The access to agricultural subsidies optimizes the daily operations of farms in North Texas. Being an essential policy instrument for ensuring the success of government-supported agricultural program objectives among targeted groups. Over the years, the disbursement of federal agricultural assisted programs continues to flourish with the intent of boosting capacity of supposedly needy farms. While much of the aids serve ample uses in sustaining solely farms involved in a few select commodities (cotton, wheat, corn, sorghum, peanuts), together with natural disaster payments and conservation reserve programs. There is little or no consideration for fruits, vegetables, and dairy products essential for healthy living as bigger farms benefit more. Added to that are the rising use of farm nutrients made up of various volumes of pesticides and agrochemicals to boost output despite the rising risks to marshlands and the surrounding ecosystems in North Texas and subsidy induced ground water depletion along the major Aquifer. Notwithstanding the recurrent ecological implications of subsidy disbursement in the agricultural sector, very little study exists on the environmental footprints in the North Texas region under mix-scale orientation using the latest geospatial tools as analytical devices. This research will fill that void by assessing the environmental impacts of agricultural subsidy in the study area with emphasis on the issues, trends, impacts and the underlying factors. Using secondary data processed by mix scale methods of descriptive statistics connected to Geographic information Systems (GIS). The results reveal large subsidy allotment from 1995-2020 for commodities, disaster mitigation and conservation coupled with land use change, loss of farms amidst rising fertilizer use and ecosystem impacts. While GIS mappings show spatial dispersion of the trends over time with visible concentration in the ten counties, the emergent issues stem partly from several socio-economic, ecological, policy and global forces located within the larger agricultural structure. To address these concerns, the paper offered solutions ranging from the need for coherent policy, education, the design of a regional farm subsidy and environmental information system and ecological monitoring.
An important distinguishing feature of the cluster is its innovation orientation. The most successful clusters are formed where a “breakthrough” in the field of technology and production technology is carried out or is expected, followed by access to new “market niches”. In this regard, many countries - both economically developed and just beginning to form a market economy - are increasingly using the “cluster approach” in the formation and regulation of their national innovation programs.
Drought is one of the devastating natural events that affect sensitive sectors such as crop production. The overall aim of this study was to characterize historical and future drought in two districts located within Uganda’s coffee growing region, that is Bukomansimbi and Mubende. The standardized precipitation index (SPI) was applied to both historical and model-projected future rainfall in order to characterize the drought events. Data from the Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation (CHIRPS) provided the historical rainfall observations while future rainfall for the period2021 to 2050 was obtained from projections of version 2.2 of the Regional Atmospheric Climate Model (RACMO22T). The results showed that for the historical period, the decade 2001 to 2010 had the highest drought frequency of 16.7% in Bukomansimbi and 20% in Mubende. It also had the highest records of drought duration, magnitude and intensity, and the pinnacle of these events was in the period 2005 to 2007. The future drought characterization showed that the decades 2021 to 2030 and 2041 to 2050 are anticipated to have the highest drought frequencies, which for RCP 4.5 are 11.9% in Bukomansimbi and 15.6% in Mubende while for RCP 8.5 they are 9.2% in Bukomansimbi and 9.1% in Mubende. It is likely that drought will decrease in the future periods, and thus loosen its grip on the most affected sectors such as crop production.
Antioxidants are beneficial for the management of some chronic diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and diabetic diseases. Through scavenging activities on free radicals, antioxidants reduce oxidative stress in human. Plant sources of antioxidants are better in potency and health risks than the synthetics, especially in fruits and vegetables. Research has established that consumption of vegetables reduces the risk of many chronic diseases due to the presence of antioxidants. Therefore, this experiment was conducted using seventeen (17) hot pepper (Capsicum spp.) genotypes to find out their antioxidant compositions. All samples for the genotypes were extracted using methanol and ethanol solvents. Total phenolic content was determined by using Folin-Ciocalteau method on absorbance at 765 nm. Lycopene and β-carotene were determined through the modified method of Sharoba on absorbanceat 453nm, 505nm, and 663. For total flavonoid content, the modified aluminum chloride colorimetric method was used on absorbance at 510nm. Antioxidant activity was determined using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenger method. The phenolic acids content recorded under field conditions were relatively higher in all genotypes than under greenhouse conditions. For carotenoids, whereas high lycopene content was recorded under greenhouse conditions β carotene yield was rather higher under field conditions. Total flavonoid content among the genotypes varied across the two experimental environments. DPPH free radical scavenging activity was generally high and showed a correlation with phenolic acids content across the environments. To conclude, the antioxidants studied among the genotypes were high in concentration and varied across environments.
