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International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

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Articles 121 - 150 of 443

Full-Text Articles in Agricultural Science

Application Of Residue, Inorganic Fertilizer And Lime Affect Phosphorus Solubilizing Microorganisms And Microbial Biomass Under Different Tillage And Cropping Systems In A Ferralsol, Peter Bolo, Job Kihara, Monicah Mucheru-Muna, Ezekiel Mugendi Njeru, Michael Kinyua, Rolf Sommer May 2021

Application Of Residue, Inorganic Fertilizer And Lime Affect Phosphorus Solubilizing Microorganisms And Microbial Biomass Under Different Tillage And Cropping Systems In A Ferralsol, Peter Bolo, Job Kihara, Monicah Mucheru-Muna, Ezekiel Mugendi Njeru, Michael Kinyua, Rolf Sommer

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Phosphorus is a critical nutrient for plant growth. Several agronomic practices have been promoted to improve soil fertility and crop productivity in Western Kenya. Yet, despite their benefits, a dearth of knowledge exists on their long-term effects on soil microbial biomass and phosphorus solubilizing microbial species (PSMs) abundance especially in this region. In a long-term (15 years) agronomic field trial, we selected 8 treatments that allowed for evaluation of 1) Effect of tillage in a maize-soybean rotation with fertilization and residue retention; 2) Effect of residue retention in a maize-soybean rotation with fertilization under conservation tillage; 3) Effect of N …

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Rehabilitation Practices In Cocoa Agroforestry Systems Mitigate Outbreaks Of Termites And Support Cocoa Tree Development And Yield, Christian T.L. Djuideu, Hervé D.B. Bisseleua, Sévilor Kekeunou, Felicitas C. Ambele May 2021

Rehabilitation Practices In Cocoa Agroforestry Systems Mitigate Outbreaks Of Termites And Support Cocoa Tree Development And Yield, Christian T.L. Djuideu, Hervé D.B. Bisseleua, Sévilor Kekeunou, Felicitas C. Ambele

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Most smallholder cocoa farmers in West Africa are not equipped with the necessary tools, techniques, and practices to rejuvenate their aging cocoa farms. Instead, they rather prefer to establish new cocoa farms at the expense of forest remnants. Poor management of their overaged farms has resulted in the emergence and outbreaks of new pest species such as termites feeding on the remaining productive trees and negatively affecting overall yield. We investigated how rehabilitation pruning of cocoa trees influences termite outbreaks and yield in three cocoa agroforestry systems (rustic, intermediate and full sun systems). We monitored cocoa and non-cocoa trees at …

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Exploring The Kairomone-Based Foraging Behaviour Of Natural Enemies To Enhance Biological Control: A Review, Pascal M. Ayelo, Christian W.W. Pirk, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Anaïs Chailleux, Samira A. Mohamed, Emilie Deletre Apr 2021

Exploring The Kairomone-Based Foraging Behaviour Of Natural Enemies To Enhance Biological Control: A Review, Pascal M. Ayelo, Christian W.W. Pirk, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Anaïs Chailleux, Samira A. Mohamed, Emilie Deletre

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Kairomones are chemical signals that mediate interspecific interactions beneficial to organisms that detect the cues. These attractants can be individual compounds or mixtures of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) or herbivore chemicals such as pheromones, i.e., chemicals mediating intraspecific communication between herbivores. Natural enemies eavesdrop on kairomones during their foraging behaviour, i.e., location of oviposition sites and feeding resources in nature. Kairomone mixtures are likely to elicit stronger olfactory responses in natural enemies than single kairomones. Kairomone-based lures are used to enhance biological control strategies via the attraction and retention of natural enemies to reduce insect pest populations and crop damage …

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Efficacy Of Parapheromone Traps In The Protection Of Grafted Mango Orchards Against Fruit Flies In Togo, Atti Tchabi, Abouwaliou Nafadjara Nadio, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame, Magnim Essolakina Bokobana, Mondjonnesso Gomina, Agbéko Kodjo Tounou, Komla Sanda Apr 2021

Efficacy Of Parapheromone Traps In The Protection Of Grafted Mango Orchards Against Fruit Flies In Togo, Atti Tchabi, Abouwaliou Nafadjara Nadio, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame, Magnim Essolakina Bokobana, Mondjonnesso Gomina, Agbéko Kodjo Tounou, Komla Sanda

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Fruit flies by infesting grafted mangoes cause considerable losses and loss of profit to the various actors range from producers to consumers. To control these pests, synthetic chemical insecticides use is generally the most common and first resort solution in all regions of Togo. But this method remains dangerous for human and environmental health. The objective of this study was to test the effecacy of Biofeed trap, an alternative solution that is environmentally friendly in comparison with a trap already used in the field (M3 traps based on food bait). Three orchards of about 1 ha for the 3 treatments …

