Agricultural Sciences
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Browsing Agricultural Sciences by Issue Date
Now showing 1 - 20 of 46
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item What happens after technology adoption? Gendered aspects of small-scale irrigation technologies in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Tanzania(Springer Nature, 2018-04-25) Theis, Sophie; Lefore, Nicole; Meinzen-Dick, Ruth; Bryan, ElizabethDiverse agricultural technologies are promoted to increase yields and incomes, save time, improve food and nutritional security, and even empower women. Yet a gender gap in technology adoption remains for many agricultural technologies, even for those that are promoted for women. This paper complements the literature on gender and technology adoption, which largely focuses on reasons for low rates of female technology adoption, by shifting attention to what happens within a household after it adopts a technology. Understanding the expected benefits and costs of adoption, from the perspective of women users in households with adult males, can help explain observed technology adoption rates and why technology adoption is often not sustained in the longer term. Drawing on qualitative data from Ethiopia, Ghana, and Tanzania, this paper develops a framework for examining the intrahousehold distribution of benefits from technology adoption, focusing on small-scale irrigation technologies. The framework contributes to the conceptual and empirical exploration of joint control over technology by men and women in the same household. Efforts to promote technology adoption for agricultural development and women’s empowerment would benefit from an understanding of intrahousehold control over technology to avoid interpreting technology adoption as an end in and of itself.Item The abandonment of maize landraces over the last 50 years in Morelos, Mexico: a tracing study using a multi-level perspective(Springer Nature, 2019-03-27) McLean‑Rodríguez, Francis Denisse; Camacho‑Villa, Tania Carolina; Almekinders, Conny J. M.; Pè, Mario Enrico; Dell’Acqua, Matteo; Costich, Denise E.Understanding the causes of maize landrace loss in farmers’ field is essential to design effective conservation strategies. These strategies are necessary to ensure that genetic resources are available in the future. Previous studies have shown that this loss is caused by multiple factors. In this longitudinal study, we used a collection of 93 maize landrace accessions from Morelos, Mexico, and stored at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Maize Germplasm Bank, to trace back to the original 66 donor families after 50 years and explore the causes for why they abandoned or conserved their seed lots. We used an actor-centered approach, based on interviews and focus group discussions. We adopt a Multi-Level Perspective framework to examine loss as a process, accommodating multiple causes and the interactions among them. We found that the importance of maize landrace cultivation had diminished over the last 50 years in the study area. By 2017, 13 families had conserved a total of 14 seed lots directly descended from the 1967 collection. Focus group participants identified 60 accessions that could still be found in the surrounding municipalities. Our findings showed that multiple interconnected changes in maize cultivation technologies, as well as in maize markets, other crop markets, agricultural and land policies, cultural preferences, urbanization and climate change, have created an unfavorable environment for the conservation of maize landraces. Many of these processes were location- and landrace-specific, and often led to landrace abandonment during the shift from one farmer generation to the next.Item Effects of development interventions on biocultural diversity: a case study from the Pamir Mountains(Springer Nature, 2019-12-23) Haider, L. Jamila; Boonstra, Wiebren J.; Akobirshoeva, Anzurat; Schlüter, MajaThe relationship between nature and culture in biocultural landscapes runs deep, where everyday practices and rituals have coevolved with the environment over millennia. Such tightly intertwined social–ecological systems are, however, often in the world’s poorest regions and commonly subject to development interventions which effect biocultural diversity. This paper investigates the social and ecological implications of an introduced wheat seed in the Pamir Mountains. We examine contrasting responses to the intervention through participatory observation of food practices around a New Year ritual, and interviews in two communities. Our results show how one community fostered biocultural diversity, while the other did not, resulting in divergent processes of social and cultural change. In the former, ritual is practiced with traditional seed varieties, involving reciprocal exchange and is characterised