Pub Date : 2019-06-26DOI: 10.1080/00128325.2019.1597567
M. Udo, F. Ahamefule, J. Ibeawuchi, J. Ekpo
ABSTRACT Sixteen weaner WAD goats were used in 56-day feeding trial to determine their relative performance when fed with groundnut cake or raw or processed rubber seed (RS) meal. The raw or processed (boiled and toasted) RS were dried and milled and used to formulate RS meal-based diet with cassava peels, palm kernel, brewer dried grain, bone meal and salt. Groundnut cake (GNC) with the above named ingredients, except RS, were used to formulate control diet A (control). Raw RS meal (RRSM) was diet B, boiled RS (BRSM) was diet C and toasted RS (TRSM) was diet D. The animals were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups and fed diets (A–D) containing 20% GNC, RRSM, BRSM or TRSM in a completely randomised design. Daily feed intake (DFI) of 399.12 g by goats fed control diet differed statistically from the intake of 499.55 g and 320.05 g by goats fed raw and boiled, respectively, but the DFI by goats on treatment A was similar to the DFI by goats fed TRSM-D. Average daily weight gain values (g) were 41.07 g, 38.21 g and 41.60 g for RRSM, BRSM and TRSM diets, respectively. These were inferior (P > 0.05) to that of control diet (48.75). Feed to gain ratio was least for diet A (8.18), which was statistically superior (P ≤ 0.05) to 12.16 obtained for goats fed RRSM diet and 10.94 for goats on TRSM diets. Value of feed gain ratio for goats fed diet A was statistically similar to that of goats fed diet C (8.37). Feed cost per kg gain was highest for goats fed diet A (₦ 383.96), whereas goats fed diet C had least cost per kg gain (₦ 113.37). The least feed gain, and least feed cost values obtained for goats fed diet C is an indication that it would cost less to produce goats of market weight using a BRSM-based diet.
{"title":"Relative Performance of West African Dwarf Goats fed Panicum maximum Supplemented with Raw or Processed Rubber Seed Meal","authors":"M. Udo, F. Ahamefule, J. Ibeawuchi, J. Ekpo","doi":"10.1080/00128325.2019.1597567","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00128325.2019.1597567","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Sixteen weaner WAD goats were used in 56-day feeding trial to determine their relative performance when fed with groundnut cake or raw or processed rubber seed (RS) meal. The raw or processed (boiled and toasted) RS were dried and milled and used to formulate RS meal-based diet with cassava peels, palm kernel, brewer dried grain, bone meal and salt. Groundnut cake (GNC) with the above named ingredients, except RS, were used to formulate control diet A (control). Raw RS meal (RRSM) was diet B, boiled RS (BRSM) was diet C and toasted RS (TRSM) was diet D. The animals were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups and fed diets (A–D) containing 20% GNC, RRSM, BRSM or TRSM in a completely randomised design. Daily feed intake (DFI) of 399.12 g by goats fed control diet differed statistically from the intake of 499.55 g and 320.05 g by goats fed raw and boiled, respectively, but the DFI by goats on treatment A was similar to the DFI by goats fed TRSM-D. Average daily weight gain values (g) were 41.07 g, 38.21 g and 41.60 g for RRSM, BRSM and TRSM diets, respectively. These were inferior (P > 0.05) to that of control diet (48.75). Feed to gain ratio was least for diet A (8.18), which was statistically superior (P ≤ 0.05) to 12.16 obtained for goats fed RRSM diet and 10.94 for goats on TRSM diets. Value of feed gain ratio for goats fed diet A was statistically similar to that of goats fed diet C (8.37). Feed cost per kg gain was highest for goats fed diet A (₦ 383.96), whereas goats fed diet C had least cost per kg gain (₦ 113.37). The least feed gain, and least feed cost values obtained for goats fed diet C is an indication that it would cost less to produce goats of market weight using a BRSM-based diet.","PeriodicalId":11421,"journal":{"name":"East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal","volume":"30 1","pages":"100 - 94"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79617661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-06-21DOI: 10.1080/00128325.2019.1603578
M. Mutimura, C. Ebong, I. Rao, I. Nsahlai
ABSTRACT In most of sub-Saharan African countries, including Rwanda, the predominant agricultural production is from a mixed-crop-livestock farming system, because of small size land holding. The objective of this study was to assess the seasonal availability of livestock feed resources in the semi-arid and humid environments of Rwanda. Structured questionnaire was designed and administered to 102 households from each environment (totalling 204) practising mixed-crop-livestock farming system. Humid environment had more other activities than farming compared with the semi-arid. The semi-arid area had more households with dairy cows than humid environment. Household heads above 40 years and uneducated were more likely to establish fodder species for livestock. Farmers in humid environments were more likely to apply fertiliser on forages as one of the management practices than in