STV), and inorganic fertilizer (NPSB) rates at comb4 and comb11, respectively, resulted in the maximum net benefit costs of 955,461.25 ETB ha−1 in farm 1 and 1,086,776.22 ETB ha−1 in farm 2, whereas costs were incurred with total variable costs of 21,317.75 ETB ha−1 and 16,038.78 ETB ha−1, respectively. The treatments with the highest marginal rates of return in farms 1 and 2 were those that included CHB, STV, and NPSB at comb4 (marginal rate of return = 266,932.80%) and comb12 (marginal rate of return = 29,558.12%), respectively. The difference in economic benefit may have originated from the soil buffer capacity response to ameliorant rates, as the soils of farms 1 and 2 were strongly acidic and very strongly acidic soils. This variation influences plant nutrient uptake, biomass yield, and yield components by enhancing the fertility characteristics of the soil. Therefore, the combined CHB, STV, and NPSB rates at comb4 per hectare in strongly acidic soils and comb12 per hectare in very strongly acidic soils could result in the highest economic return rate for the production of garlic and improve soil fertility. Since only two locations were studied, multilocation research is needed to give a firm recommendation.

Successful use of push-pull technology in the control of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith) in maize has been limited to areas that receive optimal rainfall as opposed to the semiarid areas. This study sought to determine the viability of a modified push-pull technology designed for drier areas. The technology involved the use of the drought-tolerant Brachiaria grass as a potential replacer of Napier grass as a pull crop, alongside drought-tolerant green-leaf Desmodium (Desmodium intortum) and edible legumes as push crops. The study was conducted in Mbeere South Subcounty in Embu County, Kenya. The experiments were laid out in split plots arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plots contained Napier and Brachiaria grasses as comparative pull crops while the subplots tested the performance of the drought-tolerant green-leaf Desmodium and edible legumes (cowpea, pigeon pea, and green gram) as push crops. A maize monocrop was used as the negative control. The pest dynamics were determined using the area under damage/pest curve (AUDPC). The highest pest incidence was observed in the maize monocrop treatments with AUDPC range of 64–65.5 as compared to the intercrop treatments with AUDPC range of 45–56. The AUDPC for damage severity ranged from 24 to 24.5 in the maize monocrop treatments and 15.5 to 18.7 in the intercrop treatments. These findings implied that the drought-tolerant green-leaf Desmodium and the edible legumes can be adopted as effective push crops in the modified push-pull technology. Brachiaria and Napier grasses portrayed similar suitability as pull crops implying that the two can be used interchangeably as pull crops based on farmers’ preference. This study confirmed the viability of the modified climate-smart push-pull technology in the management of fall armyworm in dryland areas.

Development of high-yielding rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a crucial need for succeeding food security that needs the presence of great genetic variability to be used in breeding programs. Creating new variants through sodium azide mutagenesis can be a better alternative in advancing plant breeding issues. The generation and characterization of mutants represent an effective method for choosing genotypes with desired attributes. In this study, we focused on inducing mutations in the genetic base of a mega rice variety (BRRI dhan28) using sodium azide, evaluating the genetic diversity of the mutants, and identifying promising genotypes among the mutants using quantitative trait analysis and genetic criteria. The mutants exhibited substantial variation, as evidenced by descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. The estimated heritability and genetic advance indicated that nearly all traits had a high level of heritability and followed a complex pattern of inheritance. The strong correlations observed between grain yield and flag leaf length, branch panicle−1, grain panicle−1, 100-grain weight, straw yield hill−1, and harvest index indicate that prioritizing these traits during selection could substantially improve other desirable characteristics. Additionally, we employed the principal component analysis which revealed that the first two components collectively accounted for 32.16% of the total variation, providing essential information about the genetic relatedness of the mutants. The Multitrait Genotype–Ideotype Distance Index (MGIDI) analysis revealed that out of 100 mutants, only eight exhibited noteworthy performance. These findings provide insights into the efficiency of azide in creating genetic variations in rice traits and offer valuable resources for future breeding programs aimed at developing high-performing rice varieties.

Bee flora resources are essential for the development of beekeeping. This study aimed to identify the diversity of key bee forage plants, establish honey harvesting calendars, and assess different types of monofloral honey in the area. Data collection methods included a bee plant inventory, pollen collection, and honey pollen analysis. A total of 122 plant species were identified as bee plants, with 44.26% being shrubs and 27.87% being trees. These bee plants were distributed across three districts, accounting for 37.40% of the plant species, indicating a broader ecological distribution than local species. Wonchi district exhibited the highest diversity of bee plants (H′ = 4.7), followed by Waliso (H′ = 4.55). Three honey harvesting periods were identified: November, January, and June. Additionally, three distinct types of monofloral honey were produced: Erica arborea honey in January, Eucalyptus camaldulensis honey in June, and Guizotia scabra honey in November. A shortage of bee forages was noted in February, March, July, and August across all districts. The southwest Shoa zone (comprising Wonchi, Waliso, and Amaya districts) shows potential for sustainable and commercial beekeeping based on the available bee flora resources. To ensure sustainability, it is crucial to maintain the existing bee flora and increase the propagation of multipurpose plant species. Additionally, on-farm demonstrations highlighting the importance of floral and honey calendars for effective colony management are recommended.