by little outmigration of youth. In contrast, the second community celebrates the ritual with replaced store-bought ingredients, no longer cultivates any grain crops and where circular migration to Russia is the main livelihood strategy. Coevolution as an analytical lens enables us to understand these divergent pathways as processes of dynamically changing social–ecological relations. The paper suggests that a deeper understanding of social–ecological relationships in landscapes offers a dynamic and process-oriented understanding of development interventions and can help identify endogenous responses to local, regional and global change—thereby empowering more appropriate and effective development pathways.Item Acrocomia aculeata fruits from three regions in Costa Rica: an assessment of biometric parameters, oil content and oil fatty acid composition to evaluate industrial potential(2020) Alfaro-Solís, Jose David; Montoya-Arroyo, Alexander; Jiménez, Víctor M.; Arnáez-Serrano, Elizabeth; Pérez, Jason; Vetter, Walter; Frank, Jan; Lewanowski, IrisDue to increased global demand for vegetable oils, diversification of the supply chain with sustainable sources is necessary. Acrocomia aculeata has recently gained attention as a multi-purpose, sustainable crop for oil production. However, the information necessary for effective selection of promising varieties for agricultural production is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess variability in fruit morphology and oil composition of individual Acrocomia aculeata plants growing wild in different climatic regions of Costa Rica. Fruits at the same ripening stage were collected at three locations, and biometric features, oil content, fatty acid composition of oils from kernels and pulp, as well as fiber composition of husks were determined. Biometric parameters showed high variability among the regions assessed. Moreover, oil content and relative proportions of unsaturated fatty acids were higher at the most tropical location, whereas lauric acid content was lowest under these conditions, indicating a potential environmental effect on oil composition. Pulp oil content correlated positively with annual precipitation and relative humidity, but no clear relation to temperature was observed. The oil chemical composition was similar to that reported for Elaeis guineensis, suggesting that Acrocomia aculeata from Costa Rica may be a suitable alternative for industrial applications currently based on African palm oil. Analysis of husks as a coproduct revealed the possibility of obtaining materials with high lignin and low water and ash contents that could be used as a solid bioenergy source. In conclusion, Acrocomia aculeata oil is a promising alternative for industrial applications currently based on African palm oil and byproducts of its oil production could find additional use as a renewable energy source.Item Unearthing the entangled roots of urban agriculture(Springer Nature, 2020-11-24) London, Jonathan K.; Cutts, Bethany B.; Schwartz, Kirsten; Schmidt, Li; Cadenasso, Mary L.This study examines urban agriculture (UA) in Sacramento, California (USA), the nation's self-branded “Farm-to-Fork Capital,” in order to highlight UA’s distinct yet entangled roots. The study is based on 24 interviews with a diverse array of UA leaders, conducted as part of a five-year transdisciplinary study of UA in Sacramento. In it, we unearth three primary “taproots” of UA projects, each with its own historical legacies, normative visions, and racial dynamics. In particular, we examine UA projects with “justice taproots,” “health taproots,” and “market taproots.” We use this analysis to understand how different kinds of UA projects are embedded in racial capitalism in ways that transform relationships between people, the city, and food systems. Unearthing these entangled roots helps illuminate UA’s underlying politics, showing how these roots grow in both competitive and symbiotic ways within the soil matrix of racial capitalism. We argue that these roots interact differently with racial capitalism, creating disparities in their growth trajectories. In particular, UA projects associated with the justice taproot are historically underrepresented and undervalued. However, we argue that there are some prospects for building alliances between the UA movement’s three roots, and that these are both promising and problematic.Item Allelopathic effects of leachates of Juglans regia L., Populus tremula L. and juglone on germination of temperate zone cultivated medicinal and aromatic plants(Springer Nature, 2021-02) Zubay, Péter; Kunzelmann, Jakob; Ittzés, András; Zámborine, Éva Németh; Szabó, KrisztinaThe environmental benefits of agroforestry systems are well known. However, current knowledge of potential allelopathic interactions is inadequate. The decrease in soil fertility, the increasingly