Institutional structures and processes have the potential of influencing cashew production systems in an area. This study examined cashew agroforestry land use systems and the roles institutions play in promoting cashew agroforestry in selected communities in Ghana’s Bono Region. Primary data was collected from 401 cashew farmers using semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 29. The findings show that all farmers established cashew farms alongside arable crops. It was observed 83.7% of respondents food crops remained on land for at least four years before the closure of canopy. Respondents benefited from intercropping mostly in terms of household food security. Only 20.2% integrated beekeeping for additional income and reported increased cashew nut yield due to improved pollination. Beekeeping farmers received entrepreneurship training, with 15.2% getting material and technical support from MOFA, ADRA Ghana, FORM Ghana, and OLAM Ghana Ltd. Respondents used agrochemicals and periodic fire outbreaks affected 13.5% of the surveyed farmers. The dominant cashew type cultivated by respondents (78.7%) was Red or Yellow types. Most respondents (66.1%) had farm size < 1-5 hectares, relying on family and/or hired labour. The mean farm age of 13.6 years was close to peak productivity of 15 years. The mean yield of 1239.6 kg ha-1 if managed properly with the right policies can significantly boost rural income and alleviate poverty. The numerous roles played by institutions in the study area necessitate a coordinated policy framework that bridges gap among them which can significantly improve cashew yield.
This study examined the effects of foliar-applied iron and zinc chelates on yield components and quality traits of ‘Akbari’ pistachio trees under field conditions in Iran during the 2023–2024 growing season. A factorial experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three concentrations each of iron chelate (0, 1.5, and 2.5 L 1000 L-1) and zinc chelate (0, 1.5, and 2.5 L 1000 L-1). Foliar application of iron chelate at 2.5 L 1000 L-1 significantly improved the majority of ascertained traits, including leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) concentrations, while reducing sodium (Na) accumulation. However, this treatment had limited effects on shoot length, early splitting, and nut deformation. Application of zinc chelate at 1.5 L 1000 L-1 enhanced the chlorophyll index and increased leaf concentrations of Fe, Zn, and manganese (Mn), while also reducing the percentage of misshapen nuts. In contrast, the 2.5 L 1000 L-1 zinc chelate treatment stimulated shoot growth, increased the number of nuts per cluster and nut splitting percentage, but also reduced individual nut weight and decreased the proportion of non-split nuts. The most effective interaction was observed with the combined application of 2.5 L 1000 L-1 iron chelate and 1.5 L 1000 L-1 zinc chelate, leading to the greatest improvement in both physiological and reproductive parameters. These findings highlight the synergistic effect of iron and zinc and support foliar application of their optimal concentrations as an effective approach to enhance yield and fruit quality in ‘Akbari’ pistachio under poor soil conditions.
This study evaluated the effects of municipal waste compost and nitrogen fertilizer on peanut seed yield, seed water use efficiency (WUES), biomass water use efficiency (WUEB), nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE), nitrogen recovery efficiency (NRE), and nitrogen physiological efficiency (NPE). A split–split plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design was conducted over two growing seasons (2018 and 2019). The main plots included two irrigation regimes, full irrigation and rainfed conditions. Compost application and nitrogen fertilizer rates at four levels formed the sub–subplots. The results indicated that the highest seed yield occurred under full irrigation at 40 and 60 kg N ha-1. Combining compost with 40 and 60 kg N ha⁻¹ significantly increased seed yield. Under rainfed conditions without nitrogen fertilization, seed yield in the second year exceeded that of the first year by 21%. Compost and nitrogen fertilizer application significantly increased WUES and WUEB. Under full irrigation, increasing nitrogen rates significantly reduced NRE. The combined application of 40 kg N ha-1 and 5 t ha-1 of municipal waste compost improved peanut seed yield and increased WUES and WUEB, particularly under rainfed conditions.
Pistachio is one of the most important nut crops in Iran, which plays an important role in the economy of its producers. Suitable nutrition along with adequate pollination in this crop can increase yield. Flower and fruit abscission are one of the major limiting pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) productivity. Therefore, strategies that can regulate plant hormones and antioxidant systems are essential to mitigate abscission and improve yield stability. In this study investigated the effect of foliar-applied silicon (Si) on the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as the endogenous hormonal levels of indole acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA). Treatments included silicon concentrations of 0, 5, and 10 g L-¹, on two commercial pistachio cultivars (‘Fandoghi’ and ‘Akbari’) at 15 and 30 days after full bloom (DAFB) during the ‘on’ year 2023. The results showed that the highest POD (1.463 nmol min-¹ mg-¹ protein) and CAT (1.3 nmol min-¹ mg-¹ protein) activities were observed in ‘Akbari’ at 10 g L-¹. Moreover, the highest IAA concentration (>1400 μM) observed in ‘Akbari’ at 5 g L-¹ Si. Both cultivars exhibited the lowest ABA levels at 10 g L-¹, suggesting a strong inhibitory effect of Si on ABA biosynthesis or accumulation. Silicon (Si) treated in this research is not yet widely used by horticultural producers commercially. Overall, foliar silicon application significantly enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, increased IAA levels, and reduced ABA concentration, thereby potentially mitigating flower bud abscission in pistachio.
To evaluate the efficiency of the shade net in pistachio orchards, a commercial garden of Ohadi cultivar was selected in Pistachio Research Institute in Rafsanjan, Iran. A part of the mentioned garden using green and white nets with 50% shading, treatment without shading as control (sun) and sun and shade treatment was selected. The temperature of canopy part of trees in both shade system and control part were recorded using a fixed meteorological device (data logger). In the phonological growth stages, the time of fruit kernel growth and the time of crop ripening were recorded. At the time of fruit ripening, the products were harvested separately and the quantitative and qualitative characteristics were measured. The results of this study showed that the measured temperatures under the shade with green and white nets were about 5.5 and 5 degrees centigrade lower than the temperature of the control trees, respectively. The percentage of fruit sunburn in the control treatment was the highest (7.9%) and in the green shade treatment was the lowest (0.1%). The results of this study also showed that white shade treatment accelerates the ripening time (5 days) and the treatment of green nets causes a delay (6 days) in the ripening of fruits. Comparison of early splitting in different treatments showed that the highest percentage was in control treatment (5%) and the lowest percentage was in green net shading (0.04%). Additionally, the results of this study showed that green shading net had more effect than white shading net in pistachio.
