Agronomy Research Papers/Topics

Response of Sugarcane (Saccharum Spp. Hybrid) Varieties to the Application of Chemical Ripeners at Kessem, Metahara, and Wonji-Shoa Sugar Estates in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Abstract: Ripening management is one of the core practices in sugarcane production to boost the sucrose content. Conventionally, in Ethiopian Sugar Industry, withholding irrigation through drying off the cane prior to harvesting is commonly conducted to facilitate the improvement of sucrose content. However, this method of ripening lacks accurate control of crop water supply and there is risk related to reduction in sugarcane and sucrose yield resulting from excessive withholding of water. C...

Production Practices of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) and Response of the Crop to Application of Mineral Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Fertilizers and Lime in Acidic Soils of Wolaita Zone,

Abstract: Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is one of the major pulse crops grown in the highlands of Wolaita Zone in Ethiopia. However, the production is challenged by soil acidity, low soil fertility, and scarcity of improved varieties. Therefore, three studies (survey, pot and field) were conducted in Wolaita Zone in 2019 and 2020 main cropping seasons with four key objectives:To assess farmers’ soil fertility and faba bean production practices; to identify the optimum liming rate and best vari...

Socio –Economic Aspects Of Sheep Preding For Productive Families In Blue Nile State-Sudan (Case Study: Blue Nile State)

Abstract This study was aimed to evaluate the performance of sheep owned by productive families sheep in Blue Nile State between 2013 to 2016. During this period designed questionnaire to cover (50 )of the animal breeders in two villages (Alazzaza and Wad ElFaki) to evaluate (Education, Animal type, Housing, Nutrition, Concentrates, Care of animal, Nutrition responsibility , Monthly expenditure, Health status of receiving , General condition, Mothers mortality, Newborns mortality, Ewe parity...

Impact Of Agricultural Extension In Adaptation Of Agricultural Sector To Climate Change

Abstract This study Aimed To Assess The Impact Of Agricultural Extension In Adaptation Of Agricultural Sector To Climate Change , The Study Was Conducted In Kijaira Adminstitive Unit Which Is Located In Elsalam Locality In West Kordoan State. A Questionnaire Was Formulated For Primary Data Collection,And A Sample Of 111 Farmers Were Selected Randomly Using The Multi-Stage Random Sampling Technique. The Secondery Data Used Was Collected From Previous Studies, Books Refrences And Reports Relat...

Effect Of Dietary Xylam 500 Enzyme And Metabolizable Energy Level On The Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Broliers

Abstract This experiment was designed to study the effect of dietary xylam500 commercial enzyme (xylanase + amylase) and dietary metabolizable energy leveland their interaction on the performance and carcass characteristics of the broiler. The completely randomized design with factorial arrangement (2x2) was used in the experiment .Two levels of xylam enzyme (0 and 500 gm/ton/feed) were replicated 5 times with the each of the two levels of metabolizable energy (3000 and 3200 Kcal/Kg),120one ...

Growth and yield response of spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.) intercropped at different populations, with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

ABSTRACT Spider plant (Cleome gynandraL.) is an important indigenous vegetable in Zimbabwe whose demand is increasing across all social classes due to high nutritional and medicinal qualities. Lack of efficient production technologies is leading to under utilization of its genetic potential hence growing demand cannot be met by current methods used by smallholder farmers. In view of this, a field experiment was carried out at Musena Resettlement area in Chirumanzu District to assess the perfo...

The Effect Of Plant Media And Intra-Row Spacing Using Bud Chip Technology On Growth And Yield Of Sugarcane (Saccharum Officinarum L) Varieties.

ABSTRACT The experiments were conducted at Zimbabwe Sugar Association Experiment Station, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe during the period 2015-2016 to study the growth, yield and economic benefit analysis of sugarcane as influenced by plant media, intra-row spacing and varieties. Two experiments were conducted with the 1st experiment that evaluated the best plant media to raise sugarcane bud chips and the 2nd experiment on determining the best intra-row spacing that gives best yield, using different sug...

Effects of Retention Period on Field Emergence, Seed Vigour And Genetic Purity of Soybeans (glycine max. L).

ABSTRACT Access to high quality certified soybeans seeds by most small scale commercial farmers is a major constraint and this result in most farmers to retain their seed obtained from the previous harvests. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of retention period on field emergence, vigor and genetic purity of soybean seeds under the smallholder farmers in semi arid regions of Zimbabwe. A survey was first conducted to assess the agronomic and storage practices done by smallholder...

Potential of brassica napus and trichoderma harzianum in control of powdery scab (spongospora subterranea f.sp.subterranea.) Of potato (solanum tuberosum l.)

ABSTRACT  Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important crops grown in Zimbabwe owing to its nutritional and economic benefits. However, its production is often adversely affected by soilborne fungal pathogens such as Spongospora subterranea f.sp subterranea, the causal agent of powdery scab on potato tubers and the vector of Potato Mop Top Virus. The fungal pathogen forms root galls on roots and lesions on tubers. Brassica crops incorporated in crop rotations or applied as gree...

Effect Of Calcium Fertilization On Soft Rot (Pectobacterium Carotovora) Disease Development In Irish Potato (Solanum Tuberosum

ABSTRACT Potato production is being affected by many bacterial and fungal diseases hence most farmers incur heavy pre and post-harvest losses. Among the bacterial diseases soft rot is one of the most severe disease. Soft rot is a potato disease caused by bacteria called Pectobacterium carotovora. lt is a seed borne disease and it is difficult to control. The research focuses on increasing resistance of potato to soft rot disease. The experiment was conducted at Africa University campus during...

Effects Of Foliar Fertilisers Containing Magnesium, Copper And Zinc On Yield And Quality Of Mature Tea.

ABSTRACT Tea plantations of Southdown estate are deficient in nutrients such as Copper, Magnesium, and Zinc. This was shown by leaf analysis done in 2012 to mature tea in several tea gardens of Southdown estate. These nutrients have been given little attention in Zimbabwe tea fertilizer recommendations despite their continual removal from the tea fields during harvesting. A study was therefore conducted to assess the effect of Copper, Magnesium and Zinc foliar fertilizers on yield and quality...

Comparative efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum application methods for controlling Rhizoctonia solani in peas (Pisum sativum L.)

ABSTRACT The use of Trichoderma has been widely used to control R. solani but however there is need to evaluate the different mechanisms used to administer the Biological Control Agent into the plant environment. A greenhouse experiment to compare the efficacy of three T. harzianum application methods i.e. seed bio-priming, seed coating and soil treatment to control R. solani in peas was carried at Kutsaga Research Station. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of T. h...

Effect of different multipurpose tree prunings and placement method on the growth and development of rape (Brassica napus L.)

ABSTRACT Production of vegetables in the smallholder sector of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is affected by poor soil fertility with nitrogen (N) being the most limiting nutrient. Continued nutrient mining without adequate replenishment has led to a corresponding decline in soil fertility and crop yields due to failure by farmers in SSA to purchase inorganic fertilisers. Leguminous multipurpose tree (MPT) prunings have widely been promoted as alternative sources of N but nutrient release is affect...

Effects Of Tobacco (Nicotiana Tabacum) Rotation And Fumigation On The Temporal And Spatial Distribution Of Roots-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne Ssp)

ABSTRACT Root-knot nematodes cause significant yield losses in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). Their management is essential for the grower to maximize production. Nematodes migrate up and down the soil profile in response to host availability. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of tobacco rotations on the spatial and temporal distribution of nematodes. Sampling was done every month from September 2010 to April 2011. The experimental design was a split-plot in a randomized com...