rhapsodic distribution of precipitation, and the special metabolism and cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants are all harbingers of medicinal-agroforestry systems. The authors aimed to discover the allelopathic effects of Juglans regia L. and Populus tremula L. on germination of medicinal and aromatic plants cultivated in a temperate zone. Accordingly, an in vitro germination trial was conducted with leachates of these trees and two juglone concentrations. These allelopathic effects were evaluated for germination vigour, germination rate, and total fresh weight of seedlings of twelve different species. A pronounced species specificity was observed in tolerance of seeds and seedlings to the allelopathic effect of Populus and Juglans. In four of the species studied, the allelopathic effect may inhibit germination, but only initially. Poppy and angelica proved to be the most sensitive to the treatments. The following species had relative tolerance to the allelochemicals, so further research under natural conditions is suggested for: Althea officinalis L. (9.34 ± 5.04–68.66 ± 13.62 GR%), Anethum graveolens L. (12.00 ± 2.00–100.00 ± 6.12 GR%), Cannabis sativa L. (72.66 ± 9.02–91.34 ± 1.16 GR%), Dracocephalum moldavica L. (38.00 ± 2.00–80.00 ± 17.44 GR%), Linum usitatissimum L. (44.66 ± 2.00–58.00 ± 3.46 GR%), and Satureja hortensis L. (52.00 ± 28.22–82.00 ± 8.00 GR%). The aim would be to introduce them into agroforestry systems.Item Blue stem weevil (Ceutorhynchus sulcicollis) – a potential threat to oilseed rape production(Taylor & Francis Group - Informa UK Limited, 2021-09-15) Sulg, Silva; Kaasik, Riina; Willow, Jonathan; Veromann, EveOilseed rape (Brassica napus) has numerous insect pests, some of which are stem-miners. Currently, blue stem weevil (Ceutorhynchus sulcicollis) is not considered a pest of oilseed rape. In the present study, a total of 60 (30 untreated, 30 insecticide-treated) oilseed rape plants were dissected; and stem-mining larvae were collected, and subsequently allowed to pupate in soil. After pupation, all emerged adult weevils were identified as either blue stem weevil (C. sulcicollis) or cabbage stem weevil (Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus). We report that under favourable conditions C. sulcicollis was capable of reaching pest status, and was significantly more abundant than C. pallidactylus, indicating a critical need for future studies regarding C. sulcicollis.Item Social norms and perceptions drive women’s participation in agricultural decisions in West Java, Indonesia(Springer Nature, 2021-11-02) Qanti, Sara Ratna; Peralta, Alexandra; Zheng, DiIncreasing women’s participation in intrahousehold decision-making has been linked with increased agricultural productivity and economic development. Existing studies focus on identifying the decision-maker and exploring factors affecting women’s participation, yet the context in which households make decisions is generally ignored. This paper narrows this gap by investigating perceptions of women's participation and the roles of social norms in agricultural decision-making. It specifically applies a fine-scale quantitative responses tool and constructs a women’s participation index (WPI) to measure men’s and women’s perceptions regarding women’s participation in decisions about 21 agricultural activities. The study further examines the correlation between social norms in these perceptions as measured by the WPI for 439 couples in West Java, Indonesia. We find that first, men and women have different perceptions about women's decision-making in agricultural activities, but the same perceptions of the types of activities in which women have the most and the least participation. Second, joint decisions come in various combinations but overall, the women’s role is smaller. Third, social norms influence spouses' perceptions of decision-making participation, which explains most of the variation of the WPI. These results suggest that rigorous consideration of social norms is required to understand intrahousehold decision-making.Item Comparative efficacy of cucurbitacin phytonematicides and Velum on growth and fruit quality of watermelon cultivar ‘Congo’ and suppression of Meloidogyne enterolobii under field conditions(Taylor & Francis Group - Informa UK Limited, 2021-11-07) Pofu, Kgabo Martha; Mashela, Phatu WilliamGlobally, the guava root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii) is becoming an emerging threat of note in crops with or without Mi resistance genes. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) cultivars are highly susceptible to Meloidogyne species, with all cultivars without genotypes with resistance to the genus. In contrast, nematode management options for watermelon production had since the withdrawal of fumigant nematicides been constrained. The objective of this study was to investigate the comparative efficacy of the locally-developed cucurbitacin phytonematicides and commercially available synthetic chemical nematicide Velum on growth and fruit yield and quality of watermelon cv. ‘Congo’, along with its accumulation of foliar nutrient elements and suppression of M. enterolobii population densities under field conditions. Nemarioc-AL and Nemafric-BL phytonematicides were each applied biweekly at 2% per seedling using 500 ml solution, while Velum was applied once using 500 ml solution at 0.08 ml/15 L chlorine-free water. At 90 days after the treatments, relative to untreated control, the two phytonematicides and Velum (a.i. fluopyram) significantly increased plant growth, fruit yield and quality, although with the accumulation of phosphorus in leaf tissues, with efficacies of the three products being comparable. Similarly, relative to untreated control, the three products significantly reduced nematode eggs and juveniles in roots and juveniles in soil, with efficacies that were significantly comparable. In conclusion, the benefits of phytonematicides on the productivity of watermelon cv. ‘Congo’ and suppression of population densities of M. enterolobii were comparable.Item Participatory evaluation of lupine genotypes on biomass and grain yield performance and nutritional value in the highland of Ethiopia(Taylor & Francis Group - Informa UK Limited, 2021-11-16) Abera, MergiaA study was conducted to evaluate the adaptability, yield performance and nutritional value, and to identify farmers preferred lupine genotypes. Four lupine genotypes were evaluated using participatory approach at Arbegona and Bule districts of Ethiopia on the farmer’s plots. The experimental layout followed a randomised complete block design with four replications. Farmers as well as researchers gave the first rank for accession No. 239042 and accession No. 239047 and least for Sanabor (Accession No. 144) in overall performance. Moreover, according to the results of the current study, accession No. 239004 and 239042 were the best lupine genotypes, which gave the greater grain yield, forage dry matter production and nutritive value than the other accession tested. Based on the laboratory evaluation, sweet lupine forage and seed can be used as homegrown protein source in livestock feeding. Farmers preferred all the tested lupine genotypes for their after assessing its grain yield. Even though Sanabor (Accession No. 144) was inferior in its grain yield, the farmers preferred the Sanabor mainly due to their early maturity, short growth habit, lodging tolerance, despite its high vegetative growth. Thus, the consideration of farmers’ preference for forage crops is crucial for increased adoption of improved forage crops.Item Supplementing Pochonia chlamydosporia with botanicals for management of Meloidogyne incognita infesting chickpea(Taylor & Francis Group - Informa UK Limited, 2021-11-21) Khan, Amir; Mfarrej, Manar Fawzi Bani; Tariq, Moh; Asif, Mohd; Nadeem, Hera; Siddiqui, Mansoor Ahmad; Alamri, Saad; Ahmad, FaheemRoot-knot nematodes pose a severe threat to worldwide agricultural development. Due to the high toxicity of chemical nematicides, eco-friendly control strategies against root-knot nematodes need to be established. A pot and in vitro experiment were performed to estimate nematicidal potential of Pochonia chlamydosporia. P. chlamydosporia was used alone or in combination with two botanicals for controlling Meloidogyne incognita in chickpea. The laboratory assessment was performed with four prepared concentrations (S, S/2, S/10, S/25) of fungal inoculum of P. chlamydosporia against egg hatching and second-stage juvenile’s mortality of M. incognita. All four concentrations reduced egg hatching and increased mortality of J2s. In pot experiment, P. chlamydosporia was used with chopped leaves of two botanicals viz., Ageratum conyzoides and Eichhornia crassipes against M. incognita in chickpea. All the treatments found significantly suppressed root infestation caused by M. incognita and improved growth and physiological attributes of chickpea. The combined application of P. chlamydosporia + A. conyzoides was found highly effective, and E. crassipes alone was least. Therefore, using P. chlamydosporia with botanicals is a promising sustainable strategy in agriculture against M. incognita infected chickpea.Item Soil CO2 emissions in cropland with fodder maize (Zea mays L.) with and without riparian bufer strips of differing vegetation(Springer Nature, 2022) Dlamini, J. C.; Cardenas, L. M.; Tesfamariam, E. H.; Dunn, R. M.; Evans, J.; Hawkins, J. M. B.; Blackwell, M. S. A.; Collins, A. L.Vegetated land areas play a significant role in determining the fate of carbon (C) in the global C cycle. Riparian buffer vegetation is primarily implemented for water quality purposes as they attenuate pollutants from immediately adjacent croplands