the semi-arid areas. Household heads with above 20 years of experience in livestock rearing and uneducated household heads were also more likely to apply fertiliser on forages. Farmers in the semi-arid environments were two times more likely to establish forages in farmland than in humid environments. Various feed resources were identified in both environments. However, Napier grass was the most frequent feed resource across all season in both areas. Its availability differed (p < 0.01) between the two environments during the rainy season and during the dry season (p < 0.05) where the humid environments had the highest quantity compared with the semi-arid environments. In addition, various crop residues were also used in both areas during the rainy and dry seasons. This suggests that feed availability is based on seasonal crop harvesting, which can lead to feed shortage in a time of crop failure. Also, high use of crop residues can compromise livestock productivity, owing to low quality, suggesting the necessity to characterise the available feed resources in smallholder farms of the semi-arid and humid environments for better choice of feed.
{"title":"Seasonal variation of livestock feed resources in semi-arid and humid environments of Rwanda","authors":"M. Mutimura, C. Ebong, I. Rao, I. Nsahlai","doi":"10.1080/00128325.2019.1603578","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00128325.2019.1603578","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT In most of sub-Saharan African countries, including Rwanda, the predominant agricultural production is from a mixed-crop-livestock farming system, because of small size land holding. The objective of this study was to assess the seasonal availability of livestock feed resources in the semi-arid and humid environments of Rwanda. Structured questionnaire was designed and administered to 102 households from each environment (totalling 204) practising mixed-crop-livestock farming system. Humid environment had more other activities than farming compared with the semi-arid. The semi-arid area had more households with dairy cows than humid environment. Household heads above 40 years and uneducated were more likely to establish fodder species for livestock. Farmers in humid environments were more likely to apply fertiliser on forages as one of the management practices than in the semi-arid areas. Household heads with above 20 years of experience in livestock rearing and uneducated household heads were also more likely to apply fertiliser on forages. Farmers in the semi-arid environments were two times more likely to establish forages in farmland than in humid environments. Various feed resources were identified in both environments. However, Napier grass was the most frequent feed resource across all season in both areas. Its availability differed (p < 0.01) between the two environments during the rainy season and during the dry season (p < 0.05) where the humid environments had the highest quantity compared with the semi-arid environments. In addition, various crop residues were also used in both areas during the rainy and dry seasons. This suggests that feed availability is based on seasonal crop harvesting, which can lead to feed shortage in a time of crop failure. Also, high use of crop residues can compromise livestock productivity, owing to low quality, suggesting the necessity to characterise the available feed resources in smallholder farms of the semi-arid and humid environments for better choice of feed.","PeriodicalId":11421,"journal":{"name":"East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal","volume":"113 1","pages":"137 - 148"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81028921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-06-19DOI: 10.1080/00128325.2019.1603581
H. Kenfo, Y. Mekasha, Y. Tadesse
ABSTRACT This study was carried out in Bensa district of Sidama Zone, southern Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to assess consumer preference traits of indigenous sheep type in the study area. Data were analysed using SPSS versions 16. There are four towns where sheep was marketed in addition to many villages that were used as primary market outlets for sheep. Farmers, collectors, traders, brokers, restaurant/hotel owners and individual consumers were the major actors in the sheep market. There were five main market channels and three market outflow route of sheep in the study area. The most preferred traits by consumer in the study area were younger age, uncastrated, large frame size, good body condition and non-black colour. The demand for sheep was high during the time of crop harvesting and Christian holidays. It was concluded that understanding the consumer preferences of indigenous sheep can be used as first step in designing a sustainable breeding programme in the study area. Hence, this study recommended that community based selective breeding program should be implemented to control negative selection and improve the performance and productivity of sheep. Besides, effort should be geared to transform the system into market oriented system using value chain framework.