An attempt was made to use the geoelectrical resistivity method to classify the aquifer zones and ground lithology of the upper Manimuktha sub-basin (a hard rock basin) from the Vellar River in Tamil Nadu. It is more appropriate to compare the electrical conductivity to geophysical resistivity surveys in these areas since the conductivity of the subsurface layer is poor in arid and semiarid regions. A 3 km equal grid was created to use the Schlumberger electrical resistivity method by using the SSR-MP-AT resistivity meter due to its great utility in defining the pattern of subsurface layers (weathered zone and fracture pattern, among others). Forty-eight vertical electrical sounding surveys were performed with a maximum electrode distance of 200 m in different lithologies such as syenite complex (N = 1), garnet-sillimanite-graphite gneiss (N = 1), hornblende biotite gneiss (N = 1), fissile hornblende biotite gneiss (N = 6), and charnockite (N = 39) for sustainable management of groundwater. The thickness and resistivities of subsurface layers were derived from IPI2WIN. Regions with low resistivity and high thickness showed good groundwater potentiality. The results revealed that weathered and fractured formations were favorable for groundwater occurrences. Fourteen types of curves were identified with three-layer, four-layer, and five-layer formations. The “AA” and “AK” types of curves represented the availability of groundwater in appreciable amounts. In addition, the curves associated with the “H” type represented the weathered formation, which is favorable for groundwater occurrences. The high topsoil thickness regions were characterized by potential regions of groundwater. The aquifer thickness showed the most favorable groundwater potential zones in the eastern, small central portion, and it ranged from 12.1 to 192 m. The longitudinal conductance (S) showed good aquifer conditions in the foothills of the northern side and a part of the eastern region. Six resistivity and pseudosection profiles were made in the NW to SE and N to S directions to identify the vertical and lateral variation of groundwater potential. These results were further confirmed by water level data from 48 different locations. It revealed that the excellent groundwater potential was represented towards the eastern direction with a resistivity range of less than 65 ohm.m. This study provides numerous details about groundwater sustainability.

Soil acidity, a major threat to food security in developing countries, can cause a staggering 71% decline in maize (Zea mays L.) production. Identifying the genetic basis of aluminum tolerance is crucial for developing improved varieties. This study investigated the heterosis and combining ability effects of selected maize inbred lines for aluminum tolerance to identify superior parents and families for further breeding advancements. Using a 7 × 7 half-diallel mating design, seven inbred lines of maize were crossed, each with varying levels of aluminum tolerance. Under controlled conditions with and without aluminum stress, parents and F1 hybrids were evaluated for traits related to aluminum tolerance. Our analysis revealed the significant role of both additive and nonadditive gene action in aluminum tolerance, highlighting specific parental lines and hybrid combinations with exceptional performance. For every trait under study, parental genotypes VL144091 and VL153179 showed positive and significant GCA effects, while parents VL143984, VL143893, KL154667, and VL1110532 had negative and significant GCA effects. These findings demonstrate the potential of utilizing heterosis and combining ability for breeding high-yielding, acid-tolerant maize cultivars, contributing to enhanced food security in regions affected by soil acidity.

Oyster mushrooms are a type of lignocellulolytic fungus that is used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional value, biological efficiency, and yields of P. ostreatus M2191 and P. sajor-caju M2145 grown on spent grain from breweries that have been supplemented with various agricultural wastes. The primary substrates at varying compositions included sawdust, wheat straw, cottonseed, teff straw, bean straw, and brewer’s spent grain. Two percent gypsum and eight percent wheat bran were added as supplements to the primary substrates. A daily assessment of the growth and development of the Pleurotus species was conducted during their aseptic cultivation. A combination of 25% brewer’s spent grain and 75% cottonseed produced the highest biological efficiency and nutritional attributes. The lowest nutritional compositions, yields, and biological efficiency were found when eucalyptus sawdust was used alone or in combination with other agroindustrial residues. Under the weather conditions of Debre Berhan, P. ostreatus M2191 and P. sajor-caju M2145 could be grown using agricultural residues and leftover grains from the brewery.

Microgreens and baby leaves are increasingly appreciated and consumed due to the increased concentrations of antioxidant compounds, vitamins, nutrients, and minerals than adult plants. The objective was to evaluate the effect of different substrates and protected environments on the growth of microgreen and baby leaf kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica L.) and their contents of carotenoids and chlorophylls. The experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement of 4 × 2 (four environments × two substrates) for the microgreens and 4 × 5 (four environments × five substrates) for the baby leaf, both with six replications. For microgreens, the Carolina Soil® commercial substrate promoted greater height, fresh matter, dry matter, productivity, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids in all evaluated environments. In the greenhouse with a screen of 35% shading under the film, greater height, fresh matter, dry matter, and productivity were obtained, and in the greenhouse with a screen of 42/50% shading under the film, higher contents of microgreen chlorophylls and carotenoids were obtained. For baby leaves, the greenhouse with 42/50% shading screen under the film promoted plants with greater height, fresh matter, dry matter, and productivity in all substrates. The baby leaf grown in the greenhouse with a screen of 35% shading under the film showed higher chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in the pure Carolina Soil® substrate. For greater productivity, with higher contents of pigments, greenhouses with screens under the film and the use of organomineral commercial substrate are the most suitable for microgreen and baby leaf kale.

The performance of irrigation schemes in Ethiopia is too low due to a lack of proper system management, water control structure, and strong water user association. This study aimed to assess small-scale irrigation scheme’s performance and proposed alternative mitigation for improved water management. Direct measurement, laboratory analysis, field observation, and stakeholder interviews were used to collect the primary data. The average conveyance efficiency, water surface elevation ratio, canal delivery capacity, adequacy, and equity of the Wezeqa and Gatto irrigation schemes were 86.37% and 75.4%, 55% and 60.3%, 71% and 55.8%, 0.68 and 0.67, and 0.4 and 0.43, respectively. The mean value of application and storage efficiencies of the Wezeqa and Gatto irrigation schemes were 59.8% and 49.4% and 94.3% and 92.2%, respectively. The effectiveness of infrastructure and weir sediment ratio in the Wezeqa irrigation scheme was 24.4% and 78.5%, respectively, and almost all infrastructures in the Gatto irrigation scheme were not functional. To solve the water shortage for both systems, water-harvesting technology was proposed having a net volume of harvesting water during the night storage of 13,093.7 and 15,897.6 m3 for Wezeka and Gatto, respectively. Therefore, adopting water-harvesting technology and establishing strong water user associations are recommended to minimize the water scarcity problem to improve water management and sustainability.