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Intercropping Desmodium And Maize Improves Nitrogen And Phosphorus Availability And Performance Of Maize In Kenya, Pierre Celestin Ndayisaba, Shem Kuyah, Charles Aura Odhiambo Midega, Peter Njoroge Mwangi, Zeyaur Rahman Khan Apr 2021

Intercropping Desmodium And Maize Improves Nitrogen And Phosphorus Availability And Performance Of Maize In Kenya, Pierre Celestin Ndayisaba, Shem Kuyah, Charles Aura Odhiambo Midega, Peter Njoroge Mwangi, Zeyaur Rahman Khan

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Low levels of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in soils in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) limit maize (Zea mays) production in smallholder farms. We tested the hypothesis that desmodium (Desmodium intortum (Mill.) Urb.), a fodder legume, and food legumes commonly grown with maize in Western Kenya avail N and P and improve the performance of maize in intercrops. We measured available N and P in 15 cm topsoil at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after planting (WAP), and corresponding maize shoot weight in three seasons: 2017 long rains (LR), 2017 short rains (SR), and 2018 LR at Thomas Odhiambo Campus of …

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Impact Of The Exotic Fall Armyworm On Larval Parasitoids Associated With The Lepidopteran Maize Stemborers In Kenya, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame, Julius Obonyo, Enock Mwangangi Sammy, Samira A. Mohamed, Sevgan Subramanian, Dora Chao Kilalo, Gerald Juma, Paul André Calatayud Apr 2021

Impact Of The Exotic Fall Armyworm On Larval Parasitoids Associated With The Lepidopteran Maize Stemborers In Kenya, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame, Julius Obonyo, Enock Mwangangi Sammy, Samira A. Mohamed, Sevgan Subramanian, Dora Chao Kilalo, Gerald Juma, Paul André Calatayud

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Exotic invasive insect herbivores have the potential to interfere with existing herbivore-natural enemy interactions in new environments. Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a new invasive pest in maize fields in Africa. Understanding the acceptability and suitability of FAW to existing maize stemborer-parasitoid interactions is the first step in elucidating the impact that this exotic insect pest can have on the existing natural enemies used in biological control of maize stemborers in Kenya. The most commonly used larval parasitoids for biological control programs against maize stemborer communities in East Africa are Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) …

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Innovative Agronomic Practices For Sustainable Intensification In Sub-Saharan Africa. A Review, Shem Kuyah, Gudeta Weldesemayat Sileshi, Libère Nkurunziza, Ngonidzashe Chirinda, Pierre Celestin Ndayisaba, Kangbéni Dimobe, Ingrid Öborn Apr 2021

Innovative Agronomic Practices For Sustainable Intensification In Sub-Saharan Africa. A Review, Shem Kuyah, Gudeta Weldesemayat Sileshi, Libère Nkurunziza, Ngonidzashe Chirinda, Pierre Celestin Ndayisaba, Kangbéni Dimobe, Ingrid Öborn

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Africa’s need to double food production and feed the burgeoning human population, without compromising its natural resource base, has raised the momentum for sustainable agricultural intensification on the continent. Many studies describe agronomic practices that can increase productivity on existing agricultural land without damaging the environment and without increasing the agricultural carbon footprint. However, there is limited information on specific practices with the greatest potential to contribute to sustainable intensification on smallholder farms in sub-Saharan Africa, while simultaneously keeping the carbon footprint low. The objectives of this review were to (1) identify good agronomic practices with potential for contributing to …

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On-Farm Assessment Of Cassava Root Yield Response To Tillage, Plant Density, Weed Control And Fertilizer Application In Southwestern Nigeria, Olabisi Omolara Onasanya, Stefan Hauser, Magdalena Necpalova, Felix Kolawole Salako, Christine Kreye, Meklit Tariku, Johan Six, Pieter Pypers Mar 2021

On-Farm Assessment Of Cassava Root Yield Response To Tillage, Plant Density, Weed Control And Fertilizer Application In Southwestern Nigeria, Olabisi Omolara Onasanya, Stefan Hauser, Magdalena Necpalova, Felix Kolawole Salako, Christine Kreye, Meklit Tariku, Johan Six, Pieter Pypers