A viable seed is one which is capable of germination under suitable conditions which also includes dormant but viable seeds. A total of 3600 germinated seedlings were recorded over 22 days (3 weeks). The objective of the study was to determine the potential capacity of the seeds to germinate under double seeding to meet high demand of field planting. Three response variables were tested; double germination, single germination and post single germination. Most doubletons and singletons germinated on day 6. The doubletons were statistically significant on day 6 (347 ± 105, p 0.05) with similar germination counts on day 10 (53.5 ± 13.5, p>0.05). The viability of doubletons in Honduras Lancetilla (HL) was higher than those of Vimmy. However, Vimmy did well on singletons and post-singletons giving similar germination counts. From these results, it was recommended that new sowing be done on the second week of the month to ensure a continuous supply of seedling production for the third week (day 8 onwards).
Mangrove forests are one of the factors that can contribute to suppressing climate change. The phenomenon of the function of mangrove forests changes has an impact on reducing the ability to absorb carbon in the atmosphere. Kabaena Island has a coastline length of ± 200 km which has several mangrove forest spots that are scattered around Kabaena Island with an area of ± 1500 ha. This study aims to determine the ecological potential and carbon stock of mangrove forests in Kabaena Island, Bombana Regency. Data were collected at 75 observation locations in the form of a combination of transects and plots. The research variables are: 1. The variables used to analyze ecological potential consist of diversity index, density, dominance, frequency, important value index and mangrove species. 2. The variable used to analyze the carbon potential of mangrove forests is the estimated value of the biomass content of each mangrove species obtained from calculations using allometric equations. The results showed the vegetation composition at the tree, sapling and seedling levels in Kabaena Island was composed of 9 species belonging to 4 families. The level of diversity at the research location is included in the medium category. Mangrove carbon stocks in Kabaena Island at the tree level reached 10,847.185 kg/ha; at the sapling level it reached 11,950,314 kg/ha and at the seedling level it reached 3,797 kg/ha.
Maize (Zea mays L.) remains principally a rainy season crop in Togo where soils fertility declining limits already agricultural production. This makes majority of agricultural households more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. This study explored the potential of organic fertilizer and irrigation regimes in maize cropping. Agronomic trials were performed in randomized complete block design with three replications where control plots, plots treated with compost at different levels and plots treated with mineral fertilizer constituted the treatments. Water was supplied according to three irrigation regimes of 1, 2 and 4 days interval. The growth parameters including plant height, stem girth, leaf area and number of leaves per plant were measured at the milky maize stage. The yield parameters including length and girth of cob, thousand grains weight, grain yield and straw yield were collected at harvest. All data collected were statistically analyzed. The results shown three distinct homogeneous groups of treatments both for growth and yield parameters at each level of irrigation regime. Plots treated with compost at 30 t ha-1 and 40 t ha-1 constitute the best group, which differed significantly from the second group formed by plots treated with compost at 10 t ha-1, 20 t ha-1 and plots treated with mineral fertilizer. Control treatments constitute the last group. Growth and yield parameters values increase with compost dose increasing. The highest growth and yield parameters of maize were obtained from plots treated with compost and submitted to irrigation at two days interval while the lowest values were recorded from control plots. Far from being used alone in place of mineral conventional fertilizer, integrated fertilization based on combination of mineral fertilizer and compost of urban wastes under irrigation regime of 2 and 4 days interval will performed in maize cropping in coastal zone of Togo for more option reliable to recommend.