Any program aimed at improving rice quality must investigate and comprehend the variety and heterogeneity of germplasm genotypes. Genetic variability analysis aids the breeders in determining the best criteria and selection procedure to be utilized in order to enhance the desired attributes. Twenty genetic materials were used in a two-year (2021-2022) field experiment at the G.P. Koirala College of Agriculture and Research Center in Morang, Nepal. This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity by principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis, as well as to assess the path coefficient (PC), genetic deviation, and character association based on grain yield (GY) and other yield-attributing variables. For all the parameters under study, variance analysis across all genotypes showed substantial differences (P

Cassava serves as a crucial raw material and sustenance staple in developing countries, extensively used in the production of starch, bioethanol, and various bioproducts. However, the cultivation of cassava is increasingly challenged by diseases, particularly the cassava mosaic virus. Therefore, efficient propagule systems are needed to provide disease-free plants to sustain production. This study aimed to develop a rapid propagation method to increase the production of planting material. Various propagation media were assessed for their impact on root formation and plantlet vigour using a 3 × 4 factorial in a Randomized Complete Block Design during April 2023 to September 2023. Three cassava cultivars (KU50, RY9, and HB60) were tested against four media (distilled water, 250 mg·L−1 IBA, SAH solution, and IBA + SAH combination). Subsequently, the optimal medium was used to compare three propagation techniques (leaf bud, mini, and normal cutting) across the cassava cultivars. Aeroponic systems were then employed for further shoot multiplication, evaluating growth and survival metrics. In the first experiment, RY9 had better growth parameters, while KU50 had the highest survival rate at 82%. Applying the SAH was the optimal solution when compared to other media tested. It significantly enhanced the plantlet height (7.30 cm), survival percentage (71.61%), plantlet vigour index (1513.60), and allometric coefficient (0.55). The leaf bud technique had the highest multiplication trait values, whereas the mini-cutting method had the highest survival rate, and normal cutting had superior performance compared to leaf bud and mini-cutting for the plant growth parameters. Plantlets produced through mini-cutting (93%) and leaf bud propagation (92%) had a higher survival rate than those produced using normal cutting (46%) in the aeroponic system under greenhouse conditions. The study revealed a homogeneity in growth and survival traits across the cassava cultivars evaluated in aeroponic cultivation. These findings demonstrated the potential of using leaf bud or mini-cutting propagation techniques for multiplication in aeroponic cultivation to produce high-quality plantlets on a large-scale production.

Several policies and programs have been implemented to improve the welfare of households in rural South Africa through commercialization. Post-settlement support (PSS) refers to any kind of assistance that emerging farmers received from the government following land restoration. This paper examines the impact of PSS on the welfare of emerging farmers under the land restitution program in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study involved a simple random sampling method to select 200 emerging farmers. The primary data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the endogenous switching regression model. Descriptive statistics revealed that ~71% of land restitution beneficiaries received PSS after acquiring their land. The result of the selection model showed that farm characteristics (farming experience, location, and soil quality), and institutional factors (transportation and market participation) influenced the receiving of the PSS by the farmers. The outcome model showed that PSS positively influences household welfare. In addition, demographic factors (gender and household size), farm characteristics (soil quality), and institutional factors (market participation and farmer association membership) influenced the consumption expenditure per capita, hence affecting household welfare. The government should continue supporting female beneficiaries with access to market, training, and extension services for linkages with farmers’ associations as the PSS increases the household welfare.

The study was conducted to assess the trends, opportunities, and challenges of the Ethiopian soybean export market in the past two decades (2004–2022), and forecasted the next 10-year export performance of the sector, to identify intervention area for factors that affects soybean export performance in the country. To address the objectives most latest scientific literature was intensely reviewed and the next 10 yearsʼ export was forecasted using Box–Jenkins, ARIMA (4,1,0). The review found out that in Ethiopia more than 90% of soybeans supplied to the market have been exported with a high increase for the past two decades but not comparable with the rise in the global market. In the country, there are unexploited high production and export opportunities associated with convenient agroecology condition zones for production, cheap and abundant labor force, popularity of the oilseed in the international market, and abundant arable land in the country. Nevertheless, in the past two decades, the sector was highly challenged by low productivity and quality of the crop; political instability and security situation; high price volatility, and competition in the international market. Unless the situation is improved, the ARIMA forecasted model result indicates Ethiopiaʼs soybean exports increase only to a certain extent in the next 10 years and the export bill of the country will be $97.4 million in 2032. Accordingly, the study identifies intervention areas including efficiently utilizing the existing abundant arable land and cheap labor force for production, improving the grain quality provided in the global market, protecting the popularity of Ethiopian organic oilseed, encouraging soybean marketing in Ethiopian commodity exchange platform, and secure political social instability in the country to improve the performance and benefit more from the sector.

Next to crop production, rearing livestock in Ethiopia is essential for the community’s food and nutrition security. However, a major obstacle to global livestock production, particularly in Ethiopia, is a shortage of high-quality and sufficient livestock feed. Designing development plans and intervention options for both improving natural pasture and rearing livestock would require an evaluation of the natural pasture yield and nutritional composition. As a result, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutrient content and dry matter yield of natural pasture in the study areas. The study area was divided into highland, midland, and lowland agroecologies, and from each agroecology, protected and communal grazing areas were selected randomly. The results showed that the average dry matter yield, crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of natural pasture varied across agroecologies and between grazing sites. The average dry matter yields of natural pasture in highland, midland, and lowland agroecologies were about 1.60, 3.02, and 1.96 t/ha, respectively. The average dry matter yield in protected and communal grazing areas of natural pasture was about 2.70 and 1.69 t/ha, respectively. The crude protein content of the natural pasture was 7.12, 7.63, and 6.90% in the highlands, midlands, and lowlands, respectively. The crude protein content of the natural pasture in protected and communal grazing areas was 6.69 and 7.73%, respectively. In general, the dry matter yield and crude protein contents of natural pasture were low, which would have an effect on livestock productivity, and the overall NDF content of natural pasture was 65.9%, which is classified as low-quality feed and thus would have an impact on feed intake, digestibility, and livestock productivity.