before reaching freashwater systems. However, their prevailing conditions may sometimes promote the production and subsequent emissions of soil carbon dioxide (CO2). Despite this, the understanding of soil CO2 emissions from riparian buffer vegetation and a direct comparison with adjacent croplands they serve remain elusive. In order to quantify the extent of CO2 emissions in such an agro system, we measured CO2 emissions simultaneously with soil and environmental variables for six months in a replicated plot-scale facility comprising of maize cropping served by three vegetated riparian buffers, namely: (i) a novel grass riparian buffer; (ii) a willow riparian buffer, and; (iii) a woodland riparian buffer. These buffered treatments were compared with a no-buffer control. The woodland (322.9 ± 3.1 kg ha− 1) and grass (285 ± 2.7 kg ha− 1) riparian buffer treatments (not significant to each other) generated significantly (p = < 0.0001) the largest CO2 compared to the remainder of the treatments. Our results suggest that during maize production in general, the woodland and grass riparian buffers serving a maize crop pose a CO2 threat. The results of the current study point to the need to consider the benefits for gaseous emissions of mitigation measures conventionally implemented for improving the sustainability of water resources.Item Modelling greenhouse gas emissions of cacao production in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire(Springer Nature, 2022) Vervuurt, W.; Slingerland, M. A.; Pronk, A. A.; Van Bussel, L. G. J.The current expansion of cacao cultivation in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire is associated with deforestation, forest degradation, biodiversity loss and high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Global concerns about emissions that are associated with tropical commodity production are increasing. Consequently, there is a need to change the present cacao-growing practice into a more climate-friendly cultivation system. A more climate-friendly system causes lower GHG emissions, stores a high amount of carbon in its standing biomass and produces high cacao yields. GHG emissions and carbon stocks associated with the present cacao production, as assessed in 509 farmers’ fields, were estimated by using the Perennial GHG model and the Cool Farm Tool. On average, the production of 1 kg cacao beans is associated with an emission of 1.47 kg CO2e. Deforestation contributed largely to GHG emissions, while tree biomass and residue management contributed mainly to carbon storage. The collected data combined with the model simulations revealed that it is feasible to produce relatively high yields while at the same time storing a high amount of carbon in the standing biomass and causing low GHG emissions. The climate-friendliness of cacao production is strongly related to farm management, especially the number of shade trees and management of residues. Calculated emissions related to good agricultural practices were 2.29 kg CO2e per kg cacao beans. The higher emissions due to the use of more agro-inputs and other residue management practices such as recommended burning of residues for sanitary reasons were not compensated for by higher yields. This indicates a need to revisit recommended practices with respect to climate change mitigation objectives.Item Act of phosphorus on cell hydraulic state, K+ use efficiency and induction of positive correlations between yield and vegetative traits in chickpea(Taylor & Francis Group - Informa UK Limited, 2022-01-05) Sadji-Ait Kaci, H.; Chaker-Haddadj, A.; Nedir-Kichou, A.; Aid, FSalinity is one of the most severe factors that can affect agricultural productivity worldwide particularly in the arid and semi-arid agro-ecological zones. Chickpea seedlings were grown in the field and subjected to different NaCl concentrations (0, 50 and 150 mM) and P application (90 kg ha–1). The experimental design was based on a completely randomised design with three replications. Salinity has disturbed the physiological and ionic state of cells by increasing stomatal resistance and significantly decreased growth and yield parameters (−66%). Under salinity, plant growth traits presented a negative correlation with yield components. P application had positive effect on growth parameters and physiological responses of the plants. Our results suggest that the tolerance of chickpea at (NaCl × P) combination is closely associated with ionic homeostasis and physiological activities of the plants. Phosphorus application allowed salinity tolerance by increasing leaf hydraulic statute, improvement of KUE and consequently enhanced grain yield of chickpea. (P × salinity) combination induced a positive correlation between vegetative traits and yield parameters like unstressed treatment. These results suggest that the use of suitable amounts of phosphorus