Post-harvest diseases due to the action of pathogenic fungi constitute a real problem in the marketing of fruits and vegetables, which represents an important sub-sector of the economy of Cote d'Ivoire. The conservation of fruits and vegetables has always relied in developed countries on the use of techniques that are difficult for producers to access or on the use of chemicals. Today, the search for new conservation techniques that are less expensive and concerned with the well-being of consumers is increasingly being considered. Several recent data suggest that medicinal plants with antifungal properties could represent an alternative solution for the control of these diseases. To this end, the antifungal potential of aqueous, methanolic and dichloromethane extracts of the leaves of Erythrina senegalensis was tested on Rhizopus oryzae and Rhizopus stolonifer, two fungi responsible for post-harvest diseases of papaya, chili pepper and tomato. The antifungal tests performed showed that the extracts of E. senegalensis inhibited the mycelial growth of fungal strains with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of between 8 mg/ mL and 10 mg/mL. However, of the three extracts tested, the aqueous extracts were the most active on fungi. The beneficial effect of E. senegalensis against the fungi R. oryzae and R. stolonifer leads to suggest that this plant be further explored in order to consider a formulation of biofungicides in the conservation of fruits and vegetables in Cote d'Ivoire.
The research was conducted in Hawassa watershed around Lake Hawassa during 2019. Cultivation near the lake and over-pumping of Lake Hawassa water for irrigation has initiated the research. Analysis of smallholder farmers’ irrigation schemes WUE and its consequences on Lake Hawassa were the objectives addressed. Regular field observations into irrigation schemes and measurements’ made into WUE indicative parameters while smallholder farmers’ irrigate their crops has been generated the core research data. Water applied into the field and moisture stored in the soil both before and after irrigation was determined empirically and gravimetrically. Additional data regarding socioeconomic aspects of irrigation was collected from focus group discussion. Excel Microsoft word, CROPWAT 8 and ArcGIS were used to analyze data, and produce figures. The soil texture of the study area was dominated by sandy loam with large percolation loss of water resulted in poor application efficiency. The irrigation water pumped was three-fold higher than the required. Overall irrigation scheme efficiency was very poor (38%). Chemicals used for crop growth and healthy purpose were washed into the lake during the rainy season with sediments carried on from upper cultivated lands. Therefore, to prevent lake water from deterioration the irrigation water sources should be replaced by harvested water or/and well water. If not a mode of water application needs to be modified into drip irrigation. For these the government body and NGOs should be aware the smallholder farmers about problems of irrigation on the lake and provide all the necessary support to sustain it.
Low yields of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) in developing countries of the Sub Saharan Africa relate to suite of factors including soil fertility at the planting sites, bean varieties and fertilization. Management strategies should aim at establishing a combination of these factors that would ultimately result in improved common bean yields. In this study, a field experiment was conducted in Kenya during the long rainy season to establish the effects of planting sites, bean varieties and fertilization on bean yield. The experiments consisted of four sites (Nandi, Baraton, KALRO and Trans-Nzoia), seven bean varieties (Chelalang, Ciankui, Tasha, GLPX92, Rose Coco (GLP2), KK8 and Wairimu [GLP 585]) and two fertilization regime (fertilization and no fertilization) in a factorial experiment replicated four times. On-site and farmers field, Wairimu had the highest yield followed by KK8 while the lowest yield was variety GLPX92. Application of fertilizer improved the bean yield significant over and above yield without fertilizers under both on-station and farmers conditions. Results showed that the grain yields were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by site, bean variety and fertilization. Results demonstrated that some bean varieties responded more to fertilizer application and with good agronomic management, which they are likely to contribute to food security in the region.