Honey production is generating employment and source of income in the rural area of Ethiopia. However, its productivity was low. The objective of this study was to measure the economic efficiency of honey production in Ethiopia’s Horo Guduru Wollega Zone and their limiting factors. To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the study employed a survey methodology using a structured questionnaire tool, and the data were collected from 396 households. Both descriptive and econometric data analysis methods are employed. Dual cost was used to measure the levels of economic efficiency and the Tobit model to identify the determinants of economic efficiency in the study area. In this regard, the analysis relied on a cross-sectional data collected from 396 sample farm households. The mean economic efficiency was 44%. This demonstrates that the farmers in the study area have to decrease production cost by 56% to achieve 100% economic efficiency level. From the determinants of economic efficiency family size, extension services, training, beekeeping experience, and family size are significant technical efficiency variables for honey producers. The study suggests policies to address economic inefficiencies by increasing the number of hives, extending the best performers’ experience by increasing the frequency of extension contacts on honey production, facilitating and expanding credit service in the study area, making bee forage access simple, and increasing forest coverage on the land area in line with the current policy of Ethiopia. Additionally, since farmers in the study area spend their time guarding the honey from damage by ants and monkeys, labor that utilizes technology must be made available in the study area.

Pesticidal agents such as entomopathogenic fungi and medicinal plant extracts can be used as a component of integrated pest management. Biocontrol agents such as fungal isolates can be used as a component of integrated pest management. An evaluation of plant extracts from Azadirachta indica and Justicia schimperiana and two strains of entomopathogenic fungi were carried out on Ethiopian rape (Brassica carinata) against two stages (adult and nymph) of cabbage insect pests (aphids) in the laboratory and greenhouse condition. The efficacies of different treatments were examined, and results were recorded for plant extracts and entomopathogenic fungi on cabbage aphids. A significant difference was observed in the mortality of aphid insect pests recorded at different intervals of days. The adult aphid was reduced gradually from 8.65/plant to 2.77/plant after six days of spraying with A. indica indicating the highest efficacy. Moreover, the adult aphids after spraying of entomopathogenic fungi (BEI1) reduced from 11.2/plant to 6.5/plant after six days of spraying at 1 × 108 conidia/mL, showing the highest efficacy. The present results suggest the possibility of using a combination of entomopathogenic fungi and plant extracts to manage Brevicoryne brassicae (aphids). It revealed that a given combination displayed considerable efficacy to reduce B. brassicae (aphids) infestation. From the result, the adult aphids sprayed with A. indica + BEI1 reduced from 7.01/plant to 1.74/plant after six days of spraying with the highest efficacy. Generally, maximum percent of mortality was identified in plant extract treatment next to coapplication against adult aphids on sixth day of application. Similarly, conidial suspension of entomopathogenic fungi was found to have high activities for adult aphids. Therefore, based on the present result, products of fungal isolates and plant extracts should be used for further tests against other insect pests.

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an important cash crop for smallholder farmers in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. However, its productivity is low, owing to a number of factors including inappropriate irrigation water and nitrogen management. A field experiment was, therefore, conducted at Amibara farm, Arba Minch, Ethiopia, during the 2018/19 dry season to determine the effect of the irrigation interval and nitrogen rate on growth, yield, and yield components of onion (Bombay Red variety). The treatments comprised four irrigation intervals (3, 6, 9, and 12 days of crop water requirement, ETc) and four nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg·N·ha−1). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design using irrigation intervals as main plots and nitrogen rates as subplots with three replications. The growth parameters, yield components, and final yield of onion were significantly higher with 3 and 6 days irrigation intervals (which were statistically similar) than 9 and 12 days irrigation intervals. The increasing N rate significantly increased the growth and yield components up to 150 kg·N·ha−1, but the response was significant only up to 100 kg·N·ha−1 on the final yield of the crop. The growth and yield contributing parameters, showing enhancement with frequent irrigation and higher N rates, had a significant bearing on the final yield of onion. The irrigation at 6 days interval combined with 100 kg·N·ha−1 gave a higher marketable yield (30.21 t·ha−1), net return (Birr 288,458 ha−1), and marginal rate of return (8586%). As such, irrigation at an interval of 6 days and fertilizer N at the rate of 100·kg·ha−1 may be recommended for higher productivity and profitability of onion at Arba Minch, Gamo Zone, southern Ethiopia.

Apple (Malus domestica) is cultivated in Southern Ethiopia. However, the crop is being grown in without affirming the suitability of the land for its cultivation. Therefore, this research was conducted to assess the suitability of the land of Sentele Watershed for apple production in Southern Ethiopia. Integrating GIS and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, which is widely used in multi-criteria decision-making for tackling multi-attribute decision-making problems in real situations, was used in this study. In the application techniques, most attributes that determine apple growth, climate, edaphic, topography, and current land use/land cover were combined. In determining the weights of the attributes, the opinions of experts and experienced apple orchard workers were considered, and an agricultural land suitability map was produced as highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable, and least suitable. The methodology was based on the land evaluation developed by FAO (1976) that suggests biophysical diagnostic factors, which most strongly influenced the cultivation of apples. Criteria were defined, background information was gathered, and a raster surface was created. The layers are reclassified, weighed, and then the output layers are overlaid with the background information such as a map of topography to see the best potential sites and to prepare the final suitability map. The final apple suitability map showed that only 2.2% of the total land is highly suitable, 32% is moderately suitable, and 52.1% is marginally suitable, and it requires detailed investigation and careful decision over other land uses to invest in it. 13.7% is the least suitable for apple cultivation. It is concluded that about 34% of the total land of the study area is suitable for apple production, and about 66% is unsuitable. The results imply that it is necessary to take improvement measures such as irrigation, species selection, removing leaves (defoliation), and appropriate land-use planning in most of the land of the watershed before investing in apple cultivation and production, and it is necessary to expand apple production in the future only in areas that are highly and moderately suitable for producing the crop in the study area.