{"title":"Assessment of consumer preference traits of indigenous sheep type and market channels in Bensa District, Southern Ethiopia","authors":"H. Kenfo, Y. Mekasha, Y. Tadesse","doi":"10.1080/00128325.2019.1603581","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00128325.2019.1603581","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This study was carried out in Bensa district of Sidama Zone, southern Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to assess consumer preference traits of indigenous sheep type in the study area. Data were analysed using SPSS versions 16. There are four towns where sheep was marketed in addition to many villages that were used as primary market outlets for sheep. Farmers, collectors, traders, brokers, restaurant/hotel owners and individual consumers were the major actors in the sheep market. There were five main market channels and three market outflow route of sheep in the study area. The most preferred traits by consumer in the study area were younger age, uncastrated, large frame size, good body condition and non-black colour. The demand for sheep was high during the time of crop harvesting and Christian holidays. It was concluded that understanding the consumer preferences of indigenous sheep can be used as first step in designing a sustainable breeding programme in the study area. Hence, this study recommended that community based selective breeding program should be implemented to control negative selection and improve the performance and productivity of sheep. Besides, effort should be geared to transform the system into market oriented system using value chain framework.","PeriodicalId":11421,"journal":{"name":"East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal","volume":"23 1","pages":"149 - 162"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79484273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-06-18DOI: 10.1080/00128325.2019.1599491
R. Karimi, R. Nair, D. Ledesma, D. Mutisya, L. Muthoni
ABSTRACT Green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) R Wilczek var. radiata) is an important pulse in the climatically marginal areas of Eastern Kenya. The pulse is cultivated primarily for food grain and income generation. Its productivity in Eastern Kenya has declined, because of drought and use of late maturing varieties. The objectives of the experiment were to (i) evaluate green gram introductions for adaptability and seed yield in semi-arid areas of eastern Kenya and (ii) identify farmer preferred green gram lines through participatory variety selection. Twenty green gram lines including recent introductions, improved commercial varieties and a land race were evaluated in nine environments. Participatory variety selection was conducted to identify farmer selection criteria and acceptability. Genotypic variation and genotypes × environment interactions were observed. A wide range of seed sizes among the lines from small, medium to large was recorded. Lines AVMU 8501, AVMU 0801 and AVMU 1003 yielded higher grain in almost all the environments indicating broad adaptation. Line AVMU 8501 was superior for grain yield giving yield advantage of 13%, 70% and 32% over the best commercial variety KAT N26 and 21%, 17% and 28% over KS 20 at Environment 4, Environment 7 and Environment 9, respectively. Early maturity, yield and pod/seed size were important traits that influence adoption of green gram in Kenya. AVMU 0801, AVMU 1003 and AVMU 8501 were identified as the most farmer preferred lines. These, if well adopted, can go a long way in increasing the green gram productivity in drought prone Kenyan arid and semi-arid lands that experience erratic rainfall.