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Cassava is growing in importance in Nigeria as a food and industrial crop. Current yields are low due to poor soil fertility and because farmers do not use improved germplasm, clean planting material, or improved crop management in Nigeria. To provide feasible agronomic recommendations targeting increased root yield, the effects of tillage intensity, fertilizer application, plant density and weed control were tested in 230 farmers’ fields in southwestern Nigeria over two years. In 2016, tillage treatments were zero, single and double passage with a disc plough, followed by ridging (soil shaping) versus leaving the soil flat. Fertilizer application at 75:20:90 …

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A Recalibrated And Tested Lintul-Cassava Simulation Model Provides Insight Into The High Yield Potential Of Cassava Under Rainfed Conditions, J. G. Adiele, A. G.T. Schut, R. P.M. Van Den Beuken, K. S. Ezui, P. Pypers, A. O. Ano, C. N. Egesi, K. E. Giller Mar 2021

A Recalibrated And Tested Lintul-Cassava Simulation Model Provides Insight Into The High Yield Potential Of Cassava Under Rainfed Conditions, J. G. Adiele, A. G.T. Schut, R. P.M. Van Den Beuken, K. S. Ezui, P. Pypers, A. O. Ano, C. N. Egesi, K. E. Giller

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Accurate assessments of the yield potential of cassava are needed to analyse yield gaps, define yield targets and set benchmarks for actual yields in Nigeria. This study evaluated the crop model LINTUL-Cassava under assumed potential growth and water-limited conditions in Nigeria. On-farm experiments were conducted at six locations across the three major cassava growing agro-ecologies of Western Africa (Tropical Rainforest – Ogoja and Ikom in Cross River state, Rainforest Transition Savanna – Ekpoma in Edo state and Guinea Savanna – Otukpo in Benue state) during two subsequent seasons (2016 – 2018). Treatments included fertilizer rates calculated to support the assumed …

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Improved Storage Mitigates Vulnerability To Food-Supply Shocks In Smallholder Agriculture During The Covid-19 Pandemic, M. Huss, M. Brander, M. Kassie, U. Ehlert, T. Bernauer Mar 2021

Improved Storage Mitigates Vulnerability To Food-Supply Shocks In Smallholder Agriculture During The Covid-19 Pandemic, M. Huss, M. Brander, M. Kassie, U. Ehlert, T. Bernauer

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Millions of smallholder farmers in low-income countries are highly vulnerable to food-supply shocks, and reducing this vulnerability remains challenging in view of climatic changes. Restrictions to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic produced a severe supply-side shock in rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, including through frictions in agricultural markets. We use a large-scale field experiment to examine the effects of improved on-farm storage on household food security during COVID-19 restrictions. Based on text message survey data we find that the prevalence of food insecurity increased in control group households during COVID-19 restrictions (coinciding with the agricultural lean season). In …

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Push-Pull Strategy Combined With Net Houses For Controlling Cowpea Insect Pests And Enhancing Crop Yields, Seydou Diabate, Thibaud Martin, Lucy Kananu Murungi, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, John Wesonga, John M. Kimani, Emilie Deletre Mar 2021

Push-Pull Strategy Combined With Net Houses For Controlling Cowpea Insect Pests And Enhancing Crop Yields, Seydou Diabate, Thibaud Martin, Lucy Kananu Murungi, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, John Wesonga, John M. Kimani, Emilie Deletre

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Net houses can be used in tropical environments to protect crops such as cowpea against large insect pests, thereby avoiding pesticide treatments while sustainably mitigating the effects of climate change. We investigated a push-pull strategy to prevent small insect pest outbreaks in a net house. The push component consisted of two stimulus plants, i.e. Cymbopogon citratus and Tagetes minuta, and the pull stimuli consisted of visual cues from blue and yellow sticky traps. Field experiments were set up in central Kenya and conducted during a rainy and a dry season, involving an open field control treatment, and three management treatments …

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Dynamics Of N-P-K Demand And Uptake In Cassava, Joy Geraldine Adiele, Antonius G.T. Schut, Kodjovi S. Ezui, Pieter Pypers, Ken E. Giller Feb 2021

Dynamics Of N-P-K Demand And Uptake In Cassava, Joy Geraldine Adiele, Antonius G.T. Schut, Kodjovi S. Ezui, Pieter Pypers, Ken E. Giller

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Fertilizers are required to improve productivity of cassava and meet the increasing demand for cassava as food, feed, or raw material for processing industries. Our objective was to develop nutrition indices for N, P, and K to provide quantitative insight in the dynamics of nutrient demand and uptake of cassava. On-farm experiments were conducted at six locations in Nigeria from 2016 to 2018, across the major cassava growing agro-ecologies of West Africa. Nitrogen, P, and K were applied at different rates. Uptake of nutrients was measured in leaves, stems, and storage roots at 4, 8, and 12 or 14 months …