Agriculture is one of Ethiopia’s economic cornerstones, although its production remains low. Since then, the implementation of modern agricultural technologies has remained a promising strategy in Ethiopia for increasing agricultural production, achieving food security, and reducing poverty. The objective of the study is to examine the determinants of modern agricultural technology adoption for teff production in Minjar Shenkora woreda. The data were collected from the representatives of 362 rural households. This study employed both descriptive statistics and multinomial logit model. The estimations of the multinomial logit model revealed that sex, age, marital status, tropical livestock units, educational level of household head, distance to market, extension contact, active household members, access to credit, off-farm activities participation, and cultivated land size are the determinants of modern agricultural technology adoption for teff production in Minjar Shenkora woreda, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Therefore, this study recommended that the country’s federal and regional governments, agricultural development offices, nongovernmental organizations, and donor agencies should collaborate with farm households to improve access to information, access to credit, encourage off-farm participation and provide training and consulting services to increase the adoption of modern agricultural technologies.

The aim of this study was to determine the proper combination of nitrogen (N) fertilizer level and nitrogen fixing endophytic bacteria (NFEB) supplementation for the maximum grain yield of sesame cultivated in alluvial soil in dykes. The experiment followed a completely randomized block design with two factors. The first one was the levels of N fertilizer used, including 0, 50, 75, and 100% N of recommended fertilizer formula (RFF), and the other consisted of no bacteria applied, an individual strain of Enterobacter cloacae ASD-48 or E. cloacae ASD-21 applied, and their mixture, with 5 replicates. The results revealed that fertilizing with 100% N of RFF led to an enhancement of the plant height (16.8 cm), the chlorophyll a and b and their total content (6.45, 1.86, and 8.30 μg mL−1), the number of capsules per plant (7.22 capsules plant−1), the total N uptake (126.5 mg N pot−1), and the grain yield (9.08 g pot−1), in comparison to no N fertilizer applied. Supplementation of two NFRB strains enhanced the soilconcentrations of NH4+ and NO3−, the total N uptake, and the grain yield. The treatment fertilized with 75% N of RFF plus an individual NFEB strain or their bacterial mixture had equivalent total N uptake to that the treatment fertilized with 100% N of RFF had, 120.8–125.5 mg N pot−1 compared to 124.4 mg N pot−1. Regarding the sesame yield, with a reduction by 25–50% N of RFF plus ASD-48 and ASD-21, either individually or in mixture, it increased by 2.39–8.56%, compared to that in the treatment fertilized with 100% N of RFF.

There is a distinct seasonality in the availability of feeds in the highlands of Ethiopia, reaching a peak and low levels towards the end of the rainy and dry season, respectively. Consequently, this trial was conducted to assess the yield performance and nutritive value of nine perennial grasses accessions from seven grass species under supplementary irrigation to produce feed year-round. The evaluated grasses species were two Urochloa (U. decumbens cv. ILRI-10871 and ILRI-13205), two Setaria (S. sphacelata cv. ILRI-143 and ILRI-6543), one Phalaris (Phalaris aquatica cv. Sirrosa), coloured Guinea (Panicum coloratum cv. Coloratum), Desho (Pennisetum glaucifolium cv. Kindu kosha), Napier (Pennisetum purpureum cv, ILRI-16791), and Rhodes (Chloris gayana cv. Massaba) variety. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design. The chemical compositions of the grasses were scanned by, the near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Results indicated that the plant height, dry matter, and crude protein yield were significantly affected by year, species (P

Tepary bean is gaining interest around the world as a dryland field crop. A two-year field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of plant spacing on the agronomic performance and fodder quality of the crop. A split-plot design was used with three replications, four cultivars (GK010, GK011, GK012, and Motsumi) were assigned to main plots, while subplots were three intrarow plant spacing (10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm). Four agronomic variables and eight chemical compositions, including in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of husk, stem, and leaf, were measured. Spacing significantly (P

In the modern global economy, members’ active participation is critical to the successful implementation of cooperative groups’ planned activities. The objectives of this study were to investigate the participation of cooperative members in MPPCs activities and to determine the factors that influence the participation of members in multipurpose cooperatives in the Kindo Koysha district. The study location was chosen for this purpose because no prior in-depth research had been conducted. The multipurpose primary cooperatives were chosen from among the four in the study area based on agro-ecological classifications such as high land, medium land, and low land. The target population of 752 people (M = 594 and F = 158) was chosen using a simple random sample technique with a probability proportional to the size sampling technique (PPS), whereas 106 sample respondents (M = 84 and F = 22) were chosen using (Yamane) implified formula. Primary data were collected using the interview schedule supplied to sample respondents, focus group discussion checklists, and key informant interviews. Secondary data were also collected from several public and unpublished sources. The level of participation in multipurpose cooperatives was measured by computing the participation index score value. The participation of members has been classified as low, medium, or high based on the mean value, which is 40 (37.5%), 50 (47.2%), and 16 (15.1%), respectively. The ordered logit model was utilized for data analysis, and percentages, mean differences, one-way ANOVA, Spearman correlation, and the chi-square test were performed. According to the findings, education level, family size, total annual income, shareholding amount, access to saving and credit, distance from the cooperative service center, access to and utilization of agricultural inputs, services rendered by MPPCs, perceived challenges of MPPCs that discourage membership, and perceived members satisfaction with cooperative services are the determinant factors that affect the level of membership participation. Continuous education and training, encouraging the issue of family planning, diversification of income-generating schemes, encouraging existing members to buy additional shares, creating the best opportunity for saving and credit, need-based supply of agricultural inputs, resolving the internal and external constraints of multipurpose cooperatives, and strengthening the MPPCs through research-based technical support and follow-up are some of the suggested implications.