{"title":"Performance and participatory evaluation of green gram genotypes in the semi-arid environments of Eastern Kenya","authors":"R. Karimi, R. Nair, D. Ledesma, D. Mutisya, L. Muthoni","doi":"10.1080/00128325.2019.1599491","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00128325.2019.1599491","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) R Wilczek var. radiata) is an important pulse in the climatically marginal areas of Eastern Kenya. The pulse is cultivated primarily for food grain and income generation. Its productivity in Eastern Kenya has declined, because of drought and use of late maturing varieties. The objectives of the experiment were to (i) evaluate green gram introductions for adaptability and seed yield in semi-arid areas of eastern Kenya and (ii) identify farmer preferred green gram lines through participatory variety selection. Twenty green gram lines including recent introductions, improved commercial varieties and a land race were evaluated in nine environments. Participatory variety selection was conducted to identify farmer selection criteria and acceptability. Genotypic variation and genotypes × environment interactions were observed. A wide range of seed sizes among the lines from small, medium to large was recorded. Lines AVMU 8501, AVMU 0801 and AVMU 1003 yielded higher grain in almost all the environments indicating broad adaptation. Line AVMU 8501 was superior for grain yield giving yield advantage of 13%, 70% and 32% over the best commercial variety KAT N26 and 21%, 17% and 28% over KS 20 at Environment 4, Environment 7 and Environment 9, respectively. Early maturity, yield and pod/seed size were important traits that influence adoption of green gram in Kenya. AVMU 0801, AVMU 1003 and AVMU 8501 were identified as the most farmer preferred lines. These, if well adopted, can go a long way in increasing the green gram productivity in drought prone Kenyan arid and semi-arid lands that experience erratic rainfall.","PeriodicalId":11421,"journal":{"name":"East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal","volume":"23 1","pages":"119 - 136"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86374053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-06-13DOI: 10.1080/00128325.2019.1597568
EL Chimoita, CM Onyango, J.P. Gweyi-Onyango, J. Kimenju
ABSTRACT Farmers’ socio-economic status and institutional support play a complementary role in influencing adoption of various improved agricultural value chain technologies. Despite considerable research efforts towards improving sorghum production and commercialisation to improve farmers’ socio-economic wellbeing in Kenya, a marginal number of farmers in arid areas are adopting improved technologies. The current study, therefore, evaluated farmers’ socio-economic and institutional factors influencing uptake of improved sorghum technologies in Embu County, Kenya. The study systematically selected 129 farmers from four villages. Data was collected on household size, daily expenditure, land ownership, land sizes, sources of capital, the number of farmers growing sorghum, market outlets, institutional services offered to farmers and production challenges. The study revealed that 51% of the households comprised of six to ten members, whereas 76% of the farmers spent on average three thousand Kenyan shillings (US$ 30) on a monthly basis. The study results also showed that 88% of farmers accessed extension services from government agencies, whereas 56% of the farmers accessed credit facility from private microfinance institutions. The study findings also revealed 48% farmers sold sorghum products to private agents, whereas 44% farmers sold their products on local market outlets. It was additionally revealed that 57% of farmers faced challenges in accessing credit services. There was a positive Pearson’s correlation (r = 0.43) between farmers owning individual land title deeds and the uptake of improved sorghum technologies with individual land ownership motivating farmers to invest in sorghum production. In addition, there was a positive Pearson’s correlation (r = 0.48) between farmers accessing financial training services and the uptake improved sorghum technologies. The training services significantly (p ≤ 0.01) influenced the farmers in embracing improved sorghum technologies. The study concluded that farmers’ expenditure, land ownership, financial training and credit support were the key socio-economic and institutional factors contributing to farmers’ uptake of improved sorghum technologies.
{"title":"Socio-economic and Institutional Factors Influencing Uptake of Improved Sorghum Technologies in Embu, Kenya","authors":"EL Chimoita, CM Onyango, J.P. Gweyi-Onyango, J. Kimenju","doi":"10.1080/00128325.2019.1597568","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00128325.2019.1597568","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Farmers’ socio-economic status and institutional support play a complementary role in influencing adoption of various improved agricultural value chain technologies. Despite considerable research efforts towards improving sorghum production and commercialisation to improve farmers’ socio-economic wellbeing in Kenya, a marginal number of farmers in arid areas are adopting improved technologies. The current study, therefore, evaluated farmers’ socio-economic and institutional factors influencing uptake of improved sorghum technologies in Embu County, Kenya. The study systematically selected 129 farmers from four villages. Data was collected on household size, daily expenditure, land ownership, land sizes, sources of capital, the number of farmers growing sorghum, market outlets, institutional services offered to farmers and production challenges. The study revealed that 51% of the households comprised of six to ten members, whereas 76% of the farmers spent on average three thousand Kenyan shillings (US$ 30) on a monthly basis. The study results also showed that 88% of farmers accessed extension services from