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Socio-Economic Predictors, Soil Fertility Knowledge Domains And Strategies For Sustainable Maize Intensification In Embu County, Kenya, Monicah Wanjiku Mucheru-Muna, Mildred Achieng Ada, Jayne Njeri Mugwe, Franklin Somoni Mairura, Esther Mugi-Ngenga, Shammie Zingore, James Kinyua Mutegi Feb 2021

Socio-Economic Predictors, Soil Fertility Knowledge Domains And Strategies For Sustainable Maize Intensification In Embu County, Kenya, Monicah Wanjiku Mucheru-Muna, Mildred Achieng Ada, Jayne Njeri Mugwe, Franklin Somoni Mairura, Esther Mugi-Ngenga, Shammie Zingore, James Kinyua Mutegi

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Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) practices are widely recognized as crucial interventions but knowledge-intensive technologies for farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Very few studies have synthesized the knowledge gaps between small-holder practices and recommended ISFM packages. A farm survey was therefore carried out in Runyenjes sub-County of Embu to determine factors influencing the quality of ISFM knowledge considering inorganic fertilizer, organic manure, integrated soil inputs, and improved maize seeds. One hundred small-scale maize farmers were systematically sampled in Embu County, Kenya, using a cross-sectional survey design. The most significant factors shaping the quality of ISFM knowledge (p < 0.05) included gender, age, household size, land under maize, off-farm earnings, maize yield, members involved in farming, farming experience, education level, and farm size. Farmers recorded lower knowledge scores for technical ISFM themes including soil liming, soil testing, fertilizer types, fertilizer functions, curing of organic manure, compost manure management, crop spacing, combination ratios for integrated inputs, and the labor and cost-benefit implications of integrated inputs, revealing important ISFM knowledge gaps. High-quality knowledge of blended fertilizers and DAP use was associated with increased soil testing and soil liming knowledge, respectively. Multivariate analysis of ISFM knowledge items provided a high-quality understanding of the structure of ISFM knowledge among farmers in Embu County, which is useful in developing future ISFM dissemination strategies. Humic nitisol, Fertilizer, ISFM strategies, ISFM knowledge quality, improved seeds, manure

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Can Black Soldier Fly Desmodium Intortum Larvae-Based Diets Enhance The Performance Of Cobb500 Broiler Chickens And Smallholder Farmers' Profit In Kenya?, Mary M. Mutisya, Mawufe K. Agbodzavu, John N. Kinyuru, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Mathew Gicheha, Girma Hailu, Daisy Salifu, Zeyaur Khan, Saliou Niassy Feb 2021

Can Black Soldier Fly Desmodium Intortum Larvae-Based Diets Enhance The Performance Of Cobb500 Broiler Chickens And Smallholder Farmers' Profit In Kenya?, Mary M. Mutisya, Mawufe K. Agbodzavu, John N. Kinyuru, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Mathew Gicheha, Girma Hailu, Daisy Salifu, Zeyaur Khan, Saliou Niassy

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This study aimed to evaluate the performance of broiler chickens fed on 3 black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (Hermetia illucens) and Greenleaf desmodium (Desmodium intortum)-based meals. We evaluated growth performance, carcass quality, and profitability under various commercial pathways (doorstep, retail, whole, and assorted). Desmodium and BSFL powders were formulated into 3 ratios: T1 25:75, T2 50:50, and T3 75:25. A commercial feed was used as a control. One hundred and twenty mixed-sex 1-day-old broiler chicks (Cobb) were reared in pens for 42 d in a completely randomized design. The chickens were weighed weekly to monitor their growth rate. After the …

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Black Soldier Fly Larval Meal In Feed Enhances Growth Performance, Carcass Yield And Meat Quality Of Finishing Pigs, S. Y. Chia, C. M. Tanga, I. M. Osuga, A. O. Alaru, D. M. Mwangi, M. Githinji, T. Dubois, S. Ekesi, J. J.A. Van Loon, M. Dicke Jan 2021

Black Soldier Fly Larval Meal In Feed Enhances Growth Performance, Carcass Yield And Meat Quality Of Finishing Pigs, S. Y. Chia, C. M. Tanga, I. M. Osuga, A. O. Alaru, D. M. Mwangi, M. Githinji, T. Dubois, S. Ekesi, J. J.A. Van Loon, M. Dicke