fertiliser (i. e. 90 kg ha–1) to saline soil is a beneficial starter for plant development, yield components and rehabilitation of degraded soils.Item Effect of contour rainwater-harvesting and integrated nutrient management on sorghum grain yield in semi-arid farming environments of Zimbabwe(Taylor & Francis Group - Informa UK Limited, 2022-01-06) Kubiku, Friday N. M.; Nyamadzawo, George; Nyamangara, Justice; Mandumbu, RonaldThe application of insufficient amounts of mineral fertiliser, coupled with unreliable precipitation, has caused a drastic reduction in the yield of sorghum in the smallholder-farming areas of Zimbabwe. This calls for innovative interventions to improve production under changing climatic conditions. This study evaluated the effect of contour-based rainwater-harvesting methods and the use of cattle manure + N nutrient amendment on sorghum yield. A split-split plot experiment was conducted where rainwater-harvesting practice, sorghum variety, cattle manure + N and distance from rainwater-harvesting structure were treatment factors. The results showed that the yield of sorghum was significantly higher under the tied contour and infiltration pits than standard contour at all distances from rainwater-harvesting practices and seasons. In all seasons sorghum varieties Macia and Sc Sila showed higher yield under the tied contour and infiltration pits than standard contour. However, regardless of the distance from rainwater-harvesting practice and season the sorghum variety, Macia showed a higher grain yield than Sc Sila. At each incremental level of N application to cattle manure, Macia had a higher grain yield than Sc Sila, and no significant grain yield benefits were shown in each variety at N application to cattle manure above 50 kg N ha−1.Item Effect of long-term fertilisation on enzyme activities and microbial community composition in the rice rhizosphere(Taylor & Francis Group - Informa UK Limited, 2022-01-06) Li, Weitao; Kuzyakov, Yakov; Zheng, Yulong; Liu, Ming; Wu, Meng; Dong, Yuanha; Li, ZhongpeiMineral fertilisers differ in changing soil properties, and revealing how the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere respond could provide a robust assessment of fertiliser regimes. Rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils were sampled from five fertilisation treatments in a long-term (24 year) experiment. Enzyme activities and total phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) content in the rhizosphere soil were 85.8% and 51.3% higher than in the non-rhizosphere soil, respectively. Fertilisation increased enzyme activities, especially the N-cycling enzyme β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase in NP fertilised soil (1.5 and 2.5 times for rhizosphere and non rhizosphere soil, respectively). The PLFA composition indicated that fungi cominated in the rhizosphere fertilised with P, whereas bacteria were more common in the non-rhizosphere soil. The PLFA contents and enzyme activities in the rhizosphere of P-fertilised plants were lower than those in the non-rhizosphere soil because P availability was lower in the rhizosphere. The redundancy analysis showed that the microbial community in the rhizosphere soil was different from that of the non-rhizosphere soil, mainly because there were differences in the 15:1ω6c and 16:0. Long-term (24 year) fertilisation strongly increased nutrient contents, and microbial biomass and activity in paddy soil. It is advisable to apply P fertiliser in the root zone to increase fertiliser use efficiency.Item Public potato breeding progress for the Nordic Region of Europe: evidence from multisite testing of selected breeding clones and available released cultivars(Taylor & Francis Group - Informa UK Limited, 2022-01-06) Reslow, Fredrik; Carlson-Nilsson, Ulrika; Crossa, José; Cuevas, Jaime; Ortiz, RodomiroThe breeding of new cultivars is a powerful approach to increase both the quantity and quality of potato harvest per land unit. The aim of this research was to determine using multi-site testing the progress made by the genetic enhancement of potato in Sweden in the last 1.5 decades by comparing advanced breeding clones (T4 upwards) bred in Sweden (Svensk potatisförädling hereafter) versus available released cultivars in Europe and grown in its Nordic Region. The multi-site testing results show that potato breeding based in Scandinavia offers to the growers of the Nordic Region of Europe cultivars for prevailing farming environments and end-user needs rather than relying, as happens today in the market, on foreign cultivars. These cultivars bred elsewhere are not always very suitable for the challenging Nordic agroecosystems, as shown by the results of the multi-site testing herein. Such an approach on relying on foreign cultivars may be advocated for not funding potato breeding in, and for Fennoscandia by those ignoring