This study measured the level of technical efficiency among smallholder ginger growers and examined the determinants of inefficiency by employing the stochastic frontier production function. The paper used a simple random sampling technique to interview 100 ginger farmers in Ilam, a leading ginger-producing district in Nepal, with the help of a pretested interview schedule. The STATA.13 software was used to obtain both stochastic frontier estimates and the determinants of technical inefficiency. The results revealed that the average farm-level technical efficiency is 67.8% which shows the scope of increasing the technical efficiency by 32.2%. The coefficients of seed and farmyard manure were positive and showed significant relation to ginger output at a 1% and 5% level of significance, respectively. Education level, training, and membership in cooperatives had a negative and significant impact on technical inefficiency, whereas areas under ginger production had a positive impact on technical inefficiency. Hence, improving the technical knowledge of farmers through training on optimum input use complemented with motivation to join agriculture cooperatives and farmer’s associations may increase the technical efficiency of ginger growers in the study area.

Drought and high temperature are among the major factors limiting maize productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. An increase in temperature above 30°C reduces yield by 1% under optimal rain-fed conditions. Approaches that improve performance under drought and high temperatures are essential to sustain productivity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of improved maize varieties released for lowland areas and to select better-performing varieties to address climate-crosscutting issues. Eight lowland maize varieties at two locations for two years were tested by using a randomized complete block design during the 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p

The production and productivity of malt barley are limited using disease-susceptible and low-yielding varieties. Study was focused on identifying and selecting the best performed and adapted malt barley variety/varieties for yield and yield-related traits. We evaluated six improved malt barley varieties using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The study was conducted for 2 years (2019 and 2020 cropping season) at Lay Gayint district. The combined analysis showed highly significant differences (P

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are an important bacterial resource as biofertilizers, which can promote plant growth and increase crop yields. In this study, isolation, characterization, and its effect on plant promotion were assessed by isolating PGPR using soil samples collected from Jimma, Ethiopia. Out of 10 isolates, three of them (JEC3, JEC4, and JEC7) exhibited PSB traits in Pikovskaya media by solubilizing phosphate and producing IAA. Of the three isolates, JEC4 recorded the maximum phosphate solubilization index (4.98), soluble phosphate (283 μg/ml), and IAA production (10.21 μg/ml). The findings of the isolates' morphological and biochemical tests showed that JEC3, JEC4, and JEC7 as Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Enterobacter sp., respectively. The optimization of phosphate solubilization was done using different incubation times and sources of carbon and nitrogen. Furthermore, the isolate (JEC4) was tested for plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities and indicated the production of ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, and siderophore. JEC4 isolate showed a significant increase in sideways (%) seed germination, root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight of root, and shoot of maize in field experiments than the untreated ones. The results indicate that the JEC4 isolate can be developed as a biological fertilizer for promoting crop productivity and ecosystem dynamics.

Protoporphyrinogen oxidase- (PPO-) resistant Amaranthus palmeri (S.) Wats. (Palmer amaranth) was confirmed in Arkansas in 2015. Field trials were conducted in Crawfordsville, Gregory, and Marion, Arkansas in 2016, and Crawfordsville and Marion in 2017, assessing PPO-resistant Palmer amaranth control options in Glycine max (L.) Merr. (soybean). Twelve trials consisted of 26 preemergence (PRE) treatments, evaluated for Palmer amaranth control and density reduction at 28 days after treatment (DAT). Treatments that consisted of PPO- or acetolactate synthase- (ALS-) inhibiting herbicides such as flumioxazin (72 g ai ha−1) or sulfentrazone + cloransulam (195 g ha−1 + 25 g ha−1) controlled Palmer amaranth

One of the critical issues in using micronutrient fertilisers is the comparison of methods and amounts of fertiliser use, which is very important from the aspect of increasing production and economic viewpoint. The aim of this research was to analyse the nutrient composition of different parts of the maize (Zea mays L. FAO 490) during the growing season with six-level nitrogen fertilisation supplies at five phenological stages. The study included essential nutrients as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulphur (S) (in first cluster) and calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) (in second cluster) in treatments on different leaf stage. Growth stages have different nutrient demands based on their actual demand. The first cluster included nitrogen and sulphur and the second included calcium and zinc in the NPK treatments on the stalk of plants. Nitrogen and potassium had their maximum effect on the stalk of maize during the growing season. Magnesium and copper were the second most important and desirable factors during the different growth stages and treatments in relation to the stalk. Nitrogen and calcium had their maximum impact during the yield formation stage and nitrogen and phosphorus had their most desirable effect during the grain filling stage. The effect of nitrogen on the quantitative and qualitative properties of maize showed that nitrogen increases the production of dry matter, grain yield, and its components. The maximum amount of absorption in the plants occurs before the accumulation of applied fertiliser, which is the prelude to the production of maximum biomass.