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Using black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) larvae as a novel protein source substituting fishmeal (FM) in animal feeds is globally gaining momentum. BSF can be reared on agro-industrial residues. However, incorporating BSF larval meal (BSFLM) into finisher pig diets has received inadequate attention. This study evaluated the effects of replacing dietary FM with BSFLM on growth, carcass traits and meat quality of finisher pigs. A control diet (including FM: 0% BSFLM) was compared with four dietary levels of replacement of FM with BSFLM at 25, 50, 75 or 100%. Forty hybrid pigs (crossbreeds of purebred Large White and Landrace) …

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Effects Of Rhizobia And Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi On Yield, Size Distribution And Fatty Acid Of Soybean Seeds Grown Under Drought Stress, Nicholas O. Igiehon, Olubukola O. Babalola, Xavier Cheseto, Baldwyn Torto Jan 2021

Effects Of Rhizobia And Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi On Yield, Size Distribution And Fatty Acid Of Soybean Seeds Grown Under Drought Stress, Nicholas O. Igiehon, Olubukola O. Babalola, Xavier Cheseto, Baldwyn Torto

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Soybean (Glycine max L.) is among the most economically important legumes that provide more than 1/4 of food (for man) and animal feed. However, its yield is comparatively low, most especially under drought stress. The aim of this study therefore was to assess the ability of Rhizobium spp. and mycorrhizal fungi to enhance the yield, seed size and fatty acid content of soybean grown under semi-arid environment. Rhizobium sp. strain R1 was found to possess nitrogen-fixing gene coniferyl aldehyde dehydrogenase function while Rhizobium cellulosilyticum strain R3 was found to have nitrogen-fixing genes cysteine desulfurase SufS and cysteine desulfurase IscS activity. …

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Assessing And Understanding Non-Responsiveness Of Maize And Soybean To Fertilizer Applications In African Smallholder Farms, Dries Roobroeck, Cheryl A. Palm, Generose Nziguheba, Ray Weil, Bernard Vanlauwe Jan 2021

Assessing And Understanding Non-Responsiveness Of Maize And Soybean To Fertilizer Applications In African Smallholder Farms, Dries Roobroeck, Cheryl A. Palm, Generose Nziguheba, Ray Weil, Bernard Vanlauwe

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Use of mineral fertilizers is essential to enhance crop productivity in smallholder farming systems of Sub-Saharan Africa, but various studies have reported ‘non-responsiveness’ where application of inorganic fertilizers does not lead to satisfactory yield gains. This phenomenon is not well defined nor are its extent and causes well understood. In order to close these knowledge gaps, we assessed the effects of commonly recommended nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and/or potassium (K) fertilizer inputs on maize grain and soybean production on farmer fields across prevalent land slope and/or soil texture gradients (2 × 2 matrix) in four agroecosystems over two growing seasons. …

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Low-Cost Technology For Recycling Agro-Industrial Waste Into Nutrient-Rich Organic Fertilizer Using Black Soldier Fly, Dennis Beesigamukama, Benson Mochoge, Nicholas K. Korir, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Dorothy Nakimbugwe, Fathiya M. Khamis, Sevgan Subramanian, Musyoka M. Wangu, Thomas Dubois, Sunday Ekesi, Chrysantus M. Tanga Jan 2021

Low-Cost Technology For Recycling Agro-Industrial Waste Into Nutrient-Rich Organic Fertilizer Using Black Soldier Fly, Dennis Beesigamukama, Benson Mochoge, Nicholas K. Korir, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Dorothy Nakimbugwe, Fathiya M. Khamis, Sevgan Subramanian, Musyoka M. Wangu, Thomas Dubois, Sunday Ekesi, Chrysantus M. Tanga

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Efforts to recycle organic waste using black soldier fly (BSF) larvae into high-quality alternative protein ingredients in animal feeds and organic fertilizers have gained momentum worldwide. However, there is limited information on waste manipulation to increase nutrient retention for enhanced larval performance and frass fertilizer quality. In the present study, brewer's spent grain with a carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio of 11 (control) was amended with sawdust to obtain substrates with C/N ratios of 15, 20, 25 and 30. The effects of substrate C/N ratios on BSF larval yield, waste degradation, biomass conversion efficiency, compost maturity and nutrient levels of …

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The Importance Of Store Hygiene For Reducing Post-Harvest Losses In Smallholder Farmers’ Stores: Evidence From A Maize-Based Farming System In Kenya, Kobia J. Makinya, John M. Wagacha, Judith A. Odhiambo, Paddy Likhayo, Kukom Edoh-Ognakossan, Tadele Tefera, Adebayo Abass, Christopher M. Mutungi Jan 2021

