ABSTRACT The soils and leaves of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis), African spinach, "Green" (Amaranthus hybridus) and water leaf (Talinum triangulare) were collected as randomly composite samples from four (4) different study locations of two (2) each from Owo Local Government Area and Etsako-West Local Government Area. The samples were examined for heavy metal concentrations, using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique. Chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), ...
ABSTRACT The study was conducted in Shinyanga Municipality, Tanzania to assess the potential contribution of peri-urban wetlands to livelihood of adjacent communities. The specific objectives were to examine the contribution of the peri-urban wetland ecosystems to natural capital– (food production/food security), evaluate the contribution of peri-urban wetlands ecosystem to financial capital –(household income) and assess the benefits received by farmer groups/associations formed around t...
ABSTRACT Preservation of food is a pre-requisite for food safety and security, bridging the gap between the site of production and site of consumption and the rising between demand and supply. There has been a problem of preserving seasonal food properly and disinfesting food without noticeable hazard to the consumer. There is also a noticeable increase in the incidence of food borne disease. The study is aimed at determine the shelf life extension of avocado, carrot, okra and tomatoes when p...
ABSTRACT ii The study attempts to examine the livelihood strategies and household food security of vegetable street vendors in Morogoro town, Tanzania. Specifically, the study sought to: (1) To document the nature of the institutional environment in which vegetable street vending business is taking place, (2) To identify the type and extent of livelihood assets owned by individuals working as vegetable street vendors, (3) To measure household food security and dietary diversity of vegetable ...
ABSTRACT The study attempts to examine the livelihood strategies and household food security of vegetable street vendors in Morogoro town, Tanzania. Specifically, the study sought to: (1) To document the nature of the institutional environment in which vegetable street vending business is taking place, (2) To identify the type and extent of livelihood assets owned by individuals working as vegetable street vendors, (3) To measure household food security and dietary diversity of vegetable str...
ABSTRACT Amaranths are African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) that have recently gained importance as a food source in Africa owing to the high nutritional value of their leaves and grains. Production of this crop is, however, limited by arthropod pests especially the lepidopteran leaf-webbers, leaf-worms and stem weevils. The use of insecticides for their management is uneconomical and also present health and environmental concerns. Host plant resistance (HPR) to insects is an effective, econ...
Abstract: Amaranths are African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) that have recently gained importance as a food source in Africa owing to the high nutritional value of their leaves and grains. Production of this crop is, however, limited by arthropod pests especially the lepidopteran leaf-webbers, leaf-worms and stem weevils. The use of insecticides for their management is uneconomical and also present health and environmental concerns. Host plant resistance (HPR) to insects is an effective, eco...
Slenderleaf (Crotalaria brevidens), also known as rattle pod, is a prominent species of Crotalaria used as a vegetable in Kenya. It is a highly nutritious leafy vegetable, good sources of provitamin A, Vitamin C, carotenoids, iron protein, and calcium. At an average of 3 tons per hectare production of slender leaf in Kenya is low compared to an average potential of 11 tons per hectare. Previous studies done evaluated the influence of nitrogenous and phosphoric nutrients on slenderleaf grow...
ABSTRACT The use of quality seed is a prerequisite for high vegetable productivity. The Ghana Seed Inspection Division conducts seed quality assessment to ensure that seeds meet minimum quality standards before they are certified to be sold to farmers. Poor seed storage practices and repackaging of certified seeds at retailers’ end could adversely affect seed quality before farmers purchase these for planting. Post-certification surveillance was undertaken to assess the quality of certified...
ABSTRACT Organic wastes, such as faecal sludge (FS), cocoa pod husk (CPH) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) abound in large quantities in the Ghanaian environment. They contain considerable amounts of nutrients and organic matter which can be recycled to improve soil organic matter content and boost soil fertility status. This study was conducted to characterize and quantify FS produced in Sekondi Takoradi metropolis (STMA), co-compost FS with EFB and CPH, evaluate the suitability of the co-compo...
ABSTRACT Farmers’ access to relevant and useful agricultural information is key to improving their productivity. Research shows that the information needs of farmers differ and that the behaviour of farmers in seeking information is as varied as their production systems. The study was conducted to identify the information needs and assess the information seeking behaviour of urban vegetable farmers whose activities supplement the food needs of an increasingly urbanised population in sub-Sah...
ABSTRACT Many underutilized indigenous foods contain high levels of essential trace elements some of which have immunological effect, and play important roles in many metabolic and enzymatic functions in man. Such elements include zinc, vanadium, selenium, chromium and iodine among others. If sustainably exploited, they would cost-effectively promote good health and thus reduce the medical bills. There is need therefore to analyze for these essential trace elements in foods, and especially t...
Abstract: Pectinases are the group of enzymes that degrade pectin. This study was conducted with the aim of isolation of efficient pectinase producing pectinoloytic fungi from the decaying vegetable and fruit soil containing decomposing mango peels using extracted mango peels pectin as a growth substrate under submerged fermentation, determining optimum pectinase production conditions and characterizing of ammonium sulphate precipitated pectinase activity with regards to some physicochemical...
ABSTRACT The use of chemical fertilizers to replenish depleted soil nutrients due to over cultivation and erosion is a common practice. Natural radionuclides in these fertilizers can cause some radiological adverse health effects to animal, through indirect ingestion of fertilizer, including consumption of plants grown with fertilizers. Information on the level of contribution of chemical fertilizers to farm soil radioactivity and radiological health effects in Nigeria are scanty. This study ...
ABSTRACT Consumption of Indigenous vegetables (IVs) in most Sub-Sahara African countries including Tanzania is replaced by exotic varieties/species, regardless of their potential nutritional and economic values. Given this situation, among other IVs, this study was conducted with the aim of assessing consumers‟ acceptance and willingness to pay (WTP) for processed cassava leaves products. Sensory test together with a consumer survey of 110 randomly selected respondents was conducted in Moro...