Sustainable cacao cultivation in Ghana has been seriously hampered by high seedling mortality due to the low soil fertility of lands used for the establishment of new cacao farms. Alleviating the low soil fertility to enhance sustainable cacao cultivation requires the use of fertilizers. A study was therefore conducted at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana to determine the effect of integrated application of poultry manure (PM) and sulphate of ammonia (SOA) fertilizers on survival, growth, and nutrient uptake by cacao seedlings under marginal field conditions. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used to evaluate the effects of six treatments. Traits assessed were percentage survival, height, trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), and nutrient uptake. Results from the study showed no significant differences in soil N and K among the treatments. PM-amended plots had significantly higher soil P than nonamended control and SOA alone. Seedling survival rate ranged from 73.3 to 89.3% with a higher proportion of surviving plants in PM amended soils. The application of PM alone and its combination with SOA improved growth. Cacao trees of T4 (75% recommended dosage of SOA + PM) had the largest TCSA increment, which was significantly different from the other soil treatments. Leaf nutrient concentrations in cacao of T4 were higher than the other soil treatments. It was therefore concluded that T4 could be used during cacao establishment in marginal areas for improved plant survival and growth.

Studies were conducted to determine tuber yield stability and adaptability of some elite yam (Dioscorea sp.) genotypes in northern Ghana. Ten elite exotic yam genotypes alongside one locally cultivated farmer-preferred variety, Laribako, were grown in five environments between 2010 and 2012. These 11 genotypes were arranged in a randomised complete block design with three replications and assessed for tuber yield and yield components. Analysis of variance indicated significant p0.05 for number of tubers per mound. Apart from genotype 95/18922, all the exotic genotypes had significantly p

The demand for sweet corn has increased largely because of its superior tastes compared with common corn. This research was conducted to analyze the growth and yield and sugar content of sweet corn seed on different varieties and harvest times. This research was conducted in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, from April to August 2018. The research was designed under a split-plot design. The main plot consisted of planting systems (single row and twin-row), whereas subplots consisted of three varieties (Bonanza, Talenta, and Master Sweet) and three harvest times (65, 70, and 75 days after planting). Variables measured consisted of plant height, cob length, cob weight, estimation of cob weight per hectare, and sugar content. Significant varietal differences were observed in plant height, cob length, cob weight, and sugar content. Master Sweet variety had the greatest plant height and cob length, whereas Bonanza variety produced the greatest cob weight, cob weight per hectare, and sugar content. Harvest time at 75 days after planting (DAP) produced the greatest plant height in the twin-row system, cob diameter, cob weight, and cob weight per hectare, whereas that at 65 DAP had the greatest plant height in control and sugar content. The twin-row system produced the greatest cob weight per hectare (22.33 ton/ha). This study recommends the use of Bonanza variety and harvest at 65 DAP to produce the greatest sweet corn cob per hectare.

The study aimed to test a multifunctional technology for potatoes’ biological protection using Phytop 26.82 against black scurf (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn) and Colorado potato beetle in Western Siberia. The experiment was conducted with the medium-maturing variety “Kemerovchanin.” The product tested was Phytop 26.82. The research methodology was carried out both in laboratory conditions and in the field. In the laboratory, the biological product was used on potato leaves and Colorado potato beetle larvae. The authors revealed the degree of influence of the natural effect Phytop 26.82 on the Colorado potato beetle’s larvae of different ages. The larvae were counted on the 5th, 7th, and 10th days of the experiment. In the field, the authors also revealed the level of the immunogenic effect of the bioagent Phytop 26.82 on the Rhizoctonia stem canker (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn). The morphological parameters of the Kemerovchanin potato variety were observed during the course of this study. The results of the study showed that the microbial mixture Phytop 26.82 made it possible to increase the biomass of plants by 1.5–1.8 times due to an increase in the length of the aerial part (by 10%), the number of stems (1.2–1.7 times), and the number of stolons (1.5–1.6 times) compared to control. Under the bioagent, Phytop 26.82, Rhizoctonia stem canker on the stems decreased by 45% overall counting weeks. The effectiveness of the bioagent Phytop 26.82 reached 100% in two aspects. One of them was the effectiveness of a biological product in the Colorado potato beetle’s obliteration (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). The second direction of significance was the fight against the black scurf. The use of a mixture of bioagents of the Phytop 26.82 preparation can simultaneously have an insecticidal, fungicidal, and growth-stimulating effect on potatoes.

The Tilacancha Private Conservation Area provides fresh water to the city of Chachapoyas. Therefore, the amount of soil lost in the year and under precipitation scenarios was determined. Individually, the values of the factors were obtained: rain erosivity (R) in 2019 and simulating increase and decrease of 15% of rainfall, soil erodibility (K), length and degree of slope (LS), land cover (C), and conservation practices (P); they were integrated into USLE, obtaining A = R ∗ K ∗ LS ∗ PC, (t/ha.yr). Six ranges of erosion were found, and the ACP had areas where from 0.4 to 665.20 t/ha.yr of soil was lost. A 15% reduction in rainfall would represent a loss of soil from 0.20 to 301.56 t/ha.yr and an increase in rainfall by 15%, and the erosion ranges would vary from 0.2 to 1028.84 t/ha.yr.