government agencies, whereas 56% of the farmers accessed credit facility from private microfinance institutions. The study findings also revealed 48% farmers sold sorghum products to private agents, whereas 44% farmers sold their products on local market outlets. It was additionally revealed that 57% of farmers faced challenges in accessing credit services. There was a positive Pearson’s correlation (r = 0.43) between farmers owning individual land title deeds and the uptake of improved sorghum technologies with individual land ownership motivating farmers to invest in sorghum production. In addition, there was a positive Pearson’s correlation (r = 0.48) between farmers accessing financial training services and the uptake improved sorghum technologies. The training services significantly (p ≤ 0.01) influenced the farmers in embracing improved sorghum technologies. The study concluded that farmers’ expenditure, land ownership, financial training and credit support were the key socio-economic and institutional factors contributing to farmers’ uptake of improved sorghum technologies.","PeriodicalId":11421,"journal":{"name":"East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal","volume":"21 1","pages":"69 - 79"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87334532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-06-10DOI: 10.1080/00128325.2019.1605964
Kp Andiego, O. Dangasuk, D. Odee, F. Omondi, D. Otieno, Bk Balozi
ABSTRACT Osyris lanceolata is an evergreen, drought tolerant tropical African tree species belonging to the family Santalaceae. It is endangered, owing to overexploitation for its essential oil used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. The study aimed at determining: (1) the genetic diversity; and (2) the population genetic differentiation in seven key O. lanceolata populations, representing its natural distribution in Kenya. Genotype data for ISSR neutral molecular markers were generated for seven populations of O. lanceolata. The percentage of polymorphic loci (P), ranged from 51% (Wundanyi) to 82% (Gwasii), with a mean of 65%. The mean number of effective alleles (Ne) was 1.430, whereas the Shannon Information Index (I) mean was 0.263. Gwasii population was the most genetically diverse followed by Mt Elgon and least was Wundanyi. The coefficient of differentiation Gst was 0.343. Results of analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that most of the genetic variation (62%) in O. lanceolata resided within populations. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) analysis showed that Baringo population located in the Rift Valley was genetically distinct from the rest of the populations. In conclusion, Gwasii, Mt Elgon and Baringo populations should be delineated for in situ conservation, whereas selection for ex situ conservation should target good trees from all the populations.
{"title":"Genetic diversity of endangered sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata) populations in Kenya using ISSR molecular markers","authors":"Kp Andiego, O. Dangasuk, D. Odee, F. Omondi, D. Otieno, Bk Balozi","doi":"10.1080/00128325.2019.1605964","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00128325.2019.1605964","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Osyris lanceolata is an evergreen, drought tolerant tropical African tree species belonging to the family Santalaceae. It is endangered, owing to overexploitation for its essential oil used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. The study aimed at determining: (1) the genetic diversity; and (2) the population genetic differentiation in seven key O. lanceolata populations, representing its natural distribution in Kenya. Genotype data for ISSR neutral molecular markers were generated for seven populations of O. lanceolata. The percentage of polymorphic loci (P), ranged from 51% (Wundanyi) to 82% (Gwasii), with a mean of 65%. The mean number of effective alleles (Ne) was 1.430, whereas the Shannon Information Index (I) mean was 0.263. Gwasii population was the most genetically diverse followed by Mt Elgon and least was Wundanyi. The coefficient of differentiation Gst was 0.343. Results of analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that most of the genetic variation (62%) in O. lanceolata resided within populations. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) analysis showed that Baringo population located in the Rift Valley was genetically distinct from the rest of the populations. In conclusion, Gwasii, Mt Elgon and Baringo populations should be delineated for in situ conservation, whereas selection for ex situ conservation should target good trees from all the populations.","PeriodicalId":11421,"journal":{"name":"East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal","volume":"31 1","pages":"80 - 93"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75905289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-05-23DOI: 10.1080/00128325.2018.1511174
C. Gadzirayi, F. Kubiku, J. Mupangwa, B. Masamha, L. Mujuru
ABSTRACT Two provenances of Moringa oleifera Lam., Malawi and Mutoko, were evaluated to determine the effect of plant spacing and cutting interval on the leaf biomass yield for fodder production. A split-split plot experimental design was set up with provenance as the main plot factor, plant spacing as sub-plot factor and cutting interval as sub-sub plot factor. The provenances were tested at two plant spacings of 15 cm × 15 cm and 20 cm × 20 cm, and two cutting intervals of 60 days and 75 days. Results showed that 90 days after planting, at 20 cm × 20 cm spacing, Malawi provenance plants had a higher (P < 0.05) leaf dry matter yield than Mutoko plants. A cutting interval of 60 days had a higher (P < 0.05) leaf dry matter yield for the two provenances than a 75 day cutting interval. Both provenances can be recommended for agroforestry because their leaf biomass yields were not significantly different at all subsequent cutting intervals of 60 and 75 days.