The Importance Of Store Hygiene For Reducing Post-Harvest Losses In Smallholder Farmers’ Stores: Evidence From A Maize-Based Farming System In Kenya, Kobia J. Makinya, John M. Wagacha, Judith A. Odhiambo, Paddy Likhayo, Kukom Edoh-Ognakossan, Tadele Tefera, Adebayo Abass, Christopher M. Mutungi

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Knowledge of the role of hygiene in reducing food loss in farm stores is limited among extensionists, researchers, and farmers. Store hygiene practices during post-harvest handling and storage of maize were assessed using a cross-sectional survey of 342 farmers, with regular follow-up of 40 farmers’ stores over seven months to measure losses caused by insects, and to score the hygiene levels using a standard checklist. Fractional Response Model was used to evaluate the associations between hygiene practices and the losses. Farmers stored their produce in sacks (98.2%) kept in outside granaries (60.1%), or rooms in dwelling houses (39.9%). Co-storage with …

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The Ethiopian Staple Food Crop Enset (Ensete Ventricosum) Assessed For The First Time For Resistance Against The Root-Lesion Nematode Pratylenchus Goodeyi, Selamawit A. Kidane, Beira H. Meressa, Solveig Haukeland, Anne Kathrine Hvoslef-Eide, Danny L. Coyne Jan 2021

The Ethiopian Staple Food Crop Enset (Ensete Ventricosum) Assessed For The First Time For Resistance Against The Root-Lesion Nematode Pratylenchus Goodeyi, Selamawit A. Kidane, Beira H. Meressa, Solveig Haukeland, Anne Kathrine Hvoslef-Eide, Danny L. Coyne

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Summary – Pratylenchus goodeyi appears to be the most prevalent nematode pest of enset in Ethiopia, where it can occur in extremely high densities. However, the damage to yield or how different enset cultivars react to the nematode has yet to be determined. The current study therefore sought to establish a first assessment of these reactions by enset to P. goodeyi infection. Determining pest-resistant cultivars is an important task in developing management strategies. Our study evaluated nine enset cultivars to establish host response and identify potential sources of resistance. In addition, the pathogenicity of P. goodeyi was assessed on three …

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Effects Of Agricultural Intensification Practices On Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihood Outcomes In Kenyan Hotspots Of Climate Change, F. O. Ouya, O. I. Ayuya, M. I. Kariuki Dec 2020

Effects Of Agricultural Intensification Practices On Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihood Outcomes In Kenyan Hotspots Of Climate Change, F. O. Ouya, O. I. Ayuya, M. I. Kariuki

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Developing countries, Kenya included are mostly affected by food shortage and poverty as a result of high dependence on agriculture constrained by climate variability, declining land sizes and low agricultural technologies. Agricultural intensification is key in solving these problems to ensure increased farm output per unit land area. This study analyzed the role of agricultural intensification on smallholders’ poverty and food security status. The study is based on data collected from a sample of 320 smallholder households from two Sub-counties of Kenya, Makueni and Nyando. Principle Component Analysis (PCA) was first used to group agricultural intensification practices into clusters. The …

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Global Risk Of Invasion By Bactrocera Zonata: Implications On Horticultural Crop Production Under Changing Climatic Conditions, Kumbirai M. Zingore, George Sithole, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, Samira A. Mohamed, Sunday Ekesi, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Mohammed E.E. Mahmoud Dec 2020

Global Risk Of Invasion By Bactrocera Zonata: Implications On Horticultural Crop Production Under Changing Climatic Conditions, Kumbirai M. Zingore, George Sithole, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, Samira A. Mohamed, Sunday Ekesi, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Mohammed E.E. Mahmoud

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The peach fruit fly Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is an important invasive species causing substantial losses to the horticulture industry worldwide. Despite the severe economic impact caused by this pest in its native and invaded range, information on its potential range expansion under changing climate remains largely unknown. In this study, we employed maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modeling approach to predict the global potential climatic suitability of B. zonata under current climate and four Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) for the year 2050. Outputs from MaxEnt were merged with Spatial Production Allocation Model. A natural dispersal model using Gaussian dispersal kernel …

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Characterization Of Mycotoxins From Entomopathogenic Fungi (Cordyceps Fumosorosea) And Their Toxic Effects To The Development Of Asian Citrus Psyllid Reared On Healthy And Diseased Citrus Plants, Muhammad Qasim, Saif Ul Islam, Waqar Islam, Ali Noman, Khalid Ali Khan, Muhammad Hafeez, Dilbar Hussain, Chandra Kanta Dash, Bamisope Steve Bamisile, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Shahid Nisar, Saad Jan, Liande Wang Dec 2020