Rapid land use changes have been observed in recent years in central Ethiopia. The shift from natural ecosystem to artificial ecosystem is the main direction of change. Therefore, this study was initiated to assess the effects of land use types on selected soil properties in Meja watershed, central highlands of Ethiopia. The randomized complete block design, including three adjacent land use types as treatments with three replications and two soil depths (0–15 and 15–30 cm), was applied in this study. There were significant differences in some soil properties among the three land use types. Lower soil pH and electric conductivity were observed in cultivated land soils than Eucalyptus woodlots soils. This has indicated the worsening soil conditions due to the shift from Eucalyptus woodlots to cultivated land. Less decomposition rate of the Eucalyptus leaves and debris collection for fuel could result in lowest soil organic carbon at the upper layer of Eucalyptus woodlot soils. However, the highest soil organic carbon at the lower layer was observed in Eucalyptus woodlot soils. The presence of highest soil potassium, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable potassium in cultivated land soil was related to application of artificial fertilizers. Grassland soils have highest exchangeable sodium at the lower layer while highest soil carbon and sum cations at the upper layer, which can be related to the grass root biomass return and less surface runoff on grassland. There was the highest exchangeable sodium percentage on Eucalyptus woodlot soils at the upper layer; it can be due to the less surface nutrient movement and growth characteristics of the tree. The soils in cultivated land was shifted to more acidic and less electric conductivity.This shift can lead to soil quality deterioration that affects the productivity of the soils in the future.Nutrient leaching, application of artificial fertilizer, soil erosion, and continuous farming have affected the soil properties in cultivated land. The presence of highest exchangeable sodium percentage and lowest sum of cations at the upper layer of soil in Eucalyptus woodlot should be noted for management and decision makers. The previous negative speculations on Eucalyptus woodlots which can be related with the soil texture, soil moisture, bulk density, total nitrogen, exchangeable magnesium, calcium, and available sulfur should be avoided because there were no significant differences observed among the three land use types in the study area. The study recommends further studies on the effects of Eucalyptus on soil properties by comparing among different ages and species of Eucalyptus. Finally, planting of Eucalyptus on central highlands of Ethiopia should be supported by land use management decision.

Appropriate selection of varieties based on agroecologies and application of the right amount and type of fertilizers based on crop requirements are crucially indispensable to maximize maize production. A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years under main cropping seasons to evaluate the effect of blended NPS and N fertilizer rates on growth, yield components, and yield of open-pollinated maize varieties at the moisture stress area, eastern Ethiopia. The experiment was comprised of two lowland maize varieties, three blended NPS (50, 100, and 150 kg), and three N levels (43.5, 87, and 130.5 kg) ha−1 using a factorial arrangement under a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that the leaf area index, thousand kernel weight, and biomass and grain yields were significantly influenced by the interaction effect of variety × NPS and N in the first growing season. The number of ears per plant, ear length, ear diameter, number of kernels per ear, and biomass yield were significantly affected due to variety in the second growing season. The maximum growth parameters and yield components were recorded from Baate and 150 kg blended NPS. Grain yield and harvest index were statistically affected by interaction effects of variety × NPS and N in both years. Therefore, the highest grain yield (9.7 t·ha−1) was produced from Baate at a combined application of 150 kg NPS and 130.5 kg N·ha−1. The partial budget analysis also confirmed that the highest net benefit (2,033.4 USD) with the highest marginal rate of return (3106.9%) was obtained at Baate variety where plants were fertilized with 150 NPS and 130.5 kg N·ha−1. In conclusion, an integrated application of 150 NPS + 130.5 kg N·ha−1 to Baate variety is agronomically optimum and economically realistic fertilizer level to get a higher grain yield in the study area.

Glucose in sugarcane affected cane yield, recoverable sugar, and sugar yield. Glucose is available since the formation of the stems and stored until sugarcane is ready to be harvested. Information regarding the need for glucose to form sugarcane plant tissue is still not widely available. So, research was conducted to determine the quantity of glucose to form sugarcane plant tissue and its relation to cane yield, recoverable sugar, and sugar yield obtained. The research was carried out at the Karangploso Research Station and Laboratory of Plant Chemistry, Indonesian Sweeteners and Fiber Crops Research Institute, in July 2016–September 2017. A split plot design with two factors and three replications was utilized. The main factor was the growth phases, namely, the vegetative phase and maturity phase, while the other factor was sugarcane varieties, namely, PS-881 (early mature), JR-01 (early-middle mature), Kenthung (early-middle mature), and Bululawang (middle-late mature). The measurements of nitrogen, carbon, and the ash content of the leaves and stems were at 5 months (representing the growth period) and 9 months (representing the ripening period). The results showed that quantities of 1.962–2.160 kg and 2.066–2.113 kg glucose were required to form each kg of leaf and stem tissue depending on the growth phase and variety. Glucose requirements in the maturing phase affected the cane yield, recoverable sugar, and sugar yield as much as by 51.48%, 57.60%, and 58.26%, respectively.

Spinacia oleracea L. (baby spinach) is a relatively new leaf vegetable crop in Zimbabwe, so the agronomic performance is unknown. A 3-year field experiment was done at the Seke Teachers College research farm, Zimbabwe. The research evaluated the response of baby spinach to different types of organic manure sources, days after fertilizer application (DAS), and growing season. A 3 × 2 factorial in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three replicates was used. Baby spinach cultivar, Dash, was grown on three organic manures (goat applied at 14.894 t ha−1, cattle at 17.789 t ha−1, and poultry at 13.807 t ha−1) in winter 2018, 2019, and 2020. Compound D (7% N, 14% P, and 7% K) at 300 kg ha−1 was included as a control. Crop growth rate, leaf area index, leaf area ratio, net assimilation rate, total dry matter production, and harvest index were measured on 7-day intervals from 14 to 35 days after transplanting. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare the effects of the treatments on the baby spinach growth parameters was done. Significant p

Over 80% of farmers in the developing countries use seeds from the informal seed supply that is of unknown quality status with low physical purity, reduced vigour, and contamination with seed-borne pathogens. A survey involving 114 farmers was conducted in Makueni and Taita counties using a semistructured questionnaire to determine cowpea production practices. Forty-seven cowpea seed samples were collected from farmers, and thirty-four were collected from markets and analysed for physical and physiological quality. The data from the questionnaire were analysed using SPSS package. Majority, over 76% of farmers used farm-saved seeds and intercropped cowpea with cereals (56%). The common storage container was polythene bags (56%), and farmers did not treat the seeds. The seed was below the recommended purity standard of 98%. In Taita, farm-saved and market-sourced seeds met the recommended 75% germination at 82.7% and 76.8%, respectively. Even though the germination standard was met, seeds were of low physical purity and reduced vigour. Farmers should be enlightened on recommended production practices, methods of harvesting, and postharvest handling practices to reduce seed quality loss during storage and maximize production.