辣木(Moringa oleifera Lam)两个种源。为确定株距和刈割间隔期对饲料生产中叶片生物量产量的影响，对马拉维和Mutoko三个品种进行了评价。采用以种源为主样地因子，株距为次样地因子，刈割间隔为次样地因子的分畦试验设计。以15 cm × 15 cm和20 cm × 20 cm两个株距，60 d和75 d两个扦插间隔进行试验。结果表明:种植90 d后，在20 cm × 20 cm间距下，马拉维种源植株叶片干物质产量显著高于Mutoko植株(P < 0.05);2个种源扦插间隔60 d的叶片干物质产量均高于扦插间隔75 d (P < 0.05)。这两个种源都可以推荐用于农林业，因为它们的叶片生物量产量在随后的60和75天的采伐间隔内没有显著差异。
{"title":"The Effect of Provenance, Plant Spacing and Cutting Interval on Leaf Biomass Yield of Moringa Oleifera Lam.","authors":"C. Gadzirayi, F. Kubiku, J. Mupangwa, B. Masamha, L. Mujuru","doi":"10.1080/00128325.2018.1511174","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00128325.2018.1511174","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Two provenances of Moringa oleifera Lam., Malawi and Mutoko, were evaluated to determine the effect of plant spacing and cutting interval on the leaf biomass yield for fodder production. A split-split plot experimental design was set up with provenance as the main plot factor, plant spacing as sub-plot factor and cutting interval as sub-sub plot factor. The provenances were tested at two plant spacings of 15 cm × 15 cm and 20 cm × 20 cm, and two cutting intervals of 60 days and 75 days. Results showed that 90 days after planting, at 20 cm × 20 cm spacing, Malawi provenance plants had a higher (P < 0.05) leaf dry matter yield than Mutoko plants. A cutting interval of 60 days had a higher (P < 0.05) leaf dry matter yield for the two provenances than a 75 day cutting interval. Both provenances can be recommended for agroforestry because their leaf biomass yields were not significantly different at all subsequent cutting intervals of 60 and 75 days.","PeriodicalId":11421,"journal":{"name":"East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal","volume":"6 1","pages":"25 - 33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89464195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2017-10-02DOI: 10.1080/00128325.2017.1405470
S. Nkya, M. Hagai, J. Kashaigili
ABSTRACT The study focused on contributing to the spatial knowledge of the impacts of land cover changes on beef cattle production under a changing climate in rangelands of the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB), so as to establish a strategy for improving beef cattle production in the area. We used supervised classification of satellite imagery to analyze land cover changes between the years 1980–2000 and 2000–2010. Results revealed that for the periods 1980–2000 and 2000–2010, settlements increased by 1% and 8%, and cultivated area increased by 0.58% and 0.30%, respectively. Riverine vegetation declined by 0.26% and increased by 0.16%, and woodlands declined by 6% and 13% respectively. The trend of beef cattle numbers against rainfall and pasture area (riverine vegetation and woodland) over the study period 1980–2010 showed a non-significant trend of increasing rainfall in the study area. In Ilemela District, pasture area and beef cattle numbers declined by 33% and 4% respectively. In Magu District, beef cattle numbers increased by 64% and pasture area declined by 84%. This implies that the effect of urbanization is more severe in Ilemela than in Magu District. Land use planning, enhancing of mixed crop-livestock farming systems, intensification of livestock practices, forage conservation, planting of fodder trees, and matching of cattle numbers with pasture availability are recommended. In addition, education is needed on effective cattle farming as a strategy for improving beef cattle production in the face of land cover changes due to climate variability in the area.