Characterization Of Mycotoxins From Entomopathogenic Fungi (Cordyceps Fumosorosea) And Their Toxic Effects To The Development Of Asian Citrus Psyllid Reared On Healthy And Diseased Citrus Plants, Muhammad Qasim, Saif Ul Islam, Waqar Islam, Ali Noman, Khalid Ali Khan, Muhammad Hafeez, Dilbar Hussain, Chandra Kanta Dash, Bamisope Steve Bamisile, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Shahid Nisar, Saad Jan, Liande Wang

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Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) produce multiple mycotoxins, which play an essential role in improving fungal pathogenesis and virulence. To characterize various mycotoxins from the crude methanol extract of Cordyceps fumosorosea, a major EPF against various insect pests, we performed ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometer (UPLC-QTOF MS) technique, and all compounds were identified through molecular mass and formulae. Bassianolide was assessed against the nymphs and adults of Diaphorina citri reared on healthy and Huánglóngbìng (HLB)-diseased Citrus spp. Plants under laboratory conditions. Overall, 17 compounds were identified from the fungal extract and categorized into three groups, i.e. …

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False Codling Moth, Thaumatotibia Leucotreta (Meyrick) A New Threat To Horticulture Industry: Stakeholders’ Perspectives On The Status, Impact And Management In Kenya, Daniel M. Mutyambai, Nyang’Au I. Mbeche, Emmanuel Onamu, Muo J. Kasina, John H. Nderitu, Allan N. Mweke Dec 2020

False Codling Moth, Thaumatotibia Leucotreta (Meyrick) A New Threat To Horticulture Industry: Stakeholders’ Perspectives On The Status, Impact And Management In Kenya, Daniel M. Mutyambai, Nyang’Au I. Mbeche, Emmanuel Onamu, Muo J. Kasina, John H. Nderitu, Allan N. Mweke

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False codling moth (FCM) has emerged as a major constraint to the production of horticultural crops in Kenya and is currently the leading cause of interceptions of Capsicum and cut flowers exported to European Union. Use of pesticides to control this pest is not only unsustainable, uneconomical but also contributes to interceptions of export produce due to higher levels of pesticide residues in the produce. Further, due to cryptic nature of feeding by the pest, pesticides often do not result to efficient control. Growing crops under protected areas though effective is not affordable to smallholder resource poor farmers necessitating search …

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Mitochondrial Genetic Variation Reveals Phylogeographic Structure And Cryptic Diversity In Trioza Erytreae, Inusa Ajene, Gerhard Pietersen, Barbara Van Asch Dec 2020

Mitochondrial Genetic Variation Reveals Phylogeographic Structure And Cryptic Diversity In Trioza Erytreae, Inusa Ajene, Gerhard Pietersen, Barbara Van Asch

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Trioza erytreae is the main vector for ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus’, the causative agent of African Citrus Greening disease. The insect is widespread in Africa, and has recently disseminated to Southwestern Europe. This study aimed at generating reference mitogenome sequences for T. erytreae, as a background for future genetic diversity surveys. Complete mitochondrial sequences of three specimens collected in Ethiopia, Uganda and South Africa were recovered using Ion Torrent technology. The mitogenomes of T. erytreae from Uganda and Ethiopia were highly similar, and distinct from that found in South Africa. The phylogeographic structure of T. erytreae was assessed using genetic clustering …

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Reconciling Yield Gains In Agronomic Trials With Returns Under African Smallholder Conditions, Rachid Laajaj, Karen Macours, Cargele Masso, Moses Thuita, Bernard Vanlauwe Dec 2020

Reconciling Yield Gains In Agronomic Trials With Returns Under African Smallholder Conditions, Rachid Laajaj, Karen Macours, Cargele Masso, Moses Thuita, Bernard Vanlauwe

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Increased adoption of improved agricultural technologies is considered an essential step to address global poverty and hunger, and agronomic trials suggest intensification in developing countries could result in large yield gains. Yet the promise of new technologies does not always carry over from trials to real-life conditions, and diffusion of many technologies remains limited. We show how parcel and farmer selection, together with behavioural responses in agronomic trials, can explain why yield gain estimates from trials may differ from the yield gains of smallholders using the same inputs under real-life conditions. We provide quantitative evidence by exploiting variation in farmer …

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Genome Wide Association Analysis Of A Stemborer Egg Induced “Call-For-Help” Defence Trait In Maize, Amanuel Tamiru, Rajneesh Paliwal, Samuel J. Manthi, Damaris A. Odeny, Charles A.O. Midega, Zeyaur R. Khan, John A. Pickett, Toby J.A. Bruce Dec 2020