the results shown by this research.Item Wheat production in the highlands of Eastern Ethiopia: opportunities, challenges and coping strategies of rust diseases(Taylor & Francis Group - Informa UK Limited, 2022-01-09) Nigus, Mulu; Shimelis, Hussein; Mathew, Isack; Abady, SelteneEthiopia is the primary wheat producer in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) owing to the suitable agro-ecological conditions. Despite wheats economic potential for food security, the actual yield under smallholder farmers conditions is low due to various production constraints. Thus, the objectives of this study were to assess the present wheat production opportunities and constraints and identify farmer-preferred traits to guide variety design with stem rust-resistance and economic traits in eastern Ethiopia. Data on production constraints and trait preferences were collected using structured questionnaires involving 144 wheat-producing farmers. Wheat rust (reported by 97.3% of respondents), small land size (90.4%) and a lack of improved varieties (75.6%) were identified as the major constraints. About 41.7% of respondents in the West-Hararghe and 27.8% in the East-Hararghe zones did not use crop protection strategies to control rusts. Substantial respondent farmers used cultural practices (18.8%), rust-resistant cultivars (13.2%) or, a combination of these (10.4%) to control rust diseases. The essential farmer preferred traits in a wheat variety were rust resistance, high yield potential and good quality grain for bread making. Therefore, there is a need to breed new varieties with high grain yield and quality and durable rust resistance for sustainable wheat production in eastern Ethiopia.Item Effect of two seeding rates on yield and yield components of winter and spring faba bean(Taylor & Francis Group - Informa UK Limited, 2022-01-17) Neugschwandtner, Reinhard W.; Bernhuber, Alexander; Kammlander, Stefan; Wagentristl, Helmut; Klimek-Kopyra, Agnieszka; Bernas, Jaroslav; Kaul, Hans-PeterIn Central European cropping systems, there is increasing interest in winter faba bean (Vicia faba L. minor), which is traditionally used as a spring crop. But limited knowledge on yield and yield formation and optimum seeding rate exist. Therefore, the purpose of this assessment was to compare soil coverage, yield and yield components of two winter faba bean varieties (Diva and Hiverna) with a spring faba bean (Alexia) with two seeding rates (SR), 25 versus 50 germinable seeds m−2 (S), in a two-year field experiment under Pannonian climate conditions in eastern Austria. Both winter faba bean varieties produced a high grain yield with 25 S, whereas that of Alexia tended to be higher with 50 S. The grain yield of Diva and Hiverna was with 25 S and that of Diva also with 50 S higher than that of Alexia. The higher SR caused in winter faba beans a higher intraspecific competition resulting in less stems plant−1. Pod density of Alexia was higher with 50 S compared to 25 S, while grains pod−1 and thousand kernel weight of all three varieties were not affected by SR. Results show that winter faba bean can be sown in Central Europe with lower seeding rates compared to spring faba bean without suffering a grain yield loss.Item Understanding the pathways to women’s empowerment in Northern Ghana and the relationship with small-scale irrigation(Springer Nature, 2022-01-17) Bryan, Elizabeth; Garner, ElisabethWomen’s empowerment is often an important goal of development interventions. This paper explores local perceptions of empowerment in the Upper East Region of Ghana and the pathways through which small-scale irrigation intervention targeted to men and women farmers contributes to women’s empowerment. Using qualitative data collected with 144 farmers and traders through 28 individual interviews and 16 focus group discussions, this paper innovates a framework to integrate the linkages between small-scale irrigation and three dimensions of women’s empowerment: resources, agency, and achievements. The relationship between the components of empowerment and small-scale irrigation are placed within a larger context of social change underlying these relationships. This shows that many women face serious constraints to participating in and benefitting from small-scale irrigation, including difficulties accessing land and water and gender norms that limit women’s ability to control farm assets. Despite these constraints, many women do benefit from participating in irrigated farming activities leading to an increase in their agency and well-being achievements. For some women, these benefits are indirect—these women allocate their time to more preferred activities when the household gains access to modern irrigation technology. The result is a new approach to understanding women’s empowerment in relation to irrigation technology.
- «
- 1 (current)
- 2
- 3
- »