{"title":"Land Cover Change Impacts on Beef Cattle Productivity under Changing Climate: Case of Ilemela and Magu Districts, Tanzania","authors":"S. Nkya, M. Hagai, J. Kashaigili","doi":"10.1080/00128325.2017.1405470","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00128325.2017.1405470","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The study focused on contributing to the spatial knowledge of the impacts of land cover changes on beef cattle production under a changing climate in rangelands of the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB), so as to establish a strategy for improving beef cattle production in the area. We used supervised classification of satellite imagery to analyze land cover changes between the years 1980–2000 and 2000–2010. Results revealed that for the periods 1980–2000 and 2000–2010, settlements increased by 1% and 8%, and cultivated area increased by 0.58% and 0.30%, respectively. Riverine vegetation declined by 0.26% and increased by 0.16%, and woodlands declined by 6% and 13% respectively. The trend of beef cattle numbers against rainfall and pasture area (riverine vegetation and woodland) over the study period 1980–2010 showed a non-significant trend of increasing rainfall in the study area. In Ilemela District, pasture area and beef cattle numbers declined by 33% and 4% respectively. In Magu District, beef cattle numbers increased by 64% and pasture area declined by 84%. This implies that the effect of urbanization is more severe in Ilemela than in Magu District. Land use planning, enhancing of mixed crop-livestock farming systems, intensification of livestock practices, forage conservation, planting of fodder trees, and matching of cattle numbers with pasture availability are recommended. In addition, education is needed on effective cattle farming as a strategy for improving beef cattle production in the face of land cover changes due to climate variability in the area.","PeriodicalId":11421,"journal":{"name":"East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal","volume":"12 1","pages":"188 - 200"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84475497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2017-10-02DOI: 10.1080/00128325.2017.1391489
Silas Ongudi, M. Ngigi, P. Kimurto
ABSTRACT Globally, micronutrient deficiency is a major health concern as more than two billion people suffer from iron deficiency, 1.75 billion are at risk of low zinc intake, while 127 million pre-school children suffer from vitamin A deficiency. Consumption of iron biofortified pearl millet is one optimal strategy for reducing micronutrient deficiencies, which is a major health concern. However, its consumption is unclear due to changes in product traits (appearance, aroma and flavour) from biofortification. Therefore, we centred on the hypothetical introduction of a biofortified pearl millet variety in Mbeere District, Kenya, where most staple crops record poor yields. We used a contingent valuation method in estimating consumer willingness to pay (WTP), on a sample of 100 biofortified pearl millet consumers. Our findings indicate that consumers were willing to pay an average premium of 42 percent above the prevailing market price of finger millet varieties. Factors directly influencing WTP were: frequency of consuming finger millet; whether consumer is a household decision maker or otherwise; household income and consumer’s previous experience; and level of awareness concerning the benefit of consuming biofortified pearl millet products. These results suggest the need for market segmentation with more attention given to high-income households with good knowledge of pearl millet in promoting biofortified pearl millet products.