Aboveground biomass changes estimated at the landscape level are necessary for estimating carbon pools in forest and provide baseline data for future studies. The objective of this study is to combine national forest inventory and remote sensing data to: (1) generate aboveground biomass maps for time-series between 1991 and 2018 and (2) analyze changes in aboveground biomass during the following years 1991, 2003 and 2018. AGB maps across semi-deciduous forest zone of Togo were produced using time-series from freely available Landsat images in combination with a data set of field measurement from national forest inventory (NFI). The results showed a strong positive relationship between AGB change map aggregated in classes of 75 Mg/ha and forest cover map. These comparisons provide strong evidence to validate the approach and associated map. The net annual rate of aboveground biomass loss is estimated to be 0.45% between 1991 and 2003 and 0.31% between 2003 and 2018. More than 48% of forest loss occurred in land with AGB <75 Mg/ha, being particularly prevalent in already fragmented agricultural landscapes. Moreover, result showed that in 2018, nearly 69% of forest’s area are distributed in savanna woodlands, woodland and young secondary forests that contain low biomass (AGB < 150 Mg ha−1) compared to 67% in 1991. This study is a reliable, cost-effective and reproducible approach to map AGB changes in complex and dynamic forest landscapes and can support policy approaches towards reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+).
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal in Mozambique. However, its productivity is low due to several constraints, including drought, low soil fertility, pests and diseases. The present study aimed at analyzing two cropping systems, namely, monocropping and intercropping, and delivering knowledge to improve maize production in Central Mozambique. Two locations were selected for the experiments, Sussundenga and Rotanda Agronomic Stations. We tested the agronomic performance of three open-pollinated maize varieties, Matuba, ZM309, and ZM523, in rainfed conditions in 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 cropping seasons. The treatments analyzed in the first season were the maize varieties grown as monoculture and maize intercropped with cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp, both without any use of inorganic fertilizers. In Sussundenga, monocropping yielded 2410.4 to 3033.5 kg/ha of maize grain, while in intercropping, the yield was lower, ranging from 961.9 to 1282.9 kg/ha. However, the yield was more comparable between treatments in Rotanda, where monocropping yielded 1996.2 to 2310.7 kg/ha while for intercropping, 1478.3 to 2033.6 kg/ha was obtained. In the second season, we added fertilizer impact as an extra variable and in general contributed to increase 1.5 to 2.6 times grain yield over de non-fertilized plots. Additionally, we introduced relay intercropping to reduce competition between maize and cowpea, and obtained 2897.7 to 3958.4 kg/ha in Sussundenga, and 2613.8 to 3099.8 kg/ha in Rotanda. Overall, our data suggested that under sufficient rainfall, the tested varieties performed similarly. Also, although it should be optimized to fit the actual agro-ecological conditions, intercropping can be considered as a good strategy to increase yield, especially when combined with the use of fertilizer.
The diversity of plant species not only serves as a barrier to seawater intrusion but also provides protection from land to sea, originating from Mount Ijen flows the Banyuputih river in the Situbondo region, East Java. The Situbondo-Banyuwangi regency area is a strategic area, so it needs to be preserved its environmental ecosystem. The diversity of mangrove forests, natural sand beaches and riverbank vegetation can be an indication of environmental protection and preservation. The diversity of cultivated and wild plant species also has an indication of the pH state. Likewise, the types of flora around the Banyuputih river have an indication that they can reduce the impact of the infiltration of sulfur levels, thus contributing to groundwater sources. This study aims to determine diversity of flora species along the riverbanks and sand beaches in the environment of the highway at the mouth of the Banyuputih river in Situbondo regency, which is allegedly contaminated with sulfur material from Mount Ijen. To support the environmental function, it is equipped with data on the depth of groundwater sources, location elevations and river water’s pH. The methods used in this research were survey, open-ended interviews, semi-structured and in-depth interviews. The survey results are then collected and diagnosed and the scientific name is determined. Species diversity was recorded around Banyuputih river, Banyuputih sub-district including 26 families (60 species), mangroves 11 families (13 species) and Banongan sand beach 8 families (11 species). The sulfur levels along the Banyuputih river indicate that the diversity of flora has the potential to filter sulfur levels, so the water resources can be utilized for living. Meanwhile, the existence of the diversity of coastal forests and mangroves functions as a barrier to sea water intrusion, wind and tsunami.
