ABSTRACT Population increase in Matungulu Sub-County in Kenya has led to pressure on arable land where agriculture is the main economic activity. This has caused a gradual shift in land use practices over the years from extensive to intensive agriculture. There has been a decrease in maize yields over the years despite the use of phosphate (P) and nitrogenous (N) fertilizers, which may suggest that the levels of potassium (K) in the soil may be low. Fertilizer application for maize farming ...
Abstract Integrated soil fertility management and soil water conservation practices are possible solutions to persistent soil quality decline and low availability of soil moisture which are affecting agricultural productivity in the dry lands of Tharaka-Nithi County. Nonetheless, the rate of uptake of these technologies and practices by smallholder farmers has stagnated over the years despite recommendations for their use. Lack of effective communication between the extension agents and rese...
ABSTRACT Mozambique lags behind all other Southern and Eastern African countries in maize production leading to maize imports. Soil nutrient depletion, lack of combination of organic resources with mineral resources coupled with high soil acidity has been identified as the main causes of the declining crop yields. Maize yield in smallholder systems in central Mozambique can be increased by optimum utilization of mineral fertilizers combined with cattle manure and other locally available organ...
ABSTRACT Mycotoxins are low-molecular weight secondary metabolites produced by fungi, mostly of the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. They are noncritical to the instantaneous survival of the organism, and mostly affect its long-term survival. Fungal growth is enhanced by the warm, humid atmosphere and organic substrate-rich soil, such as exists in Nigeria, and they massively infect Nigerian plants and livestock. One consequence is reduced agricultural yield, which leads to food short...
ABSTRACT Seaweed has many uses which including source of food, in agriculture is used as organic fertilizer and also has been used in medicinal products. However, seaweed farming has side effects on environment and most coastal communities who involved in this farming do not well know. The general objective of this study was to assess environmental impacts of seaweed farming. The specific objectives of the study were including; to identify types of seaweed and activities related to seaweed f...
ABSTRACT This study was designed to enhance EPC Mawuko Girls‟ SHS 2 Home Economics students‟ understanding of the classification, naming and writing of the structures of aliphatic organic compounds using molecular models. It was also intended to find out the students‟ views on the use of molecular models in teaching the structural formulae and naming of aliphatic organic compounds. The study was a case study design using the action research approach. The sample for the study was forty-f...
ABSTRACT Smallholder farming systems in Njoro are characterized by the application of sub- optimal rates or non-utilization of inorganic fertilizers due to their exorbitant prices vis-à-vis low financial returns from crops. Efficient application of natural materials in agro ecosystems, viz. the use of Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR) as a fertilizer is an attractive alternative to inorganic fertilizers, however, releases phosphorous slowly due to its low solubility. The use of the legumes apart...
ABSTRACT The study was undertaken to analyze the relationship between mixed farming and soil degradation in Nyarubuye Sub County. The study objectives included; finding out different mixed farming practices in Nyarubuye Sub County, identify impacts of mixed farming on soil degradation in Nyarubuye Sub County and to analyze the solutions of on how to over come soil degradation. Data was collected basing on the above objectives and each objective was handled after the other. Different mixed f...
ABSTRACT The study was undertaken to analyze the relationship between mixed farming and soil degradation in Nyarubuye Sub County. The study objectives included; finding out different mixed farming practices in Nyarubuye Sub County, identify impacts of mixed farming on soil degradation in Nyarubuye Sub County and to analyze the solutions of on how to over come soil degradation. Data was collected basing on the above objectives and each objective was handled after the other. Different mixed fam...
Abstract Maize and beans contribute significantly to food security in Kenya. Farming practices used in production of these crops may affect nematode community assemblages and influence agricultural productivity. Information on response of nematofauna, particularly free-living nematodes, under various agronomic practices in Kenyan maize-beans intercrop is scarce. This study reports on the effects of farming practices on nematode community dynamics, ecological and functional indices, nematode ...
ABSTRACT From a small district capital in the early 1980s, Wa the capital of the Upper West Region has grown to the status of a municipality. The phenomenal urban growth and its accompanying expansion have had a profound effect on the peri-urban communities. These communities have had their livelihood activities negatively affected but the extent to which the urban expansion has affected agricultural output and peri urban farmers’ coping strategies has not attracted much academic attention...
ABSTRACT Two field experiments were conducted at the Multipurpose Crop Nursery of the University of Education, Winneba, Mampong-Ashanti campus during the minor and major rainy seasons from September, 2011 to January, 2012 and April to August, 2012 respectively to verify the yield and storability of sweetpotato roots as influenced by chicken manure and inorganic fertilzer in the forest transitional agro-ecological zone of Ghana.. In both cropping seasons sweetpotato root tubers were stored for...
ABSTRACT Two field experiments were conducted at the Multipurpose Crop Nursery of the University of Education, Winneba, Mampong-Ashanti campus during the minor and major rainy seasons from September, 2011 to January, 2012 and April to August, 2012 respectively to verify the yield and storability of sweetpotato roots as influenced by chicken manure and inorganic fertilzer in the forest transitional agro-ecological zone of Ghana.. In both cropping seasons sweetpotato root tubers were stored fo...
Abstract: Zinc Oxide (ZnO) is a promising semiconductor material suitable for the application in electronic and optoelectronic systems. ZnO tailored into nanorods has a potential to be used in photovoltaic cells due to its large surface area to volume ratio that allows for maximum light harvesting and improved electron transportation efficiency. ZnO nanorods that are less compact, thin and long with fewer defects can be used for organic/inorganic solar cells application. In this study ch...
ABSTRACT Energy study was conducted in an organic fertilizer production plant in Nigeria, to determine the energy consumption patterns and the associated costs for the production of both powdered and pelletised fertilizer. Analysis was conducted for a daily production of 9000 kg of the finished products. Eight and nine defined unit operations were required for production of powder and pellets, respectively. The electrical and manual energy required for the production of powder were 94.5 and 5...