{"title":"Determinants of Consumers’ Choice and Willingness to Pay for Biofortified Pearl Millet in Kenya","authors":"Silas Ongudi, M. Ngigi, P. Kimurto","doi":"10.1080/00128325.2017.1391489","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00128325.2017.1391489","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Globally, micronutrient deficiency is a major health concern as more than two billion people suffer from iron deficiency, 1.75 billion are at risk of low zinc intake, while 127 million pre-school children suffer from vitamin A deficiency. Consumption of iron biofortified pearl millet is one optimal strategy for reducing micronutrient deficiencies, which is a major health concern. However, its consumption is unclear due to changes in product traits (appearance, aroma and flavour) from biofortification. Therefore, we centred on the hypothetical introduction of a biofortified pearl millet variety in Mbeere District, Kenya, where most staple crops record poor yields. We used a contingent valuation method in estimating consumer willingness to pay (WTP), on a sample of 100 biofortified pearl millet consumers. Our findings indicate that consumers were willing to pay an average premium of 42 percent above the prevailing market price of finger millet varieties. Factors directly influencing WTP were: frequency of consuming finger millet; whether consumer is a household decision maker or otherwise; household income and consumer’s previous experience; and level of awareness concerning the benefit of consuming biofortified pearl millet products. These results suggest the need for market segmentation with more attention given to high-income households with good knowledge of pearl millet in promoting biofortified pearl millet products.","PeriodicalId":11421,"journal":{"name":"East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal","volume":"43 1","pages":"175 - 187"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90334106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2017-10-02DOI: 10.1080/00128325.2018.1456298
E. S. Namikoye, G. Kariuki, Z. Kinyua, M. Githendu, M. Kasina
ABSTRACT Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND) has emerged as a great threat to maize production in East Africa. It is caused by a synergistic infection of maize by sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) and maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV). This study was carried out in Bomet County, Kenya, to determine the potential of various cropping systems to manage vectors of MLND–causing viruses. Plots measuring 7.5 m × 5.25 m were planted with maize (Zea mays L.) intercropped or bordered by elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) and Gadam sorghum (Sorghum bicolour (L.) Moench). Maize monoculture was used as a control treatment; the nine treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated four times for two seasons (December 2014 to April 2015 and April 2015 to September 2015). Data on corn thrips and corn leaf aphid infestation, MLND severity and incidence, MCMV and SCMV viral load, and yield were recorded. The sorghum border was the only companion crop that tested positive for MCMV and none tested positive for SCMV. Maize intercropped with elephant grass had significantly (P < 0.01) the least incidence of disease. However, this treatment produced significantly lower yields (P < 0.01). Coriander was the only companion plant most preferred by both corn thrips and corn leaf aphids (P < 0.001). Maize from all cropping systems tested positive for MCMV (P < 0.001) while maize grown with coriander tested negative for SCMV (P < 0.001). Yields from plots surrounded by sorghum and coriander were significantly similar to those from maize monoculture plots. These findings suggest that maize should be intercropped with coriander due to its potential to trap corn leaf aphids and protect maize from SCMV. In addition maize should be grown surrounded by a sorghum border to maximize yield in areas where MLND is prevalent.
{"title":"Cropping System Intensification as a Management Method Against Vectors of Viruses Causing Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease in Kenya","authors":"E. S. Namikoye, G. Kariuki, Z. Kinyua, M. Githendu, M. Kasina","doi":"10.1080/00128325.2018.1456298","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00128325.2018.1456298","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND) has emerged as a great threat to maize production in East Africa. It is caused by a synergistic infection of maize by sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) and maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV). This study was carried out in Bomet County, Kenya, to determine the potential of various cropping systems to manage vectors of MLND–causing viruses. Plots measuring 7.5 m × 5.25 m were planted with maize (Zea mays L.) intercropped or bordered by elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) and Gadam sorghum (Sorghum bicolour (L.) Moench). Maize monoculture was used as a control treatment; the nine treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated four times for two seasons (December 2014 to April 2015 and April 2015 to September 2015). Data on corn thrips and corn leaf aphid infestation, MLND severity and incidence, MCMV and SCMV viral load, and yield were recorded. The sorghum border was the only companion crop that tested positive for MCMV and none tested positive for SCMV. Maize intercropped with elephant grass had significantly (P < 0.01) the least incidence of disease. However, this treatment produced significantly lower yields (P < 0.01). Coriander was the only companion plant most preferred by both corn thrips and corn leaf aphids (P < 0.001). Maize from all cropping systems tested positive for MCMV (P < 0.001) while maize grown with coriander tested negative for SCMV (P < 0.001). Yields from plots surrounded by sorghum and coriander were significantly similar to those from maize monoculture plots. These findings suggest that maize should be intercropped with coriander due to its potential to trap corn leaf aphids and protect maize from SCMV. In addition maize should be grown surrounded by a sorghum border to maximize yield in areas where MLND is prevalent.","PeriodicalId":11421,"journal":{"name":"East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal","volume":"53 1","pages":"246 - 260"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86283888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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