Maize is one of Ethiopia’s major and strategic cereal crops, albeit the national average yield remains low. The study was conducted at Adi-gebaro farmers association of Tigray region in Ethiopia, from December 2016 to May 2017, to determine the combined effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and yield components of maize varieties under irrigation. The experiment was factorial with six rates of combined fertilizers [F1 (0+0+0) ha-1, F2 (100 kg N +32.25 kg P +10 t cattle manure) ha-1, F3 (0+0+10 t cattle manure) ha-1, F4 (150 kg N +43 kg P +15 t cattle manure) ha-1, F5 (100 kg N +32.25 kg P + 0) ha-1, F6 (50 kg N +21.5 kg P +5 t cattle manure) ha-1] and two varieties of maize (BH-543 and “Asgedom”/local). The design was Randomized Complete Block with three replications. The interaction effect between varieties and fertilizer rates was not significant. However, the differences between varieties and among fertilizer rates were significant (P<0.05) for growth, yield and yield component parameters. The highest grain yield 7.77t ha-1 was recorded with fertilizer rate of F4 followed by F2 and F5. Variety BH-543 exceeded the local variety by 1.21 t ha-1 or 21.34% in grain yield. It can be concluded that using combined fertilizer rate of F4 (150 kg N +43 kg P +15 t cattle manure) ha-1 and maize variety of BH-543 would be suitable for growing maize under irrigation at agro ecological conditions of Adi-gebaro.
This research evaluated the effects of weather patterns on the growth of three selected white yam cultivars 'Yalzo', 'Jajetin' and 'Dan Anacha' in Ardo-kola LGA, Taraba State. The experiment was conducted during the 2016/2017 growing season along Sunkani - Bali highway opposite College of Agriculture Jalingo Taraba State. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Complete Block Designed (RCBD) using 3 replications. The meteorological data were collected from Taraba State University Jalingo, meteorological station throughout the growing season. Based on weather patterns during the cropping season, highest rainfall was recorded in the month of August with the total of 175mm and decreases toward October. There is inverse relationship with rainfall and Maximum temperature, Minimum temperature and sunshine hours, while Relative Humidity showed a direct relationship with rainfall. Correlation result showed that, Relative Humidity and soil temperature correlates positively with all the various developmental stages of yam at 0.01 and 0.05 probability levels respectively. Relative Humidity, rainfall and soil temperature correlates positively with all the growth parameters of the three selected cultivars of yam. Variation in growth of yam revealed that, there is a variation in plant height, number of leaves, number of branches at P=0.05, number of stem node at P=0.01. Knowledge of weather as it relate to yam growth such as onset, cessation and length of rainy season should be pass to local farmers as that will help the farmers in planning and management of their farm. Improve cultivars of yam should also be introduce to the local farmers in the study area.
The study was conducted in three Local Government Areas of Adamawa State Nigeria, to investigate the impact of deforestation on some selected rural communities in Jada, Ganye and Toungo Local Government Areas. Specifically, the study evaluated the main causes of deforestation in the study area. It also evaluated the effect of deforestation and its impact on the people of the area. A total of 150 questionnaires were administered to the participating households, purposive sampling techniques were used in generating primary data through questionnaire, discussion and observation and the data obtained were analyzed with descriptive statistics. 61.4% of the respondents were between the ages brackets of 31-40 years. The result of the study showed that 139 of the respondents representing 92.7% have the knowledge about deforestation. It also showed that 110 respondents representing 73.3% agreed that cutting of trees and bush burning are the major causes of deforestation. The findings of the research revealed that majority of the rural populace lacked in-depth knowledge of the consequences of deforestation. It was also found out that the main economic activities of the indigenes were farming, hunting, logging, which resulted in destroying large areas of land because they do not take any measures to conserve the forest in search of their daily bread. Among the recommendations suggested were enforcement against logging, education on effects of deforestation, re-introduction of tree planting programs annually, Forest nurseries should be established in each Local Government Areas to enable them raise seedlings for planting.