Genome Wide Association Analysis Of A Stemborer Egg Induced “Call-For-Help” Defence Trait In Maize, Amanuel Tamiru, Rajneesh Paliwal, Samuel J. Manthi, Damaris A. Odeny, Charles A.O. Midega, Zeyaur R. Khan, John A. Pickett, Toby J.A. Bruce

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Tritrophic interactions allow plants to recruit natural enemies for protection against herbivory. Here we investigated genetic variability in induced responses to stemborer egg-laying in maize Zea mays (L.) (Poaceae). We conducted a genome wide association study (GWAS) of 146 maize genotypes comprising of landraces, inbred lines and commercial hybrids. Plants were phenotyped in bioassays measuring parasitic wasp Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) attraction to volatiles collected from plants exposed to stemborer Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) eggs. Genotyping-by-sequencing was used to generate maize germplasm SNP data for GWAS. The egg-induced parasitoid attraction trait was more common in landraces than in …

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The Kampala Statement-For-Action On Reactive Nitrogen In Africa And Globally, Mark A. Sutton, Peter Ebanyat, N. Raghuram, Mateete Bekunda, John S. Tenywa, Wilfried Winiwarter, Albert Bleeker, Eric A. Davidson, Jan Willem Erisman, Wim De Vries, James N. Galloway, Patrick Heffer, W. Kevin Hicks, Cargele Masso, Cheryl A. Palm, Clifford S. Snyder, Bernard Vanlauwe, Shamie Zingore, Delegates Of The 6th International Nov 2020

The Kampala Statement-For-Action On Reactive Nitrogen In Africa And Globally, Mark A. Sutton, Peter Ebanyat, N. Raghuram, Mateete Bekunda, John S. Tenywa, Wilfried Winiwarter, Albert Bleeker, Eric A. Davidson, Jan Willem Erisman, Wim De Vries, James N. Galloway, Patrick Heffer, W. Kevin Hicks, Cargele Masso, Cheryl A. Palm, Clifford S. Snyder, Bernard Vanlauwe, Shamie Zingore, Delegates Of The 6th International

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Following discussions at the 6th International Nitrogen Conference, Kampala (24th-27th November 2013), the delegates agreed the Kampala Statement-for-Action on Reactive Nitrogen in Africa and Globally. The Statement-for-Action highlights the global challenge of aiming for just enough nitrogen: enough to meet human needs for food, fuel and fibre, while avoiding excess that contributes to air and water pollution, climate change and ecosystem degradation. The following priorities for Africa are highlighted: (i) Sub-Saharan African agriculture needs to be part of the solution to regional and world food security. This will require restoring and sustaining the fertility of Sub-Saharan African soils through better …

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The Response Of Climbing Bean To Fertilizer And Organic Manure In The Northern Province Of Rwanda, Edouard Rurangwa, Bernard Vanlauwe, Ken E. Giller Oct 2020

The Response Of Climbing Bean To Fertilizer And Organic Manure In The Northern Province Of Rwanda, Edouard Rurangwa, Bernard Vanlauwe, Ken E. Giller

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Climbing beans play a central role in food security of rural households in the densely populated highlands of East and Central Africa. Soil fertility degradation and the lack of nutrient inputsare major limitations to yield of beans and other crops. We conducted field trials in Northern Rwanda in Kinoni and Muko villages to evaluate the effect of mineral N, P, and K fertilizers (both alone and in combination) and farmyard manure on nitrogen fixation and grain yields of climbing bean insmallholder farmers' fields. The trials were laid down in a randomized complete block design with seven replicate blocks in each …

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Push-Pull Technology Improves Maize Grain Yield And Total Aboveground Biomass In Maize-Based Systems In Western Kenya, Pierre Celestin Ndayisaba, Shem Kuyah, Charles Aura Odhiambo Midega, Peter Njoroge Mwangi, Zeyaur Rahman Khan Oct 2020

Push-Pull Technology Improves Maize Grain Yield And Total Aboveground Biomass In Maize-Based Systems In Western Kenya, Pierre Celestin Ndayisaba, Shem Kuyah, Charles Aura Odhiambo Midega, Peter Njoroge Mwangi, Zeyaur Rahman Khan

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Push-pull is one of the sustainable intensification technologies for the control of stem-borers, striga weed and fall armyworm. Even though the effectiveness of push-pull in addressing these constraints has been evaluated under different agro-ecological conditions and on research stations, performance of the technology relative to other common maize-based cropping systems in farmers’ fields and the impact of the push-pull age is not yet understood. We hypothesized that, a) maize grain yield and aboveground biomass from push-pull system is higher than other common maize farming systems; b) duration of use of push-pull, and climatic conditions have an influence on its efficacy; …

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