Indigenous Sakini chicken is the principal breed in Nepal. Present study was conducted mainly aiming at comparing external and internal egg quality traits in four different generations (G0, G1, G2 and G3) of Sakini chicken and determining relationships among these traits. Total of 154 eggs (G0: 30, G1: 44, G2: 40, G3: 40) were evaluated for external egg traits like egg weight, egg length, egg breadth, shell thickness, shell weight and internal egg traits like yolk weight, yolk height, yolk diameter, albumen weight, albumen height, albumen diameter. The data were recorded and analysed using GenStat 19 edition software. There was significant difference in almost all traits of external and internal traits of egg except egg shell quality, yolk to albumin ratio and yolk percentage. Encouragingly, we had observed an increasing trend for each trait specially Haugh unit, a measure for better quality of egg protein in every generation indicating that selection to be continued unless the uniform performance is demonstrated in the population. Positive and significant (p<0.01) correlations (r = 0.44-0.92) were observed between egg quality traits under study. Findings suggested that selection brings genetic improvement in most of the egg quality traits of indigenous Sakini chicken. However, continuous selection practices to be employed in successive generations to exploit the maximum genetic potential in Sakini chicken.
Delayed onset of rainfall threatens food security in Nigeria because it shortens the growing season and constrains farmers to delay planting. This study was conducted in 2009 and 2010 to assess the impact of delayed onset of rainfall on maize production and determine adaptation strategies in the rainforest agroecology of Nigeria. As part of the study, analysis of rainfall trend in the location was performed using 30 years (1978 – 2007) data. Four sowing dates (February 28, March 15, March 30 and April 14), two poultry manure rates (0 and 10 tons ha-1) and three maize varieties (TZE COMP3C3, TZL COMP4C3 and OKA AWAKA) were combined as a split-split plot and laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The result showed that delayed onset of rainfall in the study area is the consequence of a shift in the rainfall pattern within the months of February and March. Analysis also revealed a declining trend in average annual rainfall and rain days. The resulting moisture stress was responsible for 22.6% reduction in grain yield when maize was planted on February 28 compared to March 30. However, application of poultry manure cushioned the effect of moisture stress and improved grain yield by 27.0 to 59.7% across sowing dates. Appropriate time of planting, poultry manure application and varietal selection were found effective for adaptation to delayed onset of rainfall in the humid region of Nigeria.
In the last several decades, many nations of the sub Saharan Africa region of West Africa, have remained in the forefront of cocoa production far higher than other areas of the globe. With that has come larger export earnings due to rising demands and the reliance on cocoa in the manufacture of various products driving consumer demands in markets at local, regional and international levels. In as much as current cocoa production practices are shaped partly by pressures from transactions in the marketplace and regulatory frameworks in the West African region and beyond. The growing activities of cocoa farming has in the past several years, left in its wake negative environmental liabilities that are now over stretching the capacity of natural areas in the zone. While there exists widespread use of agrochemicals to boost production along with the associated impacts of water pollution, in some places. The situation is now so critical that the expansion of cocoa plantations into vast forest landscapes known for their services as emission sinks, are now leading to ecosystem disturbances. Other risks from cocoa land use activities in West Africa involves the exposures to soil erosion, the flow of sediment loads onto local streams and the spreading of cocoa plant diseases which has emerged as a major issue to the detriment of communities and the surrounding ecology. Even at that, very little has been done in the literature to assess the environmental impacts of cocoa land use. Considering the economic relevance of cocoa produce in the West African region and the prevailing fiscal, policy, demographic, ecological and global factors shaping production, together with the negation in mainstream analysis. This paper will fill that void by analyzing cocoa land use in selected countries in the study area. Emphasis are on the issues, trends, factors, impacts and the role of institutions. In terms of methods, the paper uses secondary data analyzed with mix scale tools of GIS and descriptive statistics. Besides the preliminary results showing rising changes in land use indicators and degradation of the ecosystem from cocoa farming operations, the GIS mapping reveals the gradual spreading of risks along the cocoa producing areas of the West African region due to several socio-economic and environmental factors located within the larger farming structure. To mitigate the problems, the study proffered solutions ranging from education, ecosystem monitoring, conservation initiatives, the strengthening of policy and the design of a comprehensive regional land use index.
